As a prospective marriage and family therapist in Indiana, you have plentiful options for getting the necessary education and training. In fact, the Indiana Association for Marriage and Family Therapy notes that four programs are available within the state.
As you’ll learn in this guide, some of the approved programs in Indiana require in-person studies. Others are online with in-person field experiences. In either case, you can expect to get a high-quality education that prepares you to be a highly skilled clinician in this field.
Keep reading to get more details about popular marriage and family therapy programs!
Marriage and Family Therapy Programs in Indiana
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering marriage and family therapy programs in Indiana:
- Purdue University Northwest
- Christian Theological Seminary
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- Grand Canyon University
- Capella University
- Northwestern University
- National University
- Walden University
Purdue University Northwest
Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy
The Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy from Purdue University Northwest is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Its focus is on clinical training, which you get within a scholar/practitioner model of systemic family therapy training. You must complete 67 credits of coursework to graduate, which can be done in about 28 months.
This program has multiple components you must satisfy to earn your degree, starting with the required coursework. You’ll start by taking Basic Systemic Therapy Skills. As the name indicates, this class gives you insights into essential skills necessary for conducting systemic therapy, such as emotional resilience, empathy, and excellent communication skills.
Next, you’ll take Classic Theories in Couple and Family Therapy, which examines the theory, research, and practice involved in strategic and structural family therapies. Your studies include an analysis of prominent theorists in this field, such as Haley, Palazzoli, Erickson, and Minuchin, to name a few.
You’re also required to take Diagnosis and Assessment in Couple and Family Therapy. Learning how to identify a mental illness is a necessary skill to master as a future counselor. This involves becoming intimately familiar with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. You’ll also practice various assessment procedures that help shed additional light on potential diagnoses for your clients.
A common master’s-level course for counselors is Ethics and Professional Issues, and this program is no exception in requiring it. You’ll examine crucial issues related to ethics, including legal considerations, common ethical questions, and rare legal questions as well. Likewise, you’ll learn about the unique professional considerations to make when working with children and other vulnerable populations.
Numerous other courses are necessary to earn this degree, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Theories of Human and Family Development
- Diversity and Social Justice in Couple and Family Therapy
- Treating Trauma With Couple and Family Therapy
- Topical Issues in Couple and Family Therapy
- Sexuality and Sex Therapy
You must also complete a practicum in couple and family therapy. This course is actually repeated several times to give you the broadest spectrum of field experience possible. During the practicum, you’ll work closely with a field supervisor to conduct the daily tasks of being a practicing counselor.
The field experience is a critical part of your development because it allows you to apply what you’ve learned in class in real-world situations. You’re not just thrown into the fire, though. Your supervisor is there each step of the way to provide guidance and feedback so you get the most out of your field learning experience. In all, you must accumulate at least 500 hours of direct client contact time and 100 hours of approved supervision.
The final aspect of this program is the thesis. You’ll take several research, writing, methods, and analysis-related classes to improve your skills related to detailed research. Your work must be presented in a journal-ready format and defended before your thesis committee.
You must meet these requirements to be considered for admission:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Preference is given to applicants with an undergraduate degree in a related field.
- Have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide a current curriculum vitae or resume.
- Provide three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a past university professor.
- Write an academic statement of purpose in which you describe your professional plans, your research and creative interests, and the skills and experiences that have prepared you for graduate-level work.
- Submit a personal history statement in which you describe your background and life experiences, as well as any concerns you have about your academic record.
Christian Theological Seminary
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
At the Christian Theological Seminary, you can enroll in a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy that prepares you to work as a compassionate clinical counselor in community mental health, residential health, or private practice, among other settings. The 63-credit program offers a number of advantages for students, such as:
- A 100 percent job placement rate after graduation.
- Practical field experiences from the start of the program to the finish.
- A focus on the whole person–not just on one’s relationships with partners or other family members.
- An emphasis on diversity, including race, gender identity, culture, ethnicity, and other important identifying factors.
- Onsite practicum and residency opportunities that allow you to get the hands-on experience you need without searching for opportunities off campus.
Like the program described earlier, Christian Theological Seminary’s MFT degree is accredited by COAMFTE and leads to licensure in Indiana. Another similarity between these two programs is that both require about 2.5 years to complete.
During the first semester in the program, you’ll take classes like Introduction to MFT Theory, which helps you build a foundation of understanding of key counseling theories. Though most of your work will be in systems theories of counseling, you’ll explore additional schools of thought, such as narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and functional family therapy.
