MFT Programs in Mississippi: Online & Campus Degree

Students with an interest in counseling and working with couples and families, in addition to individuals, may find a viable career path in marriage and family therapy (MFT). Fortunately for students residing in Mississippi, there are many options for MFT degrees at various levels. If you’re ready to take your psychology career to a more intimate and specialized route, take a look at the following sections to learn how.

What is an MFT Degree?

An MFT degree, otherwise known as a marriage and family therapy degree, is a psychology or counseling degree that specializes in marriage and family therapy. The degree covers strategies to help families and couples work through common issues such as a death in the family, parenting skills, or a loss of passion in a relationship.

MFT Degree Levels in Mississippi

There are MFT degrees available at nearly every level, but most marriage and family therapists shoot for either a master’s degree or a doctorate degree. This is because to become licensed, you need to have one of these two degrees. Once you’ve found a degree program that interests you, the next step before applying is to make sure that the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). If the program isn’t accredited, you will not be eligible for licensure as the program will not meet the state board requirements.

Mississippi Master's Degree in MFT

In terms of MFT education, master’s degrees are often the most popular choice. MFT master’s degrees are the minimum requirement to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist in Mississippi and usually only take two years to complete. To graduate, you’ll need to take on 60 credits with each credit costing an average of $400 to $800. Here are a few MFT master’s degree options to consider in Mississippi:

University of Southern Mississippi: The University of Southern Mississippi offers a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy that incorporates an engaging and comprehensive curriculum and over 300 clinical hours offered through both their on-site clinic and community placements. The University of Southern Mississippi boasts a 100% pass rate for the National Exam among its graduates and a 96% employment rate among recent graduates. If you’re looking for smaller class sizes, an impressive 6:1 student-faculty ratio is also a huge draw of this program.

Mississippi College: The Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling program at Mississippi College offers a comprehensive graduate education designed to prepare students for professional counseling careers. One unique aspect of the program is that graduates will be eligible to apply for licensure as a professional counselor and National Counseling Certification. The curriculum integrates academic coursework, clinical training, and supervised field experience so that graduates are well-equipped to pursue careers in a variety of settings, including private practices, mental health agencies, and community organizations.

Mississippi Graduate Certificate in MFT

MFT graduate certificates are one-year, non-degree certificate programs that provide a succinct context into marriage and family therapy. On their own, marriage and family therapy graduate certificates don’t result in licensure, but combined with a related mental health clinical graduate degree, students can pursue MFT licensure. On average, MFT graduate certificates cost between $1,000 and $1,500. At the moment, you won’t find MFT graduate certificate programs available in Mississippi, but you can find them online or in bordering states. Here are a few to consider:

University of Georgia: The University of Georgia offers an intensive graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy that provides a track for students to become LMFTs. To enroll, they will need to graduate from or be currently enrolled in an MFT graduate degree program at UGA.

Sam Houston State University: If you’re already trained as a counselor but would like to designate a focus on marriage and family systems, you may be interested in Sam Houston State University’s Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Graduate Certificate program. The curriculum offered by SHSU is also catered towards any graduate student who is on track to graduate from or is interested in any mental health practice degree.

Mississippi MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

If you’re aiming higher than the common MFT master’s degree program and you want to become licensed, you may want to consider doctorate degree programs. MFT doctorate degree programs last between 4 and 8 years and typically cost between $30,000 and $300,000.

There are two types of doctorate degrees available. The first and most common type is a Ph.D., which focuses on research and the theoretical side of marriage and family therapy. PsyDs, the less common MFT doctorate degree, is more focused on the clinical aspects of marriage and family therapy. Mississippi does not currently offer either of these in the state, but you can find them in neighboring states or online. Here are a few to choose from:

University of Louisiana: The University of Louisiana offers a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy, perfect for students in search of a science-focused MFT degree. The program combines philosophy and theory, clinical practice, and qualitative and quantitative research and offers a comprehensive approach to training future marriage and family therapy educators, researchers, and clinicians.

University of Georgia: Students based in Mississippi who want to get their doctorate degree in marriage and family therapy can relocate to Georgia where they can get their Ph.D. in MFT. Students enrolled in the University of Georgia's program can take advantage of on-campus learning experiences through their on-campus psychological clinic.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Mississippi?

Yes! Online MFT programs and online education in general, have become super popular. While you won’t be able to find online MFT programs based in Mississippi, you can find online programs based in neighboring states.

If you decide to do this, it’s important to consider licensure requirements. Online students who complete the degree program in Mississippi will likely still have to travel to the state where their program is based in order to fulfill licensure requirements. However, once they become licensed, they may be able to practice in their home state, depending on their state’s regulations. Here are a few online MFT programs that may appeal to students in Mississippi:

University of Mobile: The University of Mobile offers a hybrid Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling option offering a portion of their classes online and the remainder in-person. This program is ideal for students who can regularly commute to Mobile, or are willing to relocate there. It’s also a great choice for students who want to apply biblical principles to their MFT education.

Trevecca Nazarene University: This Nashville-based Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy is perfect for students in Mississippi who want to move to Music City to become licensed. Trevecca Nazarene University’s MFT program combines both online and in-person learning, including over 100 clinical hours and 60 classroom credit hours.

Becoming a Licensed MFT in Mississippi

Finally, after all educational requirements are completed, the next step is to become licensed. This will involve several steps. Here’s what you need to know:

• 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 specific coursework requirements set forth by the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists.
• Supervised Experience: Accumulate the required supervised clinical experience. In Mississippi, you’re required to complete at least 3,000 hours with 1,000 face-to-face.
• Examination: Pass the National MFT Examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). This exam assesses your knowledge of marriage and family therapy theory, practice, and ethics.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists. This application will include documentation of your education, supervised experience, examination scores, and any other required materials.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check as part of the application process.
• Supervision: Throughout the licensure process, you will likely need to work under the supervision of a licensed LMFT or another qualified mental health professional. Ensure that you meet the supervision requirements set forth by the state board.
• Continuing Education: After obtaining your license, you’ll need to fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain your licensure — 24 hours every two years. You’ll also need to complete a jurisprudence assessment which tests your knowledge on state laws and regulations.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Mississippi

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