Marriage and Family Therapy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Marriage and Family Therapy is a specialized field dedicated to supporting individuals and relational systems through evidence-based therapeutic practices. This program equips future practitioners to assess and treat emotional, cognitive, and behavioral challenges within the framework of family dynamics, emphasizing systemic approaches to healing and long-term well-being.
- Psychotherapy Techniques: Core therapeutic methods used to guide clients through emotional processing, insight development, and behavioral change, tailored to individual and relational needs.
- Family Systems Theory: A foundational approach that examines how family members influence one another’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors within interconnected relational patterns.
- Small Group Intervention: Strategies for facilitating therapeutic dialogue and resolution within family units, leveraging group dynamics to promote understanding and change.
- Marital and Relational Dynamics: In-depth study of relationship challenges, communication breakdowns, conflict resolution, and strategies to strengthen partnership health and stability.
- Depression and Mood Disorders: Training in identifying, assessing, and treating depressive conditions within the context of family systems and individual psychological functioning.
- Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment: Instruction in recognizing and diagnosing mental health conditions, including behavioral disorders, using standardized clinical frameworks.
- Holistic Health Integration: Emphasis on treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—by incorporating wellness practices that support emotional and physical resilience.
- Practice Management: Skills in administrative operations, client recordkeeping, scheduling, and professional organization essential for maintaining a compliant and effective private practice.
- Regulatory Compliance and Ethics: Comprehensive coverage of legal standards, licensure requirements, confidentiality protocols, and ethical decision-making in clinical practice.
Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Marriage and Family Therapy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Marriage and Family Therapy degrees, including Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary and Marriage and Family Therapists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 107,480 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1066 | $80,330 | $47,870 - $158,900 | 41,610 | N/A |
| Marriage and Family Therapists 21-1013 | $63,780 | $42,610 - $111,610 | 65,870 | $30.66 |
Marriage and Family Therapy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $51,565 in Wisconsin to $92,860 in Hawaii—a 80% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Oregon. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 107,480 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Marriage and Family Therapy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Marriage and Family Therapy programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Marriage and Family Therapy is found at Capella University (441 graduates), Touro University Worldwide (TUW) (368 graduates), Northcentral University (NCU) (367 graduates), Alliant International University, San Diego (240 graduates), and University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) (183 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,277 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capella University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
441 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| Touro University Worldwide (TUW) |
Master's
|
368 | Los Alamitos, California | Private | tuw.edu |
| Northcentral University (NCU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
367 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Alliant International University |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
240 | San Diego, California | Private | alliant.edu |
| University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) |
Master's
|
183 | Irvine, California | Public | umassglobal.edu |
| Antioch University (AUS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
99 | Seattle, Washington | Private | antiochseattle.edu |
| Fuller Theological Seminary |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
90 | Pasadena, California | Private | fuller.edu |
| Adler University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
84 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | adler.edu |
| Abilene Christian University (ACU) |
Master's
|
74 | Abilene, Texas | Private | acu.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
73 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Pacific Oaks College |
Master's
|
72 | Pasadena, California | Private | pacificoaks.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
71 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
64 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Master's
|
64 | Ontario, California | Private | phoenix.edu |
| Palo Alto University (PAU) |
Master's
|
57 | Palo Alto, California | Private | paloaltou.edu |
| Friends University |
Master's
|
53 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | friends.edu |
| American InterContinental University System (AIUS) |
Master's
|
53 | Chandler, Arizona | Private | aius.education |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Master's
|
48 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| The Chicago School (TCSPP) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
45 | Los Angeles, California | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
44 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Master's
|
44 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| Mercer University |
Master's
|
42 | Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| Lewis & Clark College |
Master's
|
41 | Portland, Oregon | Private | lclark.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Master's
|
40 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Regis University |
Master's
|
39 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| Antioch University (AUNE) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
39 | Keene, New Hampshire | Private | antiochne.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Master's
|
38 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| California Lutheran University (CLU) |
Master's
|
36 | Thousand Oaks, California | Private | callutheran.edu |
| The Chicago School (TCSPP) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
36 | Anaheim, California | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Master's
|
33 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| Western Seminary |
Master's
|
33 | Portland, Oregon | Private | westernseminary.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Master's
|
31 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Other)
|
30 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