Next, you’ll take Personality, Human Development, and Faith. This course examines how we change over time–personality and otherwise. And with an injection of faith-based studies, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how people grow and change with time.
The first semester rounds out with a course on the Gateway to Theological Education and Formation, as well as an elective of your choice. You’ll then move to the program’s second semester, during which you’ll take the following classes:
- Introduction to MFT Practice
- Psychopathology and Assessment
- Gateway to Theological Reflection
- An elective of your choice
An interesting element of this program is that many of the credits you need to graduate are fulfilled by classes of your choosing. For example, the third, fourth, and fifth semesters are entirely composed of classes of your choice. Though you don’t get to take any class you want, there is a large selection of possibilities.
For example, you might take a Basic Research Methodology course during your third semester, which would help prepare you for completing a capstone research project toward the end of the program. As another example, you might choose to take Sexuality, Gender, and Culture early on, that way, you have insights into these issues and how they might play out in therapy before completing your fieldwork.
Many other course choices are available, too, including the following:
- Children and Adolescents in the Family
- Psychodynamic Family Therapy
- Short-Term Family Therapy
- Aging and the Family
- Treating Addictive Behavior
As mentioned above, a capstone project is required. This project focuses on the self, systems, and spirit. This multifaceted review of your skills, personal counseling style, and general preparation is an excellent way to refine who you are as a counselor. Along with the 400-hour practicum–at least 200 hours must be in direct contact with clients–you’ll have plenty of research-oriented and practical experiences to fully develop as a marriage and family counselor.
You must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.
- Submit a personal statement.
- Provide a color photo of yourself.
Indiana Wesleyan University
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Unlike the previous two programs discussed above, the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Indiana Wesleyan University is offered online. With the flexibility of online learning, you can complete the program in as little as 30 months, though 42 months is a more common timeline to graduate.
During your time in the program, you’ll complete 20 courses plus a practicum and internship. This combination of online coursework and in-person training experiences gives you the best of both worlds–flexible online learning and meaningful supervised work experience prior to graduation.
The courses required for graduation are divided into two parts: Core coursework and major courses. The core coursework includes foundational learning that’s necessary for your development as a future counselor. For example, you’ll take Multicultural Counseling, which explores the cultural and social influences on the behavior of families, couples, and their individual members. You’ll learn how to work with people of diverse backgrounds and effective interventions you can utilize with clients from varying backgrounds as well.
You’re also required to take a course entitled “Appraisal of Individuals and Families.” In this class, you’ll gain an appreciation of how to evaluate individuals, couples, families, and groups. As part of your studies, you’ll learn about the concepts of reliability, validity, and psychometric statistics, too.
Many of the core courses focus on theory. In fact, you’ll take several theory courses, such as:
- Theory and Techniques in the Helping Relationship
- Theory and Techniques in Group Counseling
- Theory and Techniques in Career Counseling
- Integration of Christian Faith in Professional Counseling
Once you complete the core coursework, you’ll move onto the major courses. These classes focus on specific areas and applications of marriage and family therapy. A good example of this is Sexuality, Intimacy, and Gender. This class explores intimate relationships, sexual disorders, and issues related to sexual orientation. You’ll also discuss gender issues, sexual abuse, and various interventions you can use to help clients work through these issues.
As another example, you’ll take Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy. This course is important because it gives historical context to this field. You’ll learn about systemic theory, sociological theories of the family, and cultural and spiritual factors that influence the development of family systems.
You’re required to take a Psychopathology class, too. This is perhaps one of the program’s most interesting classes because it explores the causes of mental and emotional disorders and examines diagnosis and treatment strategies. You’ll spend time discussing psychological assessments, interpretation of assessment results, and learning how to utilize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a guide for diagnosing mental illnesses.
Four other major courses are required: an elective of your choice and a three-credit sequence of classes on Major Models of MFT. Each of the three classes explores the theory, assessment, and applications of marriage and family therapy techniques. Furthermore, you’ll discuss major challenges today’s families face, ranging from drug use to poverty to sexual abuse.
You’ll complete four clinical experiences to round out your training. First, you’ll take part in a supervised practicum during which you’ll practice your individual and group counseling skills. The practicum requires you to complete 100 hours of training, 50 of which must be direct contact hours with clients (10 of the 50 hours must be in a group context. You’re also required to complete weekly individual and group supervision.
The 300-hour internship is the last element of this degree. During the internship, you’ll practice your counseling skills in an off-campus therapeutic counseling setting. You’re required to complete 300 hours of training during the internship, of which half the hours must be in direct service to clients. As with the practicum, the internship requires weekly individual and group supervision.
