15 Best Online PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy Programs [2025 Guide]
By David Garcia
Edited by Briana Sukert
Updated on November 28, 2024
A PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy can help you grow your expertise and qualifications in the field of family therapy.
Similar programs focus on narrowing the curriculum so that graduates can directly enter the field of counseling or psychology as practicing professionals. A PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy is more versatile than similar degrees because it can help prepare students to become educators, researchers, or clinical practitioners.
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Read on to see if a PhD program in marriage and family therapy fits your goals.
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Amridge University offers a doctoral program in Marriage and Family Therapy. The program is research-oriented and requires the completion of 60 semester hours beyond a master’s degree. It is available in a distance format to provide flexibility for working adults. Potential courses include Analysis of Substance Abuse Interventions, Applied Adult Development, and Medical Family Therapy.
Amridge University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Antioch University offers a low-residency program for a PhD in Couple and Family Therapy. The program requires three 5 day residencies each year and participation in local practical experiences. The rest of the classes are attended via video conferencing. The degree can typically be finished in 3 years of full-time attendance, 2 for coursework and 1 for the dissertation.
Antioch University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Chaminade University of Honolulu offers a Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy. The program is 100% online. Some classes are synchronous, while others are asynchronous. Each course is 10 weeks long, and the full program can usually be completed with a cohort in 3 years.
Chaminade University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Drexel University’s Doctor of Couple and Family Therapy program aims to provide advanced training in clinical practice. The program offers 100% online courses and one-on-one faculty mentorship. For a hands-on experience, the completion of a teaching practicum and an internship are required. The program is designed to be completed in 3 years of part-time study.
Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Eastern University’s PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy requires the completion of 60 credits. The program is mostly online but does require some on-campus residencies. The curriculum includes the completion of a dissertation and the study of counseling techniques from a Christian point of view. New students may begin every May. The program usually takes 4 to 6 years to complete.
Eastern University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Fuller Theological Seminary offers a Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy. The program is mostly online but does require weekend intensives. It consists of 70 quarter units that can typically be completed in 2 years. The curriculum emphasizes culturally competent practice and the application of Christian faith in counseling.
Fuller Theological Seminary is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.
Liberty University offers an EdD in Community Care and Counseling: Marriage and Family. Courses can be taken fully online, and each course is 8 weeks long. The program requires the completion of 57 credit hours and takes an average of 2.5 to finish. The dissertation process is integrated into the coursework.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Lorna Linda University seeks to provide a Christian environment that emphasizes compassion and respect for everyone. The school offers a Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy. Courses are offered online through synchronous and asynchronous formats. The required practicum may be completed locally. The program requires the completion of 77 quarter units and usually takes 3 years to finish.
Loma Linda University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Mount Mercy University’s PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy program requires the completion of 60 credit hours and usually takes 3 years to complete. It is available on campus, and select courses are also available online. There are three specialization tracks to choose from Advanced Couples Therapy, Leadership, and Social Justice, and Neuroscience and Psychophysiology.
Mount Mercy University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Oregon State University offers a hybrid program for a PhD in Counseling. The program’s face-to-face classes meet twice each quarter during the weekends, and it is otherwise online. Internships may be completed locally. New students can begin every summer, and it typically takes 3 to 4 years to graduate. The program requires the completion of 150 quarter credits.
Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Regent University offers a PhD in Counseling and Psychological Studies—Marriage and Family Ministry that can be earned online. The curriculum aims to teach how to apply biblical and scientific principles to mental health care. The program requires the completion of 51 credit hours. Potential courses include Marriage and Relationship Counseling, Concepts of Family Systems, and Counseling Children and Adolescents.
Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Trevecca Nazarene University offers a PhD in Clinical Counseling: Teaching and Supervision that can be earned online or on campus. The program requires the completion of 66 credit hours and usually takes 3 years to finish. Classes are attended 2.5 days a week. They are small and taught by faculty with real-world experience.
Trevecca Nazarene University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Louisiana—Monroe offers an online program for a Doctor of Philosophy with a concentration in Systemic Studies. This non-clinical program emphasizes scholarly research and a theoretical understanding of systemic family therapy. It requires the completion of 60-semester units and can usually be finished in 2 years of full-time study.
The University of Louisiana Monroe is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of West Georgia offers a Doctor of Education in Professional Counseling and Supervision. The program is completely online, with new students starting every summer. It requires the completion of a dissertation, an internship, and courses like Ethical Leadership in Education, Doctoral Seminar: Professional Issues, and Quantitative Research Methods.
The University of West Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Walden University offers an online program for a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. The program is designed to allow students to continue working while pursuing their degrees. Class sizes are small to better enable engaging discussions.
Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
A PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy is a terminal degree that aims to advance your knowledge and skill sets in this growing field.
Professionals pursuing a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy likely want to help others with their knowledge of psychology. They may have prior experience or just a general interest in the field. MFT PhD programs discuss the topic of family dynamics and their effect on an individual through their lifespan. The topic is approached through various perspectives, including social issues, theory, and research.
Upon graduation, many students go on to become practicing marriage and family therapists. Other students may advance the field of psychology through education or research. As such, there are numerous career paths related to this area of study, including:
Of course, what you do with your degree is up to you and isn’t limited to the above positions. As for the subjects you’ll study, they will predominantly be limited to clinical practice and theory. Some of these subjects may include:
An MFT PhD program can help prepare you for MFT licensure if you do not yet have a license and want to enter clinical practice. This program is also beneficial for advancing your qualifications for positions in leadership and academia.
