Friends University operates one of the few COAMFTE-accredited Master of Science in Family Therapy programs in Kansas, with cohorts running on both its Wichita campus and a satellite site in the Kansas City metro. The 60-credit, primarily in-person program is built around a roughly two-year timeline designed to move graduates directly into supervised post-degree hours and, ultimately, LMFT licensure.

For prospective students in the region, the practical tension is cost versus convenience: Friends is a private institution, and its per-credit tuition reflects that. Whether the investment makes sense depends on clinical placement access, campus location, financial aid, and how quickly you can accumulate post-graduate hours in your state. Kansas and Missouri each impose different supervised-hour thresholds, a factor that shapes long-term ROI more than most applicants realize.

Friends University MSFT Program at a Glance

Before diving into the details, here is a scannable snapshot of the key facts prospective students need to know about the Friends University Master of Science in Family Therapy program. These figures reflect the most recently published program information.

Is Friends University a Good MFT Program?

Friends University offers a well-regarded, COAMFTE-accredited Master of Science in Family Therapy that consistently attracts students across Kansas and the Kansas City metro. But like any graduate program, it is a stronger fit for some applicants than others. Below is a candid look at who benefits most, what stands out, and when you should explore other options.

Who Is the Best Fit?

The Friends University MSFT is built for students who want a structured, cohort-based clinical experience at an institution with deep roots in faith-informed education.¹ If any of the following describe you, the program deserves serious consideration:

• You want COAMFTE accreditation in the Kansas or KC metro area without relocating far from home.
• You value small cohort sizes where faculty know you by name and tailor supervision to your growth.
• You are comfortable with an on-ground format and appreciate the Quaker heritage that shapes the university's emphasis on community, dialogue, and service.
• You plan to pursue licensure in Kansas or Missouri and want a curriculum designed to meet those states' requirements from day one.

Key Strengths

• COAMFTE accreditation: This is the gold-standard accreditor for MFT programs, and it matters far beyond prestige. Graduating from a COAMFTE-accredited program simplifies licensure portability across most U.S. states, because licensing boards widely recognize the accreditation as evidence that your training meets national standards.² If you are unsure how COAMFTE accreditation differs from other credentials, the distinction is worth understanding before you apply.
• Dual-campus flexibility: With locations in Wichita and Kansas City, you can choose the campus that fits your geography and career pipeline. Both campuses operate under the same accredited curriculum.
• Clinical training emphasis: The program includes 16 months of supervised internship woven into 60 total credit hours, giving you extensive client contact hours before you graduate.⁴ Two comprehensive exams further ensure clinical readiness.⁵
• Institutional identity: Friends University's Quaker heritage fosters a collaborative, values-centered learning environment that many students describe as supportive rather than competitive. The program was ranked among the top 15 Christian family therapy programs nationally.⁶

Drawbacks Worth Knowing

• Limited online coursework: The MSFT is an on-ground program. If you need the flexibility of asynchronous or fully online delivery, this program will not accommodate that.
• Private-university tuition: Tuition runs higher than what you would pay at a public university. That premium is the trade-off for smaller class sizes and dedicated clinical mentorship, but it deserves careful financial planning.
• Smaller alumni network: Compared to large state schools that graduate dozens of MFT students each year, Friends University's cohort model produces a tighter but less expansive professional network.

Consider Alternatives If

• You need a fully online MFT program to balance work, family, or geographic constraints.
• Cost is your primary decision driver and you have access to a lower-tuition public COAMFTE-accredited program. Reviewing best MFT programs in Kansas can help you compare options side by side.
• You want to pursue a doctoral degree in MFT at the same institution. Friends University does not currently offer a doctoral-track pathway within its family therapy department, so you would need to transfer credits or apply elsewhere for advanced study.

For students who align with its format and mission, the Friends University MSFT delivers a clinically intensive, accreditation-backed education that positions graduates well for licensure and practice in the region.

Program Cost and Tuition for the Friends University MSFT

Understanding the full financial picture is essential before committing to a graduate program, and the Friends University Master of Science in Family Therapy is no exception. Because Friends is a private university, tuition is charged at a flat rate regardless of residency, so Kansas residents and out-of-state students pay the same per-credit cost.

