Towson University’s Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy provides education and clinical training in marriage and family therapy (MFT). This 60-credit master’s program in Maryland prepares students to work with individuals, couples and families through a relationship-focused approach to mental health care.
The Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy program trains mental health professionals to address mental health issues by focusing on relationships. Instead of zooming in on just one person, Couple and Family Therapists look at the relational landscape and cycles of interaction that keep people stuck.
Although CFTs work with individuals, they most commonly see couples and families in their practice. Their lens is always systemic and contextual. Master of Family Therapy (MFT) is a distinct licensed mental health profession in every state, including Maryland (though Maryland uses the term Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist), and is recognized by the federal government.
The 60-credit curriculum is informed by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education standards and Maryland state licensing requirements. Students attain their clinical hours at mental health organizations and clinical supervision is provided by experienced faculty. Upon completion, graduates will meet the requirements to take the national examination and the Maryland state law exam, qualifying them to pursue licensure if passed.
Typically, those who graduate with a master’s degree in couple and family therapy or marriage and family therapy pursue licensure and clinical practice.
Possible job titles include, but are not limited to:
Graduates will be able to pursue careers in a variety of settings. These include, but are not limited to:
Regardless of setting, CFTs can provide preventative, supportive and rehabilitative/therapeutic care to those in need.
The Master’s in Couple and Family Therapy program is committed to providing rigorous academic preparation, meaningful clinical experiences, and high-quality supervision that foster clinical competence, ethical practice and professional development. Students also have the added advantage of:
The following learning outcomes guide the program’s curriculum:
The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) establishes accreditation standards and grants accreditation to graduate programs based on best practices in the discipline of marriage and family therapy. Accreditation of new programs, such as the Master’s in Couple and Family Therapy program, requires implementation prior to applying for accreditation. Once launched for the required number of years, we will seek accreditation from COAMFTE.
Regardless of accreditation status, graduates of the program will be able to pursue licensure because the curriculum aligns with Maryland state licensure requirements.
Graduates of the Master’s in Couple and Family Therapy will be eligible to apply for provisional licensure in Maryland as a Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist (LGMFT) after passing the national licensure examination developed by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards and a jurisprudence exam.
Licensure requirements vary by state, however, Towson University’s program meets the Maryland state requirements for Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist. See the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s website for licensure requirements by state and portability of licensure across states.
To become fully licensed as a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT) in Maryland, graduates need to complete two years of post-degree supervised clinical experience as an MFT. The clinical experience must include a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience with at least 100 face-to-face supervision hours. Once licensed as an LCMFT, graduates will be able to practice without supervision.
