Best MFT Programs in New Mexico Online

Though marriage and family therapy has been around for centuries, the field has undergone many changes in the last few decades. Currently, it stands as one of the most popular and rapidly growing psychological specializations in the mental health landscape. Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and other professionals who hold careers in this field have seen rapid demand, and this demand is only projected to growing New Mexico. If you’re interested in studying this exciting practice, you may be interested in enrolling in an MFT degree program.

What is an MFT Degree?

An MFT degree program provides all of the necessary training and skills that a marriage and family therapist needs to become a clinical practitioner, educator, researcher, or theorist. These programs include a combination of classroom participation, comprehensive coursework, and supervised practice. They are usually catered to students who want to pursue licensure, though some students enrolled are simply there to learn more about this exciting and growing field of psychological study.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

MFT degree program accreditation is important because if a program is not accredited, it means that you will not be able to seek licensure. Accreditation means that the state board has approved the program’s curriculum and has attested that it meets the minimum requirements for licensure. MFT degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or by CACREP.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in New Mexico?

There are currently no online MFT degree programs based in New Mexico. 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 New Mexico, so make sure you have a plan for after you graduate. These programs are currently the closest MFT degree programs to New Mexico:

Colorado Christian University: If you’re looking for a biblical approach to marriage and family therapy, you may be interested in Colorado Christian University’s online Master’s in Counseling with a focus on Marriage and Families. Students can complete this program entirely online apart from three in-person clinical sessions located in Lakewood, CO.

Grand Canyon University: One of the closest online programs in proximity to New Mexico is Arizona’s Grand Canyon University, which offers a fantastic, affordable MFT graduate certificate program completely online. The program only requires the completion of 15 self-paced credits to receive your certificate, requiring no in-person participation.

MFT Degree Levels

While MFT master’s degrees are by far the most common type of MFT degree, MFT doctorate degree programs offer students further training beyond the master’s degree level. There are also graduate certificates, and while not degrees, they are an important program available to students who are trained in a different mental health practice or are not seeking licensure.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

Whether or not you need the GRE for an MFT program depends on the specific requirements of the program and institution. Some MFT programs require the GRE, while others do not, and policies can vary widely. It’s important to check the admissions requirements for each program you are interested in either over the web or by calling the school’s register directly.

Master's Degree in MFT

As mentioned, MFT master’s degrees are the most common degree options available for students pursuing a career in marriage and family therapy. These programs, typically ranging in two years of study, require around 60 credits and several hundred hours of clinical practice to complete. You can expect to spend about $400 to $800 per credit. New Mexico currently offers one MFT master’s degree program in the state:

New Mexico State University: The Masters of Science (MS) program in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) offered by New Mexico State University is a comprehensive master’s degree program designed to train social justice-oriented and culturally competent students to become successful marriage and family therapy clinicians.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

If you’re already licensed in a mental health practice or you are not seeking licensure, MFT graduate certificate programs may be what you’re looking for. These programs are both short and affordable, but they still provide excellent insight into the world of marriage and family therapy. You will only need to commit a year of study for a marriage and family therapy graduate certificate, and they usually only cost between $1,000 and $1,500. While no MFT graduate certificate programs are currently based in New Mexico, you can find them in neighboring states or online. Here are a few good options:

Denver Family Institute: The Denver Family Institute offers a fully accredited two-year MFT graduate certificate that focuses on the intersectionality and diversity of relationships and community. Students who have obtained a counseling graduate degree or are currently enrolled in a counseling graduate degree program will be eligible to apply.

Regis University: If you’re willing to relocate to Denver, the Post-Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Regis University is well worth the move. Though it won’t lead to licensure, this program will still give you plenty of hands-on experimental training in addiction counseling, psychology, and social work.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

MFT doctoral degrees are a great option for students to pursue advanced career options through higher-level education. These degrees require four to eight years of study and several hundred hours of supervised clinical practice. On average, they can cost between $30,000 and $300,000 for tuition.

There are two main types of MFT doctoral degrees available — a Ph.D., which focuses on the theoretical and research-oriented aspects of marriage and family therapy, and a PsyD, which is more oriented toward clinical practice. There are currently no options available for students looking for MFT doctoral degree programs in New Mexico, but you can find a few options in nearby states or online:

Brigham Young University: The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Marriage and Family Therapy program offered by Brigham Young University is a fantastic choice for MFT students looking to expand their education to not only better understand topics relating to marriage and family therapy but also other therapeutic methods relating to clinical psychology, speech and language disorders, audiology, and social work through their on-campus Comprehensive Clinic. One unique aspect that sets Brigham Young University’s program apart is the generous $22,500 per year research stipend offered to all enrolled students.

Texas Tech University: New Mexican students who don’t mind relocating to Texas may find Texas Tech University’s Ph.D. in Couples, Marriage and Family Therapy program appealing. This program provides unique insight into diverse topics such as military families, substance abuse, and domestic violence and emphasizes a strong clinical focus.

Becoming an LMFT in New Mexico

The last thing you’ll need to do in order to become a marriage and family therapist in New Mexico is seek licensure. This process involves several 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 educational requirements set forth by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department.
• Supervised Experience: Accumulate the required supervised clinical experience. In New Mexico, this requires completing 1,200 hours of post-master’s supervised experience in marriage and family therapy, including 200 hours of direct client contact.
• Examination: After you’ve completed your supervised clinical hours, you’ll need to pass the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (EMFT) administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. This application typically includes 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: Ensure that your supervision during your post-master’s experience meets the requirements set forth by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department.
• Jurisprudence Exam: Before you can receive your license, you’ll need to take the New Mexico Jurisprudence Exam. This ensures that you understand the laws and regulations surrounding mental health clinical practice.
• Continuing Education: After obtaining licensure, you’ll need to complete 40 hours of continuing education every 2 years.

List of MFT Degree Programs in New Mexico

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