MFT doctoral programs focus on relationships as well as how an individual’s relationship with their loved ones affects their mental health. Many professionals in this field work as marriage and family therapists to a range of clientele.
Since a PhD emphasizes theory and research, many graduates choose to go into research, leadership, and teaching positions as well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some potential career paths, along with their median salaries, that are related to the advanced study of marriage and family therapy.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | $96,910 |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $79,640 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists — State Government | $77,960 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists — Outpatient Care Centers | $57,930 |
| Social Workers | $50,390 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists — Offices of Other Health Practitioners | $49,630 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $48,520 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists — Individual and Family Services | $48,340 |
It’s not uncommon for graduates to work as behavioral therapists, mental health counselors, social workers, university professors, clinical directors, and more.
Just as with an on-campus or online doctorate in mental health counseling, while a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy could help you qualify for a range of positions, holding this degree will not guarantee any specific position or salary. There are many factors that influence the hiring process.
Many of the courses you will take during a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy program are focused on clinical practice. Here is a list of sample courses to help give you an idea of what to expect:
It’s beneficial to check the curriculum of the program you’re interested to see if its course load aligns with your interests.
MFT PhD programs can have various requirements for admission. Below are a few common admissions criteria for doctoral-level programs:
Some PhD programs require you to hold a masters, specifically an on-campus or online MFT program. However, others are fine with applicants having a masters in a related field, such as an on-campus or online masters degree in counseling in general, or an on-campus or online behavioral health masters, while others accept applicants with a bachelors.
Since these requirements can vary, it’s strategic to check the specific admissions requirements for each of your prospective schools. You can also reach out to a school’s admissions office to ask any questions you may have about the admissions process.
When researching a marriage and family therapy doctoral program, it’s strategic to only consider programs from regionally accredited colleges and universities.
During the process of accreditation, a school’s standard and quality of education is assessed by a formal accrediting agency. This status testifies to an institution’s credibility. Only accredited institutions can receive federal financial aid. In addition, employers and certification boards are likely to require candidates to hold degrees from accredited institutions.
The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) is the programmatic accreditation for marriage and family therapy programs.
While regional accrediting agencies evaluate the overall quality of a school, COAMFTE ensures that an institution is providing marriage and family therapy programs that are up to industry standards. Enrolling in a COAMFTE-accredited program can help prepare you for licensure and ensure that you’re receiving a high-quality education.
If you wish to become a practicing marriage and family therapist, then it’s necessary to pursue licensure. Here is a list of typical requirements for state licensure:
Licensing requirements may vary by state, so it’s helpful to research the specific criteria of the state in which you plan to practice. Most states also require annual continuing education classes in order to maintain your license.
If you’re considering financial aid to help you pay for your doctoral education, there are many options you can explore. Many students turn to federal aid as their primary option. You can fill out the FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for student loans and other forms of need-based aid.
Other viable options for financial aid include scholarships and grants. These opportunities may be offered by your school or outside organizations. If you’re currently working, you can also see if your employer offers any tuition benefits.
An MFT PhD program can help prepare you for research, teaching, and advanced clinical positions. Many graduates work as a marriage and family therapists in established organizations or private practice. A PhD program in the field can also help you qualify for licensure if you are not yet certified.
Related counseling positions include social workers and behavioral therapists. Other PhD graduates go on to become educators in universities or researchers. Those interested in teaching may also supervise prospective therapists during their clinical experiences.
A PhD is also beneficial for those interested in leadership positions. For instance, graduates may pursue leadership roles in postsecondary administration, health facilities, and clinical practices.
Doctoral programs typically take 3 to 5 years to complete with full-time enrollment. A doctorate program might be completed in as little as 3 years if it doesn’t require a dissertation.
PhD in Couple and Family Therapy programs usually require an internship or supervised experience and culminate in a dissertation. Both an internship and a dissertation will likely extend the length of the program. Part-time studies could extend your completion time as well.
Here are some of the key differences between Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in MFT programs and Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT).
| PhD in MFT Programs | DMFT Programs |
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Understanding the differences between these programs can help you decide which degree path best fits your goals.
Here are some differences between a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Family Therapy and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Family Therapy.
| PhD in Family Therapy | PsyD in Family Therapy |
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The type of degree that’s best for you may depend on your interests and long-term career goals.
Yes, a doctorate in family and marriage therapy is worth it for many professionals. In MFT PhD programs, professionals can advance their expertise in research, teaching and supervising leadership, and clinical practice.
A doctoral program in this field can also help you qualify for licensure as a marriage and family therapist. The increased emphasis on therapy as a wellness tool has resulted in a growing demand for therapists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marriage, and family therapists are expected to see 14% job growth over the next ten years, which is much faster than average.
Getting a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy can help you advance your expertise in this growing field. Marriage and family therapy PhD programs are not exclusively focused on clinical practice.
Graduates may also choose to pursue positions in research, teaching, or leadership within the field. You might consider growing your professional qualifications by earning a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy online.
The sooner you begin exploring accredited institutions, the sooner you may find the MFT doctoral program that best aligns with your interests and goals.