Best MFT Programs in Montana Online

Marriage and family therapy is a special subdivision of mental health practice specializing in helping couples and families tackle various issues affecting their demographic. Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are highly trained and often undergo many years of education to fulfill their licensure requirements. If you want to enter this field in Montana, many options are available to help you succeed in this career. Take a look at the sections below to learn how to access these options and to begin your journey as a marriage and family therapist.

What is an MFT Degree?

A marriage and family therapy degree (or an MFT degree for short) prepares students for the field of marriage and family therapy. It usually includes a year (or more) of coursework and several years of hands-on training. MFT degrees can also be a good choice for students who want to become trained in the theoretical aspects of marriage and family therapy in order to become educators or researchers in this exciting field.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

MFT degrees are available across the country, but before applying, it’s important to remember that the program must be accredited in order to be considered for licensure. The main accrediting bodies for marriage and family therapists is the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and CACREP. As you research MFT degree programs, make sure that they have the COAMFTE (or CACREP in cases where the degree is considered a counseling degree) stamp of approval if your goal is to become licensed.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Montana?

Absolutely! There are several great online MFT programs available to Montanans, and several are mentioned in the previous sections. But before you begin applying it’s good to be aware of a few things.

The first is that there are currently no options for in-state licensure through an online program in Montata, as no online MFT programs exist in the state. You can enroll in another state’s online program, but you will need to make sure that you will be able to transfer licensure and you will need to be sure that you don’t need to travel to your program’s campus for in-person clinicals. Though some programs allow for students to complete their clinicals in-state, these programs are increasingly rare.

MFT Degree Levels

Several degrees are available for students who want to work in marriage and family therapy. The most common level of MFT degree is a master’s degree. This is because it is the minimum requirement that students will need to obtain to become licensed as clinicians. There are also doctorate degrees available for students who want to go the extra mile, and graduate certificates for those already licensed in a mental health practice wanting additional training in MFT.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

It depends on the program. While a GRE is typical for some schools, others may only require transcripts, personal essays or statements, or other academic merits. Your prospective school’s admissions page will have all the information you need to know about the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and whether or not you will need to submit one with your application.

Master's Degree in MFT

MFT master’s degrees last two years (following a bachelor’s degree in a psychology or counseling area) and typically require the completion of 60 credit hours. On average, you can expect to pay $400 to $800 per credit hour. Once you’ve graduated from an MFT master’s degree program, you’ll be able to sit for the exam and become licensed. There is currently one MFT master’s degree program available in Montana:

Montana State University: While there are limited choices in Montana for MFT master’s degrees, the one choice you do have is a great one. Montana State University has an immersive and comprehensive curriculum with plenty of opportunities for students to work firsthand with underserved populations in the Gallatin Valley through their Human Development Clinic.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

Graduate certificates are not degree programs, but they are a great way to specialize in marriage and family therapy without fully committing to it as your sole career. If you want to apply yourself primarily in separate mental health practice (such as child psychology or grief counseling) but still would like to educate yourself in marriage and family therapeutic methods, you can do so with this one-year certificate program.

MFT graduate certificates cost between $1,000 and $1,500, and though they won’t lead to licensure on their own, the credits you earn through the program can often be transferred to a graduate program. There are currently no options for Montanans to enroll in an in-state graduate certificate program; however, there are several options in nearby states or online:

Antioch University: Students looking to specialize in marriage and family therapy through a graduate certificate program can do so through Antioch University, which has campuses in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. The program is offered primarily online with in-person clinicals to be designated in the city of the student’s choice. Unlike the typical graduate certificate length of around a year, Antioch University’s MFT graduate certificate takes three semesters to complete, which is a great option for students who want a more immersive program.

Regis University: Located in Regis, Colorado, Regis University offers a Post-Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy that is perfect for students who want a crash course on remedying the common challenges that couples and families face, but don’t want to commit to licensure (or are already licensed). If you do need licensure, Regis University also offers an MFT master’s degree program.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

Doctorate degree programs are a great option for students who want to develop their training beyond the initial bachelor’s and master’s degrees needed for licensure. These programs take between four and eight years and typically cost between $35,000 all the way up to $150,000+.

There are two types of MFT doctorate degrees available for students, depending on their long-term goals. The first type is a Ph.D., which is geared towards students who want to become researchers or educators. The second in a s PsyD. This type is more focused on clinical practice. Currently, there are no options for Montanans to seek either type, but there are nearby options:

Loma Linda University: This Ph.D. in Systems, Families, and Couples offered by Loma Linda University is currently the closest MFT doctorate degree to the State of Montana. The program offers insight into the theory, research, and practice of family and couples therapy, mental health disorders, substance abuse, and all of the necessary topics associated with this specialization. The program takes four years to complete.

Alliant International University: Another great doctoral MFT program in California is Alliant International University’s PsyD in Marriage and Family Therapy. This program focuses on the mental health clinical aspects of marriage and family therapy and offers a hybrid learning option that balances online courses and hands-on experience, allowing for both convenience and immersive expertise.

Becoming an LMFT in Montana

The final requirement for working as a marriage and family therapist in Montana is getting your license. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow in order to seek MFT licensure in the state.

• Education: Obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. Ensure that your program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or an equivalent accrediting body.
• Supervised Experience: Accumulate supervised clinical experience. In Montana, you typically need to complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience, with at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact. This experience should be gained after you’ve completed your master’s or doctoral degree.
• Examination: Pass the national licensing examination and the jurisprudence examination. Montana requires LMFT candidates to pass the national examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). This exam assesses your knowledge and competency in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy, while the jurisprudence examination tests your understanding of state laws and regulations.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. Along with your application, you’ll need to provide documentation of your education, supervised experience, and examination scores. You may also need to pass a jurisprudence exam specific to Montana’s laws and regulations regarding marriage and family therapy practice.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check. This is a standard procedure for licensure in many states and helps ensure the safety of clients.
• Continuing Education: After obtaining your license, you’ll need to fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain your license. In Montana, LMFTs need to complete 20 continuing education credits within each renewal period.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Montana

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