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A detailed look at Fairfield's COAMFTE-accredited Marriage and Family Therapy degree — curriculum, costs, clinical training, and how it compares to other CT programs.
Connecticut has only three COAMFTE-accredited master's programs in marriage and family therapy, and Fairfield University's 60-credit MA is one of them. That distinction matters more than rankings or reputation because COAMFTE accreditation is the clearest predictor of whether a program's graduates can meet state licensure requirements without supplemental coursework or extra supervised hours.
For prospective MFT students in the Northeast, the decision often comes down to a few concrete trade-offs: private tuition versus public alternatives, on-campus clinical training at the Koslow Center versus programs that outsource practicum placements, and how tightly a curriculum aligns with Connecticut's LMFT requirements. Fairfield checks several of those boxes, but at a price point that demands scrutiny.
Here is a snapshot of the key details you need to evaluate Fairfield University's Marriage and Family Therapy program at a glance. For deeper analysis of each data point, read the full sections below.
The short answer is yes, and the most important reason is its COAMFTE accreditation. That credential is not just a line on a brochure. It directly affects your ability to get licensed, pass the national exam, and compete for clinical positions after graduation.
COAMFTE (the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education) is the only specialized accrediting body for MFT programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.1 Graduating from a COAMFTE-accredited program like Fairfield's carries several concrete advantages:
Note that accreditation does not guarantee automatic licensure in every state. Each state sets its own requirements, so you will still need to verify your target state's specific rules.2
Fairfield's MFT program is built for students who want intensive, face-to-face clinical training within a tight-knit cohort. The Jesuit university setting emphasizes social justice, reflective practice, and mentorship. If you plan to practice in Connecticut or the broader tri-state area and you value direct access to an in-house training clinic (the Koslow Center for Marriage and Family Therapy), this program deserves serious consideration. Students who prefer a public-university price point in the same state may want to explore the Central Connecticut State University MFT program before deciding. The small cohort model means you will get meaningful faculty attention rather than competing for supervision time in a 60-person lecture hall.
Fairfield is not the right fit for every aspiring MFT. If you need a fully online format, require significantly lower tuition, or have your sights set on a doctoral pathway, you should broaden your search. Candidates who need remote coursework can compare best online MFT programs to find COAMFTE-accredited options with more scheduling flexibility. Students seeking a wider menu of subspecialty tracks may also want to compare programs at larger institutions.
Understanding the full cost of a graduate program is essential before you commit. Fairfield University's MA in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 60-credit degree at a private Jesuit institution, so the price tag reflects that positioning.1 Here is what to expect for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Fairfield charges $975 per credit hour for the MFT program.1 Multiply that across the required 60 credits and you arrive at an estimated total tuition of $58,500. That figure covers coursework alone; several mandatory fees add to the sticker price.
Beyond tuition, plan for the following charges:2
Students in the clinical phase of the program should also expect to purchase their own professional liability insurance, a standard requirement for anyone conducting therapy under supervision. When you add recurring per-term fees across a typical three-year enrollment, plan for roughly $1,500 to $2,000 on top of the base tuition figure.
Fairfield does not currently advertise graduate assistantships or MFT-specific scholarships for this program.1 That means most students will rely on federal financial aid as their primary funding mechanism. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans are available to eligible students, and filing the FAFSA early is the single most important step you can take to maximize your options. Some students also pursue external scholarships through organizations like the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Foundation or state-level mental health workforce grants.
Among private universities with COAMFTE-accredited master's programs, total costs typically range from roughly $45,000 at the lower end to well over $90,000 at research-intensive or brand-name institutions. Fairfield's $58,500 tuition lands in the lower-middle portion of that spectrum, which is notable given the program's small cohort sizes, on-campus clinical training at the Koslow Center, and COAMFTE accreditation. It is not the most affordable path to licensure in Connecticut, where public university options exist at significantly lower price points, but it offers a competitive value proposition for students who prioritize the resources and mentorship of a smaller private program. The detailed comparison section later in this guide puts those differences side by side.
Fairfield University's 60-credit MA in Marriage and Family Therapy is structured to move students from foundational theory into intensive clinical practice across a minimum of five semesters of direct training.1 The curriculum balances rigorous classroom instruction with one of the more demanding practicum sequences you will find in a COAMFTE-accredited master's program, and the on-campus Koslow Center for Counseling and Psychological Services sits at the heart of that training model.
The bulk of the 60 credits covers core MFT content areas required by COAMFTE: systemic theories, psychopathology, human development, ethics, research methods, and relational and family therapy techniques. Beyond the core, Fairfield offers a 9-credit concentration in Queer and Trans Mental Health, a distinctive specialization that few COAMFTE-accredited programs provide at the master's level.1 Students who do not pursue the concentration use those credits for approved electives. While formal tracks in areas like child and adolescent therapy or trauma are not separately listed, the clinical training model exposes students to diverse presenting concerns across the practicum sequence.
