The Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage and Family Therapy is a professional-level degree program. Experiences provide the foundation for marriage and family therapy theory, scientific research, and clinical practice. In this context, students learn the different approaches and clinical techniques required for today’s practitioners offering therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families. Also, a major goal of this program is to help prepare students for licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy in their resident state. Students graduating from the MA in Marriage and Family Therapy Degree program will be prepared to do therapy in a church setting, private practice, governmental agency, and community agency. This program also prepares students for advanced studies in related fields.
Students may also consider taking additional courses for a dual licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Counseling. Students interested in a dual licensure should consult with the Dean of the School of Human Services.
Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, the graduate will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and skills in therapy which can be applied in church settings or other professional settings;
- Prepare for licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy;
- Practice Marriage and Family Therapy through comprehensive Clinical Training;
- Conduct himself or herself according to the Code of Ethics of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT);
- Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity needs of clients; and
- Possess academic credentials necessary to advance to the Ph.D. program in Family Therapy if they so choose.
Time Normally Required to Complete the Program
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy may be completed in seven semesters. A student may take courses on a part-time or full-time basis.
Practicums and Clinicals
Students, not Amridge University, are responsible for locating and making arrangements for their practicum and clinical experiences and courses. As such, students should begin making the required arrangements several semesters before the semester of the respective student’s first practicum or clinical experiences courses.
In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), Amridge University provides information pertaining to the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, and Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs as it relates to licensure within each state.
In order to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist, candidates must complete the degree, program, and/or coursework required by their chosen state. States also have licensing requirements beyond a program’s graduation requirements that include post-master’s supervised clinical experience, examination(s), background check, and application for license. Professional licensure requirements vary by state. If you are considering an academic program that leads to professional licensure, we recommend you contact the appropriate licensing agency in your home state for information and guidance prior to starting a program outside your state. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy provides a listing of state licensure boards on its website: https://www.aamft.org/Directories/MFT_Licensing_Boards.aspx?hkey=c0f838ad-2672-4b4e-8b51-b9578fe5c28a
As of July 1, 2020, the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs meet the degree and coursework requirements in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Washington, DC.
Modifications to the practicum and clinical training portion of the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs must be made in order to meet the requirements in Louisiana, Maine, Oregon, and Utah. Contact the University’s Clinical Training Director at clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu for additional information.
Amridge University’s Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs do not meet licensure requirements of Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
A determination has not been made as to whether or not the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in New York.
While Amridge University strives to ensure the information contained here within is current and accurate, human error may occur, and state requirements may change or be updated without our knowledge. We recommend that you regularly check your state’s licensure requirements throughout your studies to ensure ongoing eligibility. For more information contact clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu or 800.351.4040, extension 7802.
The Course Requirements of 60 semester credit hours for the degree program Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy consists of program specific courses.
| Required Courses for the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy | Sem. Hrs. |
| FT 7300 Ethics and Professional Identity FT 7306 Community and Social Systems FT 7310 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy FT 7311 Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy FT 7320 Human Development FT 7321 Human Sexual Development FT 7322 Theories of Personality Development FT 7323 Marriage and Family Development FT 7326 Social and Multicultural Diversity FT 7330 Interpersonal and Family Dynamics FT 7331 Marital and Family Systems FT 7332 Counseling for Abusive Relationships -OR- FT 7333 Systemic Treatment of Substance Related Disorders FT 7335 Advanced Therapy FT 7336 Basic Counseling Techniques/Helping Relationships FT 7340 Assessment of Individuals and Families FT 7355 Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology FT 7370 MFT Practicum FT 7371 MFT Clinical Training I FT 7372 MFT Clinical Training II RS 6339 Research and Evaluation |
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 |
| Total Hours for Masters Degree | 60 |
| A student needing extra courses for Licensure or Certification may select from the following: | |
| FT 7302 Professional Ethics and the Law FT 7334 Psychology of Grief, Death and Dying PT 7350 Lifestyle and Career Development FT 7373 MFT Clinical Training III (if needed) |
3 3 3 3 |
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