Best Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Degree Programs in New York 2026

Syracuse University's on-campus M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy features a specialized concentration in Child Therapy. This 60-credit program includes 500 clinical hours and offers training in gender-affirming care, preparing students for state licensure. Admissions require a bachelor's degree, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement, with a recommended GPA of 3.4. The program provides a 40% tuition reduction and financial aid options. No entrance exam is required for this master's-level program.

• 60-credit curriculum
• On-campus program
• Full-time or part-time options
• 500 clinical hours required
• Concentration in child therapy
• Concentration in trauma-informed practice
• Specialized gender-affirming care training
• Bachelor's degree required for admission
• Three letters of recommendation required
• Resume required for application

Syracuse University offers an online M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy as a part-time, three-year program with live evening classes. Students complete a 500-hour clinical practicum in their local community. Admissions require a bachelor's degree, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. The program includes a 40% tuition scholarship and prepares graduates for state licensure. No entrance exam is required for this master's-level program.

• Online part-time program.
• 60-credit curriculum.
• Three-year cohort model.
• Live synchronous evening classes.
• 500-hour clinical practicum required.
• Bachelor's degree required for admission.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Resume required.
• Personal statement 600-800 words.
• Application fee $75.

Syracuse University's campus-based M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy includes a concentration in Trauma-Informed Practice. The 60-credit curriculum requires 500 clinical hours at the on-campus Couple and Family Therapy Center and community sites. Admissions require a bachelor's degree, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement, with a priority deadline of February 15. Tuition features a 40% scholarship reduction. No entrance exam is required for this master's-level program.

• 60-credit curriculum
• 51 required credits
• 9 elective credits
• Full-time or part-time
• On-campus program
• In-person classes
• 500-hour clinical practicum
• On-campus Couple and Family Therapy Center
• Community-based practicum sites
• Concentrations in child therapy

Syracuse University's on-campus M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy offers a concentration in Gender Affirming Care. The 60-credit program includes 500 clinical hours and prepares students for licensure. Admissions require a bachelor's degree, a recommended GPA of 3.4, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. Tuition is reduced by approximately 40%, with financial aid available. No entrance exam is required for this master's-level program.

• 60-credit curriculum
• 500 clinical hours required
• On-campus program
• Full-time or part-time options
• Small class sizes
• Close mentorship with faculty
• COAMFTE accredited program
• Concentration in child therapy
• Concentration in trauma-informed practice
• Specialized training in gender-affirming care

Syracuse University's online M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy is designed for working professionals, featuring a part-time, three-year format with live evening classes. Students complete a 500-hour clinical practicum locally. Admissions require a bachelor's degree, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement, with a recommended GPA of 3.4. The program provides a 40% tuition scholarship and prepares for state licensure. No entrance exam is required for this master's-level program.

• Part-time online program
• 60-credit curriculum
• Three-year duration
• Live synchronous evening classes
• Cohort model
• 500-hour clinical practicum
• Optional Syracuse residency
• Bachelor's degree required
• 3.4 GPA recommended
• Three letters of recommendation

Yeshiva University's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology offers a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, preparing graduates for New York State LMFT licensure. This 60-credit, full-time campus program in New York City can be completed in four semesters. The curriculum covers couples and family crisis counseling, child and adolescent therapy, group techniques, and work with diverse populations. Students gain extensive field experience through placements in private practice, community clinics, and the student-run Parnes clinic. Rolling admissions with a July 31 deadline and scholarships are available. No entrance exam is specified for this master's-level program.

• Master of Science degree
• 60 credit hours required
• Full-time program
• In-person classes in NYC
• Fall start available
• NYSED licensure-qualifying
• Path to LMFT certification
• Extensive field placement network
• Private practice placements
• Community mental health clinics

Yeshiva University's M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy focuses on couples and family crisis counseling as part of its New York State licensure-qualifying curriculum. This 60-credit, full-time campus program in NYC includes specialized training in child and adolescent therapy, group techniques, and diverse cultural populations. Students complete field placements in private practice, community clinics, and the student-run Parnes clinic. The program offers rolling admissions with a July 31 deadline and scholarships. No entrance exam is mentioned for this master's-level program.

• M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy
• NYSED licensure-qualifying program
• In-person in NYC
• Full-time program
• 60 credit hours
• Fall start
• Scholarships available
• Couples and family crisis counseling
• Counseling with children
• Group therapy techniques

Yeshiva University's M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy emphasizes child and adolescent therapy within its New York State licensure-qualifying program. This 60-credit, full-time campus program in New York City includes subspecialties in couples counseling and group therapy techniques. Students participate in extensive field placements at clinics and private practices. Scholarships are available, with rolling admissions after the July 31 deadline. No entrance exam is indicated for this master's-level program.

• M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy
• NYSED licensure-qualifying program
• 60 credit hours
• In-person classes in NYC
• Fall start
• Full-time program
• Scholarships available
• Subspecialties available
• Child and adolescent therapy
• Couples and family counseling

The 60-credit MS in Marriage and Family Therapy at Long Island University prepares students for New York State licensure through extensive clinical training requiring 1,500 supervised hours. This master's program covers core topics including ethics, human development, couples therapy, psychopathology, and family law. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and multicultural counseling, with practicum and internship experiences totaling 1,300 hours. Admissions require meeting educational prerequisites, and the program focuses on therapeutic interventions with diverse populations across the lifespan.

• 60-credit master's program.
• Requires 1,500 supervised hours.
• Meets New York State licensure requirements.
• Includes practicum and internships.
• Courses on ethics and human development.
• Focus on diverse therapeutic interventions.
• Covers couples therapy and psychopathology.
• Includes family law course.
• Clinical training in various settings.
• Prepares for marriage and family therapy license.

