Best institutions to study Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of marriage and family therapy, involving the diagnosis of cognitive, affective, and behavioral domain disorders, both mental and emotional, within the context of marriage and family systems and the application of short- and long-term therapeutic strategies in family group contexts.
138 U.S. institutions graduated 4,547 Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1505, a specialization of Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15), and leads most directly to the Marriage and Family Therapists occupation (BLS SOC 21-1013).
About Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling programs
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of marriage and family therapy, involving the diagnosis of cognitive, affective, and behavioral domain disorders, both mental and emotional, within the context of marriage and family systems and the application of short- and long-term therapeutic strategies in family group contexts. Includes instruction in psychotherapy, family systems and studies, small group intervention and therapy, marital problems, depression, identification of psychopathologies and behavioral disorders, holistic health care, practice management, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
See also: 42.2811 - Family Psychology., 19.0704 - Family Systems.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling program prepares individuals for the independent practice of marriage and family therapy. It focuses on diagnosing and treating cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders within the context of family systems. This program is ideal for those interested in helping individuals and families navigate complex relational issues through therapeutic strategies.
Students in this program acquire essential skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework includes psychotherapy, family systems studies, and the development of individualized treatment plans, equipping graduates with the knowledge to address various personal and relational challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree4,049 graduates / yr · 131 institutions89%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate243 graduates / yr · 10 institutions5.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship135 graduates / yr · 14 institutions3.0%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice77 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.7%
- Post-master's certificate36 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - other7 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,077 |
| 2013 | 3,324 |
| 2014 | 3,262 |
| 2015 | 3,360 |
| 2016 | 3,487 |
| 2017 | 3,457 |
| 2018 | 3,271 |
| 2019 | 3,308 |
| 2020 | 3,300 |
| 2021 | 3,403 |
| 2022 | 3,682 |
| 2023 | 3,901 |
| 2024 | 4,476 |
| 2025 | 4,547 |
Top 50 institutions for Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 521 | 20% | $19,369 | — |
| 2 | Touro University Worldwide Los Alamitos, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 378 | 29% | $17,026 | — |
| 3 | Northcentral University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Master's | 344 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Alliant International University - San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 263 | — | — | — |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts Global Aliso Viejo, CAPublicMaster's | 145 | 43% | — | — |
| 6 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 122 | 62% | $20,686 | — |
| 7 | Abilene Christian University Abilene, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 106 | 59% | $26,342 | — |
| 8 | Antioch University - Seattle Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 105 | — | — | — |
| 9 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 77 | 84% | $28,851 | $48,098 |
| 10 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 70 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 11 | Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 69 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Pacific Oaks College Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 65 | — | — | — |
| 13 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 64 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 14 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicMaster's | 53 | 57% | — | — |
| 15 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 52 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 16 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 50 | 66% | $18,163 | — |
| 17 | Friends University Wichita, KSPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 48 | 43% | $24,084 | — |
| 18 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 46 | 0% | — | — |
| 19 | Lewis & Clark College Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 45 | 75% | $27,621 | — |
| 20 | American InterContinental University System Chandler, AZPrivate for-profitMaster's | 45 | 9% | $15,785 | — |
| 21 | California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 43 | 70% | $23,129 | — |
| 22 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 40 | — | — | — |
| 23 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 40 | 84% | $26,035 | — |
| 24 | Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 40 | 51% | $25,813 | — |
| 25 | Adler University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 40 | — | — | — |
| 26 | The Chicago School at Anaheim Anaheim, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 40 | — | — | — |
| 27 | The Chicago School at San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 38 | — | — | — |
| 28 | Western Seminary Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 35 | — | — | — |
| 29 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 34 | 70% | $22,641 | — |
| 30 | Regis University Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 61% | $22,407 | — |
| 31 | Northwest Nazarene University Nampa, IDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 31 | 71% | $24,681 | — |
| 32 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 31 | 62% | $24,653 | — |
| 33 | Lipscomb University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 30 | 72% | $24,309 | — |
| 34 | Antioch University - New England Keene, NHPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 30 | — | — | — |
| 35 | Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 29 | 53% | $14,286 | — |
| 36 | Daybreak University Anaheim, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | — | — | — |
| 37 | Seattle University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 28 | 76% | $31,900 | — |
| 38 | Whitworth University Spokane, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 28 | 71% | $23,510 | — |
| 39 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicMaster's | 27 | 46% | — | — |
| 40 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicMaster's | 26 | 76% | — | — |
| 41 | Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 26 | 58% | $23,054 | — |
| 42 | Kairos University Sioux Falls, SDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 26 | — | — | — |
| 43 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 26 | 35% | $18,316 | $40,426 |
| 44 | Converse University Spartanburg, SCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 25 | 62% | $19,465 | — |
| 45 | Cameron University Lawton, OKPublicMaster's | 24 | 31% | — | — |
| 46 | Chapman University Orange, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 82% | $42,965 | — |
| 47 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicMaster's | 23 | 51% | — | — |
| 48 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
| 49 | Saint Martin's University Lacey, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 52% | $22,131 | — |
| 50 | Edgewood University Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 60% | $23,822 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.15) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 39 states & territories
Where Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling graduates come from. Each state links to all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1013, Marriage and Family Therapists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling program primarily pursue careers as Marriage and Family Therapists. The job outlook for this field is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 12.6% and approximately 7,700 annual openings. The median wage for this profession is $63,780, typically requiring a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1505
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marriage and Family Therapistsprimary SOC 21-1013 | $66,940 | +12.6% Much faster than average | ~7,700 | Master's degree |
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1066 | $80,340 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
- Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
- Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
- Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
- Collect information about clients, using techniques such as testing, interviewing, discussion, or observation.
Tools and technology used
Other Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15).
- Mental Health Counseling/CIP 51.1508
Counselor 12,033 graduates / yr305 institutions - Substance Abuse/CIP 51.1501
Addiction Counseling 6,319 graduates / yr387 institutions - Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsCIP 51.15993,932 graduates / yr111 institutions
- Clinical/CIP 51.1503
Medical Social Work 3,398 graduates / yr53 institutions - Psychiatric/CIP 51.1502
Mental Health Services Technician 2,776 graduates / yr77 institutions - Community Health Services/CIP 51.1504
Liaison/ Counseling 2,189 graduates / yr102 institutions - Genetic Counseling/CIP 51.1509
Counselor 402 graduates / yr36 institutions - Clinical Pastoral Counseling/CIP 51.1506
Patient Counseling 217 graduates / yr18 institutions - Trauma CounselingCIP 51.1513214 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Psychoanalysis and PsychotherapyCIP 51.1507limited data10 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Medical Family Therapy/CIP 51.1511
Therapist limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions - Hospice and Palliative CareCIP 51.1512limited data5 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Infant/
Toddler Mental Health Services51.1510
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What degree do I need to become a Marriage and Family Therapist?+
A Master's degree is typically required.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for Marriage and Family Therapists?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 12.6%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 138 colleges offering this program across the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling?+
Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling is CIP 51.1505 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of marriage and family therapy, involving the diagnosis of cognitive, affective, and behavioral domain disorders, both mental and emotional, within the context of marriage and family systems and the application of short- and long-term therapeutic strategies in family group contexts. Includes instruction in psychotherapy, family systems and studies, small group intervention and therapy, marital problems, depression, identification of psychopathologies and behavioral disorders, holistic health care, practice management, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling programs?+
138 U.S. institutions reported Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 39 states & territories, awarding 4,547 credentials in the year. That is 12.6% of all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Marriage and Family Therapists occupation, which Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling most directly leads to, pays a median of $66,940 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions field report median earnings of $41,891 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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