Best Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Degree Programs in Indiana 2025
Becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in Indiana involves completing graduate education, supervised clinical training, and passing a national licensing exam. Indiana’s mental health landscape presents both opportunities and challenges for aspiring LMFTs. The state’s rural and suburban areas have an increasing need for mental health professionals, with many counties facing shortages of licensed therapists. At the same time, Indiana’s major metropolitan areas, such as Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, offer a wider range of clinical placements, private practices, and hospital-based therapy positions.
MFT programs in Indiana emphasize systemic therapy approaches, training students to work with couples, families, and individuals facing a range of relational and mental health concerns. Many programs also offer specialized coursework in addiction counseling, trauma-informed care, and teletherapy, which are growing areas of demand in Indiana. Internship and practicum experiences are a major component of MFT programs, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for licensure and clinical work.
Students in Indiana can choose between traditional, hybrid, and fully online MFT programs, with some universities offering flexible scheduling for working professionals. The availability of COAMFTE-accredited programs in the state ensures that students receive rigorous academic training that aligns with Indiana’s licensure requirements.
In this guide
2026 Best Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Programs in Indiana
Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN - Public 4-Year - pnw.edu
Master's - Couple and Family Therapy
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Purdue University Northwest's Master's in Couple and Family Therapy is a COAMFTE-accredited hybrid program that follows a rigorous scholar-practitioner model. Students complete 67 credit hours and 500 client contact hours, supported by 100 hours of clinical supervision. The curriculum emphasizes ethical, culturally competent relational therapy and includes a required thesis. With small cohort sizes and a research-informed approach, graduates are prepared for mental health agencies, private practice, or doctoral studies. This program meets licensure requirements and has a January application deadline; an entrance exam may be required.
- COAMFTE Accredited Program
- 67 total credit hours
- 500 client contact hours
- 100 hours clinical supervision
- Thesis required
- Application deadline: January
- Meets licensure requirements
- Small cohort sizes
- Research-informed curriculum
- Diverse mental health focus
Other MFT Programs Available in Indiana
Indiana offers a range of accredited MFT programs, with options for students seeking campus-based, hybrid, and flexible learning experiences.
Programs in Indiana typically include core coursework in family therapy theory, ethics, and mental health assessment, along with clinical training in real-world settings. Some programs also provide specializations in areas such as child and adolescent therapy, multicultural counseling, and community-based interventions.
Many MFT students in Indiana choose to complete practicums at local community clinics, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations, allowing them to gain experience working with diverse populations and mental health challenges.
Indiana’s Quickest MFT Programs
- Accelerated coursework: Some programs allow students to complete their MFT degree in as little as two years with an intensive course load.
- Integrated clinical experience: Some universities embed practicum hours into early semesters, reducing the time needed to complete post-graduate clinical training.
- Summer and hybrid course options: Some MFT programs allow students to take additional coursework in the summer or complete some classes online to shorten their degree timeline.
- Transfer credit opportunities: Students with prior graduate coursework in psychology or counseling may be able to apply those credits toward MFT electives, reducing the total time needed for degree completion.
For students seeking the fastest route to licensure, choosing a program that offers structured clinical training early in the curriculum is key.
Indiana’s Cheapest MFT Programs
- Public universities offer affordable tuition: In-state students benefit from reduced tuition rates at Indiana’s public universities, making an MFT education more accessible.
- Scholarships and assistantships help reduce costs: Many MFT programs offer scholarships for students pursuing careers in community mental health, addiction counseling, and rural therapy services.
- Employer tuition assistance programs: Some mental health agencies and hospitals in Indiana offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing advanced degrees, making it easier to finance an MFT education.
- Loan forgiveness programs available for LMFTs: Therapists working in high-need areas may qualify for student loan forgiveness programs through Indiana’s state-funded mental health initiatives.
By exploring financial aid, tuition assistance, and public university programs, students in Indiana can obtain a high-quality MFT education while keeping costs manageable.
How to Become Licensed as an LMFT in Indiana
- Complete an accredited graduate program: Indiana requires students to graduate from a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program or a regionally accredited equivalent program with MFT coursework.
- Gain supervised clinical experience: LMFT candidates in Indiana must complete 1,000 hours of direct client contact and 200 hours of clinical supervision.
- Pass the National MFT Examination: All applicants must pass the AMFTRB National Exam, which assesses clinical skills, ethical knowledge, and theoretical competency.
- Submit an application for licensure: Candidates must submit proof of education, supervision documentation, and exam results to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA).
- Maintain continuing education requirements: Indiana requires LMFTs to complete 40 continuing education (CE) credits every renewal period, including coursework in ethics and cultural competency.
The licensing process ensures that MFT professionals in Indiana meet high clinical and ethical standards, providing quality care to families and individuals across the state.
LMFT Career & Salary Outlook in Indiana
- Average Salary: $59,700 per year
- Top 10% Salary: $89,000+ per year
- Entry-Level Salary: $46,000 per year
- High-Demand Areas: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Bloomington, South Bend
- Primary Work Environments: Private practice, community mental health, school-based therapy, hospital counseling services
The job market for LMFTs in Indiana is expanding, with a rising demand for licensed therapists in both urban and rural communities. The state has seen an increase in the use of teletherapy services, particularly in underserved areas where access to in-person therapy is limited.
Mental health initiatives in Indiana have also led to an increase in job openings at nonprofit organizations, addiction treatment centers, and family counseling agencies. Many LMFTs find stable employment in hospitals, private practices, and school-based therapy programs, helping individuals and families navigate relationship challenges, trauma, and behavioral health issues.
With competitive salaries, a growing job market, and an increasing need for family therapy services, Indiana offers excellent career opportunities for licensed MFTs.
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