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Best MFT Programs in Tennessee | 2026 Rankings & Guide

Best Marriage & Family Therapy Programs in Tennessee for 2026

Compare accredited Tennessee MFT degrees by cost, format, and career outcomes to find your ideal program.

By Emily CarterReviewed by Editorial & Advisory TeamUpdated May 22, 202617 min read
Best MFT Programs in Tennessee | 2026 Rankings & Guide

What you’ll learn in this article…

  • Tennessee has more than 2,200 employed MFTs, with a state median salary falling below the national figure of roughly $58,510.
  • COAMFTE or qualifying CACREP accreditation is the single most important factor for meeting Tennessee LMFT licensure requirements.
  • Trevecca Nazarene University offers one of the few hybrid or online MFT options available to Tennessee students.
  • Our rankings weigh accreditation status, clinical training depth, affordability, and institutional outcomes for every listed program.

Tennessee licenses roughly 2,200 marriage and family therapists statewide, yet only a handful of MFT programs in the state prepare students for that credential. The supply is small, but the options are strong: programs range from COAMFTE-accredited master's degrees to CACREP-accredited counseling tracks with an MFT focus, and tuition per credit hour spans from $475 to $962.

That narrow field creates a real tension. Accreditation type, clinical hour requirements, and cost vary enough across programs to change your licensure timeline and total debt by years and thousands of dollars. In a state where MFT salaries generally trail the national median, those differences matter more than most applicants realize.

Best Marriage & Family Therapy Programs in Tennessee

The programs below are ranked using a composite methodology that weighs accreditation status, clinical training depth, affordability, and institutional outcomes. A full explanation of how we scored and ordered these schools appears later in this article.

Factors considered
  • Accreditation and licensure alignment
  • Clinical training hours required
  • Tuition and net price
  • Institutional graduation and retention rates
  • Faculty ratio and program depth
Data sources

Lee University

#1

Cleveland, TN · $19,000/yr

Best for: Aspiring MFT doctoral candidates

Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, stands out as the top-ranked MFT school in the state thanks to both its master's and doctoral offerings in marriage and family therapy. The 60-credit M.S. program builds strong clinical skills through 500 direct client contact hours and 100 supervision hours, while two Ph.D. tracks prepare graduates for advanced practice, research, and academic careers. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and faculty who bring real-world clinical experience to the classroom, Lee delivers a hands-on, relationally focused education at every level.

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  • 60-credit curriculum with a 2-year or 3-year completion track
  • 500 direct client contact hours and 100 supervision hours required
  • Courses in ethics, psychopathology, family therapy, and human sexuality
  • Clinical practicum and internship embedded in the curriculum
  • Comprehensive exam and final project cap the degree
  • Part-time option available for working professionals
  • AAMFT conference attendance integrated into training
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  • 60-credit doctoral program completed in a three-year sequence
  • Teaching practicum, doctoral internship, and dissertation required
  • Coursework in attachment theory, trauma treatment, and play therapy
  • Advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods included
  • Supervision training with a systemic applications focus
  • Emphasis on ethics, social justice, and community advocacy
  • Prepares graduates for licensure exams and academic careers

Lipscomb University

#2

Nashville, TN · $25,000/yr

Best for: Students seeking COAMFTE accreditation

Lipscomb University offers a COAMFTE-accredited Master of Marriage and Family Therapy in the heart of Nashville, making it a strong choice for students who value nationally recognized programmatic accreditation. The 60-credit-hour cohort program is completed in 24 months and requires a minimum of 300 clinical training hours. Specialization options in play therapy and integrated behavioral healthcare add depth, while small class sizes and graduate assistantships help keep the experience both personalized and financially manageable. The institution-wide graduation rate of 72.2% is the highest among ranked Tennessee MFT programs.

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  • COAMFTE-accredited, 60-credit-hour campus program
  • Completed in 24 months through a structured cohort model
  • Minimum 300 hours of supervised clinical training
  • Play therapy and integrated behavioral healthcare specializations
  • Graduate assistantships and student loan options available
  • Tuition of $962 per credit hour with small class sizes
  • Admissions require 3.0 GPA, essay, video, and interview

Trevecca Nazarene University

#3

Nashville, TN · $17,000/yr (net price)

Best for: Faith-oriented learners on a budget

Trevecca Nazarene University's CACREP-accredited Master of Marriage and Family Counseling prepares students for dual licensure as either an LMFT or LPC-MHSP in Tennessee, offering unusual flexibility for graduates entering the state's mental health workforce. The 60-credit-hour, face-to-face program operates in small cohorts on its Nashville campus and connects students with more than 60 internship agencies across Middle Tennessee. At a net price of $16,813, Trevecca represents the most affordable option among the ranked schools, and its Christ-centered community provides a distinctive training culture.

