Best MFT Programs in Iowa Online

If you’re interested in the mental health field but not sure what area to specialize in, marriage and family therapy (MFT) may provide a rewarding career option. Marriage and family therapy is a broad mental health practice that primarily focuses on relationships and common issues that come up within the familial unit. Iowa is an especially lucrative destination for marriage and family therapists to practice due to a lack of representation in the state. To learn about how you can get started, take a look at the sections below.

What is an MFT Degree?

MFT degrees (short for marriage and family therapy degrees) are degree programs offered at various levels to train marriage and family therapists to enter the mental health profession. They can also be utilized by mental health professionals who want to specialize as marriage and family therapists or anyone who has an interest in marriage and family therapeutic methods.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

Your MFT program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) (or CACREP if the program is maintained by the school’s counseling education department) if you want to pursue licensure in Iowa. Accreditation ensures that the state board has approved your school’s curriculum.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Iowa?

Online programs are a popular way to obtain a degree in marriage and family therapy, though because of the requirements set out by the state board, most online MFT programs offered at the graduate level are technically a hybrid program — some or most classes offered online while in-person clinical requirements are fulfilled in the classroom or in the field. This type of online program is currently offered by Mount Mercy University, mentioned several times in the sections below and is currently the only online program offered in the state.

Before enrolling in an online program, you’ll also need to understand licensure transfer. If you decide to enroll in an online program based in another state, you’ll have to make sure you can transfer your licensure from that state to Iowa if your goal is to practice close to home.

MFT Degree Levels

There are several different levels of degrees that focus on marriage and family therapy. While MFT undergraduate degrees are offered to students, you must graduate from either a master’s degree program or a doctorate degree program to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist, and as mentioned, the program must be accredited. For students not pursuing licensure, MFT graduate certificates are a great way to get a general understanding of marriage and family therapy without a clinical requirement.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

Possibly. A GRE (otherwise known as a Graduate Record Examination) is typically used by a school’s admissions department to gauge where an applicant’s undergraduate education levels are. Depending on the program, a GRE may be required to apply, however, this is not always the case. Check your school’s website for more information.

Master's Degree in MFT

MFT master’s degree programs are popular among MFT professionals because they are the lowest level of education required to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist. After a bachelor’s degree program, MFT master’s degrees take around two years to complete and typically require the completion of 60 credits.

MFT master’s degrees usually cost anywhere from $400 a credit to $800 a credit. While you can find these degrees available across the country, the only one currently available in Iowa is:

Mount Mercy University: Located in Cedar Rapids, this MFT master’s degree program has a strong focus on neuroscience, which sets it apart from many similar MFT programs. Mount Mercy University also has its very own on-site therapeutic clinic dedicated to treating couples, families, and individuals in the Cedar Rapids Community where students can take part in their required clinical arrangements.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

MFT graduate certificates are one-year non-degree programs typically geared toward mental health professionals who may lack training in marriage and family therapy or for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of the field.

These programs don’t provide a track to licensure, but they are quick, effective, and affordable at only $1,000 to $1,500 per program (on average). Iowa does not currently host MFT graduate certificates in the state, but you can find them online or in nearby states:

Governers State University: The Post-Master's Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Certificate offered by Governors State University (located in University Park, IL) allows licensed mental health professionals to add additional value to their CV, increasing their marketability when seeking professional roles, but more importantly, providing a more holistic approach to their practice.

St. Cloud University: Students close to the Minnesota border can take advantage of St. Cloud University’s Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Certificate. This program is offered in a doctorate-level facility with a strong focus on diversity and multiculturalism.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

MFT doctorate degrees come in two types — the Ph.D., which focuses on the research and theoretical aspects of marriage and family therapy, and the PsyD, which focuses on clinical practice (though Ph.D. programs will also require some level of clinical work). These programs take between four and eight years of study and cost between $35,000 and $350,000, depending on the program. Here are a few MFT doctorate degrees available in Iowa:

University of Iowa: This Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy offered by the University of Iowa is perfect for students looking to enter into both research and clinical roles in the marriage and family specialization. The program is focused on applying a responsive therapeutic approach to systemic deficits found in the mental health field.

Mount Mercy University: In addition to the MFT master’s degree program offered by Mount Mercy University, they also offer an MFT program at the Ph.D. level with a strong focus on neuroscience. The program takes three years to complete and is offered in-person, with some classes available online. You can also take evening classes.

Becoming an LMFT in Iowa

To become licensed as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Iowa, you typically need to follow these steps:

• 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 coursework requirements set by the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science.
• Supervised Experience: Complete a certain number of supervised clinical hours. In Iowa, this typically means accumulating 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised clinical experience, with at least 200 hours of direct client contact.
• Examination: Pass the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination (NMFTE) administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). This exam assesses your knowledge and skills in the field of marriage and family therapy.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science. Along with the application, you’ll need to provide official transcripts, verification of supervised experience, and any other required documentation.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
• Fees: Pay the required application and examination fees.
• Continuing Education: After obtaining licensure, you’ll need to fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain your license including 40 hours of classes every two years.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Iowa

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