Tuition and Credit-Hour Breakdown

For the 2026, 2027 academic year, Friends University charges $681 per credit hour for the MSFT program.¹ The degree requires 60 credit hours, which brings the base tuition to an estimated $40,860 for the full program. On top of tuition, a $30 per-credit-hour technology fee applies to every course, adding $1,800 across the 60-credit sequence.¹ That puts the combined tuition and technology fee total at roughly $42,660.

Students who opt into a payment plan should budget for a $100 setup fee plus a $50 per-semester processing fee.¹ Over the course of the program, these administrative charges add a few hundred dollars more, though the exact total depends on how many semesters you spread payments across.

Additional Fees to Plan For

Friends University does not prominently list separate clinical placement fees, background check costs, or cohort-specific charges on its published graduate cost page, but students entering practicum and internship sequences should anticipate expenses such as:

• Background checks and drug screenings: Typically $50 to $150, required by most clinical sites before you begin seeing clients.
• Liability insurance: Usually $30 to $75 per year for student coverage through professional organizations like AAMFT.
• Textbooks and course materials: Variable, but plan for $500 to $1,500 across the full program.

If any additional program-specific fees apply, your admissions advisor can provide an itemized breakdown before enrollment.

Financial Aid and Funding Options

Graduate students enrolled in at least three credit hours per term are eligible for federal financial aid, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans.¹ At this time, the program does not document MSFT-specific scholarships or graduate assistantships, so federal loans and personal savings will likely carry the heaviest load.

That said, two additional funding avenues are worth exploring:

• Employer tuition reimbursement: Many healthcare organizations and social service agencies offer annual education benefits that can offset several thousand dollars per year.
• HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce grants: The Health Resources and Services Administration periodically funds training programs and loan repayment for mental health professionals serving underserved populations. Check current HRSA funding cycles, as eligibility can change year to year.

If total cost is your primary concern, it is worth comparing Friends against cheapest MFT programs at public institutions, where in-state tuition can cut base costs nearly in half.

Realistic Cost of Attendance

Tuition and fees are only part of the equation. The Wichita metro area offers a comparatively low cost of living by national standards, with average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment ranging from $700 to $950. Groceries, transportation, and incidentals can add another $800 to $1,200 per month. Students attending the Kansas City campus should expect modestly higher housing costs, with one-bedroom rents commonly falling between $900 and $1,200.

Assuming a two-and-a-half to three-year timeline to complete the program, a rough total cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, and basic living expenses) could range from $70,000 to $85,000 depending on your campus location and lifestyle. That figure underscores why it is important to maximize every available funding source and, if possible, maintain part-time employment during the didactic portion of the program.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Curriculum and Clinical Training in the Friends University MFT Program

The Friends University MSFT program packs 60 credits into a cohort-based, roughly 24-month sequence that moves students from foundational theory straight into supervised clinical work.¹ Because the curriculum follows a generalist track rather than offering formal specialization concentrations, every graduate leaves with broad competency across the relational and systemic models that define contemporary marriage and family therapy.

Core Coursework and Theoretical Foundations

Coursework is anchored in the systemic perspective that COAMFTE accreditation demands. Students study multiple therapy approaches used by MFTs, with particular emphasis on systemic therapy, cognitive-behavioral approaches, solution-focused brief therapy, and attachment-based models.¹ Expect dedicated courses in diversity and social justice, professional ethics, psychopathology, human development across the lifespan, and research methods. The program also includes two comprehensive exams, one in the spring of the first year and a second in the spring of the second year, which serve as checkpoints to confirm clinical readiness.²

Because this is a generalist program, there are no formal tracks in areas like child and adolescent therapy, trauma, or medical family therapy. Students who want deeper exposure to a particular population can sometimes arrange elective or practicum experiences in those areas, but the degree itself is designed to produce well-rounded clinicians prepared for a range of practice settings.

