Best MFT Programs in Georgia Online

Marriage and family therapy is a rewarding field that explores the science behind family dynamics and relationships and helps develop strategies for navigating them. The exciting career of a marriage and family therapist begins with a graduate degree and obtaining licensure. In the sections below, we’ll underline how to find MFT programs in Georgia, what they entail, and how to obtain licensure.

What is an MFT Degree?

Marriage and family therapy, or MFT for short, is a specialized focus area in the field of psychology. Students who enroll in MFT degrees learn valuable skills that prepare them for careers as marriage and family therapists who help couples and families work through complicated challenges. This could include helping first-time parents work through anxieties that come along with having a child, or helping an individual work through abuse or violence they may have faced as a child.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

Accreditation means that the program meets the minimum requirements that the state board sets out for licensure. The main accrediting body for marriage and family therapists is the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) but your program may also be accredited by CACREP if it’s considered a counseling program.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Georgia?

Online MFT programs are becoming more popular as marriage and family therapy practitioners become more in demand. These programs allow students to balance their busy home or work schedules with their educational aspirations.

Because of the clinical practicum requirements associated with MFT licensure, it’s important to note that while you can find these programs available nationwide, enrolling in an out-of-state online MFT program may limit your ability to practice in Georgia or transfer licensure. You may also need to travel to the state where the program is based in order to fulfill these requirements. Fortunately, there is one online doctoral program offered in-state:

Toccoa Falls College: If you’re looking for online MFT programs at the master’s level, check out Toccoa Falls College’s Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s degree, which is offered primarily online. This program is rooted in Christian-based practice and has a strong emphasis on ethical and compassionate therapeutic methods. In addition to its flexibility, Toccoa Falls College’s MFT master’s degree program is one of the most affordable programs in the country at only $31,000 for the entire tuition.

MFT Degree Levels

There are several types of marriage and family therapy degrees. While a few undergraduate MFT degrees exist, the overwhelming majority are graduate degrees, primarily doctorate degrees. The reason for this is that to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist, you need to complete a graduate-level MFT degree program. You may also be interested in MFT graduate certificate programs if you’re already licensed or licensure is not your goal.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

When researching MFT degree programs, you may come across the term GRE in the admissions requirements section. A GRE (short for Graduate Record Examination) is an assessment that measures your ability in certain areas such as math or science at the undergraduate level. While this is required for some applicants, many schools have other methods that they use to measure academic ability. Take a look at your program’s website to learn if this requirement will apply to you.

Master's Degree in MFT

The lowest level degree you can obtain and still be eligible for licensure is an MFT master’s degree. This will expand on the psychology or social work degree you may have and dive into more niche topics relating to couples and families.

MFT master’s degrees take two years to complete as a full-time student and require the completion of around 60 credits. On average, you could conceivably pay around $28,618 for your entire tuition in Georgia. They’ll also need to fulfill a number of clinical hours as required by their licensure exam. Here are a few examples of MFT master’s degrees located in Georgia:

Mercer University: The Master’s Degree in Family Therapy offered by Mercer University in Macon, GA has been in existence since 1982 and is a shining example of MFT master’s degree programs in the State of Georgia. The school offers in-person clinical arrangements at their on-campus Mercer Family Therapy Centers located in Macon and in Atlanta.

Valdosta State University: If you’re looking for an MFT master’s degree program with a strong focus on cultural, socioeconomic, and racial diversity, take a look at Valdosta State University’s Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. The program offers an intensive 12-month clinical practicum in Valdosta, GA.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

A graduate certificate in MFT is not a degree, but it is a valuable tool that can be used by graduate students who already have a psychology or social work background to further specialize in marriage and family therapy. These 1-year or less certificate programs typically cost between $1,000 and $1,500. There is currently only one MFT graduate certificate available in the State of Georgia:

University of Georgia: The University of Georgia offers a Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate that elaborates on the student’s psychology background to create a broader scope of practice through exposure of the fundamentals of marriage and family therapy. The program will not allow you to be licensed as a practicing marriage and family therapist, but it does grant you the skills to use MFT concepts in your own designated practice.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

Within the MFT doctorate category, there are two individual degrees: Ph.D.s and PsyDs. Ph.D.s are generally more geared towards research, theory, and education, whereas PsyDs are more focused on clinical practice (though there is still a clinical aspect to Ph.D.s).

MFT doctorate degrees are the highest level of study that an MFT student can obtain, and as a result, you can expect to pay considerably for your 4-8 year program. On average doctorate degrees can cost anywhere from $35,000 to $300,000 or more in Georgia. Currently, only one MFT doctorate degree exists in Georgia:

University of Georgia: Everything you’ll need to know as a practicing marriage and family therapy clinician can be learned at the University of Georgia’s Couples and Family Therapy Doctoral Program. Through their expansive curriculum and on-site clinical training at the UGA ASPIRE Clinic, you can be sure that your career as a marriage and family therapy doctor is firmly grounded in contextual science.

Becoming an LMFT in Georgia

Becoming licensed as a marriage and family therapist is an important part of working in the field. To become a licensed marriage and family therapist in Georgia, you’ll need to follow the following steps:

• Education: Obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or a closely related field from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or another recognized accrediting body.
• Supervised Experience: Complete a minimum of 2,400 supervised clinical hours, with at least 500 of those hours being direct client contact. The specific requirements may vary, so it’s essential to check the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists for the most up-to-date information.
• Examination: Pass the National Examination in Marital and Family Therapy. This exam assesses your knowledge and competence in the field of marriage and family therapy.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists. This typically involves providing transcripts from your educational institution, documentation of supervised clinical experience, examination scores, and any other required documentation.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
• Fees: Pay any required application and licensure fees.
• Continuing Education: Once licensed, fulfill 35 continuing education hours every two years to maintain your license.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Georgia

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