Online master’s in marriage and family therapy (MFT) programs that do not require the GRE for admission opens up a pathway to a rewarding career in counseling without the stress of standardized tests. These programs offer flexibility and convenience for students aiming to balance their education with personal and professional commitments.
By focusing on comprehensive training in therapeutic techniques, ethical practice, and family systems theory, these no-GRE programs prepare you to effectively support individuals, couples, and families through their challenges. These programs are ideal if you are seeking a no-hassle route to gaining the knowledge and skills necessary for licensure and practice in the field of marriage and family therapy.
In this article, we will explore some of the popular schools offering online MFT programs that do not require GRE scores for admission.
NO GRE Online MFT Programs
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online MFT programs that do not require the GRE:
- National University
- Capella University
- Alliant International University
- Liberty University
- Northwestern University
- Pepperdine University
- Walden University
- Grand Canyon University
National University
Online Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
The 45-credit online Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree program at National University is the first Master of Family Therapy (MFT) degree program to be accredited for distance education by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE). The program is designed to shape you into a skilled, ethical, and culturally aware marriage and family therapist.
With an additional accreditation from the International Accreditation Commission for Systemic Therapy Education (IACSTE), this program meets the highest standards for systemic therapy education and training. While the MFT degree courses at NU are primarily online, you will engage in traditional activities such as practicums, internships, and clinical supervision within your community.
The MFT program aims to provide you essential academic training, promote the scholar-practitioner model, and encourage critical thinking, professional readiness, personal growth, and effective communication skills. The program also prepares you for licensure exams.
Some of the core courses that you will take include:
- Foundations for Graduate Study in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Treatment Planning and Traditional Family Therapy
- Cultural Diversity, Gender, and Family Development
- Psychopathology, Diagnosis, and Systemic Treatment
- Couple and Sex Therapy
- Systemic Evaluation and Case Management
- Recovery-Oriented Care and Postmodern Family Therapy
The program focuses on enhancing your clinical skills and fostering both personal and professional growth necessary for effective MFT practice. It exposes you to a variety of therapeutic approaches and aims to provide a well-rounded educational experience. You will learn a wide range of theories, employ research, and adhere to professional conduct standards, preparing you for roles in mental health centers, public services, military service centers, and private practice.
NU’s MFT program is designed to meet general licensure requirements and offers the flexibility to complete additional coursework to fulfill specific local criteria. Importantly, the program does not require you to relocate, as it accommodates completion of clinical training locally with approved supervisors and includes interactive online supervision sessions.
Specializing at the master’s level, you have the opportunity to concentrate your studies in one of eight areas, enhancing your expertise and clinical experience in that field. These specializations required dedicated coursework, a research project, and clinical experience. Yon can select one of the following specializations:
- Marriage and Family Therapy, California Licensure track
- General Family Therapy
- Medical Family Therapy
- Military Family Therapy
- Child and Adolescent Family Therapy
- Couple Therapy
- Trauma Informed Systemic Therapy
- Systemic Treatment of Addictions
To fulfill the clinical requirements of the MAMFT degree, you must complete 300 hours of direct client contact, with a significant portion being relational therapy hours, including at least 50 in-person hours. Supervision requirements are also specified to ensure comprehensive training and adherence to local regulations.
In the Practicum courses, which are each worth 2 credits and last 12 weeks, you will be required to complete a series of assignments. Additionally, you will be engaging in direct therapy with clients at your practicum site for about 6-8 hours weekly. This hands-on experience is complemented by two hours of group supervision every week with a Program Faculty Member and at least one hour of individual supervision from a local clinical supervisor each week.
After successfully finishing Practicum I and II, you must proceed to take two consecutive two-credit Internship courses, each lasting 12 weeks, followed by a final one-credit Internship and Capstone course that spans 4 weeks. The internships are designed to help you accumulate the remaining required hours and prepare you for the capstone project.