Clinical Training Structure

Clinical hours begin approximately nine months into the program, and the weekly time commitment grows noticeably at that point, from roughly 7 to 10 hours per week in the early semesters to 15 to 20 hours once practicum and internship responsibilities are added.¹ By graduation, students must accumulate at least 500 direct client-contact hours within a larger requirement of 1,000 total supervised clinical experience hours, plus a minimum of 100 hours of formal clinical supervision.¹

Supervision Model

Supervision is delivered through a combination of individual, dyadic, and group formats, all guided by AAMFT-approved supervisors.¹ This layered model gives students both personalized feedback and the chance to learn from peers' cases. The primary on-campus training facility is the Center on Family Living, which operates as a functioning therapy clinic where students see real clients under close faculty oversight.

Clinical Site Placement

Beyond the Center on Family Living, the program partners with community agencies and mental health organizations in both the Wichita and Kansas City markets. Clinical placement coordinators work with students to match them with sites that align with their emerging interests, whether that is couples work, family systems intervention, or individual therapy within a relational framework. Having access to two metropolitan areas broadens the range of client populations and practice settings available during training, which strengthens graduates' readiness for diverse caseloads after licensure. For those considering broader MFT career paths, this dual-market exposure is a meaningful advantage.

LMFT Licensure Pathway After Friends University

Because Friends University operates campuses in both Wichita and Kansas City, graduates typically pursue licensure in Kansas or Missouri. The core pathway is the same in both states, but post-graduate hour requirements and license titles differ. Kansas requires 3,000 supervised clinical hours over at least 24 months for the LCMFT credential, while Missouri requires 2,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience for the LMFT. Plan your timeline accordingly.

Admissions Requirements and Deadlines for Friends University MFT

Getting into the Friends University MSFT program is straightforward if you prepare early, but the application does include a few components that go beyond the standard graduate school packet. Here is what you need to know before you apply.

Academic and Degree Prerequisites

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.¹ There is no restriction on undergraduate major, so students from psychology, social work, education, and other fields are all eligible. The program does require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.¹ If your transcript shows gaps in foundational coursework such as introductory psychology, human development, or statistics, the admissions team may discuss a plan for addressing those deficiencies after acceptance. Confirm any prerequisite expectations directly with the program, as requirements can shift from year to year.

Required Application Materials

The application package asks for more than transcripts and a short essay. Plan to submit all of the following:

• Official transcripts: From every post-secondary institution you have attended.¹
• Written statements: An autobiography and a separate statement of professional goals, both of which give the admissions committee a sense of your motivation and self-awareness.¹
• Four letters of recommendation: These should come from individuals who can speak to your character, academic ability, or professional readiness.¹
• Resume or CV: Highlighting relevant experience in counseling, social services, or related fields.
• Personality inventory: The program requires completion of a personality assessment as part of the screening process.¹
• Interview: Applicants who advance will participate in an interview, which allows faculty to evaluate interpersonal skills and clinical potential in real time.²

Notably, the GRE and other standardized entrance exams are not required, removing one of the more stressful barriers to graduate admission.² For context, many COAMFTE-accredited programs have dropped the GRE in recent years; the Abilene Christian University MFT admissions requirements, for example, follow a similar no-exam policy.

Application Deadlines and Cohort Timing

Friends University operates on a fixed cohort model rather than rolling admissions. For the most recently published cycle, the application deadline was October 3, 2025.² Because the program enrolls a defined cohort each year, missing this window typically means waiting until the next cycle. Prospective students should verify whether the Wichita and Kansas City campuses share the same deadline or stagger their start dates, as this detail can affect your planning if you have a preference for one location.

What to Do If Your GPA Falls Short

If your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, do not assume the door is closed. Some programs will consider strong upward grade trends, relevant professional experience, or compelling personal statements. Contact the admissions office to discuss your situation before deciding not to apply. Early outreach can also help you understand whether additional prerequisite coursework could strengthen a borderline application.

Wichita vs. Kansas City: Comparing Friends University's Two MFT Campuses

Friends University offers its Master of Science in Family Therapy at two brick-and-mortar locations: the main campus in Wichita, Kansas, and a satellite site in the Kansas City area.¹ The curriculum, tuition, and program length are identical at both sites, so the decision between them comes down to your local job market, cost of living, and clinical placement options.