Long Island University's 60-credit Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy on the Brooklyn campus prepares students for New York State licensure with 1,500 supervised clinical hours. The program includes a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internships, covering ethics, human development, family systems, psychopathology, and psychopharmacology. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, and the curriculum emphasizes therapeutic interventions with diverse populations, assessment and diagnosis, couples therapy, and research methods. Clinical training occurs in various settings with focus on professional development.

• 60-credit master's program.
• Campus-based delivery format.
• Prepares for NY State licensure.
• Requires 1,500 supervised hours.
• Includes 100-hour practicum.
• Includes 600-hour internships.
• Covers ethics and professional issues.
• Focuses on human development.
• Includes family law course.
• Covers psychopathology and psychopharmacology.

Long Island University's 39-credit Advanced Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy prepares students for New York State licensure through rigorous clinical training. This campus-based program focuses on developing essential skills for addressing complex interpersonal dynamics across diverse family systems. Students complete 1,500 supervised practice hours and prepare for the national licensing examination. The curriculum provides comprehensive theoretical knowledge needed for effective therapeutic interventions in marriage and family therapy settings.

• 39-credit Advanced Certificate program
• Meets NY State License Requirements
• 1,500 supervised practice hours
• National licensing exam preparation
• Focuses on Marriage and Family Therapy

Hofstra University's Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 54-credit campus-based program designed to prepare graduates for New York state licensure. This practice-focused curriculum emphasizes conflict resolution skills and a philosophical approach to therapy, specifically targeting work with couples and families. Students complete an integrated internship at the on-campus Counseling and Mental Health Professions Clinic under dedicated faculty guidance. The program operates across fall, spring, summer, and January sessions, offering flexible scheduling. Notably, admission does not require the GRE exam, making it accessible to qualified applicants seeking career-focused training in marriage and family counseling.

• 54-credit degree program
• In-person program delivery
• No GRE required
• Qualifies for NY licensure
• Practice-based courses
• Dedicated faculty instruction
• On-campus clinic internship
• Fall and spring semesters
• Three summer sessions
• January session available

Manhattan University's Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 60-credit hybrid program that prepares students for New York licensure. This state-registered program emphasizes cultural, relational, and systemic perspectives through an integrative approach. Students develop advanced clinical skills by exploring lifespan development, family dynamics, and cultural influences. The blended format combines online synchronous courses with in-person sessions, offering flexibility for professional advancement. The program requires 500 internship hours and includes 54 core credits plus 6 electives. Graduates are eligible for independent licensure after completing post-graduate clinical experience and national exams. This master's level program does not specify entrance exam requirements.

• 60-credit state-registered program
• Licensure-qualifying in New York
• Blended learning format
• Contextual and systemic therapy approach
• Comprehensive clinical training
• Online synchronous and in-person courses
• Focus on cultural competence
• 500 total internship hours
• 54 core course credits
• 6 elective course credits

Mercy University's MS in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 60-credit hybrid program that prepares students for licensure with 300 direct client contact hours. The curriculum addresses diverse clinical areas including substance abuse and intimate partner dynamics, taught by experienced faculty. Flexible full-time or part-time enrollment is available at the Dobbs Ferry campus, accommodating various schedules. This master's program requires an entrance exam for admission. Graduates enter a field with projected 15% job growth, supported by internship opportunities and licensure exam preparation.

• 60-credit Master's program
• 300 clinical contact hours
• Dobbs Ferry campus location
• Full/part-time enrollment
• 15% job market growth
• Licensure exam preparation
• Experienced faculty members
• Internship opportunities
• Diverse therapy focus areas
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement

The University of Rochester Medical Center's MS in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 60-credit hour program accredited by COAMFTE through 2031. Students receive comprehensive training in relational systemic therapy with yearlong clinical experience at two practicum sites during the second year. Supervision comes from AAMFT-approved supervisors in a clinical hospital setting within the Department of Psychiatry. The program accepts applications year-round for fall semester starts and emphasizes interdisciplinary learning. No entrance exam is required for this master's level program.

• 60 credit hour curriculum
• MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
• COAMFTE accredited program
• Fall semester start only
• Yearlong clinical training
• Two practicum sites
• Weekly individual supervision
• Weekly group supervision
• AAMFT-approved supervisors
• Clinical hospital setting

The University of Rochester's Post-degree Certificate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy offers specialized training for professionals with advanced degrees. This program focuses on systems-based, culturally sensitive therapeutic techniques through a multidisciplinary approach. It provides rich clinical training across diverse healthcare settings, preparing graduates to work effectively with individuals, couples, and families. Designed for full-time professionals, it emphasizes clinical placements in various mental health environments. No entrance exam is required for this post-degree certificate program.

• Post-degree Certificate Program
• For professionals with advanced degrees
• Multi-disciplinary training context
• Clinical placements diverse settings
• Systems-based therapy approach
• Culturally sensitive therapeutic training
• Works with diverse client populations
• Full-time professionals welcome

Iona University's Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy prepares students for licensure through a relational and systemic clinical curriculum. This campus-based program emphasizes hands-on learning, mentorship, and ethical practice aligned with AAMFT and COAMFTE standards. Students develop skills to assess family development and address diverse relational dynamics in community settings, with training at the Iona Family Therapy Center. The program requires an entrance exam for admission and focuses on social justice and multicultural competence to prepare graduates for national licensing exams and clinical careers.

• Master of Science degree.
• Marriage and Family Therapy program.
• Curriculum centered on mentorship.
• Hands-on learning included.
• Professional development focus.
• Prepares for licensing exam.
• Ethical and competent training.
• Multicultural mindset emphasized.
• Relational and systemic approach.
• Addresses family life cycle.