A Master’s in Family Counseling can lead to a stable yet exciting career path helping others. Family counselors, also referred to as marriage and family therapists, are mental health professionals who help other with problems such as depression and alcoholism by focusing on the individual as well as his or her relationships. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), family counselors earn an average salary of $48,790 per year as of May 2017, and with more companies reimbursing for mental health treatment, employment is projected to grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026. Our ranking of the best online Master’s in Family Counseling degree programs will help you decide whether this career is right for you.
Methodology
The following list of schools was organized and developed to help students on their journey of finding the best school to meet their needs. We understand how overwhelming it can be, particularly when students first begin to compare prospective schools. To aid in the search process, we attempted to narrow down hundreds of schools by first searching for the term “Master’s in Family Counseling degree online” and compiling information obtained from the College Navigator Tool at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) website. We took the search results, an initial pool of 35 schools, and narrowed down the list to find the top 10 institutions based on the following ranking criteria.
Average Cost of Graduate Attendance
In addition to looking at the quality of academic programs, one of the most important factors for students looking for a potential program is the cost of attendance. It is important to consider that although the most inexpensive school may appear the best choice at first glance, the quality of education may not be up to par with institutions that are slightly more expensive. We have awarded points based on the average cost of attendance using information taken from each school’s website as well as data obtained from the College Navigator Tool.
Points:
Under $20,000: 3 points
$20,001 to $24,999: 2 points
$25,000+: 1 point
College Ranking
American media companies such as U.S. News & World Report are dedicated to reviewing institutions, their academic programs, tuition rates, student learning experiences, and other factors to determine how schools across the country compare to each other. For the purpose of this list, we awarded points accordingly based on each institution’s recognition as determined by U.S. News & World Report in categories such as overall value, regional status, national ranking, and the quality of each school’s specific academic programs.
Points:
U.S. News & World Report: Best Regional University, Best Value School, and Top Public School Ranking
Top 50: 3 points
Top 100: 2 points
Top 150: 1 point
U.S. News & World Report: Best National University, Graduate Psychology Program, Clinical Psychology Program Ranking:
Top 50: 5 points
Top 100: 3 points
Top 150: 2 point
Top 200: 1 point
Accreditation
When considering a potential school, it is important to also consider whether the school has earned regional accreditation. Accreditation is achieved through a peer-review process that looks at many factors surrounding a school, including student experience, quality of programs, faculty, and whether the institution can be expected to adhere to these set standards of quality in the future. Although every school on this list has earned regional accreditation, extra points are awarded for program-specific accreditation.
Points:
American Psychological Association: 3 points
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP): 3 points
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE): 3 points
Regional Accreditation: 2 points
Non-Regional Accreditation: 1 point
Ranking Master’s in Family Counseling
10. Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
Points: 11
Program Website
Located in Malibu, California, Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit institution that is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The school offers an M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. The 62- to 68-unit program is organized into eight to 12 sessions, including four clinical rotations, and the curriculum provides a practice-based course of study. Students are required to delve into areas such as multicultural counseling, interpersonal skills and group therapy, and theories of counseling and psychology. The program also meets the requirement for licensure as a licensed professional clinical counselor or a licensed marriage and family therapist in California.
Degree Options:
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology With an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
Average Program Cost: $31,620
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#39 in Best Value Schools
#46 (tie) in National Universities
Accreditations:
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
9. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California
Points: 11
Program Website
Founded in 1944, Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, California offers an online M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy that integrates theory and practice with Christian theology. Students must complete 65 credits of blended residential and online courses in order to prepare for the licensure exam for marriage and family therapy in California. Students benefit from diverse practicum opportunities, including options for a Hispanic summer program and summer study in Israel. In addition to coursework in ministry and marriage and family therapy, students also cover topics such as aging and grief counseling.
Degree Options:
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Average Program Cost: $17,062
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#39 (tie) in Regional Universities West
#42 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
8. John Brown University
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Points: 11
Program Website
Located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, John Brown University is a private liberal arts college that enrolls 2,100 students each year at its main campus as well as at education centers in Fort Smith, Little Rock, and Rogers as well as online. The M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy program consists of 64 credit hours of coursework, including core courses such as Child and Adolescent Counseling, Principles of Family Therapy, Advanced Psychopharmacology, and Family Sexuality. The courses are offered in a hybrid format, and all are taught from a Christian worldview by faculty committed to both the spiritual and academic growth of their students.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Average Program Cost: $14,336
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#13 in Regional Universities South
#13 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
7. Concordia University-Wisconsin
Mequon, Wisconsin
Points: 11
Program Website
Founded in 1881, Concordia University-Wisconsin is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and includes professional church work as part of its curriculum, offering a Christian education with a holistic approach. Students may earn an online M.S. in Family Life degree through the School of Education, completing a capstone project and 36 credits of coursework in areas such as human development, marriage and family relations, ethics, research methods, and human sexuality. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to earn a certified family life educator designation and are ready to enter the field as family social workers, family therapists, and life scientists.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Family Life
Average Program Cost: $10,728
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#62 in Best Value Schools
#70 (tie) in Regional Universities Midwest
Accreditations:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
6. Abilene Christian University
Abilene, Texas
Points: 13
Program Website
Founded in 1906 as the Childers Classical Institute, Abilene Christian University is a non-profit university affiliated with the Churches of Christ and located in Abilene, Texas. The school offers a 60-credit-hour Master of Family Therapy degree that prepares students for Christian leadership and service in a number of faith-based and secular settings. Three tracks are available: Treatment of Trauma, Medical Family Therapy, and Child and Adolescent Therapy. Courses cover theological perspectives on human behavior, family therapy across the life cycle, couples therapy, and family therapy. Before graduating, students are required to complete a 500-hour internship, typically held on-site at ACU’s Marriage and Family Institute.
