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Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy

Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Department of Counseling

General Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy specialization

Position yourself for increased career opportunities and job satisfaction in the fast-growing counseling field. This CACREP-accredited master's program in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy is a rigorous combination of online course work, residencies, and field experiences designed to prepare you for state licensure eligibility.† You will learn to apply family systems theories and therapeutic techniques to address a wide range of relationship issues and to assess and treat mental and emotional disorders and problems within the family system.

Licensure information: Begin to research and understand your state's licensure requirements right away, find answers to common questions, explore how Capella programs fit with your state's standards and requirements, and get links to important state resources. Visit the licensure website for mental health professionals.

This specialization requires course work and clinical experience, including a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship.

Public Notification and Call for Comments – Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Learn more.

CACREP-Accredited

Capella currently offers three CACREP-accredited master's specializations: Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy and School Counseling.

Learn why CACREP accreditation is important
CACREP Why you should care about CACREP accreditation

Read what others have to say about this specialization, or leave your own comment, and be sure to check back often to converse with others about their Capella experiences.

Total Program: 92 quarter credits
Up to 12 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Next Start Date: June 4, 2012
Credit: $451 §

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Residency requirements: Two 6-day residential colloquia

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
In addition to your online courses, you will attend two 6-day residential colloquia at specific stages in your program. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your MS studies and beyond.

What is the cost to attend?

The price for each colloquium is $1,495 (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment), but doesn't include costs for evening meals or travel. You'll be responsible for making your hotel reservations and travel arrangements.
  • Learn more about residency requirements.
  • Get more detailed information and learn how the residency experiences will enrich your learning at Capella University. Speak with an enrollment counselor at 1.877.269.7780.

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • COUN5004 - Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors
  • COUN5006 - Survey of Research Methodology
  • COUN5106 - Assessment, Tests, and Measures
  • COUN5107 - Principles of Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment*
  • COUN5108 - Foundations of Addictive and Compulsive Behavior*
  • COUN5214 - Theories of Personality
  • COUN5220 - Introduction to Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy
  • COUN5222 - Professional Ethics in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy
  • COUN5239 - Theories of Psychotherapy
  • COUN5241 - Group Counseling and Psychotherapy*
  • COUN5279 - Life Planning and Career Development
  • COUN5336 - Counseling and Advocacy with Diverse Populations

All academic courses listed below are 10-week online courses. Each includes specific residential colloquia or clinical experiences. Learners must complete prerequisites and residency and clinical experience requirements to be eligible to complete each course in the sequence.

 

  • COUN5920 - Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Pre-Practicum Course 1* AND
  • COUN-R5920 - Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Residential Colloquium Track 1* - non credit
  • COUN5921 - Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Pre-Practicum Course 2* AND
  • COUN-R5921 - Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Residential Colloquium Track 2* - non-credit
  • COUN6202 - Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Clinical Practicum *
  • COUN6231 - Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Clinical Internship 1*
  • COUN6232 - Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Clinical Internship 2*

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • COUN5232 - Systematic Approaches to Gender and Sexuality*
  • COUN5270 - Family Therapy Theory and Methods
  • COUN5271 - Marriage and Family Systems
  • COUN5273 - Couple and Marital Therapy*
  • COUN5275 - Utilizing Systemic Approaches: Infancy Through Adolescence
  • COUN6925 - Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Integrative Project*
†Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure and salary benefits. It is the learners' responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their states. Where applicable, teachers are advised to contact their school districts as to whether a program may qualify for salary advancement. (Washington State learners are advised to go to: http://pathway.pesb.wa.gov/outofstate for more information)
Graduates of this specialization are not eligible for licensure in South Carolina. Learners residing in South Carolina should check with the state licensing agency for specific requirements for professional licensure.
New York residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this specialization.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

Course Descriptions

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Related specialization

If you're looking to deepen your knowledge of couple and family therapy, you may also want to consider Capella's Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Theory in Couple and Family Systems.



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Be wary-get everything in writing before making a committment

November 22, 2010John I have had good and bad experiences with Capella, but mostly bad. I was lied to by the recruiters and mislead about what actually occurs. I had been told that internship sites were provided by the college-this was an outright lie. The support promised in obtaining an internship site were equally misleading. I would think long and hard before using this university.

