10 Cheapest MFT Programs In California

If you are seeking an affordable Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program in the US you are at the right place. In this blog post, I have curated a list of the cheapest MFT programs in California to give you options on where to earn an MFT degree without leaving a hole in your pocket.

If you want to get a Marriage and Family Therapy degree but are worried about the cost, this blog post will offer you affordable options. At the end of this article, you will be able to make a decision on where to get your MFT degree without breaking the bank.

California is one of the most expensive states in the US, the cost of living is high, housing is expensive, and higher institutions aren’t left out either, they are equally expensive. The state may have one of the most expensive schools in the US but they are no doubt among the best. You will get value for your money if you study at any of the colleges in California.

The schools are ranked among the best in the US and globally across varieties of degree programs. So, if you want to pursue an MFT program in California just know that it’d be a reputable one but it’d be expensive compared to other states. But even so, there are still some MFT programs in California that are cheaper compared to others.

The cost of an MFT degree program in the US ranges between $15,000 to $120,000 in total tuition. If you are compiling a list of where to study a marriage and family therapy degree program without breaking the bank this blog post will guide you. This article targets the cheapest MFT programs in California to give you varieties of options on where you can find affordable MFT programs.

What Is The Average Cost of MFT Programs In California

The average cost of a marriage and family therapy degree program in California is $11,617 per year.

 cheapest MFT programs in California

Cheapest MFT Programs in California

Curated here is a list of affordable and cheapest MFT programs in California for aspiring counselors who want to earn the MFT degree on a budget. Without any further ado, let’s get into them.

  • Masters of Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration – California State University (CSU) East Bay
  • Masters of Science in Clinical/Counseling Psychology Program – California State University, San Bernadino (CSUSB)
  • MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – California State University, San Jose
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology – Rhombus University
  • M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy – California State University, San Diego (CSUSD)
  • M.S. in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling –California State University, San Francisco
  • Master of Science in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling – California State University, Fresno
  • M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Sonoma State University
  • M.Sc. in Psychology Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration – California State University, Stanislaus
  • M.A. in Psychology – California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt

1.     Masters of Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration – California State University (CSU) East Bay

If you want to earn an affordable and quick MFT degree in California, then consider California State University at East Bay. The university offers a Master of Science in Counseling Program with the Marriage and Family Therapy option to prepare you for the licensure examination and careers across various settings such as schools, mental health centers, hospitals, etc.

The program is full-time and can be completed in as little as 24 months. Requirements for the program include meeting the prerequisite coursework, an accredited bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 CGPA, a personal statement, 3 recommendation letters, and GRE scores. The total estimated cost of the MSc MFT program at CSU is $14,352.

2.     Masters of Science in Clinical/Counseling Psychology Program – California State University, San Bernadino (CSUSB)

Although this master’s program does not exactly spell out MFT it is also for those who want to become marriage and family therapists. The M.S. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology program meets the educational requirement for licensure in California as an MFT set by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). The program prepares graduates to work in clinical and community mental health settings.

One of the perks of this program is the small class size, only 10-15 students are admitted annually, thus students receive close mentoring and there’s better student-faculty interaction. The program is held on-campus and is one of the most affordable MFT programs in California with a total estimate of $14,352.

3.     MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – California State University, San Jose

Here is another affordable option you can consider if you want to pursue a reputable MFT program in the US that will not leave a hole in your pocket. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a cheaper option for students who want to be Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) in California.

The program meets the licensure requirement to become LMFT or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California as set by the BBS. To apply for the program, you must have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related program with a 3.0 minimum GPA, 3 letters of recommendation, and a 2-3 page statement of intent. The total estimate of MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at CSUSJ is $14,352.

4.     M.A. in Counseling Psychology – Rhombus University

Are you a working professional looking to enroll in a flexible, affordable program that meets California state licensure requirements as an LMFT? Then this is the program for you. Rhombus University is offering an online and affordable Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program that leads to licensure in California as an LMFT or LPCC.

 The program is 100% online making it easy for working professionals who want to get this degree to continue working and other existing responsibilities. Aside from its cheap option, the program also allows students to pay as they study to help them become debt-free when they graduate. The total estimate of the M.A. in Counseling at Rhombus University is $15,000.

5.     M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy – California State University, San Diego (CSUSD)

With an estimated total cost of $19,678, the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program at CSUSD is one of the cheapest MFT programs in California. The program is offered in full-time format and consists of 60 credit units requiring you to complete it in 2.5 years.

It also meets state licensure to become a licensed MFT. Students will find the program interesting as it accepts only 30 students or less per year which makes the learning process highly interactive. Upon completion of this program, graduates gain clinical experience among a host of other skills.

6.     M.S. in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling –California State University, San Francisco

California State University, San Francisco is offering another reputable and affordable MFT program in California that meets the state licensure requirement and prepare you for a successful counseling career. The M.S. in MFCC offered by CSUSF is a program that you can complete either in 2 or 3 years depending on the specialization you add to it.

You can complete in full-time or part-time option, and classes are scheduled to be flexible so that working professionals can earn this degree without giving up their jobs. Class size is kept small between 10-25 students to ensure there is interaction. The estimated cost of the program is $14,352 – $21,528 depending on the specialization you add.

7.     Master of Science in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling – California State University, Fresno

The M.S. in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling offered by CSU Fresno is one of the cheapest MFT programs in California with a total estimate of $16,434. The program has two entry dates in Fall and Spring with a maximum class size of 18 students. The length of the program is 5 semesters consisting of 60 units. The degree prepares students for licensure in California as an LMFT or LPCC.

Entry into the program requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, a GRE score, a 2-page statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and completed prerequisite courses.

8.     M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Sonoma State University

Sonoma State University offers a 60-unit Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that prepares students for careers as licensed marriage and family therapists or licensed professional clinical counselors. The program meets the licensure requirement for both careers as set by the BBS and is also accredited by the Masters of Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).

The total estimate for this program is $14,352 making it one of the cheapest MFT programs in California. The program has three different tracks you can complete in 2, 2.5, or 3 years. There are financial aid and scholarship options for students who are accepted into the program.

9.     M.Sc. in Psychology Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration – California State University, Stanislaus

California State University, Stanislaus is one of the schools that offer one of the cheapest MFT programs in California. The school offers a Master of Science in Psychology Marriage and Family Therapy with two tracks in Counseling and Behavior Analysis, students can go for one of the tracks. The program prepares graduates for licensure as an LMFT in California.

Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related discipline with a minimum of 3.0 GPA, a personal statement, 3 letters of recommendation, and work experience. The program consists of 60 units and takes 2.5 years to complete. The total estimated cost of the program is $17,940.

10.  M.A. in Psychology – California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt

The Master of Arts in Psychology by Cal Poly Humboldt is a clinical theory and research program that prepares students for a career as an LMFT. The program meets the LMFT licensure requirement in the state of California. Students will go through extensive training in clinical skills, supervised fieldwork, and rigorous coursework to learn the necessary skills and knowledge.

The program is one of the cheapest in the state with an estimated tuition cost of $18,588. Class size is kept small at 12 students per year to boost classroom interaction.

These affordable MFT programs in California all meet the licensure requirement to become a practicing marriage and family therapist in California.

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