Same Program, Different Metro Areas

Both campuses deliver the same COAMFTE-accredited MSFT degree over approximately 24 months at the same estimated tuition of roughly $32,100.² Faculty follow a shared curriculum, and both sites carry the same institutional ranking (15th among Christian colleges nationally for family therapy).³ In practical terms, the degree on your transcript looks the same regardless of which campus you attend.

Job Market and Salary Considerations

Where the two locations diverge is in the surrounding employment landscape. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes metro-level data for marriage and family therapists (SOC 21-1013), and checking both the Wichita and Kansas City metropolitan areas is a worthwhile step before you commit to a campus. Kansas City is a substantially larger metro with more healthcare systems, community mental health centers, and private practices, which generally translates to a higher volume of open MFT positions. Wichita, while smaller, can offer less competition for available roles and a lower cost of living that stretches your early-career earnings further. For broader context on how location affects pay, see our guide to marriage and family therapist salary by state.

Reported median earnings for Friends University MSFT graduates sit near $46,500 at the ten-year mark.² Run those figures through a cost-of-living calculator (tools from NerdWallet or Sperling's BestPlaces work well) to see how that salary compares in each city. Housing, transportation, and everyday expenses in Wichita tend to be noticeably lower than in the Kansas City metro, which can make a meaningful difference while you accumulate post-degree supervised hours toward LMFT licensure.

Clinical Placement Networks

Each campus maintains its own roster of practicum and internship partners drawn from the surrounding community. Kansas City students may find a wider variety of specialty settings, including hospital-based programs and larger agency systems. Wichita students often benefit from tighter relationships with local providers, where supervisors may have direct ties to Friends University faculty. Ask each campus coordinator for a current site list before you apply. If you are weighing other programs in the region, our overview of best MFT programs in Kansas can help you benchmark your options.

How to Research Further

• BLS wage data: Filter occupation statistics for SOC 21-1013 by the Wichita and Kansas City metro areas to compare employment levels and wage percentiles.
• State licensing boards: Contact the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board or the Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors for regional workforce reports.
• AAMFT resources: The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy occasionally publishes employer-perception surveys that highlight demand differences across regions.
• Campus-specific outcomes: Reach out to Friends University's institutional research office for enrollment counts, graduation rates, and program-completion statistics at each site.

Online and Flexible Learning Options at Friends University

If you arrived here searching for a fully online MFT program, it is important to set expectations early: the Friends University Master of Science in Family Therapy is primarily an in-person program. Classes are held on campus in either Wichita or Kansas City, and face-to-face attendance is a core part of the experience. That said, the scheduling model is designed with working adults in mind, so the program is far more flexible than a traditional weekday graduate schedule.

How the Scheduling Model Works

Friends University structures its MSFT coursework around evening and weekend class sessions rather than daytime blocks. This module-based approach allows students who hold full-time jobs or manage family responsibilities to attend graduate school without stepping away from their careers. Courses are typically concentrated into fewer, longer meetings each week, which reduces the number of campus trips while still providing the intensive, relational learning environment that clinical training demands.

Some limited coursework may incorporate online or hybrid components for didactic content such as reading-heavy theory courses or discussion-based seminars. However, the majority of instruction, and virtually all skills-based and experiential coursework, takes place in person. The program does not advertise itself as a hybrid or online degree.

Why Fully Online COAMFTE Programs Are Rare

COAMFTE accreditation standards require substantial direct clinical contact hours, live supervision, and in-person client interaction. These requirements make it structurally difficult for any COAMFTE-accredited program to operate entirely online. Practicum and internship placements must involve real therapeutic encounters with clients under qualified supervision, which cannot be replicated through asynchronous coursework alone. A handful of COAMFTE accredited MFT programs across the country offer hybrid models with intensive residencies, but even those require regular on-site clinical work.