Masters in marriage and family therapy/counseling

November 23, 2010Sebastian Being from NY I graduated in June of 09. I needed to battle with both Capella and the state and even had to hire an attorney to fight NY to utilize my schooling towards my NY state permit. Capella did come through in assisting me with the state; but not before I screamed from the Mountain tops to get there attention over what was going on. You can follow my ongoing story on the Capella Discussions portion on Facebook. I will say that my coursework was challenging; the professsors were exceptional and that residencies were eye opening. I lived by the Presidents words during the residencies "You can do this." The school has improved in preparing you for understanding your states requirements; and also understanding that as a student you may need to eventually leave your position to complete internship hours. I honestly went in blind to this. It was my wife's support emotionally that allowed me to complete this journey. I'm glad I did it. It is not over as I approach licensure.

Capella MFT program

November 26, 2010Jennifer I have just completed my first year at Capella and I have nothing but rave reviews for the program. I recently completed my Track 1 residency and it was wonderful to be able to put some faces with names! I loved the information I receive for Capella and my advisor has been very helpful. I have recommended Capella to a number of my friends and family and I will continue to do so.

Capella is the only graduate school to which I refer others

November 23, 2010Keran Online education is not for poorly organized procrastinators; as is no online educational program worth its salt. I enjoyed my educational journey with Capella. I found the instructors, advisors, and IT professionals to be friendly, open, and helpful. Very helpful. I took it upon myself to learn about state licensure after my first quarter, and stayed in contact with the executive director of the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. Licensure varies state by state, so it is important to foster a good relationship with your state's board right away. I think it's important to learn all one can about licensure as this will be your licensure and the responsibility ultimately rests upon our shoulders to obtain it after completing our program requirements, our internship hours, and then our state board approved supervised hours after graduation. There are no hoops that can be bypassed--through each and every one we must jump. Online education is difficult, but I loved the journey

WOW!

November 29, 2010Star I have been enrolled in this program for four years. It has taken me that long to complete my program, due to the flexibility in the amount of classes you can take. I have been able to work full time, care for my family and complete this degree. The work is extremely challenging and will require a commitment of diligence. The courseroom facilitators are extremely helpful and understanding. The practicum and internships are the most challenging portions of the program. You must be prepared to procure your own site and work hard at doing so. This has been a very challenging, yet rewarding experience!

Leon Markhasin/Enrollment Counselor - response to Charmaine

November 17, 2011Leon The MS in School Counseling can be completed in as little as just over two years, but typically will take about three. The MS in Marriage & Family Therapy is a longer program - minimum of 2 years/9 months, but typically 3 and 1/2 to 4.

Capella is not worth your money

April 16, 2011Caroline I just got cheated out of $450 of my money by this university because my husband dropped a class 1 day outside of the 100% refund period after not participating in the class at all. The tuition refund policy made it sound like if the class was dropped without participation we would get 100% of the tuition refunded, but apparently that is not true. Capella just extracted $450 dollars I don't have for nothing of value over an ambiguity in their policy. This is just another example of my growing disappointment with Capella. The learning experience was good in the first year but has steadily declined since that time. There is no longer any new or challenging material being presented, just the same pointless exercises over and over again. I would not recommend this school because it is not an institute of higher learning; it's a business just out for your money. If we had not already invested as much money as we have, my husband would just drop out. He may do so anyway and go to a different school. I would not recommend this school.

I Am The Best I Can Be

November 22, 2010Gail Capella has helped me to be the best I can be. The classes were comfortable, the instructors were non-threatening, understanding, supportive, and encouraging. They were the wind beneath my wings. My friends and family have told me I have grown tremendously. I feel good about myself, educated, and am prepared to help those in my community. My self-esteem and self-worth have grown, I count and am prepared to make a difference. The interactions with my classmates from all around the world is priceless. I feel I can now soar. Upward and Onward, there are no limits to what I can do. Thank you Capella.

AFRAID!

May 3, 2011Tiffani I really want to go back to school for my masters and I want to obtain my degree online. I am very afraid to obtain the degree online and then leaving the school and being disappointed if my degree is not recognized. I am on the fence about the whole thing. Help! I don't know what to do!

Master's Program

September 15, 2011Shawna I am looking around for colleges with the Master's program such as this one. My question is, what are the residency requirements for this program?
Image of enrollment counselor from the team that specializes in Capella's human services degree programs
Image of enrollment counselor from the team that specializes in Capella's human services degree programs

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