Becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in Minnesota requires a lot of time and hard work. Fortunately, you have your choice of a number of potential graduate programs to complete your studies. With so many choices, you can more readily find a program that aligns with your professional goals and interests.
But, with more choices comes greater difficulty in choosing a program. This is especially true when there are numerous strong contenders, as is the case in Minnesota. However, this guide helps you narrow your search by highlighting popular options in the Gopher State. Each program is discussed in detail below for your convenience.
Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Programs in Minnesota
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering marriage and family therapy graduate programs in Minnesota:
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
- University of St. Thomas
- Bethel University
- Adler University
- Grand Canyon University
- Northwestern University
- National University
- Walden University
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Mary’s is a 48-credit program that requires two years of full-time on-campus studies to complete. The program is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and provides the clinical experiences necessary to qualify for licensure in Minnesota.
Each course you take is taught by an experienced therapist. In many cases, your professors are still practicing therapists, so they have a wealth of experience to draw upon to further your training. Additionally, the Saint Mary’s faculty participates in research and are experts in their fields, so you’re sure to get a high-quality education that’s relevant to the modern practice of marriage and family therapy.
The curriculum includes didactic coursework and hands-on experience. Your classes explore many different topical areas, from human development to professional issues to research. Likewise, you’ll explore marital studies and marriage and family therapy.
More specifically, the Human Development requirement includes the following three classes:
- Individual and Family Lifespan Development
- Psychopathology and Treatment Planning in Developmental Systems
- Systemic Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Concerns
In each case, these classes examine essential problems or issues in systemic relationships and help you understand how developmental processes affect the interaction between couples and families.
The curriculum includes 14 credits of marital studies as well. These classes examine many different topics, from multiculturalism to therapeutic techniques for intimate partners to trauma and crisis intervention. Furthermore, you’ll take a course on the theoretical and conceptual origins of family therapy, which analyzes the structure and function of systemic relationships. You’ll examine research-based data relating to family therapy, explore issues related to family roles, and analyze the efficacy of systemic and relational therapy interventions, too.
The next phase of the program is a Marriage and Family Therapy sequence. The first course is Advanced Applications of Relational Theory and Systemic Interventions, which facilitates skill development in assessment and intervention. This class also explores issues like gender, race, and culture in family dynamics. The second course is Assessment of Couples and Families, which discusses various assessment strategies and their applications, strengths, and weaknesses.
You’re also required to complete research and professional-related courses. For example, you’ll take Statistical Techniques and Research Methods in MFT, which introduces you to essential tools used in social science research. More specifically, this course analyzes how to interpret relevant research as a tool for improving your clinical practice skills. As for the professional-related coursework, you’ll take these three classes:
- Marriage and Family Therapy: Professional Issues and Orientation
- Practicum Preparation and Professionalization
- Ethical Issues and Professional Practices in Marriage and Family Therapy
The final coursework element is Contemporary Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy. You must take three courses to fulfill this requirement. Think of these classes like electives; you can choose the three classes you take from a list of around three dozen options. Sample courses include Hoarding Disorder and Families, Family Meditation, and Neuroscience in Couple Therapy, to name a few.
A practicum and capstone round out the requirements for this degree. The practicum requires at least 300 hours of client contact time, of which half must be obtained in the context of providing therapy to individuals, couples, or families. You must also complete at least 100 hours of documented supervision. Meanwhile, the capstone is an integrative project that focuses on your personal theory of counseling. Additionally, the capstone requires you to write a publishable paper and participate in an oral examination.
The admissions criteria are as follows:
- Have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit a personal statement in which you provide a brief personal background, a statement of career goals, areas of strength and weakness, and any other information you wish to share.
- Submit letters of recommendation that highlight your academic and professional abilities.
- Provide a current resume.
University of St. Thomas
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology – Family Psychology Concentration
The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of St. Thomas offers a Family Psychology concentration that leads to a credential as an LMFT. The program is available at St. Thomas’ Minneapolis campus, where you’ll take part in rigorous coursework and clinical training as you prepare for your future career.
A total of 66 credits are required to graduate. Of these, 48 credits are in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program, while the remaining 18 credits are specifically in marriage and family therapy studies. You must also complete practicum training for hands-on experience working with clients in a clinical setting.
The coursework includes studies of psychological statistics, psychological assessment, and ethical issues in counseling. These and other core courses help you build a solid foundation of knowledge upon which you can build more advanced knowledge and skills. You are also required to take courses like the following:
- Learning and Behaviors Change in Counseling Psychology
- Theories of Career Development
- Theories of Counseling and Personality
- Human Growth and Development
- Psychological Bases of Behavior
As you can see, each of these classes dives into very specific counseling-related topics. But there are many other classes that expand your knowledge of the human condition. For example, you’ll take Psychopathology, which explores the causes of common mental illnesses. You’ll examine issues like depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and dissociative disorders and learn about effective treatments for each.
