Best MFT Programs in Washington, DC Online

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of families, couples, children, and adolescents? Do you have a fascination with the study of relationships, communication, trauma, and family dynamics? You may be predestined to become a marriage and family therapist (MFT)! These professional clinicians, researchers, and educators work to tackle common issues that families and couples face through therapeutic methods. To become a marriage and family therapist in Washington, DC, you’ll need to complete the appropriate MFT education.

What is an MFT Degree?

If you want to become a marriage and family therapist, the first step is to graduate from a marriage and family therapy degree program — or MFT degree program for short. You’ll undergo rigorous training through comprehensive coursework and in-person supervised clinical arrangements, often in local or on-campus clinics. Marriage and family therapy degrees come at various levels (see below). As of now, Washington DC does not offer MFT degree programs locally; however, there are plenty available in neighboring states and online.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

One of the more important things to keep in mind as you begin your search for MFT programs is accreditation. When a program is accredited, it means that the curriculum has been approved by the district’s board. If a program is not accredited, it means that its curriculum will not meet the requirements for licensure. Always check to make sure that the program you’re applying to has been accredited by 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 Washington, DC?

Absolutely! Several great online MFT programs are available to DC residents, but before you begin applying, it’s good to be aware of a few things. First, there are currently no options for in-state licensure through an online program in Washington, DC, as no online MFT programs exist in the area. You can enroll in a nearby online program, but you will need to make sure that you will be able to transfer licensure, and you will need to be sure that you don’t need to travel to your program’s campus for in-person clinicals. Though some programs allow online students to complete their clinicals in-state, these programs are increasingly rare. Below are currently the closest online MFT degree programs in proximity to Washington DC:

Liberty University: The Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Liberty University (located in Lynchburg, VA) focuses on biblical counseling and can be completed 100% online. In-person requirements can be completed in the student’s hometown. If you have a particular interest in human sexuality or substance abuse therapy, Liberty University offers elective courses for each topic.

Drexel University: Drexel University (based in Philadelphia) has an amazing Ph.D. in Couples and Family Therapy program that is available 100% online. This program does not require you to travel to Philadelphia — Drexel University will allow you to complete your clinical requirements within your own community.

MFT Degree Levels

Many students enrolled in an MFT degree program aim to eventually become licensed. To obtain licensure as a marriage and family therapist, you need to graduate from an MFT program with at least a master’s degree. From there, you can decide if you want to begin working as a clinician or get your doctorate degree. You may also choose to get a graduate certificate. Though these are not technically degrees, they are a great way to receive marriage and family therapy training if you specialize in another clinical mental health field.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

You might — it all depends on the program. MFT graduate degree programs have traditionally asked applicants to complete a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) to show their academic placement at the graduate level. A GRE covers certain areas such as math, science, writing, etc., but many MFT programs have moved away from this method. Check out your prospective program’s requirements in the admissions section of the program page.

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. As discussed, no MFT degree programs, including master’s degrees, are currently available in Washington, DC. Below are a few examples of MFT master’s degree programs based in states near DC:

University of Maryland: If you’re looking for a comprehensive and well-respected MFT master’s degree program in Maryland, the University of Maryland offers a Master’s Degree in Couples and Family Therapy. Not only is their curriculum helpful for gaining valuable insight into helping couples and families navigate difficult challenges, but their Center for Healthy Families provides a unique opportunity for students to provide clinical care to the community at large.

Virginia Commonwealth University: If you’re looking to devote your career to educating future marriage and family counselors, Virginia Commonwealth University offers an M.Ed in Counseling with a focus on Marriage and Family Counseling. This unique program allows students to become dually licensed as marriage and family therapists and professional counselors, offering entry into clinical positions and educational roles.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

MFT graduate certificates, though not degrees, are a great option for students who are not interested in licensure or have already obtained licensure through a clinical mental health-related graduate degree program. These types of certificate programs are open to graduates at all levels and provide valuable context to marriage and family therapy in a succinct format. Most MFT graduate degrees last about a year or less and cost between $1,000 and $1,200. There are currently no MFT graduate certificates available in Washington, DC; however, these programs are widely available in nearby states or online. Here are a few worth considering:

Regent University: Once you’ve completed a clinical mental health graduate degree, you may want to consider Regent University’s Graduate Certificate in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. While this Virginia-based program won’t offer licensure on its own, it will build on your existing educational background to provide you with a comprehensive outlook of the field. This program is also flexible with both an online and on-campus delivery option, perfect for students with little leeway in their schedules.

The Council For Relationships: If you have a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy or other related field, you will be eligible to further specialize in one of three MFT tracks (clergy track, clinical track, or sex therapy track) through The Council for Relationships’ Marriage and Family Therapy Postgraduate Certificate offered in Philadelphia, PA.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

The final graduate certificate available to MFT students is a doctorate degree. MFT doctorate degrees typically take between four and eight years to complete and can cost $35,000 to upwards of several hundred thousand for the entire tuition.

There are two types of MFT doctorate degrees. The first is a Ph.D. This type of MFT doctorate degree is typically geared more toward researchers and educators and trains them on the theoretical side of marriage and family therapy. The other type is a PsyD degree. This type of doctoral MFT degree is more commonly used to train clinicians and roles that require working with patients. Students located in Washington, DC can take advantage of these nearby MFT doctorate degree programs:

Virginia Tech: Although MFT doctoral degree programs are not currently available in Washington DC, the country’s oldest and one of the most well-respected MFT doctoral programs is just over the border at Virginia Tech. The Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Virginia Tech has numerous opportunities for experimental and observational research in laboratories and in clinical settings within the community.

East Carolina University: The Ph.D. in Medical Family Therapy offered at East Carolina University is a unique MFT Ph.D. program specifically developed to train students to become educators and policymakers in the marriage and family therapy field. The program applies a special focus to the relationship between healthcare and marriage and family therapy.

Becoming an LMFT in Washington, DC?

If you want to work in a clinical setting, you’ll need to get licensed in addition to graduating with a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow to obtain MFT licensure in Washington, DC:

• 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 another accrediting body recognized by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
• Supervised Experience: Accumulate the required supervised clinical experience. In Washington, D.C., this usually involves completing 3,500 hours of postgraduate supervised clinical experience, with at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact.
• Examination: Pass the National Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (NCE) administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the District of Columbia Department of Health. This typically includes providing transcripts, proof of supervised experience, examination scores, and any other required documentation.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check.
• Jurisprudence Exam: The District of Columbia requires that you take a jurisprudence exam which tests you on issues relating to regulations and laws surrounding marriage and family therapy.
• Fees: Pay any required application and licensing fees.
• Continuing Education: After becoming licensed, you’ll need to complete 30 continuing education hours every two years.