Fairfield's practicum expectations exceed the COAMFTE floor and position graduates well for Connecticut LMFT licensure:
These numbers typically satisfy or surpass the clinical benchmarks Connecticut requires before candidates sit for the national MFT licensing examination, though post-graduation supervised practice hours are still needed to earn full LMFT status.
The Koslow Center serves as the primary on-campus training clinic where MFT students begin seeing clients under close faculty oversight. Supervision includes direct observation of sessions, a requirement that strengthens clinical competence and aligns with COAMFTE standards. The center serves individuals, couples, and families from the surrounding Fairfield County community, giving students exposure to a range of presenting issues.
As students advance, they also rotate to external community practicum sites. If you want a broader picture of what that transition looks like, our guide on what to expect in an MFT clinical internship covers the typical progression from campus clinic to off-site placement. Placements are coordinated through the Tevera platform, which tracks hours, evaluations, and site assignments in one system. External sites broaden the clinical lens, connecting students with populations and settings they may not encounter at the Koslow Center alone.
Supervision is provided by approved faculty and site supervisors who meet COAMFTE credentialing requirements. Because the program mandates direct observation of clinical work, not just case discussion, students receive feedback grounded in what actually happens in the therapy room. Prospective students should confirm with the program whether any of the supervised hours accumulated during the degree can be counted toward the post-graduation supervision required for full Connecticut LMFT licensure, as policies on this can shift between licensing cycles.
Taken together, the curriculum prepares graduates not just to pass a licensing exam but to enter practice with meaningful, well-supervised clinical experience already in place.
Fairfield University's 60-credit, COAMFTE-accredited MFT program is designed to feed directly into Connecticut's LMFT licensure pipeline. Below is the step-by-step path from enrollment to independent practice, with the state requirements you will need to satisfy at each stage.
Fairfield University keeps its MFT application process straightforward, with no standardized test requirement and no prerequisite coursework beyond a completed bachelor's degree.1 That said, competition for seats in a small, COAMFTE-accredited cohort is real, so understanding every component of the application gives you a meaningful advantage.
For the Fall 2026 cycle, Fairfield requires the following materials, submitted through its online application portal:2
The admissions committee may also invite select applicants for an interview as part of the evaluation process.2
Fairfield does not require the GRE for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle.1 This removes a significant barrier in both cost and preparation time, and shifts the committee's focus squarely onto your personal statement, recommendations, and relevant experience. If you are specifically seeking programs that waive this requirement, Fairfield is one of many MFT programs without GRE available nationwide.
The priority application deadline for Fall 2026 admission is March 1.1 Because the program admits a limited cohort each year, applying before this date is strongly recommended. Contact the Graduate Admissions office directly to confirm whether applications received after March 1 are reviewed on a rolling basis or if remaining seats are available.
Three things consistently strengthen MFT applications at selective programs like Fairfield's:
If your undergraduate GPA is on the lower side, a strong personal statement and documented clinical or human-services experience can compensate. Fairfield evaluates applicants holistically, so every piece of your application is an opportunity to make your case.
If you are searching for a fully online MFT degree, Fairfield University is not the right fit. The program is delivered on campus at the Fairfield, Connecticut location, and there is no distance-learning pathway to earn this degree. That distinction matters, and it is not unique to Fairfield.
COAMFTE accreditation standards require extensive direct client contact, live supervision, and in-person clinical training. These requirements make a completely remote MFT education difficult to execute at the quality level accrediting bodies expect. While a handful of COAMFTE-accredited programs across the country have developed hybrid or online models with regional practicum placements, most accredited programs, including Fairfield's, rely on an on-campus format to ensure students receive closely supervised, hands-on clinical experience from the start.
Fairfield does offer meaningful flexibility within its on-campus structure. Students can choose between two timelines:
Course scheduling typically includes evening sessions, which helps working adults attend classes without leaving a daytime job. The program's integration with the on-site Koslow Center for clinical training also reduces the logistical burden of traveling to external practicum sites during the early stages of your education.
If geographic flexibility or a fully online format is a nonnegotiable priority, a small number of COAMFTE-accredited programs do offer hybrid or online delivery, though you will still need to complete supervised clinical hours in person somewhere near you. The comparison section later in this guide can help you weigh Fairfield's on-campus model against other program structures, including those with broader geographic reach. For students who prefer to stay in the region but want a public-university alternative, the CCSU marriage and family therapy program is another COAMFTE-accredited option in Connecticut. For most students who live in or near the state, however, Fairfield's on-campus format is a practical advantage rather than a limitation, giving you direct access to faculty mentorship and a well-established clinical training site.
Choosing a graduate program is ultimately an investment decision, and Fairfield University's MFT program deserves honest scrutiny on that front. Here is what the available data and market context tell you.
