Best MFT Programs in Oregon Online

There are many counseling specializations that a student may choose to enter as a career path. One of the more popular and in-demand specializations is marriage and family therapy (MFT). Marriage and family therapy focuses primarily on relationships and the common issues that might arise between couples, family members, children and parents, in-laws, or siblings. If you’re looking to work on a clinical level, there’s only one way to do so in this field — enroll in an MFT degree program.

What is an MFT Degree?

An MFT degree program is specifically designed to train marriage and family therapists for the workforce. Graduating from an MFT degree program makes it possible for students to get licensed and work in a variety of clinical settings, such as a private practice therapist, working for the government, or in a hospital or medical center. The curriculum covers many important topics, including:

• Parenting skills
• Communication
• Boundry-setting
• Human development
• Substance abuse
• Trauma

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

As you search for the right educational fit, you’ll also want to double-check each program you apply to to make sure that it’s accredited. Accreditation ensures that the program is current on the required coursework set forth by the state board. Look for programs that are accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or CACREP, the main accrediting bodies for MFT degree programs.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Oregon?

While Oregon may be limited in the diversity of MFT degree levels, as a state, it does provide plenty of options for online learning. This is particularly helpful for MFT students who need more flexibility in their schedules. Below are a few options for online MFT master’s degree programs in Oregon. Keep in mind that because you must fulfill in-person clinical requirements to graduate, you should be prepared to spend some time offline to receive your degree.

Oregon Institute of Technology: This 3-year Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy is a great option for students who want to take their classes primarily online. There is a one-year required in-person practicum in the second year of study. Apart from that, most classes can be taken online or on weekends and evenings, providing a full spectrum of learning options for students with busy schedules. Oregon Institute of Technology also offers further specialization within the marriage and family therapy specialization. You can choose to focus your area of study on Integrated Behavioral Healthcare & Medical Family Therapy, Substance Misuse, Addiction and Recovery, or Rural Mental Healthcare Emphasis.

George Fox University: As mentioned in our MFT master’s degree section, George Fox University offers a fantastic Master’s Degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling that also offers clinical licensure as a counselor or therapist—or both. Students who want to take advantage of online learning can do so in their second year of study once their clinical hours have been completed.

Short Length MFT Programs in Oregon

Not all individuals seeking a career in marriage and family therapy will need or want to get their doctorate. If you’re looking for a fast transition into your new career, a master’s degree is perfectly sufficient. Most MFT master’s degrees will take three to four years, but many can be completed in as little as two years. Below are a few of the shorter master’s degrees based in Oregon.

School	Degree Level	Length	Attendance
University of Oregon	Couples and Family Therapy Master’s Degree	2 years	Full time
George Fox University	Master’s Degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling	2 years	Full time
Oregon Insitute of Technology	Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy	2.75 Years	Full time

Affordable MFT Programs in Oregon

Oregon isn’t the most affordable state to get your MFT graduate degree; on average, master’s degree programs in this state cost around 40,366 which is much more than the national average. However, there are some MFT master’s degree programs in Oregon that are more affordable than others. Here are a few examples:

School	Degree	Tuition & Fees
Oregon Insitute of Technology	Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy	Details
Portland State University	Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling	Details
University of Oregon	Couples and Family Therapy Master’s Degree	Details

MFT Degree Levels

As the minimum requirement for MFT licensure is a master’s degree, graduate degrees are the most common MFT degree programs. MFT graduate certificates are also common and are a great alternative for those not seeking licensure or who are already licensed. Below are a few examples.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

Depending on the program, you may need to submit a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) along with your application to show your placement amongst other undergraduates. Not all institutions, however, require this, and in fact, most schools in Oregon do not, such as the University of Oregon. Your admissions department will have guidelines as to whether or not you will be required to submit a GRE or some other type of accompanying document to show your academic merit.

Master's Degree in MFT

As discussed, if you want to work in a clinical setting, you’ll need to have at least an MFT master’s degree. These types of programs are by far the most common. They take about two years to complete and require around 60 credits to graduate. Each credit usually costs 40,366 on average in Oregon. Here are a few options for MFT master’s degrees in Oregon:

University of Oregon: While many MFT master’s degree programs hover around 60 credits, the University of Oregon offers a challenging 90-credit Couples and Family Therapy Master’s Degree program that covers nearly anything you would possibly need to learn before stepping into the workforce as a clinician. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum in addition to an on-site MFT clinic, the Center for Healthy Relationships, where students will spend a minimum of five hours per week fulfilling their supervised clinical hours.

George Fox University: If you’re looking to receive dual licensure, George Fox University offers both Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist licensure within the same program — the Master’s Degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. George Fox University is a historically Quaker school, and thus, the program incorporates a level of spirituality into its curriculum. The program is also incredibly flexible, with the option to go completely online in your second year, and weekend and evening classes also available.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

MFT graduate certificates are a valuable non-degree option for students who have licensure in different mental health fields or simply want to learn more about the field of marriage and family therapy without the pressure of fulfilling licensure requirements. These programs take about a year to complete and cost around $1,000 to $1,500, making them fast and affordable. Currently, no MFT graduate certificates are available in Oregon, but you can find these types of programs widely available online or in nearby states. Here are a few you may be interested in:

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.

Seattle Pacific University: If you’re looking to understand the study of relationships and human development through both a therapeutic and medical lens, check out Seattle Pacific University’s Medical Family Therapy Certificate program. The program is designed for those who are enrolled or have graduated from a social work, behavioral science, theology, nursing, or medicine graduate degree program.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

Lastly, MFT doctorate degrees are available for those who want to become experts in the field of marriage and family therapy. Many MFT doctoral degree students become clinicians through a PsyD; others, however, leverage Ph.D. degrees to seek research-focused careers or positions in academia.

MFT doctoral degrees typically take four to eight years to complete and cost between $30,000 and $300,000, both factors depending on if you have completed your master’s degree or are transferring credits. While no MFT doctoral degree programs exist in the State of Oregon, like graduate certificate programs, you can find them nationwide or online. Here are a few to choose from:

Loma Linda University: This Ph.D. in Systems, Families, and Couples offered by Loma Linda University is a gem of MFT education in California. 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 Oregon

The final step to becoming a marriage and family therapist is becoming licensed. This is a multi-step process:

• Education: Obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Your program should include coursework specifically related to marriage and family therapy.
• Supervised Experience: Complete a certain number of supervised clinical hours. In Oregon, you need to complete 2,400 hours of post-graduate supervised experience, with at least 1,000 hours being direct client contact. This experience must be supervised by an LMFT or another qualified mental health professional.
• Examination: Pass the national licensing exam. In Oregon, this typically involves passing the national examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
• Jurisprudence Exam: Take and pass a jurisprudence exam, which tests your knowledge of Oregon’s laws and regulations related to marriage and family therapy.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OBLPCT). This includes providing transcripts from your education, documentation of supervised experience, exam scores, and any other required documentation.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check.
• Continuing Education: To maintain your licensure, you’ll need to complete 40 continuing education hours.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Oregon

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