Best MFT Programs in Hawaii Online

Among the countless psychological specializations available to students, marriage and family therapy is one of the fastest-growing and continually ranks as one of the most needed professions in the State of Hawaii. To become a marriage and family therapist in Hawaii, you’ll need to invest in your education. There are several types of MFT degrees available at different levels. To learn about MFT degrees in Hawaii and how to obtain licensure, take a look at the sections below.

What is an MFT Degree?

An MFT degree (Marriage and Family Therapy degree) is a program that focuses on therapeutic methods for common issues that arise among families and couples. These degrees are typically awarded to those who want to specialize as marriage and family therapists and seek meaningful careers as clinical mental health professionals.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

MFT degrees are available across the country, but before applying, it’s important to remember that the program must be accredited in order to be considered for licensure. This ensures that your program meets the state’s minimum curriculum requirements. The main accrediting body for marriage and family therapists is the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), but you may also come across the equally authoritative CACREP in your search. As you research MFT degree programs, make sure that they have the COAMFTE or CACREP stamp of approval if your goal is to become licensed.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Hawaii?

Online degrees at both the master’s and doctorate degree levels are offered in Hawaii through Chaminade University of Honolulu, as we’ll highlight in the following sections. Though your coursework can be completed online, it’s important to note that you will be required to fulfill a number of in-person practicum hours by training with professionals in the field and working one-on-one with patients in the community. This means you’ll need to be residing on the island if you want to enroll in this particular program.

MFT Degree Levels

There are many different types of MFT degrees, but the most common types are graduate degrees (master’s degrees and doctorate degrees) and graduate certificates (non-degrees that typically last a year or less). Master’s and doctorate degrees in MFT allow graduates to become licensed in marriage and family therapy, whereas graduate certificates are typically geared towards students who are already licensed as mental health professionals but want a more balanced education in this particular area.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

Depending on the program, you may come across admissions pages that require a GRE. This exam measures your academic placement to ensure that you don’t need to take any prerequisites before enrolling. Some schools, however, have done away with this requirement. Your school’s website should make it clear on the application.

Master's Degree in MFT

A master’s degree is the minimum education you’ll need to complete in order to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist. MFT master’s degrees typically last two years and require the completion of 60 credit hours to graduate. You’ll also be responsible for maintaining a number of clinical practicum hours in the last year of your program.

MFT master’s degree programs can range considerably in price — around $400 to $800 per credit. Unfortunately, there are currently no MFT master’s degree programs available, however, there are a few alternatives:

Chaminade University of Honolulu: While there are no MFT master’s degree programs available to students in The Island State, Chaminade University of Honolulu offers a Counseling Psychology Degree Program with a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. This program is perfect for students who want to practice a more generalized approach to psychology but still want a level of concentration in marriage and family therapy.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

As mentioned, graduate certificates are not degrees, but they are helpful if you already have a degree in psychology or social work and want to specialize in marriage and family therapy or simply want to expand your knowledge in this particular field. Graduate certificates take about a year (or less) to finish and typically cost a total of $1,000 to $1,500 for tuition. Unfortunately, there are not MFT graduate certificates available in Hawaii, but students can find these programs available online or on the mainland:

National University: You can find National University’s campuses nationwide (hence the name), and their San Diego campus currently hosts the closest MFT post-masters certificate program in proximity to Hawaii. To make things even easier for Hawaii residents, students can take their classes 100% online, so they don’t have to choose between their family or work obligations and expanding their educational horizons.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

An MFT doctorate degree is the highest level of education a marriage and family therapist can obtain. Having a doctorate degree in marriage and family therapy opens up students to a wide range of esteemed careers in research, clinical practice, or educators. MFT doctorate degrees take between four and eight years to complete and can cost between $35,000 and $300,000 in tuition. For many, the investment is well worth it.

There are two different types of MFT doctorate degrees. The first (and more common) is a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy. This type of degree is focused on the research and theoretical aspects of marriage and family therapy. The other is a PsyD, which is more clinical-focused. There is currently one MFT doctorate degree program:

Chaminade University of Honolulu: Even though it’s the only Hawaiian university that offers MFT degrees at any level, Chaminade University of Honolulu’s Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy is a great option, regardless of the lack of options in the state. It offers the rare opportunity to get your doctorate in MFT online with its self-paced option. In as little as 36 months, you can be awarded your doctorate and begin an exciting career in clinical practice or research.

Becoming an LMFT in Hawaii

The educational journey of becoming a marriage and family therapist is important, but to work in a clinical setting, you’ll need to become licensed. Each state sets its own individual requirements for becoming licensed. Here’s how to become licensed as an LMFT in Hawaii:

• Supervised Experience: Accumulate supervised clinical experience. In Hawaii, this usually involves completing 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised experience, with at least 1,600 hours of direct client contact. This experience must be gained under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, with at least 1,000 hours accrued after the master’s degree.
• Examination: Pass the National Examination in Marital and Family Therapy, administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). This exam assesses your knowledge of marriage and family therapy principles and practices.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). Include all required documentation, such as transcripts, verification of supervised experience, examination scores, and any other requested materials.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check.
• Fees: Pay all required application and licensing fees.
• Continuing Education: After obtaining licensure, you must fulfill 45 continuing education hours within a 2-year period to maintain your license. Six of these must be specifically focused in ethics.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Hawaii

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