A career in counseling comes with job security, high income, and a great work-life balance. If you are considering a career in this field, marriage, and family therapy may be a good place for you. This blog post provides a list of the best MFT programs in Georgia to guide you in choosing a program that best fits you.
MFT stands for Marriage and Family Therapist. It is a branch of psychology that deals with helping couples and families maintain stronger and healthy relationships. So, as a marriage and family therapist, you will solve issues that arise among these people and work directly with every member of the family you are offering your services to.
MFT is a career to consider going into if you have the ability to give counsel to others or want to enter a medical field that does not involve blood and offers a stress-free environment or want to help make a difference in society. With your skills as an MFT, you will help tackle the rising divorce rates in society and actually help strengthen bonds between couples and family members.
It is a fulfilling career that comes with other benefits such as great pay, job security, and a great work-life balance. We could say MFT is one of the stress-free jobs that pay well since it does not involve heavy schedules like the typical medical professions like nursing.
Now, to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), you must graduate from an MFT program that meets the requirement of the state you want to practice. This will then make you eligible to sit for the licensure exam to get your license and start practicing.
A bachelor’s degree alone will not make you an LMFT, in fact, it does not meet the requirement of any state in the US to practice. The minimum has to be a master’s degree in MFT, some people get a doctorate also, it depends on your preference. So, to become an LMFT takes 2 -3 years for the master’s program while the doctorate can take 3-7 years.
While there are many MFT programs offered by various universities in the US, this blog post is focused on the MFT programs in Georgia state so that those in the state can find a program that fits them best. We have published articles on the best MFT programs in California and another on the best MFT programs in Texas to help people in these states find a befitting option.
For clarity purposes, the MFT programs in these US states are not meant for residents alone. Students from other parts of the US, as well as international students, are also accepted into the programs provided they meet the admission requirements.
Typical admission requirements into MFT programs in the US include letters of recommendation, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, transcripts, a minimum of 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, English proficiency for international students, application form, and application fee.
Having said that, let’s get into the main topic.
Best MFT Programs In Georgia
The best MFT programs in Georgia are:
- Master of Family Therapy – Mercer School of Medicine
- Marriage & Family Therapy Programs – University of Georgia
- M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy – Toccoa Falls College
- Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy – Valdosta State University
1. Master of Family Therapy – Mercer School of Medicine
On our first list of best MFT programs in Georgia is the Master of Family Therapy degree program at Mercer School of Medicine, the med school of Mercer University. The med school has been offering the graduate MFT program for more than 35 years preparing students to become high-quality practitioners who can work in mental health centers, hospitals, schools, and private practice.
As part of the program, students train at the Mercer Family Therapy Centers in Macon and Atlanta to earn hands-on skills and prepare for the licensure examination. Students in the program benefit from small class sizes, exceptional faculty, career preparation, and social justice focus. There are two entry years in the Spring and Fall.
2. Marriage & Family Therapy Programs – University of Georgia
The University offers two options for graduates to get high-quality education as MFT. The first is a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy and the other is a Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. Both programs are offered under the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, a faculty filled with family scientists, psychologists, sociologists, and gerontologists, which allows students to learn from the best in the field.
You must have completed and earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in psychology or a related mental health field before you can apply for either of the MFT programs.
3. M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy – Toccoa Falls College
Toccoa Falls College in Georgia offers a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy for aspiring counselors, therapists, or psychologists to apply for. The program prepares graduates both personally and academically to become Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) in the state of Georgia. Students learn skills of ethical, competent, and compassionate therapy.
The M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy at TFC is offered online to help working professionals manage their time and not give up their current jobs while studying for their degrees. The program consists of 60 credit hours and takes 2.5 years to complete.
4. Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy – Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University is a public higher institution for residents of Georgia, although international students are accepted as well but very few. As a resident of Georgia, pursuing an academic program at Valdosta State will be much cheaper for you and you also have a high chance of entering the program you apply for.
With that your mind, you can apply for the MSc in MFT program here at Valdosta and enjoy a cheaper tuition rate and a high acceptance rate. The Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program at Valdosta State prepares you for a clinical career as a licensed marriage and family therapist by completing rigorous course work and an intensive 1-year clinical practice.
Turns out there are just 4 schools in the Peach State offering a marriage and family therapy program. However, from this list you should be able to find a program that fits you best, apply, and kick-start your journey into the counseling field.