Best Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Degree Programs in Tennessee 2025

Lee University's Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy provides a comprehensive two or three-year graduate program requiring 60 semester hours. Students complete 500 hours of direct client services and 100 hours of professional supervision, with a mandatory comprehensive exam and AAMFT conference attendance. The program integrates a Christian perspective and prepares graduates for licensure through diverse clinical placements and faculty with real-world experience. This campus-based program does not require an entrance exam.

• Two/three-year tracks available
• Minimum 60 semester hours
• 500 hours direct client services
• 100 hours professional supervision
• AAMFT conference attendance required
• Comprehensive exam mandatory
• Christian perspective integrated
• Diverse clinical placements
• Licensure exam preparation
• Faculty with real-world experience

Lee University's PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, launched in fall 2020, focuses on developing innovative clinicians, educators, supervisors, and researchers dedicated to serving underserved communities through Christian organizations. The program emphasizes compassionate care, advanced clinical training, and a holistic approach to therapy. As a doctoral program, it does not require an entrance exam and is designed for working professionals seeking to address complex psychological and social challenges.

• First MFT doctoral graduates
• Christian organizational focus
• Launched fall 2020
• Serves underserved communities
• Develops innovative clinicians

Lee University's PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy with a concentration in Racial trauma and cultural competence trains professionals to serve underserved communities through Christian organizations. The program, launched in fall 2020, emphasizes clinical leadership, trauma, and systemic approaches, preparing students as innovative clinicians, educators, supervisors, and researchers. This campus-based doctoral program does not require an entrance exam and focuses on practical research skills and transformative clinical practice.

• First MFT doctoral graduates
• Christian organizational focus
• Launched fall 2020
• Clinical leadership training
• Trauma and systemic approach

Lee University's PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy with a concentration in Trauma and PTSD, launched in fall 2020, prepares leaders to serve underserved communities through a Christian-centered approach. The program develops advanced clinicians, educators, systemic supervisors, and pragmatic researchers, emphasizing community-focused training and practical expertise. This doctoral program does not require an entrance exam and aims to make meaningful impacts in counseling, research, and community service.

• First MFT doctoral graduates
• Christian-centered approach
• Launched fall 2020
• Focus on serving underserved communities
• Develops innovative clinicians
• Prepares systemic supervisors
• Trains pragmatic researchers
• Community-focused program

Carson-Newman University's Master of Science in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling focus offers specialized marriage and family therapy training through a hybrid learning model. The 60-credit curriculum includes substantial clinical field experience and prepares graduates for professional licensure, boasting near 100% placement success. With fall and spring enrollment options and a required 3.0 undergraduate GPA, this CACREP-accredited program maintains affordable tuition at $475 per credit hour. Admission to this master's program does not require an entrance exam.

• 60 credit hour program
• Hybrid online/onsite format
• CACREP accredited program
• $475 per credit hour
• Fall/Spring enrollment
• 3.0 undergraduate GPA required
• Professional licensure preparation
• Nearly 100% post-graduation placement
• Multiple specialization options
• Clinical field experience included

Carson-Newman University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration within the Master of Science in Counseling program prepares students for marriage and family therapy licensure through a rigorous 60-credit hybrid format blending online and on-campus coursework. This CACREP-accredited program emphasizes extensive clinical internships across diverse populations, with nearly perfect post-graduation placement rates. Students benefit from personalized faculty advising and competitive tuition at $475 per credit hour, typically completing the program in 7-9 semesters. No entrance exam is required for admission to this master's level program.

• 60 credit hour program
• Hybrid online/onsite learning
• CACREP accredited program
• Nearly 100% post-graduation placement
• $475 per credit hour tuition
• Professional licensure preparation
• Multiple clinical internship sites
• Personal faculty advisor assigned
• 7-9 semesters typical completion
• Two-three courses per semester

East Tennessee State University's hybrid Marriage and Family Therapy program, a CACREP-accredited counseling concentration, prepares students for LMFT licensure through rigorous coursework and practical training. With small classes capped at 20 students, it emphasizes couple and family counseling skills in both full-time and part-time formats, completable in 6-8 semesters. The program offers flexible day and evening courses, summer options, and hands-on experience at the Community Counseling Clinic, supported by graduate assistantships and scholarships. It requires an entrance exam for this master's level program and includes National Counseling Exam preparation.

• CACREP-accredited counseling program
• Courses capped at 20 students
• Multiple licensure pathways
• Full and part-time study options
• Community Counseling Clinic available
• Summer courses offered
• National Counseling Exam preparation

Trevecca Nazarene University offers a Master of Marriage and Family Counseling, a 60-credit CACREP-accredited program delivered on campus. It prepares students for LPC-MHSP/LMFT licensure with hands-on internship opportunities at over 60 partner agencies. The program emphasizes small class sizes for collaborative learning and requires a minimum 2.7 GPA. A GRE score of 290 is recommended for admission, though not explicitly stated as mandatory. Tuition is $775 per credit hour, totaling $46,500, with three annual admission cycles. This program focuses on developing skills in family systems and evidence-based interventions for diverse populations, supported by the university's Church of the Nazarene affiliation and military-friendly policies.

• 60-credit CACREP accredited program
• Prepares for LPC-MHSP/LMFT licensure
• $775 per credit hour
• Total tuition: $46,500
• On-campus face-to-face format
• 60+ internship agency partners
• Small class collaborative learning
• 2.7 GPA minimum requirement
• GRE score of 290 recommended
• Three annual admission cycles

Lipscomb University's Master of Marriage and Family Therapy is a COAMFTE-accredited program that prepares students for licensure through a 60-credit curriculum combining rigorous academics with 300 hours of clinical training. Emphasizing cultural competence, this two-year cohort model in Nashville equips graduates to address complex emotional challenges using systemic therapeutic approaches. The program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and does not mandate an entrance exam, focusing instead on developing compassionate professionals capable of working with diverse populations. Specialization options and assistantships enhance this comprehensive training experience at $962 per credit hour.

• 60-credit hour comprehensive curriculum
• COAMFTE accredited program
• 300 hours clinical training
• Two-year cohort model
• $962 per credit hour
• Nashville, Tennessee location
• Specialization options available
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Fall 2025 deadline: March 1
• Assistantships available