Additionally, you’ll take a Family Dynamics class that analyzes how individuals within a family system can alter the dynamics of the family. For example, you might discuss a family’s dysfunction as a consequence of one member’s drug or alcohol addiction. Likewise, you might examine how a partner’s infidelity can cause strain on their intimate relationship as well as their familial relationship with other close family members.
Further studies are required in the following areas:
- Introduction to Marriage and Family Psychology
- Marriage and Family Development
- Marriage Counseling
- Family Counseling I and II
- Diversity Issues in Counseling
Since this is a clinical program, you must complete a practicum and an internship. The practicum occurs over a number of semesters and serves as an introduction to clinical practice. You are required to work one-on-one with couples, individuals, and families in a clinical setting, but this is just one component of the practicum. You must also work with your supervisor to acquire essential day-to-day skills, such as working with other healthcare providers, learning how to bill insurance for services rendered, recording case notes, and the like.
The internship, however, is much more inclusive of the therapy experience. You will have many more responsibilities, including, but not limited to, conducting assessments of couples and families, designing treatment plans, and providing counseling services. You can complete the practicum and internship hours at any number of approved sites in the Twin Cities area. In fact, St. Thomas University offers more than 90 options for obtaining your fieldwork hours.
To apply, ensure you meet the following requirements:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a 2.7 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit an application essay.
- Provide English proficiency scores if English is not your native language.
Bethel University
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Bethel University’s Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy is a three-year blended program with online and in-person activities that prepare you to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. The program incorporates clinical counseling theory and practice with Christian theology, which allows you to provide holistic counseling to people of diverse backgrounds.
The program is taught by experienced practitioners. In fact, each faculty member maintains a clinical practice, so they have current, real-world experience that they can draw upon to help guide your development as a counselor. Furthermore, your professors will assist you in self-discovery; you’ll learn more about who you are and why, and how you can use your strengths and passions to better the lives of others.
The 60-credit curriculum begins with a 12-credit seminary core requirement. These courses, which include Biblical Hermeneutics, Spiritual and Personal Formation, and Survey in Systematic Theology, help you clarify your personal beliefs and begin to understand how your knowledge, skills, and faith can–and should–inform how you work with your clients.
The next piece of this degree is degree-specific coursework. These classes focus on marriage and family therapy-related issues, such as:
- Foundations of Marriage and Family Studies
- Families in Context: Gender, Class, and Culture
- Dynamics of Family Interaction, Sexuality, Spirituality, and Socialization
- Individual Development Within the Family
- Challenges Over the Family Life Cycle
You must also take Individual and Family Psychopathology I & II. These courses explore abnormal behavior in the context of relationships, such as between couples or immediate family members. You will explore the diagnostic system as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as well as study individual abnormal behaviors that can greatly affect the functioning of family systems.
A significant portion of this program is dedicated to clinical practice, too. For example, you’ll take Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy to get a feel for the different perspectives that inform clinicians’ practice. You’ll learn how to apply various approaches, too, in an effort to help you identify your personal counseling style.
Another clinical-related class is Clinical Skills in Marriage and Family Therapy. Your studies in this course include a survey of essential skills, techniques, and theories that enable you to be an effective marriage and family therapist. You will practice these skills and techniques in individual, couples, family, and group therapy settings.
Additionally, you are required to complete a year-long supervised clinical experience. During that time, you must compile at least 300 hours of clinical contact time. You must also complete at least 80 hours of supervision. The supervision must be provided by soeone that’s approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy or who is a licensed marriage and family therapist.
The graduate application for admission to Bethel University is available online. You must create an account to apply. Additionally, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit a family or origin essay.
- Submit a supervisor reference form, a personal reference form, and a pastoral reference form.
Adler University
Master of Arts in Counseling – Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling
The Master of Arts in Counseling at Adler University offers a Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling program that leads to licensure in Minnesota. The program focuses on three factors in marriage and family counseling: trauma-informed therapy, multiculturalism, and a commitment to ethical practice. Furthermore, the program promotes advocacy, social interest, and self-exploration.
This 60-credit program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and is led by expert faculty who have extensive, real-world experience in marriage and family therapy. The program’s faculty are extremely diverse; this benefits you because you will learn from people with disparate backgrounds who will nurture your development each step of the way.