29 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| Edgewood College |
Master's
|
29 | Madison, Wisconsin | Private | edgewood.edu |
| University of San Diego (USD) |
Master's
|
28 | San Diego, California | Private | sandiego.edu |
| Seattle Pacific University (SPU) |
Master's
|
28 | Seattle, Washington | Private | spu.edu |
| Chapman University |
Master's
|
27 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) |
Master's
|
27 | Nampa, Idaho | Private | nnu.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
|
26 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Mount Mercy University (MMU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
26 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Private | mtmercy.edu |
| California State University (CSUDH) |
Master's
|
25 | Carson, California | Public | csudh.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Master's
|
25 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Master's
|
25 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Master's
|
24 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) |
Master's
|
23 | New Haven, Connecticut | Public | southernct.edu |
| The Chicago School |
Master's
|
23 | San Diego, California | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Master's
|
22 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
22 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| La Salle University |
Master's
|
22 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| Lee University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) |
Master's
|
21 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | plu.edu |
| University of La Verne |
Master's
|
20 | La Verne, California | Private | laverne.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Master's
|
20 | Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| University of Akron |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
20 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Whitworth University |
Master's
|
20 | Spokane, Washington | Private | whitworth.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Master's
|
19 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| University of Louisiana (ULM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Monroe, Louisiana | Public | ulm.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Master's
|
19 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Saint Martin's University |
Master's
|
19 | Lacey, Washington | Private | stmartin.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Master's
|
19 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Biola University |
Master's
|
18 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| University of Houston (UHCL) |
Master's
|
18 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhcl.edu |
| The King's University (TKU) |
Master's
|
18 | Southlake, Texas | Private | tku.edu |
| Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) |
Master's
|
17 | New Britain, Connecticut | Public | ccsu.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Master's
|
17 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Master's
|
17 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Iona University |
Master's
|
17 | New Rochelle, New York | Private | iona.edu |
| Mercy University |
Master's
|
17 | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| Houston Christian University (HCU) |
Master's
|
17 | Houston, Texas | Private | hc.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Master's
|
16 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Master's
|
16 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Valdosta State University (VSU) |
Master's
|
15 | Valdosta, Georgia | Public | valdosta.edu |
| City University of Seattle (CityU) |
Master's
|
15 | Seattle, Washington | Private | cityu.edu |
| George Fox University |
Master's
|
14 | Newberg, Oregon | Private | georgefox.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Master's
|
13 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| Fairfield University |
Master's
|
13 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
| Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) |
Master's
|
13 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | cts.edu |
| Amberton University |
Master's
|
13 | Garland, Texas | Private | amberton.edu |
| Fresno Pacific University (FPU) |
Master's
|
12 | Fresno, California | Private | fresno.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
|
12 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) |
Master's
|
11 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | neiu.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Master's
|
11 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Master's
|
11 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Master's
|
11 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| Universidad Central de Bayamon (UCB) |
Master's
|
11 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Private | ucb.edu.pr |
| Amridge University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Montgomery, Alabama | Private | amridgeuniversity.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Master's
|
10 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Master's
|
10 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Kairos University |
Master's
|
10 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | kairos.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Master's
|
9 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) |
Master's
|
9 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | okbu.edu |
| Texas A&M University (TAMUCT) |
Master's
|
9 | Killeen, Texas | Public | tamuct.edu |
| Harding University |
Master's
|
8 | Searcy, Arkansas | Private | harding.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Marriage and Family Therapy programs
How much can I earn with a Marriage and Family Therapy degree?
Salaries for Marriage and Family Therapy graduates vary by role and location. Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,330 annually, while Marriage and Family Therapists earn around $63,780. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $92,860 compared to $51,565 in Wisconsin. Approximately 107,480 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Marriage and Family Therapy programs?
Currently 139 accredited institutions offer Marriage and Family Therapy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Capella University (441 graduates), Touro University Worldwide (TUW) (368 graduates), and Northcentral University (NCU) (367 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Marriage and Family Therapy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,143 in 2010 to 4,476 in 2023-24. This represents a 109% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Marriage and Family Therapy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary, Marriage and Family Therapists, . Related occupations employ approximately 107,480 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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