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  • 60-credit CACREP-accredited program with dual licensure preparation
  • Face-to-face small cohort classes on the Nashville campus
  • Internship placements available at 60+ regional agencies
  • $775 per credit hour, approximately $46,500 total tuition
  • Fall, spring, and summer start dates offered
  • Minimum 2.7 GPA required; GRE may be waived
  • Covers family systems theory, crisis intervention, and ethics

Carson-Newman University

#4

Jefferson City, TN · $20,000/yr

Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City rounds out Tennessee's MFT landscape with its Master of Science in Counseling, which includes a marriage and family therapy concentration delivered in a hybrid format. The 60-credit-hour CACREP-accredited program blends online coursework with on-campus components, making it the only hybrid option among ranked Tennessee programs. With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students receive personalized guidance from a dedicated faculty advisor and gain clinical experience across multiple internship sites. The institution reports nearly 100% post-graduation placement.

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  • 60-credit-hour hybrid program (online and on-campus)
  • CACREP-accredited with MFT concentration available
  • $475 per credit hour with competitive financial aid options
  • Multiple clinical internship sites for hands-on training
  • Personal faculty advisor assigned to each student
  • Typical completion in 7 to 9 semesters
  • Nearly 100% post-graduation placement reported

Most Affordable MFT Programs in Tennessee

Cost is a major factor for aspiring marriage and family therapists weighing their graduate school options. The table below ranks Tennessee's MFT programs by estimated annual graduate tuition (lowest first), along with key financial and academic metrics to help you compare value at a glance. All figures reflect the most recent federal data available.

SchoolLocationEst. Annual Graduate TuitionNet PriceMedian Graduate DebtMedian Earnings (10 Yr)Student to Faculty RatioGraduation Rate
Trevecca Nazarene UniversityNashville, TN$10,537$16,813$18,744$49,37820:153.2%
Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN$14,355$20,251$21,500$48,38212:153.2%
Lee UniversityCleveland, TN$17,480$18,878$25,750$43,22213:162.6%
Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TN$17,334$24,739$19,500$55,54113:172.2%

Questions to Ask Yourself

COAMFTE accreditation is recognized specifically for MFT licensure nationwide, while CACREP programs may require additional coursework in some states. If you ever plan to move beyond Tennessee, accreditation type directly affects your license portability.

A lower tuition means little if the program lacks strong clinical placement partnerships and you end up paying out of pocket for supervision hours. Factor in fees, travel for intensives, and the quality of practicum sites when calculating real cost.

Some affordable programs require periodic in-person residencies that add travel and lodging expenses. If your work or family schedule demands total flexibility, confirm whether the program can be completed entirely online before enrolling.

Online vs. On-Campus MFT Programs in Tennessee

Choosing between online and on-campus MFT programs comes down to how you learn best, where you live, and how much flexibility your schedule demands. Most Tennessee MFT programs are campus-based, but a few hybrid and online options exist. Trevecca Nazarene University offers a hybrid format with synchronous online sessions, Freed-Hardeman University delivers coursework primarily asynchronously, and Carson-Newman University combines online classes with on-campus components. Lipscomb University, Lee University, the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Belmont University, and the University of Memphis all operate as traditional on-campus programs. No fully online, COAMFTE-accredited MFT program is currently based in Tennessee, so clinical placement logistics become a critical factor in your decision.

Pros
  • Online and hybrid formats let working adults set their own study schedules around jobs and family responsibilities.
  • Staying in your own community during clinical placements can reduce relocation costs and build a local professional network.
  • Total cost of attendance may be lower online because you avoid campus housing, commuting, and some facility fees.
  • Campus-based programs like Lipscomb and Lee coordinate clinical site placements directly, saving students significant legwork.
  • In-person cohort models foster stronger peer relationships and provide face-to-face supervision that strengthens clinical skills.
  • On-campus students benefit from established partnerships with local agencies, as seen in Trevecca's network of over 60 internship sites.
Cons
  • Online students may need to find and secure their own clinical placements, adding time and effort to an already demanding program.
  • Synchronous session requirements, such as those in Trevecca's hybrid model, still lock students into fixed meeting times each week.
  • Limited face-to-face interaction in online programs can make peer networking and collaborative learning more difficult to sustain.
  • Campus-based programs restrict you geographically, which can be a barrier if you live far from Nashville, Knoxville, or Cleveland.
  • On-campus attendance often means higher total costs once you factor in housing, transportation, and on-site fees.
  • Rigid class schedules at traditional programs make it harder to maintain full-time employment while completing your degree.