The admissions requirements are as follows:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that includes at least six semester hours of psychology (three hours must be in abnormal psychology). An additional six semester credits of studies in the Old Testament and New Testament are required.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Submit GRE scores (only required if your GPA is 3.25 or below.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Complete a criminal background check.
- Provide three letters of recommendation, at least one of which is from an academic reference and one from a professional reference.
Grand Canyon University
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy
The online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy from Grand Canyon University offers a unique approach, as it does not prepare you for licensure specifically as a marriage and family therapist. However, this clinical mental health counseling program meets the requirements for becoming a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
The focus of this program is on issues commonly faced by couples and families in therapy, including matters such as infidelity, juvenile delinquency, and problems with trust and communication. This training prepares you to assist families and couples with a wide range of daily and mental health challenges, utilizing a family-centered approach.
Through this program, you’ll develop skills in assessing, diagnosing, and treating couples and families using a systems approach, commonly applied in marriage and family therapy. Your coursework includes various topics, such as:
- Introduction to Graduate Studies in Counseling
- Counseling Skills
- Principles of Psychopharmacology
- Diversity in Family Systems
- Couples and Family Dynamics
Additionally, the program provides foundational courses to enhance your understanding of key principles in therapy, such as human development, professional ethics, and issues of aging. You’ll also take a course in Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment, equipping you to work effectively with couples and families facing varied challenges.
You’ll find flexibility in completing this degree, as many required courses are offered online, along with evening classes available on campus.
The program also includes practical fieldwork through two hands-on experiences: a practicum and a two-semester internship. The practicum allows you to build clinical skills for working with couples, families, and individuals, requiring 100 hours of counseling work, with 40 hours as direct client contact.
The two-semester internship involves 300 hours of counseling activities, including 120 hours of direct client contact, expanding your opportunity to apply your clinical skills as preparation for your career.
To apply, you’ll need to meet these requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Have an undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
Additional materials may include letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and/or a resume or curriculum vitae.
Capella University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
A fourth option for getting your master’s degree in this field in Indiana is the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. The program includes 16 courses and multiple field experiences that combine for 72 credits to graduate. You’ll need 2-3 years to complete these requirements.
Capella offers this program in GuidedPath format, meaning you have traditional coursework with deadlines and due dates. Your courses not only help you acquire clinical counseling skills, but also skills related to advocacy, social justice, and research. Since this program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, your training leads to licensure as a marriage and family therapist.
The curriculum starts with required coursework in areas like Systemic Family Therapy Theory, Foundations of Couple and Family Therapy, and Couple and Marital Therapy. These classes inform you of essential techniques you can employ when working with your clients. You’ll supplement your studies in these classes with training in working with children.
More specifically, you’ll take Utilizing Systemic Approaches in Infancy Through Adolescence. This class teaches you how to diagnose and treat children with mental illnesses using various systemic approaches. Furthermore, you’ll practice designing interventions for children and learn about the ethical considerations for working with young clients.
Speaking of ethics, the Professional Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy class explores your legal responsibilities as a counselor, such as the duty to report abuse or neglect. You’ll also examine your personal biases, values, cultural points of view, and so forth to recognize and protect against allowing these features to impact your work with diverse clients.
Your training includes discussions of working with special populations, too. For example, you’ll take a Systemic Interventions for Grief, Loss, and Trauma class that identifies assessments and interventions you can use to provide services to couples and families in crisis.
Additional core coursework covers areas such as:
- Research Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Diversity and Social Justice in Systemic Family Therapy
- Working With Families Across the Lifespan
- Impact of Addiction and Addictive Behavior on Family Systems
- Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Behavior Disorders
The next portion of the program focuses on two residency experiences. Both residencies focus on advanced marriage and family therapy theory. For example, there is an online classroom component in which you discuss modern family therapy theories, popular therapeutic techniques, and so forth. Then, during the residency, you apply what you’ve learned in class in a real-life counseling setting. This includes learning how to lead sessions with couples, families, and groups, as well as mastering case conceptualization practices.
To complete this program, you must successfully finish an internship, too. The internship has coursework and field-based learning components, just like the internship. In this case, however, your time is much more focused on honing and advancing your skills as a pre-practice counselor. On the one hand, you’ll conduct clinical sessions with clients. On the other hand, you’ll debrief your clinical supervisor, faculty supervisor, and group supervision cohort on your progress.
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit a resume or curriculum vitae.
- Provide two letters of recommendation from professional references.
- Submit a 3-6 page essay.
- Provide a copy of a valid government photo I.D.
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