Marriage & Family Therapy - M.S.
Earn a licensure-qualifying master's and graduate, ready to support individuals, couples, and families as a marriage and family therapist.
Build the clinical skills to help people navigate relationships, conflict, and change through a 60-credit program registered with the New York State Office of the Professions. Learn from faculty who are practicing clinicians, complete supervised practicum and internship experience, and prepare for New York State licensure, all minutes from New York City.
This program is part of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Manhattan Advantage
Why Study Marriage and Family Therapy at Manhattan University?
At Manhattan University, the M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy trains clinicians to provide therapy grounded in contextual, cultural, and relational perspectives. Students study how factors such as lifespan development, family of origin, culture, and environment shape well-being, then build the skills to assess, diagnose, and treat clients within the context of their relationships. Through a one-semester practicum and a two-semester internship, students gain 500 hours of supervised on-site experience, graduating ready to pursue New York State licensure and support individuals, couples, and families as marriage and family therapists.
Curriculum & Courses
Explore coursework that builds the theory, clinical skills, and supervised experience you need to treat individuals, couples, and families through a systems-based lens. The 60-credit curriculum combines core courses with electives and a required practicum and internship sequence.
The courses listed below are a sample of what you will take with this program. To view the full plan of study, please visit Manhattan University's academic catalog.
- Physical and Psychopharmacological Aspects of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- Methods of Educational and Psychological Research
- Techniques in Counseling & Therapy
- Life Span Development
- Group Counseling
- Psychopathology
- Cross Cultural Counseling
- Professional Orientation to Counseling: Standards, Law, Ethics, and Evaluation
- Foundations of Marriage & Family Therapy
- Family Assessment
- Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Family Therapy & Family Law
- Internship I and Seminar in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Internship II and Seminar II in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Contemporary Couples Therapy
- Introduction to Family Therapy Models
Why Study in New York City
New York City is one of the most dynamic environments in the world to prepare for a career in marriage and family therapy. Home to a vast network of hospitals, clinics, community agencies, and counseling centers, the city offers students direct access to the settings where therapists support individuals, couples, and families every day. At Manhattan University, students complete supervised clinical internships across the region, work alongside experienced practitioners, and build the cultural competence and practical skills needed to serve clients from a wide range of backgrounds. This real-world experience strengthens your clinical confidence and helps you build the professional network needed to launch a meaningful career in one of the nation's most diverse communities.
Potential Careers
Graduates complete the graduate training needed to pursue licensure as a New York State Marriage and Family Therapist, prepared to support the well-being and growth of individuals, couples, and families. Employment of marriage and family therapists is projected to grow 13% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Behavioral Health Counselor
- Clinical Therapist
- Couples Therapist
- Family Therapist
- Marriage and Family Counselor
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Mental Health Counselor
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
About
The Kakos School of Arts and Sciences
The Kakos School of Arts and Sciences is the largest of Manhattan University's three schools, offering 33 undergraduate majors, six graduate programs, and six combined degrees across the humanities, natural and social sciences, and professional fields. Grounded in the University's Lasallian Catholic mission and located near the heart of New York City, the School pairs rigorous academics with small classes, close faculty mentorship, and real-world experience throughout the five boroughs and beyond. With strong pre-law and pre-health advising and a focus on ethical, engaged scholarship, Kakos graduates leave prepared to lead, and the University ranks in the top 3% nationally for salary impact (Wall Street Journal, 2026), evidence of where that preparation leads.
Program Costs & Financial Aid
Manhattan University is committed to making a high-quality, career-focused graduate education accessible and affordable. Graduate students may qualify for assistantships, scholarships, and federal aid that significantly reduce the overall cost of attendance.
- View Tuition & Fees
- View Graduate Assistantships
- Explore Scholarships Scholarships
- View Graduate Federal Aid and Grants
A Manhattan University education is an investment in your future, and we are dedicated to helping you access the resources that make it possible.
Admissions Information for Manhattan University
Start Your Journey in Marriage and Family Therapy
Applying to Manhattan University is simple and straightforward. Review the requirements below to take the next step toward advancing your career.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering from a program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (or recognized equivalent)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Undergraduate degree normally in the same discipline; applicants from other engineering disciplines may be required to complete prerequisite coursework
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Prepare for the Real World
At Manhattan University, your education is built around who you are and where you want to go. Whether you’re ready to apply or just starting to explore, take the next step when you’re ready — we’re here to help.