The total duration of your internship experience will be at least 28 weeks, but it may extend further depending on the time you need to fulfill all requirements. Before you can begin the last Internship course, a clinical audit will be conducted to determine your eligibility. This audit is carried out by the Director of MFT Clinical Training together with the faculty supervisor, ensuring you are ready to move forward to the final stage of your training.
The university allows for the transfer of up to 15 semester credit hours from accredited institutions, provided the coursework is equivalent to that of the MAMFT program.
You don’t need to take the GRE to apply for this program.
Capella University
Online Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Empower yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary to aid individuals, couples, and families in enhancing their relationships through a 72-credit online Master of Sience in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. Transform your passion for supporting others into a profession that contributes to positive change in people’s lives. You will learn how to apply research and theory in practice, develop your clinical skills and self-awareness, and integrate advocacy and social justice concepts.
This program, accredited by the COAMFTE, is designed to prepare you for a career as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). It offers a comprehensive curriculum aimed at serving a diverse client population in various therapeutic contexts. You will engage with the material in a dynamic, collaborative online setting.
Some of the core courses that you will take include:
- Foundations of Couple and Family Therapy
- Assessment, Tests, and Measures for Marriage and Family Therapy Practice
- Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Behavior Disorders
- Impact of Addiction and Addictive Behavior on Family Systems
- Professional Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Systemic Approaches to Gender and Sexuality
- Systemic Family Therapy Theory and Practice 1
- Couple and Marital Therapy
- Diversity and Social Justice in Systemic Family Therapy
Throughout this program, you will acquire and demonstrate proficiency in systemic case conceptualization, understand family dynamics, and undergo clinical training that emphasizes professionalism, ethical standards set by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and sensitivity to the diverse needs of multicultural families.
The program’s main objective is to enable you to apply systems-based theories in clinical settings effectively and incorporate wellness and research-based assessment and intervention strategies for treating individuals, couples, groups, and families.
To fulfill the residency requirement of the MS in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella, you must complete two online courses, each including three full days and two half days of immersive experiences. These residencies are prerequisites for beginning your site-based learning experience and cover systemic theories, assessment techniques, multicultural considerations, legal and ethical standards, and advanced therapeutic practices.
For internship, you will be required to complete 300 hours of direct client contact across four courses, including at least 100 relational hours, under supervision at an approved site. This site-based learning allows you to apply your program-acquired skills in real-world settings.
Upon completing this program, you will be equipped to:
- Embrace your identity as a marriage and family therapist, adhering to professional standards and participating in community and academic pursuits.
- Address cultural and ethnic sensitivities across settings, integrating advocacy and social justice principles.
- Apply systemic theories to understand and treat family dynamics in marriage and family therapy.
- Engage clients, assess, and intervene using a systemic perspective.
- Adhere to the AAMFT Code of Ethics in your practice.
While Capella University does not guarantee specific career outcomes, such as job positions, promotions, or salary increases, this program aims to prepare you for a range of professional opportunities in the field of marriage and family therapy. Potential careers include:
- Family therapist
- Marriage and family therapist
- Couples therapist
- Child/adolescent/youth therapist
- General therapist or counselor
- Substance abuse therapist
Admission to the MS in Marriage & Family Therapy program requires:
- A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency or an internationally recognized institution.
- Official bachelor’s transcripts showing a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a lower GPA may explore alternate admission options by contacting enrollment services.
- Transcripts from all previous educational institutions, including any graduate or professional school coursework.
- Two letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with your potential for graduate study in marriage and family therapy.
- A resume or curriculum vitae and a 3–6 page essay.
- A valid, government-issued photo ID.
- GRE scores are not required.
Alliant International University
Online Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy
In this online COAMFTE-accredited master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant International University, you will learn to support individuals and families through their unique circumstances. This program equips you with knowledge in behavioral science and mental health counseling, enabling you to address dysfunctional family interactions under expert faculty supervision.
Family counseling aims to enhance family communication and resolve conflicts, supporting modern families and couples through life’s challenges. With your training, you can significantly impact relationships, offering tools for improved life quality.
