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Marriage & Family Therapy - M.S.

The M.S. in marriage and family therapy program is designed for those seeking marriage and family therapist licensure.

Why Choose Marriage & Family Therapy?

Marriage and family therapists help people through family and other relationship problems. They address issues including stress, infidelity, depressed mood, anxiety and behavioral difficulties within the context of current and past relationships. The Manhattan College Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s Program prepares future therapists to work with and provide treatment for familial relationships, marital/couple relationships, parent-child relationships, pre-marital, and other personal relationships. There is a focus on treating clients within the context of their relationships and their environments rather than just the individual.

The need for licensed marriage and family therapists also is on the rise. Jobs for marriage and family therapists are expected to grow by 14% (faster than average) by 2031, according to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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60

Minimum Credit Hours

Online Blended

In-person and online coursework

14%

Industry job growth by 2031*

500

Hours of supervised therapy

*Job Growth estimate provided by the The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

In this program I learned that you have to trust in yourself. Believe in yourself and apply what you learn. Be your best and try your best.

Precious Aderibigbe ’20, Outpatient Therapist for Pennsylvania Counseling Services

Learning from Experienced Practitioners

Faculty in the marriage and family therapy graduate program are experienced clinicians who work with  individuals, children, families and couples. Many faculty have their own practices or work in clinics and are adept at managing a wide range of familial and mental health issues as well as the laws and ethics related to the work of a Marriage and Family Therapist. However, their backgrounds are varied – some professors started out in different careers besides therapy, just like many of our alumni and incoming students. The high level goal of this program is for you to prepare for licensure as a marriage and family therapist in New York State, and our professors will help you get there.

Build Valuable Skills

In this program, students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to help families, couples, and individuals understand their behaviors and their relationships. Students will learn how to think using a systems lens, that will enable them to take into account the many factors that impact a client’s well-being, including but not limited to environment, family-of-origin, larger social systems and their interpersonal relationships.

They will also gain the following valuable skills:

  • Interpersonal skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Observational skills
  • Organization and time management
  • Ability to work with others on multi-disciplinary teams
  • Evaluation and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders within the context of marital, relational and family systems.
  • Communication skills (active listening, written communication, verbal communication)

  • Discover Professional Opportunities

    This marriage and family therapy graduate program has access to some of the top mental health hospitals, agencies, and clinics in the country. Alumni have interned for the Bowery Mission Women’s Centers, the Family Services of Westchester, and many other places where they obtained 500 hours of supervised on-site clinical training. There are also opportunities to work with the program’s faculty on their research projects, allowing students a hands-on opportunity to understand how therapy approaches affect couples and families.

  • Find Learning That Matches You and Your Lifestyle

    Classrooms that are small help create create a learning environment that is conducive to honing the knowledge and practical techniques needed to become a skilled therapist.   As part of your master’s program you will gain real world experience working in clinical settings as part of your practicum and internship experiences.  For added flexibility geared toward working adults, many of the classes in this program are offered online. This program can be completed either full time or part time, depending on the circumstances of the student.

  • Join an Enthusiastic Community

    You may be studying to be a therapist in the marriage and family therapy graduate program, but you’ll still need community and support while enrolled in this program.

    Enrolling in our program means joining a close-knit community of faculty and students, all of whom are supporting each other both inside the classroom and beyond. This includes the classroom structures and networking opportunities so that master’s candidates are better prepared to enter the field of marriage and family therapy. This 60-credit program also allows enough time to fully absorb the training needed to be a licensed therapist.
  • Admissions Requirements

    Applicants from diverse backgrounds and professional experiences are welcome to apply for our marriage and family therapy master’s program. However, preparation in the behavioral sciences is preferred and those who do not have a relevant background may be required to take prerequisite courses for admission. All applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or institution, with an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, though other factors will be considered in the decision for admission.

    View Admissions Requirements

  • Program Requirements

    The Marriage and Family Therapy program consists of 60 credits. These 60 credits are made up of: 54 credits of core courses and 6 credits of elective courses. To view class topics and required courses for this program, visit our course catalog:

    View Program Requirements

Meet our Faculty

  • Browse Department Faculty

    Meet the Faculty
    Faculty in the marriage and family therapy graduate program are either licensed in marriage and family therapy or have backgrounds in mental health and psychology.