Best MFT Programs in Florida Online

Marriage and family therapists are an incredibly in-demand profession, but especially so in Florida. As a marriage and family therapist in this state, you will serve a diverse array of demographics with plenty of room for upward mobility with an abundance of job security. To learn how you can start this rewarding and exciting career, take a look at the sections below.

What is an MFT Degree?

MFT degree programs are designed to equip undergraduates with the tools they need to excel as marriage and family therapists. Their curricula cover various therapeutic tools and methods to help couples and families overcome these demographics’ unique challenges. Upon graduation from an MFT degree program, students usually go on to become licensed marriage and family therapists, researchers, or educators.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Florida?

There are currently no online MFT degree programs based in Florida. However, you can find plenty of online MFT programs that are based in nearby states or across the country. The important thing to consider is licensure and clinical hours.

If your program requires that you fulfill your clinical hours on campus, you will need to make sure you are able to do so. Additionally, if you enroll in an out-of-state online MFT program, that means you’ll be getting licensed in the state where the program is based. Some out-of-state MFT licensure is not transferable to Florida, so make sure you have a plan for after you graduate. These programs are currently the closest MFT degree programs to Florida:

University of West Alabama: While you will not be eligible for licensure with this MFT master’s degree program, you will gain a well-rounded and expansive educational background. Students who are pursuing therapeutic professional careers that don’t require licensure, such as clergy or alternative practitioners, will find the University of Alabama’s MFT master’s degree perfectly adequate.

Liberty University: If you’re looking for a biblical approach to marriage and family therapy, check out Liberty University’s 100% online master’s degree program. The program is located in Lynchburg, VA, and provides students with the tools they’ll need for a career as a mental health professional and passing the Virginia MFT licensure requirements.

Short Length MFT Programs in Florida

If you’re looking for a short-length MFT degree program in Florida, chances are, you’ll want to look at master’s degrees. A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy is the minimum requirement for clinical licensure and they usually only last between 2-3 years (though some are longer). Florida has many MFT master’s degree programs to choose from. As of now, the only Florida-based MFT degree program that takes less than 3 years to complete is the University of South Florida’s marriage and family therapy master’s degree program, which takes about 2 years.

Affordable MFT Programs in Florida

Tuition costs can be expensive, but Florida has some of the more affordable MFT degree programs available to students who are looking to save some money on their education. You’ll be able to save the most when considering MFT master’s degree programs as these typically require less time and consequently, less money to complete. Here are a few of the more affordable MFT master’s degree programs located in the state:

School	Degree	Tuition & Fees
University of Central Florida	Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy	Details
University of Florida	M.Ed./Ed.S. and M.AE./Ed.S. in Marriage and Family Counseling	Details
University of South Florida	Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy	Details

MFT Degree Levels

There are two primary MFT degree levels — master’s degrees and doctorate degrees. Both types allow students to become licensed and practice as marriage and family therapists. A third option, graduate certificates, allows students who are already licensed in counseling or therapy to specialize in marriage and family therapy.

As you’re considering which route to take, always make sure that you’re looking for a seal of accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). THis ensures that you will be eligible for licensure once you graduate and that the program’s curriculum is up to par with the state board.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

Some MFT degree programs rely on GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores to determine a candidate’s eligibility for the program, while others (such as the University of Central Florida) make their decisions based on grades, academic merit, experience, and other factors. The latter is typically more common, but you can make sure by checking your program’s admissions page.

Master's Degree in MFT

A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy allows students to understand more complex and in-depth therapeutic methods than they were taught as an undergrad, but most importantly, it allows them to finally achieve licensure. MFT master’s degrees typically take around two years and 30 – 60 credits to complete. On average, an MFT master’s degree could set you back around $29,396 on average in Florida. Below are a few great MFT master’s degree programs in Florida:

University of Florida: The University of Florida offers three separate degree programs for marriage and family therapy: a Master of Arts in Education, a Master of Education, and a Specialist in Education. These programs equip students with the education they’ll need to become resident interns in marriage and family therapy.

University of Central Florida: Students looking for intensive, on-campus training will be drawn to the University of Central Florida’s Community and Counseling Research Center, an on-campus psychological research center focused on providing mental health resources for individuals, couples, and children living in the Orlando area. You’ll receive training and fulfill your required clinical hours for an immersive and rounded educational experience.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

Graduate certificates, while not degrees, can certainly accelerate a budding marriage and family therapist’s career. These one-year (or less) programs allow students who are already licensed mental health professionals to specialize in marriage and family therapy without having to take on another degree. MFT graduate certificates typically run about $1,000 to $1,500 in terms of tuition.

University of South Florida: The University of South Florida offers a comprehensive graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy for students with a graduate degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Clinical Psychology. While the graduate certificate alone does not provide MFT licensure, it does provide context to common issues that couples and families typically face.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

MFT doctorate degrees are reserved for the highest-level marriage and family therapy scholars. In the field of psychology, there are two common doctorate degrees: Ph.D. programs, which focus on research or education, and PsyDs, which focus on clinical practice. These highly specialized degree programs take between four and eight years to complete and cost around $35,000 to $300,000 in tuition. Currently, there is only one located in Florida:

Florida State University: If you hope to position yourself as a researcher or educator on topics such as family dynamics, parenting, or generational trauma, consider Florida State University’s Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. In the first two years of their doctoral program, students will continue with the clinical hours they fulfilled as master’s degree students. The Center for Couple and Family Therapy, located on campus, will serve as a great resource as students complete their required hours as licensed therapists serving the Tallahassee area.

Becoming an LMFT in Florida

Upon graduation, the next step is becoming licensed (if you want to work in a clinical setting). To become licensed as a marriage and family therapist in Florida, here are the basic steps you’ll need to follow:

• Education: Obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Ensure that your program meets the educational requirements set forth by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.
• Supervised Experience: Accumulate supervised clinical experience. In Florida, this usually involves completing a minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised experience, with at least 100 hours of direct supervision by a qualified supervisor.
• Examination: Pass the National MFT Examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. This typically includes providing documentation of your education, supervised experience, examination scores, and any other required materials.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check.
• Jurisprudence Examination: Some states may require applicants to pass a jurisprudence examination, which tests their knowledge of the laws and regulations governing the practice of marriage and family therapy in that particular state. While Florida does not require this, they do require that you take an 8-hour laws and ethics course.
• License Maintenance: Once licensed, you’ll need to maintain your licensure. This will require you to take 30 hours of continuing education classes per every two years to brush up on the latest research and trends in the world of marriage and family therapy.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Florida

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