Best MFT Programs in New York Online

New Yorkers looking for an exciting career in the mental healthcare field might be interested in specializing as marriage and family therapists (MFTs). These mental health practitioners work with families, couples, and individuals to navigate challenges in their relationships or personal fulfillment. If you’re ready to get started, you’ll need to start looking at MFT degree programs. Learn how to access these programs and become licensed in New York by reading the sections below.

2025 - Best MFT Programs in New York

CounselingPsychology.org's Best MFT Programs in New York rankings offer an invaluable guide for prospective students seeking top-tier education in Marriage and Family Therapy. These rankings are meticulously crafted, taking into account several critical factors such as program completion rates, cost of living, institutional competitiveness, program diversity, and faculty experience. Each criterion provides a comprehensive assessment of the quality and suitability of MFT programs across New York. For a detailed breakdown of the methodology behind these rankings, please visit our rankings methodology page. This resource is designed to help students make well-informed decisions in selecting the best MFT programs for their educational and professional goals.

1.

Iona University

New Rochelle, NY

Iona University offers a renowned Marriage and Family Therapy program within the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences located in Bronxville. This COAMFTE-accredited program provides a comprehensive curriculum, hands-on clinical experience, and specialized training in diverse populations. Students benefit from small class sizes, experienced faculty, and access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources.

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2.

Yeshiva University

New York, NY

Yeshiva University's Marriage & Family Therapy program, housed within the Graduate School of Psychology, offers students a comprehensive curriculum that integrates theory, research, and clinical practice. With campuses in both New York City and Los Angeles, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through internships and clinical rotations in diverse settings, preparing them for successful careers in the field.

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3.

Hofstra University

Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University offers a renowned Marriage and Family Therapy program through its Department of Counseling and Mental Health Professions, located on the scenic Long Island campus. This program provides students with a comprehensive and hands-on education in evidence-based therapy techniques, preparing them to become competent and compassionate therapists in a variety of clinical settings.

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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.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

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). This is a very important consideration. If the program isn’t accredited, you will not be eligible for licensure as the program will not meet the state board requirements.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in New York?

Yes! But you should consider what that means for licensure. Because MFT graduate degree programs usually require in-person clinical requirements, you’ll likely still need to be located near campus, though most of your classes (if not all of them) will be held online. These are commonly referred to as hybrid programs. There are a few online options for MFT students in New York:

Manhattan College: If you’re located in the New York City area, Manhattan College’s hybrid Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy is a great option for flexible learning. Students can complete most of their coursework online alongside 500 hours of in-person supervised practice. Another great aspect is that you aren’t required to have a background in psychology to enroll, which is perfect for students who are deciding to switch careers later in their educational trajectory.

Syracuse University: For students located upstate (or anywhere in the state), Syracuse University offers an online MFT master’s degree program. This program allows students to complete the 500 in-person supervised hours in a community near them. The remainder of the part-time 60-hour program can be completed online from home or anywhere with internet access.

Short Length MFT Programs in New York

If you’re anxious to start work as a marriage and family therapist, the quickest route to licensure is an MFT master’s degree. These types of degrees usually last around three years or less. There are many options for MFT master’s degrees on the shorter end of this spectrum:

Affordable MFT Programs in New York

As most students will tell you, going to graduate school isn’t cheap. But still, there are some MFT degree programs that are more affordable than others, primarily MFT master’s degree programs. These succinct and entry-level programs typically only cost between $400 and $800 per credit. Here are a few to choose from in New York:

MFT Degree Levels

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 you need to have one of these two degrees to become licensed. There is a third option for students who are already licensed or aren’t interested in becoming licensed which is referred to as an MFT graduate certificate.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

Depending on the program, you may be required to submit a GRE, or Graduate Record Examination for short, with your application to show your general placement in the academic program. This is not always the case, however, so make sure to look at the information on your school’s admissions page.

Master's Degree in MFT

The most common and simplest option for becoming licensed as a marriage and family therapist is graduating from an MFT master’s degree program. These programs last two years and require the completion of 60 credits. In terms of cost, you can expect to pay an average of $73,238 for your entire tuition in New York. Here are a few options for MFT master’s degree programs located in New York:

Yeshiva University: The 60-credit MS in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Yeshiva University (located in The Bronx) is a great example of outstanding MFT education offered in the state. Students will have over 300 required direct contact practice hours, providing an excellent opportunity to serve the local community through their newly acquired training.

Hofstra University: The Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Hofstra University is a career-focused MFT master’s degree program located in Hempstead. This comprehensive program offers a challenging curriculum and immersive on-campus clinical training through the Counseling and Mental Health Professions Clinic.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

MFT graduate certificates are designed to provide a brief but informative introduction to the field of marriage and family therapy. These programs last about a year and cost an average of $25,717 per certificate. Usually, students choose to enroll in an MFT graduate certificate program because they either have already become licensed in another mental health field or because they don’t plan on getting their clinical licensure. Here are a few notable MFT graduate certificates available in New York:

University of Rochester: If you already have your clinical licensure and an advanced degree in a mental health practice, you might want to check out the University of Rochester’s Post-Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. This program provides marriage and family therapy training to individuals already working in the mental health or medical field as practitioners.

Long Island University: MFT graduate certificates do not typically lead to licensure on their own, but the Advanced Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Long Island University does. This program is longer and more comprehensive than a typical MFT graduate certificate, with 57 required credit hours and 1,500 supervised clinical hours.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

If you’re interested in getting your doctorate degree, MFT doctorate degrees come in two different types — PsyDs, which focus on clinical practice, and Ph.D. programs, which are usually more geared towards research and education (though there will be a level of clinical work required). Both programs take between four and eight years to complete and can cost between $35,000 and up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in total tuition. There is currently one MFT doctorate degree program available:

Syracuse University: This 72-credit Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy is perfect for students who are looking to specialize in MFT research and theory. Syracuse University offers one of the longest-standing MFT departments in the country and pledges a special commitment to incorporating LGBTQ, racial diversity, and cultural context into its Ph.D. program. If you have already obtained your MFT master’s degree, Syracuse University allows you to transfer up to 33 credits to their Ph.D. program.

Becoming an LMFT in New York

Once you’ve taken care of your educational requirements, you’ll need to get licensed if you want to work in a clinical setting. Here are the basic requirements set forth by the New York board:

• 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 a program recognized by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
• Supervised Experience: Complete the required supervised clinical experience. In New York, you need to accumulate 1,500 clock hours of supervised direct client contact, with at least 100 hours of supervision. This supervision should be provided by an LMFT, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed psychiatrist.
• Examination: Pass the national examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
• Apply for Licensure: Submit an application for licensure to the New York State Education Department. This will include providing proof of your education, supervised experience, examination results, and any other required documentation.
• Background Check: Undergo a background check as part of the application process.
• Fees: Pay any required application and licensing fees.
• Continuing Education: Once licensed, you’ll need to maintain it through continuing education hours — 36 hours every 3 years.

List of MFT Degree Programs in New York