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COAMFTE vs. CACREP Accreditation: What Tennessee MFT Students Need to Know

Choosing the right accreditation type is one of the most consequential decisions you will make as a prospective MFT student in Tennessee. COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education) and CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) both produce competent clinicians, but they differ in ways that directly affect your licensure timeline, curriculum, and career flexibility. Below is a side-by-side comparison across the dimensions that matter most for Tennessee LMFT candidates in 2026.

FeatureCOAMFTECACREP
Primary FocusExclusively marriage and family therapy. Every curricular requirement, practicum standard, and competency benchmark is designed around relational and systemic practice.Broad counseling accreditation covering multiple specialty tracks, including clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and others. An MFT specialization track exists but sits within a wider counseling framework.
Curriculum Alignment to Tennessee LMFT RequirementsFully aligned with the coursework and clinical training the Tennessee Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists expects for LMFT applicants. Graduates typically satisfy all educational requirements without needing supplemental courses.Alignment is conditional. CACREP graduates must demonstrate that their specific coursework and clinical hours meet Tennessee's MFT content areas. If MFT electives or a formal MFT track were not completed, additional documentation or supplemental classes may be required.
Tennessee Board Review ProcessStraightforward. The board generally accepts a COAMFTE degree as meeting the educational standard, which can shorten the application timeline.Reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants may need to submit syllabi, practicum logs, or other evidence showing their program covered the required MFT competencies, which can add time and complexity to the licensure process.
Clinical Hour StructurePrograms typically require a minimum of 500 direct client contact hours, with a strong emphasis on relational and couples or family therapy cases. Supervision ratios are prescribed specifically for MFT practice.Clinical hour requirements center on general counseling competencies. Students on the MFT track accumulate relational therapy hours, but the overall practicum framework is shared with other counseling specializations.
License Portability Across State LinesGenerally offers the smoothest path to licensure in other states, because most state MFT boards explicitly recognize COAMFTE accreditation. This is especially important if you plan to practice outside Tennessee at any point in your career.Portability varies. Some states accept CACREP with an MFT track for LMFT licensure, while others require COAMFTE specifically or mandate additional coursework. Moving states may involve extra paperwork and potential gaps in eligibility.
Overall Suitability for Tennessee LMFT CandidatesThe best choice if your primary goal is Tennessee LMFT licensure and maximum career flexibility. It removes ambiguity from both the state application and future reciprocity processes.A possible alternate route, particularly if you are also considering a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential or want broader counseling training. Just be prepared to verify that your transcript aligns with Tennessee's MFT requirements before you apply for licensure.

How to Become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Tennessee

Tennessee's path to LMFT licensure follows a clear sequence, from graduate education through independent practice. As of 2025-2026, the requirements below reflect current rules set by the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists. Prospective applicants should verify any updates directly with the Board before starting each stage.

Six-step Tennessee LMFT licensure pathway from graduate degree through 1,000 supervised clinical hours to license renewal, 2025-2026

MFT Career Outlook and Salary in Tennessee

Tennessee offers a healthy job market for licensed marriage and family therapists, with more than 2,200 MFTs employed across the state's metro areas. The national median salary for MFTs is roughly $58,510, which means Tennessee wages generally fall below the national midpoint. However, Tennessee's lower cost of living helps offset that gap considerably. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15 percent job growth for MFTs through 2032, well above average for all occupations. State level projections are not currently published for Tennessee, but strong demand in both urban and rural communities suggests steady opportunity for new licensees.

Metro AreaEmployed MFTs25th PercentileMedian Salary75th PercentileMean Salary
Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin950$40,750$47,060$49,950$47,570
Memphis (TN, MS, AR)340$39,560$46,510$53,660$48,870
Knoxville280$39,010$43,260$50,370$45,960
Chattanooga (TN, GA)230$41,520$47,770$59,100$50,140
Johnson City170$41,500$47,710$50,120$47,880
Jackson90$39,230$45,440$51,560$45,070
Clarksville (TN, KY)70$31,820$38,680$44,480$41,150
Kingsport, Bristol (TN, VA)50$40,580$49,460$74,020$54,830
Morristown50$39,000$47,130$50,410$47,180
Cleveland30$40,220$47,330$47,330$45,050

How We Ranked Tennessee's MFT Programs

Choosing the right marriage and family therapy program is a deeply personal decision, but having a transparent framework for comparison makes the process easier. Here is how we approached evaluating and ranking the MFT programs featured on this page.

