Best MFT Programs in South Dakota Online
South Dakota is known for its vast, beautiful stretches of wilderness and charming rural communities — but with such a desolate landscape also comes a need for mental health resources. If you’re looking to make a difference in the lives of couples, families, and individuals living in this isolated state, you may be interested in a career as a marriage and family therapist (MFT). The first step? Enrolling in an MFT degree program.
What is an MFT Degree?
Marriage and family therapy degree programs, or MFT degree programs for short, train students to become successful as clinicians, researchers, and educators in the world of marriage and family therapy. Earning an MFT degree puts a student on the right track to getting licensed as a clinician and seeking exciting roles within their communities. In an MFT degree program, you’ll learn how to help couples talk through their relationship issues or help parents understand parenting fundamentals. Your degree program will also cover important topics such as trauma, communication, abuse, and addiction.
Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?
As you begin applying to MFT degree programs, it’s important to consider accreditation. If your program is accredited, it means that the state board has approved the program’s curriculum and will entitle you to seek licensure upon graduation. Look for mentions of the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or CACREP on the program’s website; these are the main accrediting bodies for MFT degree programs.
Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in South Dakota?
Sure! But depending on your educational and career goals, you may be better off with an in-person program. Most MFT degree programs require that students fulfill a number of in-person clinical hours, which means that even though your coursework and classes will be offered primarily online, you’ll still need to be close to campus to take care of your clinical hours. There is currently one online MFT degree program offered in South Dakota:
Kairos University: If you’re looking for an MFT master’s degree based on Christian principles and biblical teachings, Kairos University offers a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, fully accredited by the COAMFTE. Students who graduate from Kairos University’s program will develop a deep understanding of science-based practice while also integrating respect for spirituality and cultural sensitivity.
MFT Degree Levels
There are many different types of marriage and family therapy degrees, but the most common by far are graduate degrees such as master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. In your search, you may also find MFT graduate certificates available. Earning an MFT graduate degree will enable you to seek licensure, while graduate certificates will add on to the graduate-level education the student has obtained to develop their training further.
Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?
Some universities may ask you to complete a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) prior to enrollment, however, this practice is becoming more and more uncommon. To be sure, take a look at your prospective MFT program’s admissions page to learn whether or not you’ll be expected to submit a GRE with your application.
Master's Degree in MFT
MFT master’s degree programs are the most common type of MFT degree programs. With a 2-year timeline and $400 – $800 per credit, these 60-credit programs provide the quickest and most affordable route to licensure. There is currently one MFT master’s degree program available in South Dakota:
South Dakota State University: Located in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University offers a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Resource Development specializing in Marriage and Family Counseling. This program is perfect for students who not only want to study therapeutic methods as they relate to families and couples but also actively work to create and develop new strategies and methods to incorporate in their own clinical practice.
Graduate Certificate in MFT
MFT graduate certificates are one-year, non-degree certificate programs that provide a succinct context into marriage and family therapy. On their own, marriage and family therapy graduate certificates don’t result in licensure, but combined with a related mental health clinical graduate degree, students can pursue MFT licensure. On average, MFT graduate certificates cost between $1,000 and $1,500. At the moment, you won’t find MFT graduate certificate programs available in South Dakota, but you can find them online or in bordering states. Here are a few to consider:
St. Cloud University: Students interested in gaining a strong background in marriage and family therapy outside of licensure can enroll in St. Cloud University’s Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Certificate, based in St. Cloud, MN. This program offers instruction by doctorate-level faculty members and a strong focus on diversity and multiculturalism.
University of Nebraska: If you’re looking for an MFT graduate certificate that has a medically-based focus, the University of Nebraska offers a Medical/Family Therapy Graduate Certificate at its Lincoln Campus. This certificate program studies the relationship between medical practice and therapeutic practice as it relates to families, couples, and individuals.
MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)
The final degree type offered in marriage and family therapy is an MFT doctorate degree. There are two different types. The first type is a PsyD, which trains students for clinical practice. The other, a Ph.D., is more geared towards research careers (though there will still be a large number of clinical hours required to graduate). MFT doctorate degrees usually last between 4 years and 8 years, depending on the program and the amount of credit hours you’re allowed to transfer. You can expect to pay anywhere from $30,000 to several hundred thousand in tuition and fees. There aren’t currently any MFT doctorate degree programs offered in South Dakota, but here are a few located nearby that you might be interested in:
University of Iowa: This Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy offered by the University of Iowa is perfect for students looking to enter into both research and clinical roles in the marriage and family specialization. The program is focused on applying a responsive therapeutic approach to systemic deficits found in the mental health field.
University of Minnesota: The University of Minnesota currently offers the only Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy in the State of Minnesota. The program is primarily focused on research and education, but there is a significant clinical portion throughout the duration of the study. Applicants must have master’s level clinicals completed.
Becoming an LMFT in South Dakota
Once you’ve completed your educational requirements, you’ll also have to begin the licensure process if your goal is to work in a clinical setting:
- Education: Obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Supervised Experience: Accumulate supervised clinical experience. You will need to fulfill 1,700 supervised hours of direct client contact, with 200 of those hours specifically in marriage and family therapy.
- Examination: Pass the National MFT Examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). This exam assesses your knowledge of the field of marriage and family therapy.
- Apply for Licensure: Submit an application for licensure to the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists. This may include providing transcripts, proof of supervised experience, exam scores, and other documentation as required.
- Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
- Supervision: During your supervised experience, you will likely need to work under the supervision of a licensed LMFT or another qualified mental health professional.
- Continuing Education: After becoming licensed, you will need to complete 40 continuing education requirements to maintain your license every 2 years.