Degree Options:
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy
Average Program Cost: $24,000
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#10 in Best Value Schools
#21 (tie) in Regional Universities West
Accreditations:
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
5. University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Points: 14
Established in 1964, the University of Massachusetts-Boston offers an online M.S. in Family Therapy. Students are required to complete 60 credits of coursework, including a capstone project, in preparation for licensure as a family therapist in Massachusetts. Students must also complete 900 to 1,200 hours of an internship at an approved site near their home. Most coursework is available online, but students are required to participate in an intensive two-week summer session at UMass. Graduates are prepared to strengthen healthy families by viewing them as entities within larger social systems, promoting an integrative, inclusive, and collaborative systems approach.
Degree Options:
Family Therapy, MS
Average Program Cost: $18,250
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#87 in Clinical Psychology
#104 (tie) in Top Public Schools
#148 in Psychology
#191 (tie) in National Universities
Accreditations:
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
4. Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Points: 14
Program Website
Located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Messiah College offers one of the top master’s in family counseling online degrees available. The M.A. in Counseling with a concentration in marriage, couple, and family counseling is a 60-credit program that provides coursework predominately online. Areas of study include group counseling, multicultural issues, lifespan development, career counseling across the lifespan, assessment techniques, faith-based counseling, and counseling theories. The program is organized into eight-week courses as well as one-week intensive courses in January and July. After graduation, students are prepared to take the licensed marriage and family therapist exam in Pennsylvania.
Degree Options:
Master of Arts – Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Average Program Cost: $15,840
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#4 in Best Value Schools
#5 in Regional Colleges North
Accreditations:
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
3. Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee
Points: 14
Program Website
Lee University is a Christian institution that was founded in 1918 in Cleveland, Tennessee and sponsored by the Church of God. Students considering pursuing administrative roles in family church ministry or family services may consider the M.S. in Marriage and Family Studies. This two-year program consists of 36 credits, which includes 15 elective credits, 21 core credits, and either a thesis for students considering doctoral work or a comprehensive final exam. Core coursework focuses on systems theory, human sexuality, and human growth and development. The program does not lead to licensure as a marriage and family therapist.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Studies
Average Program Cost: $12,780
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#24 in Best Value Schools
#47 (tie) in Regional Universities South
Accreditations:
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
2. Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, Indiana
Points: 16
Program Website
The largest private university in the state, Indiana Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts school located in Marion, Indiana that enrolls 16,000 students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs each year. The online 60-credit-hour M.A. in Counseling with a focus on marriage and family counseling/therapy is holistic in approach and interpersonal in focus, emphasizing family systems within the context of each student’s Christian worldview. Courses from the program include Appraisals of Individuals and Families, Psychopathology, Integration of Christian Faith in Professional Counseling, and Sexuality, Intimacy, and Gender. The curriculum meets the academic requirement for licensure as a marriage and family counselor/therapist in Indiana.
Degree Options:
M.A. in Counseling With a Major in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy
Average Program Cost: $16,380
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#32 (tie) in Regional Universities Midwest
#67 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
1. California State University, Northridge
Northridge, California
Points: 16
Program Website
California State University, Northridge is located in Northridge, California and is the largest school in the California State University System. The M.S. in Counseling degree with an option in marriage and family therapy/counseling prepares students to pursue licensure in California. Coursework includes topics such as substance abuse and addictions treatment, a seminar in counseling theory and practice, couples and sex therapy, and community mental health. Students complete 12 units of counseling core courses, 24 units in the marriage and family specialization, 12 units of clinical assessment and research courses, and 13 units in fieldwork and practicum courses. Students round out their degree with a three- to six-unit culminating experience such as a thesis or graduate project.
Degree Options:
M.S. in Counseling With an Option in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling
Average Program Cost: $10,764
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#21 (tie) in Top Public Schools
#73 (tie) in Regional Universities West
Accreditations:
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Can You Work With a Master’s in Family Counseling Degree?
Graduates with a Master’s in Family Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy are highly trained mental health professionals who bring a family-oriented treatment approach and perspective to healthcare that is related to behavioral, mental, interpersonal, and emotional disorders. Addressing a wide range of relationship issues that affect communication between loved ones as well as the family dynamic, a family counselor also provides divorce, separation, child, relationship, and premarital counseling. Family counselors may seek employment in a number of settings, including:
- Offices of health practitioners
- Inpatient care facilities and hospitals
- Outpatient care centers
- Private practices
- Social service agencies
- Schools
- Mental health centers
- Medical centers
- Substance abuse and addiction treatment centers
- Legal and correctional systems
- Nursing and residential care facilities
Family counselors may also hold positions in churches and religious settings, the military, government facilities, and health maintenance organizations.
Is Accreditation Important for an Online Graduate Degree in Family Counseling?
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education recognize several national and regional accrediting agencies that evaluate institutions that offer online degrees. In additional to regional accreditation, those considering a career in family counseling are encouraged to choose an online master’s in family counseling program that is offered by a specialized accrediting agency such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) to ensure that the program can offer a valuable education while meeting national academic standards.
This concludes our ranking of the Top 10 Master’s in Family Counseling Online degree programs.
By OPD Staff