You can enroll in this 60-credit program either in semester-long formats or eight-week terms, requiring a minimum of two years to complete across six semesters or 13 terms, based on the calendar you follow. Some of the core courses that you will take include:
- MFT Law and Ethics
- MFT Theories and Techniques
- Diversity and the Family
- Introduction to Psychopathology
- Preparing for Community Practice
- Chemical Dependency and the Family
- Group Therapy
- Parent-Child Therapy Techniques
Offered entirely online, this program stands out as one of the few COAMFTE-accredited online MFT programs, making it a prime choice for aspiring LMFTs, especially those planning to practice across state lines.
Throughout the program, you will explore critical areas such as parent-child therapy, couples therapy, MFT theories and techniques, sex therapy, emphasizing cultural competency to enrich the mental health profession with culturally and linguistically adept professionals.
The program prepares you for professional roles as marriage and family therapists, providing intensive training in theoretical and practical skills focused on relational dynamics and interaction patterns within an international, multicultural context. You will be trained to address relational mental health issues from a systemic perspective, developing skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for individuals and families.
The program includes 300 hours of direct client contact, 100 hours of supervision, and at least 100 professional development hours, totaling 600 to 1,300 hours towards licensure.
A specialization in chemical dependency is also available, accredited by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE), focusing on addiction treatment within families, integrated into your internship hours without requiring additional coursework.
You must pass a comprehensive exam to complete your degree, with remediation plans available for those who need further development.
Graduating from this program, you will be well-prepared to enter the profession as a confident couple and family therapist or mental health counselor, covering family science, group therapy, trauma intervention, among other relevant topics.
Financial support is accessible through private and public scholarships, with Alliant International University offering institutional scholarships and additional financial aid options like loans, grants, federal work study, and military aid.
General university requirements for graduate programs include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university, a cumulative GPA of 3.0, submission of a personal essay, two recommendation letters, and potentially an admissions interview, depending on your program.
Liberty University
Online Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy
Liberty University’s online master’s program in marriage and family therapy can equip you to assist individuals, couples, and families in overcoming challenges through counseling. This program is designed to provide you with a solid grounding in MFT principles and techniques, preparing you for licensure as a marriage and family therapist.
The MFT degree at Liberty offers courses that enhance your understanding of counseling theories and techniques for individuals, couples, and families, alongside ethical, professional, and legal counseling considerations from both a professional and biblical viewpoint.
You can complete most of your coursework from home or office, with two required on-campus intensives that offer a chance to connect with faculty and peers, fostering professional relationships before you graduate.
This degree will provide you with the tools necessary for serving your clients effectively, applying this knowledge throughout your career in mental health. You will explore a range of topics, including ethical and legal issues, human development, multicultural counseling, and relationship-building counseling techniques.
Advanced coursework will take you through group counseling, research methods, program evaluation, and counseling assessment techniques. You will also learn about career development, advanced psychopathology, and family systems.
The program includes training in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning for family, couple, and child and adolescent counseling. To demonstrate your readiness for professional practice, you will need to pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam.
Recognized for its value and quality, the MFT program requires a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship spread over two semesters, including an elective in areas such as human sexuality or substance abuse therapy.
A unique aspect of Liberty’s MFT coursework is the ethical integration of faith and spirituality in client care, enhancing your ability to provide holistic and diverse care, setting you apart in your field. This program prepares you for LMFT licensure in Virginia, with students from other states advised to verify licensure eligibility with their local state boards.
As an LMFT, potential career paths include church or ministry counseling, counseling centers, hospital programs, mental health agencies, private practice, or residential treatment facilities.
Admission requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA, alongside an application, fee, official and unofficial transcripts, two recommendations, a personal statement, and agreement to the university’s mission and diversity statements. Non-native English speakers must provide proof of English proficiency.
Northwestern University
Online Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Family Institute at Northwestern University offers an online MS in Marriage and Family Therapy program. This program, reflecting the high standards of its on-campus counterpart, equips you for a career dedicated to helping families of diverse backgrounds. You can complete this program full-time in just 21 months or part-time in 36 months.