COAMFTE-accredited programs are required to publish student achievement data, including pass rates on the AMFTRB national MFT exam, graduation rates, and job placement figures.1 The national first-time pass rate for the AMFTRB exam hovers around 70 percent, and COAMFTE expects its accredited programs to meet or exceed that benchmark.2 Fairfield's program-specific pass rate and employment statistics should be available through the university's program page or COAMFTE's published outcome disclosures.3 If you do not see them listed clearly, ask the program director directly before you apply. Any accredited program should be transparent about these numbers.
Marriage and family therapists nationally earn a median annual wage in the range of $56,000 to $60,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Connecticut salaries for MFTs tend to track above the national median, reflecting the state's higher cost of living and strong demand for behavioral health services across the tri-state area. The marriage and family therapy career outlook is strong: the profession is projected to grow roughly 16 percent between 2023 and 2033, well above the average for all occupations, with approximately 5,900 openings anticipated each year nationwide. That growth rate signals sustained demand, not a saturated field.
With Fairfield's total program cost in the range of roughly $55,000 to $60,000 (based on per-credit tuition and required credit hours), an early-career MFT salary in the mid-to-upper $50,000s means you should plan for a period of modest debt repayment before the degree pays for itself in purely financial terms. That math improves considerably as you gain experience, pursue licensure supervision hours, and move into higher-paying settings. MFTs in private practice, hospital systems, or specialized roles (trauma, couples therapy, medical family therapy) routinely earn well above the median over the course of their careers. For a full overview of the steps involved, see our guide to becoming an MFT.
Fairfield's location in southwestern Connecticut positions graduates to practice across a wide corridor of opportunity. Common employment settings for program alumni include:
The bottom line is that Fairfield's program cost is real, and early-career salaries are moderate. But the profession's growth trajectory, the earning potential that comes with specialization and private practice, and the geographic advantages of training in the tri-state area all work in your favor over the long term. If you treat this as a five-to-ten-year investment rather than a one-year payback calculation, the math becomes much more favorable.
Connecticut is home to three COAMFTE-accredited master's programs in marriage and family therapy, and each serves a different type of student. The comparison below highlights the key decision factors so you can match your priorities to the right program.
| Factor | Fairfield University | Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) | Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree | M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy | M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy | M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy |
| COAMFTE Accredited | Yes | Yes | Yes (since 1983, longest standing in CT) |
| Total Credits | 60 | 63 | Contact program for current requirements |
| Delivery Format | On-campus | On-campus, flexible evening track | On-campus |
| Estimated Duration | Approximately 2-3 years | 3 years (36 months) | Contact program for current timeline |
| Tuition Tier | Private university tuition | Public university tuition (in-state rates available) | Public university tuition (in-state rates available) |
| Clinical Training Highlight | On-site Koslow Center practicum | 400 therapy hours, 200 with couples/families, 100 supervision hours with an AAMFT Approved Supervisor | Connecticut's longest-running COAMFTE-accredited MFT program |
| Best For | Small-cohort, private university experience with integrated on-site clinic | Budget-conscious students who want evening flexibility and intensive clinical hour requirements | Students who value a program with decades of accreditation history and institutional stability |
Fairfield is the strongest pick if you want a smaller, more personalized cohort and the convenience of completing practicum hours at the university's own Koslow Center. The private university setting comes at a higher price point, but the clinical training pipeline is tightly integrated into the curriculum.
CCSU appeals to students who need a more affordable path through public university tuition, especially Connecticut residents.1 Its evening scheduling accommodates working adults, and the clinical requirements are substantial: 400 direct therapy hours, at least 200 of which must involve couples or families, plus 100 hours of supervision under an AAMFT Approved Supervisor.2
SCSU brings something no other program in the state can claim: COAMFTE accreditation dating back to 1983, making it the oldest continuously accredited MFT program in Connecticut.3 That track record translates into an established alumni network and deep relationships with clinical sites across the region.
All three programs lead to the same licensure endpoint, the Connecticut LMFT, and all carry the COAMFTE accreditation that streamlines the path to get there. For a broader look at all MFT programs in Connecticut, our state directory covers additional non-accredited options as well. The real question is which environment, cost structure, and schedule aligns with your life right now. If budget is the deciding factor, the two public universities deserve serious consideration. If you are weighing private-school tuition against likely earnings, our return on investment MFT degree analysis can help quantify the tradeoff. If a close-knit clinical training model at a private institution appeals to you, Fairfield earns that premium.
Not every MFT program fits every student. Use the criteria below as a quick decision framework before you invest time in an application to Fairfield University.
Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about Fairfield University's Marriage and Family Therapy program. If you need specifics beyond what is covered here, marriagefamilytherapist.org maintains updated program profiles and comparison tools to help you evaluate your options.
