Best MFT Programs in Wisconsin Online

If you’re based in Wisconsin and looking for a valuable career in a field that is projected to grow 15% in the next decade, you might want to consider marriage and family therapy. This mental health specialization comprises clinicians, researchers, educators, and administrators, all working together to provide mental health resources to couples, families, children, and adolescents. To get started in this rewarding career, you’ll need to invest in an MFT degree. Many MFT degree programs are available in Wisconsin – see the sections below to learn more about your options.

What is an MFT Degree?

An MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy) degree is a comprehensive degree program that provides students with the tools they need to succeed in marriage and family therapy. The curriculum usually covers topics such as:

• Communication
• Addiction
• Parenting
• Boundaries
• Trauma
• Human Development

Graduating from an MFT degree program enables a student to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist. They may also choose to seek valuable careers as researchers, administrators, educators, and program leaders.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

Regardless of what type of MFT program you choose, it’s important that the program is accredited. If not, you won’t be eligible for licensure upon graduation. The main accrediting bodies for MFT degree programs are the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and CACREP (if the program is a counseling degree program). These accrediting bodies make sure that each program meets the requirements set forth by the state board.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Wisconsin?

Online MFT programs are becoming more common as education becomes increasingly digital. These programs allow students to take some or all of their course classes and complete their coursework or exams online, saving time for those working full-time or raising a family. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that while you will be able to take advantage of online learning in Wisconsin, almost all MFT degree programs will require at least some in-person participation when it comes to clinicals. Some clinical obligations must be completed on campus, while others can be completed at mental health facilities in your own community. There is currently one online MFT degree program available in Wisconsin:

University of Wisconsin: If you’re looking to work in education eventually, the University of Wisconsin (Superior) offers a Master of Science in Education, Counseling, Marriage, and Family Therapy Track that allows students to complete all of their classes and coursework online in addition to 600 internship hours which will be completed in Superior. The program leads to MFT licensure in the State of Wisconsin while also providing a great stepping stone for students who want to get their doctorates and become educators.

MFT Degree Levels

There are a few different levels of MFT degrees available to students based on their educational and professional goals. Master’s degrees are usually the most common amongst marriage and family therapy students because it’s the quickest (and usually most affordable) option for getting licensed. Students who want to pursue advanced marriage and family careers can seek out MFT doctorate degrees. If you simply want to learn more about marriage and family therapy without worrying about licensure, or if you’re licensed already, MFT graduate certificates are also a valuable option.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

Some programs require a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) while other programs (such as Northwestern University) require alternative methods for measuring student academic placement. Take a look at your prospective program’s MFT program page to determine if you’ll be required to submit your GRE results or not.

Master's Degree in MFT

As mentioned, MFT master’s degrees are not hard to come by. They require two years and around 60 credits to complete with the entire tuition costing an average of $34,499 in Wisconsin. These programs provide the basis for marriage and family therapy training through both coursework and clinical training and eventually lead to licensure. Below are a few great MFT degree programs based in Wisconsin:

University of Wisconsin: The University of Wisconsin offers a Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy that is designed to prepare students for entry-level clinical marriage and family therapy positions in the State of Wisconsin and beyond. The program ensures that students will be equipped with all the necessary training needed to begin the licensure process through their rigorous curriculum and on-site clinic, where students will complete their required clinical hours.

Edgewood College: The Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Edgewood College (located in Madison) is focused on equipping students with a holistic approach to the field and preparing them for the workforce. Students begin their training at The Family Center, the campus’ on-site clinical facility, and upon graduation, Edgewood College will work with them to complete their licensure and locate job opportunities.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

If you already have training as a marriage and family therapist (or related clinical field), you may be interested in enrolling in an MFT graduate certificate program. While not a degree, these programs offer a brief insight into the field of marriage and family therapy. You can’t seek licensure with an MFT graduate certificate alone, but you can sometimes apply your credits toward an MFT graduate degree. MFT graduate certificates take about a year to complete and cost between $1,000 and $1,500. There is currently one MFT graduate certificate program located in Wisconsin:

The Family Therapy Training Institute: The Post-Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy offered through Aurora Health Care is designed to build on the education that students complete in a clinical mental health master’s degree program to further prepare them for the field of family therapy. Unlike a typical MFT graduate certificate program, the post-graduate certificate offered by The Family Therapy Training Institute is a two-year program designed for students who are already licensed and desire to dedicate their careers to helping families and couples work through difficult challenges that afflict their demographic. The program is also remarkably affordable, with each credit costing students only $270.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

If you’re aiming higher than the common MFT master’s degree program and you want to become licensed, you may want to consider doctorate degree programs. MFT doctorate degree programs last between 4 and 8 years and typically cost between $30,000 and several hundred thousand, depending on the school and program chosen.

There are two types of doctorate degrees available. The first and most common type is a Ph.D., which focuses on research and the theoretical side of marriage and family therapy. PsyDs, which are considered the less common MFT doctorate degree, focus more on the clinical aspects of marriage and family therapy. While MFT degrees at the master’s level are widely available in Wisconsin, no doctorate-level MFT degrees are available in the state. However, you can find these programs available online or in nearby states. Here are a few MFT doctorate degree programs that are located close by:

The Chicago School: Currently the only PsyD in Marital and Family Therapy offered in the State of Illinois, The Chicago School’s program focuses on the clinical aspects of marriage and family therapy. It also allows students to seek careers in grant writing and education in addition to clinical work. Students can complete this degree program in three years following their master’s degree and can become licensed upon graduation.

University of Minnesota: The University of Minnesota currently offers the only Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy in 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 Wisconsin

Following your MFT graduate degree, you’ll also need to complete your licensure requirements if your goal is to work in a clinical setting with couples and families. Here is a checklist of all you’ll need to complete in Wisconsin:

• Education: Obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or a regionally accredited institution.
• Supervised Experience: Complete the required supervised clinical experience. In Wisconsin, this involves accumulating 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised experience, with at least 1,000 hours of direct client contact. This experience must be supervised by a licensed mental health professional, such as a licensed marriage and family therapist or a licensed psychologist.
• Examination: Pass the national licensing examination for marriage and family therapists conducted by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). There is also an open book exam that tests you on the laws and regulations surrounding marriage and family therapy in the state.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Along with the application, you will need to provide documentation of your education, supervised experience, examination scores, and any other required materials.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
• Fees: Pay any required application and licensing fees.
• Continuing Education: After becoming licensed, fulfill any continuing education requirements to maintain your license. In Wisconsin, LMFTs are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Wisconsin

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