Both the on-campus and online Marriage and Family Therapy programs at Northwestern University hold accreditation from the COAMFTE. This accreditation ensures the education you receive meets the licensure requirements in most states, which also include an examination and supervised clinical work post-graduation.
The curriculum comprises 20 academic courses and six quarters of intensive clinical internship, where on-ground students provide therapy at The Family Institute’s clinic, while online students work in their home state. Some of the courses that you will take include:
- Basic Concepts in Systemic Therapy
- Methods in Systems Therapy
- Self and Other Systems: Theory and Interventions
- Human Development and the Life Cycle
- Special Problems & Populations
- Systemic Assessment
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy Treatment Models
The faculty at Northwestern are practicing leaders in their fields, actively contributing to major professional organizations and academic journals in systemic family therapy and psychology.
During the program, you will undergo extensive clinical training, preparing you to positively impact your future clients’ lives. This includes one immersive experience and 400 hours of clinical fieldwork, 200 of which are relational, at a site near you, facilitated by our dedicated placement specialists to align with your career aspirations.
The Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern combines pioneering research with evidence-based teaching in a collaborative setting, fostering clinical excellence. Upon graduating, you will be adept in treating diverse populations, integrating knowledge with the Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) framework, and demonstrating multicultural sensitivity and ethical competence.
This 21st-century therapy approach, developed over 25 years at The Family Institute, is embedded in our curriculum, which is informed by multicultural and social justice perspectives and emphasizes research. You will learn to measure progress in your cases using standardized instruments, with opportunities for a thesis and further research if you’re considering a doctoral path.
This program is designed to be rigorous yet rewarding, preparing you to effectively support couples, individuals, and communities. With a mix of in-person clinicals, an immersive experience, and live online courses, the program is structured to be personal, meaningful, and actionable.
As a student, you will also engage in an in-person immersion experience, either at Chicago campus or another designated site. These immersions provide a valuable chance to deepen your MFT identity and enhance your connections with both peers and faculty. Additionally, upon graduation, you will have the opportunity to attend the commencement ceremony on campus, although attendance is optional.
No GRE is needed for admission, but you should have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, preferably in psychology, social sciences, behavioral sciences, or related fields. If your degree is in another field, you must have completed college-level psychology and human development courses.
Your application must include:
- Unofficial and official transcripts
- At least two letters of recommendation
- A resume or CV
- An academic statement
- A personal statement
- A $95 application fee
Northwestern offers rolling admissions, with four program start dates per year in January, April, June, and September. Each cohort has an early decision, priority, and final deadline.
What are the Benefits of COAMFTE Accredited Programs?
Programs accredited by the COAMFTE offer several significant benefits for students pursuing a career in marriage and family therapy. These benefits include:
- High Educational Standards: COAMFTE accreditation ensures that the program meets rigorous educational standards and provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers the essential areas of knowledge and practice in marriage and family therapy.
- Licensure Eligibility: Graduates of COAMFTE-accredited programs typically meet the educational requirements for licensure as marriage and family therapists in most states.
- Quality Clinical Training: Accredited programs are required to offer high-quality clinical training and supervision, ensuring that students gain practical experience in working with individuals, couples, and families under the guidance of experienced professionals.
- Access to Resources: Students and graduates of COAMFTE-accredited programs often have access to a wide range of resources, including professional networks, continuing education opportunities, and research in the field of marriage and family therapy.
- Competitive Edge: In the job market, graduates from accredited programs may have a competitive edge over those from non-accredited programs, as employers recognize the rigorous training and comprehensive education provided by COAMFTE-accredited programs.
- Commitment to Ethical Practice: COAMFTE-accredited programs incorporate ethics and professional standards into their curriculum, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to navigate ethical dilemmas and uphold the integrity of the profession.
In short, COAMFTE accreditation is a mark of excellence in marriage and family therapy education, offering numerous benefits to students and ultimately contributing to the quality of therapy provided to clients.
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