Program Overview

Marriage and Family Therapy - M.S.

The M.S. in marriage and family therapy program is designed for those seeking marriage and family therapist licensure. Marriage and family therapists help people through family and other relationship problems. They address issues including stress, infidelity, depressed mood, anxiety, and behavioral difficulties within the context of current and past relationships.

Why Choose Marriage & Family Therapy?

The Manhattan University Marriage and Family Therapy Master's Program prepares future therapists to work with and provide treatment for familial relationships, marital/couple relationships, parent-child relationships, pre-marital, and other personal relationships. There is a focus on treating clients within the context of their relationships and their environments rather than just the individual. The need for licensed marriage and family therapists is also on the rise, with jobs expected to grow by 14% (faster than average) by 2031, according to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Program Details

• Minimum Credit Hours: 60
• Course Format: Online Blended (in-person and online coursework)
• Industry Job Growth: 14% by 2031
• Supervised Therapy Hours: 500

Learning from Experienced Practitioners

Faculty in the marriage and family therapy graduate program are experienced clinicians who work with individuals, children, families, and couples. Many faculty have their own practices or work in clinics and are adept at managing a wide range of familial and mental health issues as well as the laws and ethics related to the work of a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Build Valuable Skills

In this program, students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to help families, couples, and individuals understand their behaviors and their relationships. Students will learn how to think using a systems lens, enabling them to take into account the many factors that impact a client's well-being, including but not limited to environment, family-of-origin, larger social systems, and their interpersonal relationships. Valuable skills gained include:

• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Observational skills
• Organization and time management
• Ability to work with others on multi-disciplinary teams
• Evaluation and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders within the context of marital, relational, and family systems
• Communication skills (active listening, written communication, verbal communication)

Discover Professional Opportunities

This marriage and family therapy graduate program has access to some of the top mental health hospitals, agencies, and clinics in the country. Alumni have interned for the Bowery Mission Women's Centers, the Family Services of Westchester, and many other places where they obtained 500 hours of supervised on-site clinical training.

Find Learning That Matches You and Your Lifestyle

Classrooms that are small help create a learning environment conducive to honing the knowledge and practical techniques needed to become a skilled therapist. As part of your master's program, you will gain real-world experience working in clinical settings as part of your practicum and internship experiences. For added flexibility geared toward working adults, many of the classes in this program are offered online. This program can be completed either full-time or part-time, depending on the circumstances of the student.

Join an Enthusiastic Community

Enrolling in our program means joining a close-knit community of faculty and students, all of whom are supporting each other both inside the classroom and beyond. This includes classroom structures and networking opportunities so that master's candidates are better prepared to enter the field of marriage and family therapy.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants from diverse backgrounds and professional experiences are welcome to apply for our marriage and family therapy master's program. However, preparation in the behavioral sciences is preferred, and those who do not have a relevant background may be required to take prerequisite courses for admission. All applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or institution, with an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, though other factors will be considered in the decision for admission.

Program Requirements

The Marriage and Family Therapy program consists of 60 credits. These 60 credits are made up of: 54 credits of core courses and 6 credits of elective courses.

Meet Our Faculty

Faculty in the marriage and family therapy graduate program are either licensed in marriage and family therapy or have backgrounds in mental health and psychology.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When are classes offered? Courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters. There are also two summer sessions during which you can take classes. All classes, whether in-person or virtual, are held once a week, Monday through Thursday starting at 4:30 p.m.
• Do I need to be a full-time student? No, we allow students to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis depending on the student's needs and life circumstances.
• What if I didn't major in psychology or sociology as an undergraduate student? That is not a problem! Students come to our program with a wide variety of academic backgrounds. This enriches our program and makes class discussions more interesting.