What We Measured

Our rankings weigh several factors that matter most to prospective graduate students:

  • Accreditation status: We considered whether each program holds COAMFTE or CACREP accreditation, treating these designations as meaningful quality signals. COAMFTE accreditation is purpose-built for MFT training, while CACREP accreditation covers a broader counseling umbrella. Both carry weight in the licensure process in Tennessee.
  • Graduation rates: Institutional graduation rates help gauge how well a school supports students through completion. Higher rates generally reflect stronger advising, adequate resources, and realistic program structures.
  • Net price after financial aid: Rather than using headline tuition figures, we relied on net price data that accounts for grants and scholarships. Importantly, the cost figures reflect graduate-level tuition rather than undergraduate sticker prices, giving you a more accurate picture of what you would actually pay. If overall affordability is a priority, you may also want to explore cheapest MFT programs across the country.
  • Program format availability: Programs offering online, hybrid, or evening options earned additional consideration because flexible formats open doors for working adults and career changers.

Important Limitations to Understand

Transparency matters. Graduation rates and net price figures are drawn from institution-wide data, not from the MFT program specifically. A university's overall graduation rate may differ from outcomes within its counseling or therapy departments. Program-level completion and cost data are not consistently published across all schools, so institution-level metrics serve as the best available proxy.

Program descriptions and highlights featured throughout this article are curated from the most current publicly available program information. Where details like clinical placement partnerships or curricular specializations are noted, those come directly from program materials rather than assumptions.

Why This Approach Serves You

No ranking system is perfect, but combining accreditation verification, real cost data, completion indicators, and format flexibility gives you a practical starting point. Use these rankings as one tool among several. Visit program websites, contact admissions offices, and talk to current students before making your final choice. The goal at marriagefamilytherapist.org is to make your research process as straightforward as possible so you can focus on what matters most: becoming a licensed therapist prepared to serve Tennessee families.

Frequently Asked Questions About MFT Programs in Tennessee

Choosing the right MFT program in Tennessee involves understanding accreditation, cost, format, and licensure timelines. Below are answers to the questions prospective students ask most often, drawn from the program details and career data covered throughout this guide.

What are the COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs in Tennessee?
As of 2026, Lipscomb University in Nashville is the only COAMFTE-accredited MFT program in the state. Its Master of Marriage and Family Therapy follows a two-year cohort format that includes integrated clinical training. Because options within Tennessee are limited, many students also explore COAMFTE-accredited programs in neighboring states or online programs based elsewhere.
Can you complete an MFT degree entirely online in Tennessee?
No Tennessee-based institution currently offers a fully online, COAMFTE-accredited MFT degree with zero on-campus residency. Lipscomb University's program is campus-based. Students who need maximum flexibility may consider COAMFTE-accredited online programs housed in other states, though they should confirm that coursework and clinical hours satisfy Tennessee licensure requirements before enrolling.
How much does an MFT degree cost in Tennessee?
Tuition varies widely depending on whether you attend a public or private institution and whether the program is in-state or online. Lipscomb University is a private institution, so tuition tends to be higher than public alternatives. Students exploring affordability should compare net cost after financial aid, and review the Most Affordable MFT Programs table earlier in this article for specific figures.
What is the difference between COAMFTE and CACREP accreditation for MFT?
COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education) is the specialty accreditor specifically for MFT programs, while CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accredits broader counseling programs. Tennessee accepts both pathways toward licensure, but COAMFTE-accredited graduates often find the licensure application more straightforward because coursework aligns directly with MFT board requirements.
How long does it take to become a licensed MFT in Tennessee?
Plan for roughly five to six years total. A bachelor's degree takes about four years, and Lipscomb's COAMFTE-accredited master's program requires approximately 24 months. After graduation, you must complete supervised post-degree clinical hours and pass the required licensure examination before the Tennessee Board of Professional Counselors and Marital and Family Therapists grants your license.
What salary can I expect as an MFT in Tennessee?
Marriage and family therapists in Tennessee typically earn salaries that reflect the state's moderate cost of living. Exact figures fluctuate by employer, region, and years of experience. The salary table earlier in this article breaks down current compensation data. Generally, MFTs in metropolitan areas like Nashville tend to earn more than those in rural parts of the state.

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