Marriage and family therapy is a great career to consider entering given its job prospect by the BLS. If this is a field that interests you, I have curated a list of the best MFT programs in Texas in this article to guide you in choosing the one that works best for you.
Marriage and family therapists are licensed professionals who help families and couples solve issues plaguing their relationships and promote overall mental well-being services. As a marriage and family therapist, you will gain first-hand knowledge and skills to provide therapy to families and couples who require help.
It is one of the branches of psychology which is within medicine, but unlike typical medical programs, this course takes 5-6 years to complete and earn your licensure. The requirement to earn the licensure may vary by state but the standard requirement is that you must complete a master of the doctorate program in MFT to be eligible for the state licensure examination which will make you become a licensed MFT.
The MFT program will equip you with the skillset and knowledge necessary to help families and couples solve issues and promote mental health. Students will take training classes including clinical rotations to gain hands-on and experiential skills. This will help them know how to treat patients when they start on their own.
There are universities all over the US that offer MFT programs but in this blog post, we are focused on the ones in Texas. The MFT programs in Texas discussed here meets the licensure requirement for a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Texas.
How Do I Become An MFT In Texas
To become a Marriage and Family Therapist in Texas, you must earn the license to begin practicing. Earning the license is years of an academic journey that begins with your undergraduate degree. So, you must first complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related mental health program.
Upon completion of the baccalaureate program, you can then apply for a master’s in marriage and family therapy program or any graduate psychology program that meets the licensure requirement to become a licensed MFT in Texas. Also, the program has to be coming from an accredited institution, else, you won’t be eligible for the licensure examination.
Graduates from this program are eligible to sit for the licensure exam, those who pass it will earn their license and begin practicing as an LMFT.
Best MFT Programs in Texas
There are universities in Texas that offer MFT programs which are listed and discussed in this section. This will guide you to choose the best program for you and kick-start a career in the profession.
The best MFT programs in Texas are:
- The couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy Master’s Degree – Texas Tech University
- Graduate Programs in Marriage & Family Therapy – Texas Woman’s University
- Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy – Texas A&M University
- Marriage & Family Therapy – Texas Wesleyan University
- Family Therapy M.A. – The University of Houston, Clear Lake
- Online Marriage and Family Sciences Programs – National University
- MS in Marriage and Family Therapy – Capella University
1. Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy Master’s Degree – Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas with a reputation for its science and engineering programs. The institution houses one of the cheapest medical schools in Texas where you can earn a master’s degree in MFT. The program meets the state’s licensure requirement and prepares you for a successful career in the field.
The program boasts of its superior faculty, supportive environment, research opportunities, and practical career development.
2. Graduate Programs in Marriage & Family Therapy – Texas Woman’s University
Texas Woman’s University has a reputation for being the largest university system in the nation focused on women. The school specializes in arts and sciences, nursing, health sciences, and business. The school offers two MFT programs; a Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy and a Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy.
Both programs meet the licensure requirement by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists, thus, graduates are eligible to sit for the examination to earn their license. The programs are accredited by Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). GRE scores and letters of recommendation are not required to apply for this program.
3. Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy – Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is offering a 60-hour, on-campus Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy degree program that provides students with excellent professional training to become licensed marriage and family therapists in Texas. Students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to bring needed change and relief to distressed families, couples, and individuals.
To gain these skills and knowledge, students go through rigorous course work and clinical hands-on training which they must complete to be eligible to take the licensure examination. The program has three start dates in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.
4. Marriage & Family Therapy – Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Wesleyan University offers master’s and Ph.D. programs in marriage and family therapy that are accredited by COAMFTE. The program contains courses and training that meets the licensure requirement for the state of Texas.
Students in the program learn intervention-based research by looking at family systems and graduate with a degree that qualifies them to work in various counseling fields.
5. Family Therapy M.A. – The University of Houston, Clear Lake
Here is another reputable program that prepares you for a profession in marriage and family therapy through solid coursework and practical experience. The Master of Arts in Family Therapy offered by the University of Houston, Clear Lake fulfills coursework requirements to make students eligible for the Licensed Professional Counselor Exam in Texas.
To apply for this program, applicants must submit GRE scores, official transcripts, a CV, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and an application fee of $35. The cost of the program is $25,366 for residents and $34,546 for non-residents.
6. Online Marriage and Family Sciences Programs – National University
This program is just one of the MFT offered 100% online. The program covers;
- Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy
- Master of Arts Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy
Each of these programs is long-distance, 100% online, and accredited by COAMTFE. Students who complete this program have also met the licensure requirement by the state of Texas.
7. MS in Marriage and Family Therapy – Capella University
Here is another option for you to consider if you want to earn an MFT degree online. The program is COAMFTE accredited preparing you to pursue state licensure eligibility and social justice. Theory and practice are combined to equip you with the necessary skillset in the field.
To apply, you need to have you bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 2.7 GPA or higher, official transcripts from previously attended institutions, 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, and English proficiency for international students who are not native English speakers.
These programs all have varying entry requirements which you must meet to enter the program. To get the requirements, you can visit the sites of the programs or go to the school in person and talk to an admissions officer concerning entry requirements for the MFT program in Texas.