Best MFT Programs in Delaware Online

If you’re looking for a rewarding and growing psychological field to specialize in, marriage and family therapy is a great consideration. As an experienced and knowledgeable professional, you’ll help families and couples navigate challenging issues.

MFT programs in Delaware are limited, but there are many alternative options for students in Delaware who want to make a difference in the lives of couples and families. In the sections below, we’ll outline how to find programs that fit your individual needs and how you can practice as a marriage and family counselor in your state.

What is an MFT Degree?

MFT stands for Marriage and Family Therapy — therapeutic methods that focus on issues that arise between family members and couples. This can include relationship problems, parenting skills, or tools for addressing complex problems such as abuse or trauma. To become licensed as a marriage and family therapist, you’ll need to graduate from a marriage and family therapy degree program.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

One of the most crucial things to understand about MFT degrees is the importance of accreditation. If a program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), it means that when a student graduates from it, they will be eligible for licensure. Accreditation ensures that the program’s curriculum meets the minimum requirements set forth by the state board. When applying to MFT degree programs (regardless of the level), students must be sure that their program is COAMFTE-certified (or CACREP-accredited if the program is a counseling education program), or else they will not be able to become licensed.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Delaware?

As we’ll point out in the following sections, there are currently no MFT degrees available in Delaware. While that also means there are currently no online MFT programs based in Delaware, there are plenty of opportunities for students based in Delaware to get their MFT graduate degree or graduate certificate online.

You will, however, need to be aware of licensure requirements. If you decide to get your degree online, you will still have practicum and residency requirements that require visiting campus, even just for a few sessions. You’ll also need to know licensure transfer requirements if you decide to move back to Delaware upon graduation. Currently, the two closest online MFT degree programs near Delaware are Christian-based (the MFT master’s and doctorate-level degrees offered by Liberty University in Virginia). If this type of program doesn’t appeal to you, there may be other options closer to another state worth the commute or to relocate to.

MFT Degree Levels

Before you begin your search for the perfect MFT degree program, it’s important to get familiar with the various levels of degrees of MFT degrees. While undergraduate degrees such as bachelor’s degrees and associate’s degrees do exist for marriage and family therapy, the most common by far are MFT master’s degrees and doctorate degrees. The reason for this is that licensure is only available at these levels.

Lastly, it’s important to realize that while MFT degrees do not exist in the State of Delaware, you can find them in neighboring states and online. In the sections below, we’ll suggest a few available programs close to Delaware and information on how to address licensure transfer between states.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

It depends on the program. While GRE test scores are helpful for gauging a student’s pre-graduate academic placement, many schools are deciding to utilize alternative measurements. The best way to find out if your prospective school requires a GRE is to look at the admissions page on their website.

Master's Degree in MFT

MFT master’s degree programs are by far the most common type of marriage and family degree program, largely because this is the lowest level of degree that still allows licensure. Master’s degrees take four years for full-time study and around 30 credits to complete. On average, MFT master’s degree programs cost $400-800 per credit.

There are currently no master’s degrees in Delaware, but the University of Delaware currently has an interstate partnership with Pennsylvania’s Thomas Jefferson University for students who don’t mind the commute:

University of Delaware (in partnership with Thomas Jefferson University): Thomas Jefferson University offers a Master’s Degree in Couples and Family Therapy that University of Delaware undergraduates can transition to once they have earned their Bachelor of Human Services. While they will need to transfer their MFT licensure from Pennsylvania to Delaware upon graduation, the City of Philadelphia is only a short commute for most Delaware residents.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

Graduate certificates, though not technically degrees, allow graduate students who have received a master’s degree (or higher) in another psychological discipline or generalized psychology to get licensed or specialize as a marriage and family therapist.

The primary benefit to this route is that MFT graduate certificates only take around a year and 15-30 credits to complete. They also typically cost much less as a result — around $1,000 to $1,500 for the entire tuition. As mentioned, no graduate certificates currently exist in Delaware, but you can find MFT graduate certificates available in nearby states or online. Here’s a good example:

The Council For Relationships: If you have a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy or other related field, you will likely be eligible to further specialize in one of three MFT tracks (clergy track, clinical track, or sex therapy track) through The Council for Relationships’ Marriage and Family Therapy Postgraduate Certificate, based in Philadelphia.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

Some MFT students may find that after they’ve become licensed, they still aren’t ready to enter the field. If you want to expand your education further as an MFT, an MFT doctorate degree might be the right move.

MFT doctorate degrees come in two degree types. The first type is a Ph.D., which focuses on research and theory. The second is a PsyD. Though both degree types allow graduates to assume clinical roles, PsyD programs focus on MFT clinical aspects.

MFT doctorate degrees take 4-8 years to complete and can cost between $35,000 and $300,000 in tuition, depending on the program. Residents of Delaware will not be able to attend MFT doctorate degree programs in their state as none currently exist; however, they will be able to find them in neighboring states.

Drexel University: If you’re looking to focus your doctorate on helping couples and families work through challenging issues through science-based, qualitative methods, Drexel University has a fantastic PhD in Couples and Family Therapy program. This degree is mostly research-focused. However, there will be plenty of opportunities for clinical experience.

Eastern University: If you’re looking for a flexible way to get your master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, Eastern University, located in St. Davids, PA, is a great option. The course is offered 100% online, and in-person requirements can be completed from a location close to home. Another draw is its affordability — for only $28,000 (including fees), you can receive your marriage and family therapy master’s degree and licensing in Pennsylvania.

Liberty University: The Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Liberty University (located in Lynchburg, VA) has a focus on biblical counseling and can be completed 100% online. In-person requirements can be completed in the student’s hometown. If you have a particular interest in human sexuality or substance abuse therapy, Liberty University offers elective courses for each topic.

Becoming an LMFT in Delaware

Once you have a program picked out, the next step is to familiarize yourself with licensure requirements. To practice as a marriage and family therapist in Delaware, you’ll need to follow this general trajectory:

• Education: Obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or a related field that meets the educational requirements set by the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.
• Supervised Experience: Accumulate postgraduate supervised clinical experience. Delaware typically requires at least 1,600 hours of supervised experience, including 1,000 hours of direct client contact. This experience must be completed over a period of at least two years.
• Examination: Pass the national licensing examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). In Delaware, this exam is typically the AMFTRB’s National Examination in Marital and Family Therapy.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals. This usually includes providing proof of education, supervised experience, and examination scores. You may also need to pass a background check.
• Additional Requirements: Depending on specific regulations, you might need to fulfill additional requirements such as completing coursework in certain areas like ethics and law, or obtaining professional liability insurance.
• Continuing Education: After obtaining licensure, you will likely need to fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain your license. This involves completing 40 hours of continuing education courses every two years.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Delaware

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