The curriculum includes studies in foundational and advanced topics in counseling, psychotherapy, and family systems. The skills you acquire will enable you to assist clients in overcoming mental health-related challenges of all sorts, from depression and anxiety to communication issues to infidelity. You will learn how to diagnose and treat mental disorders of all kinds, and you will gain confidence in working with individuals, couples, families, and groups.
The core coursework for this degree begins with basic courses like the following:
- Principles of Research and Program Evaluation
- Introduction to the Counseling Profession
- Developmental Psychology
- Ethics and Professional Identity
- Multicultural Counseling
In each case, these classes explore essential topics of counseling. By completing this sequence of courses, you will have a better appreciation of this field, what it means to be a competent practitioner, and understand the challenges you might face in your future career, too.
A key course you’re required to take is Abnormal Psychology and the DSM-5. This class is essential for your understanding of the scope of mental illnesses and how to identify and diagnose mental illnesses in your clients. Learning about abnormal behavior goes well beyond simply being able to diagnose it; instead, you will explore research-based treatments that address common mental health concerns.
Another important course for your development is Family Therapy. As you might guess, this course is all about learning to handle the unique dynamics of a family in therapy. You’ll learn how to control the pace of therapy and analyze how you can be an effective counselor without allowing your biases to get in the way. Perhaps more importantly, you’ll learn how to model appropriate behavior in a group therapy setting by modeling active listening and effective communication strategies.
You can choose to take up to two elective credits In addition to the required courses discussed above. Adler University allows you to choose your electives from a broad selection of possibilities, such as the following:
- Native and Indigenous Health and Healing
- Dreamwork
- Music and Sound in Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts
- Visual Arts and Storytelling
Of course, you are also required to complete field experiences to satisfy the requirements for state licensure. You must accumulate at least 700 total hours, of which 300 must be in face-to-face contact with a client. At least 150 of the 300 face-to-face hours must be in a relational context as well.
Ensure you meet the following criteria prior to applying:
- Have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit letters of recommendation from references who are familiar with your academic capabilities and your professional potential.
- Submit an essay in which you explain why you’re interested in attending Adler University and outline your past job experiences, your strengths and weaknesses, and your commitment to diversity.
Grand Canyon University
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy Emphasis
Grand Canyon University offers an online option that you may consider if you require a flexible format to complete your degree. The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy requires 74 credits for graduation. If you study full-time, you will need 2–3 years to finish the program.
Through this program, you will gain the skills necessary to provide competent therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families. Specifically, you will acquire knowledge about the following areas:
- Processes of substance abuse, its effects on families, and your role in recovery.
- Dynamics within families, common systems-based issues, and appropriate interventions and counseling techniques.
- Biopsychosocial perspectives of family systems.
- Foundational principles of marriage and family therapy.
- Methods for working with diverse families.
To develop competencies in these areas, you will take both introductory and advanced courses. For instance, a key introductory course is Professional Counseling, Ethical, and Legal Considerations. This three-credit class will teach you about ethical practice, your responsibilities as a professional therapist, and common legal issues that arise in the field.
Another early course in the program is Theories and Models of Counseling. In this class, you will be introduced to a broad range of counseling approaches, allowing you to begin developing your personal counseling style. You will study approaches such as behavioral, person-centered, Adlerian, and psychoanalytic methods.
Other foundational courses include the following:
- Counseling Skills
- Group Counseling
- Lifespan Development
- Psychopathology
- Counseling the Culturally Diverse
In addition to these, you will take courses that focus on specific topics. For example, the class Abuse, Crisis, and Trauma Counseling addresses subjects like spousal abuse, domestic violence, and the duty to report. You will also learn about trauma counseling theories, crisis intervention methods, and child abuse assessment procedures.
Another specialized course is Human Sexuality and Issues of Aging. This class helps you understand sexual and age-related challenges that often impact relationships. You will also explore topics like elder abuse, neglect, and substance use among older adults.
The program includes a research component as well. The course on Research Methods and Program Evaluation covers statistics, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and outcome-based research. You will examine how research contributes to improving services for clients.
Field experience is a major aspect of this program. Your first field experience will be a practicum, during which you will complete 100 hours of supervised training in an approved marriage and family therapy setting. At least 40 of these hours must involve direct client contact. You will also participate in weekly supervision sessions with other pre-service counselors.
The internship phase serves as your final preparation for your career. During this phase, you will work full-time in a counseling position. Similar to the practicum, you will have an onsite supervisor and participate in weekly supervision with professors and classmates. The internship requires you to complete 300 hours of counseling-related activities, including at least 120 hours of direct client contact.
To apply for this program, you must meet the following admissions criteria:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher. If your GPA is below this threshold, you can submit GRE scores with a combined verbal/quantitative score of 300 or higher.
- Provide additional documentation as requested.
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