Best MFT Programs in South Carolina Online

The field of marriage and family therapy (MFT) has been around for over a century, but in the last several years, it has grown exponentially. Students looking to enter this field as mental health clinicians or professionals will look forward to continued growth with plenty of room for career advancement. The first step to finding work as a marriage and family therapist in South Carolina is enrolling in an MFT degree program.

What is an MFT Degree?

MFT degrees are one part of two credentials needed to work as a marriage and family therapy clinician. The other part is licensure. To become licensed in South Carolina, you need to have a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy. MFT graduate degree programs cover all of the training you’ll need to be successful in this field and will go over topics such as communication, human development, play therapy, sex therapy, trauma, and substance abuse.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

It’s very important to be aware of the role of accreditation in any given MFT degree program. If your program is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or in some cases, CACREP. you will not be eligible to practice in the State of South Carolina. Accreditation ensures that your program is approved by the South Carolina State Board.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in South Carolina?

Right now, there are no online MFT degree programs available that are based in South Carolina. This isn’t to say, however, that you can’t receive your MFT degree online; it just means that some considerations come into play.

The most important thing to consider is in-person clinical arrangements. Because you’ll be getting your degree in another state, that also means you’ll need to get licensed in the same state and thus, you’ll likely need to fulfill your clinical hours in that same state. This also means that if you want to practice in a different state than the one your degree program is based in, you’ll have to transfer your licensure back home. For example, if you graduate from an MFT master’s degree program in Florida, you’ll have to get licensed in Florida. If you want to practice in South Carolina, you’ll need to transfer your licensure to Florida from South Carolina. Make sure you do your research — not all state licensure can be transferred. That being said, here are a few online MFT options in states close to South Carolina if you are open to relocating or commuting for your clinical hours:

Liberty University: If you’re looking for a biblical approach to marriage and family therapy, check out Liberty University’s 100% online master’s degree program. The program is located in Lynchburg, VA, and provides students with the tools they’ll need for a career as a mental health professional and passing the Virginia MFT licensure requirements.

Toccoa Falls College: If you’re looking for online MFT programs at the master’s level, check out Toccoa Falls College’s Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s degree, which is offered primarily online. This program is rooted in Christian-based practice and has a strong emphasis on ethical and compassionate therapeutic methods. In addition to its flexibility, Toccoa Falls College’s MFT master’s degree program is one of the most affordable programs in the country at only $31,000 for the entire tuition.

MFT Degree Levels

Before you start looking at specific MFT degree programs, it’s important to be aware of the different levels of MFT degrees and the impact each one will have on your career. If you’re looking to enter the field immediately, you might want to consider MFT master’s degree programs. MFT doctorates could be a better choice if you’re looking to invest in your education or work in education or research. Lastly, if you’re already licensed as a mental health clinician, MFT graduate degrees can help you develop a background in marriage and family therapy without having to invest in another degree program.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

A GRE is often used by graduate degree programs to examine a student’s aptitude and asses their placement into the program. Whether or not you will be required to submit a GRE depends entirely on the program and its admissions process.

Master's Degree in MFT

MFT master’s degrees typically take around two years to complete and require students to take on 60 credits to graduate. Each credit usually costs between $400 and $800. There is currently one MFT master’s degree program available in South Carolina:

Converse University: The Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program offered by Converse University trains students to be competent and mindful marriage and family therapists through 63 credit hours and over 500 client contact hours at its on-site clinic. Students will complete coursework and work firsthand with a team of clinicians to gain valuable knowledge and experience to guide them through the initial years of their careers. Students can apply to enroll at Converse University’s Spartansburg or Greenville campus and look forward to assistantship opportunities as they become available.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

MFT graduate certificates take about a year to complete and usually cost between $1,000 and $1,500. It’s important to note, however, that these programs are not technically degrees. MFT graduate certificates are typically available to students who have completed or enrolled in a clinical mental health graduate degree. This usually means that you already have licensure, which enables you to seek a little extra training through these types of programs without the requirement to complete clinical hours.

While there are no MFT graduate certificates available in South Carolina, there is a unique opportunity to pursue an Ed.S degree in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling at the University of South Carolina. This program is like a graduate certificate in that it takes place between a master’s degree and a doctoral degree, but the curriculum is more focused on students who are on track to become educators. Unlike a graduate certificate, this 66-credit program does lead to licensure.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

MFT doctorate degrees come in two distinct varieties — a Ph.D., which focuses on the theoretical aspects of marriage and family therapy, and a PsyD, which is more geared toward clinicians. If you’re hoping to dedicate your career primarily to research, you’ll likely want to pursue a Ph.D. If you want to work primarily as a clinician, a PsyD is likely the more appropriate option. Both types of degrees take between four and eight years and typically cost between $30,000 and $300,000. As of now, no MFT doctoral degrees are offered in South Carolina, but you can find them available in neighboring states or online. Here are a few nearby options:

University of Georgia: Everything that you’ll need to know as a practicing clinician of marriage and family therapy can be learned at the University of Georgia’s Couples and Family Therapy Doctoral Program. Through their expansive curriculum and their on-site clinical training at the UGA ASPIRE Clinic, you can be sure that your career as a doctor of marriage and family therapy is firmly grounded in contextual science.

Florida State University: If you’re hoping to position yourself as a researcher or educator on topics such as family dynamics, parenting, or generational trauma, consider Florida State University’s Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. Students will continue with the clinical hours they fulfilled as master’s degree students in the first two years of their doctoral program. The Center for Couple and Family Therapy, located on campus will serve as a great resource as students complete their required hours as licensed therapists serving the Tallahassee area.

Becoming an LMFT in South Carolina

We’ve learned a little bit about MFT licensure throughout this guide, but there are many requirements that apply beyond an MFT degree. Below is everything you’ll need to know to get licensed in this state:

• Education: Earn a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Ensure your program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or an equivalent accrediting body.
• Supervised Experience: Accumulate a certain number of supervised clinical hours. South Carolina typically requires 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience, with at least 1,500 hours being direct client contact. These hours must be completed in no less than two years but no more than six years.
• Examination: Pass the National Marital and Family Therapy Examination (NMFTE) administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). This exam assesses your knowledge of marriage and family therapy principles and practices.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Along with the application, you’ll need to provide transcripts, documentation of supervised experience, exam scores, and any other required documents.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check. This typically involves submitting fingerprints for a state and federal background check.
• Continuing Education: Once you’ve received your licensure, you’ll need to make sure to take at least 40 continuing education hours every two years.

List of MFT Degree Programs in South Carolina

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