For prospective students who absolutely need a distance-friendly option, it is worth exploring the small number of hybrid COAMFTE-accredited programs nationally. Just be aware that every accredited pathway will require you to complete clinical hours in person at an approved site, regardless of how the didactic coursework is delivered. Students looking to finish quickly should also note that even accelerated MFT programs still mandate the same in-person clinical requirements.

What This Means for You

Friends University's evening and weekend format offers genuine flexibility for working professionals in the Wichita or Kansas City metro areas. If you live within commuting distance of either campus and need a schedule that does not conflict with a day job, this model is a practical solution. If geographic proximity is a barrier, this particular program may not be the right fit, and you should look into hybrid alternatives that pair online coursework with local practicum placements in your area.

Career Outcomes, Salary, and ROI for Friends University MFT Graduates

Understanding what happens after graduation is just as important as choosing the right program. For a private institution like Friends University, prospective students rightly want to know whether the investment translates into stable employment and a reasonable payback timeline.

COAMFTE Outcome Data

COAMFTE-accredited programs are required to track and report key student outcomes, including program completion rates, licensure exam pass rates, and job placement rates. Friends University has reported a licensure exam pass rate of at least 85 percent, though that figure dates to 2017 and more recent data may differ.¹ Updated completion and placement statistics are published periodically through COAMFTE's reporting portal, and prospective applicants should request the most current annual report directly from the program.² If the program office cannot provide these numbers promptly, that itself is worth noting as you compare options.

Salary Context for MFT Graduates

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for marriage and family therapists (SOC 21-1013) was in the range of roughly $56,000 to $60,000 in recent reporting years, though exact figures shift with each data release. Salaries in Kansas and Missouri have historically tracked somewhat below the national median, reflecting the lower cost of living in the region. Entry-level clinicians working toward full licensure can generally expect to start at the lower end of that spectrum. The BLS projects marriage and family therapy career outlook well above average over the current ten-year period, driven by rising demand for mental health services across all settings.

Where Friends University Graduates Work

Graduates of the Friends University MSFT program enter a variety of practice settings across the Wichita and Kansas City metropolitan areas.³ Common employer types include:

• Community mental health centers: The largest employers for new MFTs in Kansas, offering salaried positions with benefits.
• Private practice: Many graduates eventually move toward independent practice after completing supervised hours for full LMFT licensure.
• Hospital systems and integrated care: Medical family therapy roles are growing as health systems add behavioral health staff.
• School-based programs: Districts in both metros contract or hire therapists for student and family services.
• Employee assistance programs (EAPs): Regional and national EAP providers regularly recruit licensed therapists in the Kansas City corridor.

Realistic ROI Assessment

With a total program cost that can approach or exceed $40,000 for the required 60 credits at a private university, prospective students should weigh that figure against early-career earnings carefully.⁴ A new clinician earning in the low-to-mid $40,000s while accruing supervised hours may need three to five years before the degree fully "pays for itself" relative to pre-graduate earnings, especially if student loans carry interest. That timeline shortens meaningfully once full licensure is achieved and private-practice or supervisory roles become available, where earning potential rises into the $60,000 to $80,000 range depending on caseload and setting. Aspiring therapists in this state should review the full process for how to become an LMFT in Kansas to understand exactly what post-graduation milestones affect that timeline.

The payback math improves if you secure employer tuition reimbursement, graduate assistantships, or scholarships. It also helps that the Kansas and Missouri job markets for licensed therapists remain tight, meaning employment after licensure is highly likely. Still, candidates on a strict budget should compare this program's total cost against more affordable public alternatives and confirm that the COAMFTE accreditation credential and local clinical network justify the premium.

How Friends University Compares to Other COAMFTE-Accredited MFT Programs

Choosing the right COAMFTE-accredited program means weighing cost, format, clinical training depth, and cultural fit. The table below places the Friends University MSFT alongside two common archetypes so you can see where it stands. Friends University occupies a mid-cost private niche that pairs strong clinical hour pipelines across two campuses with a faith-informed learning community, a combination that neither the budget public model nor the prestige private model typically offers.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Friends University MFT Program

Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about the Friends University Master of Science in Family Therapy program. Each response is based on publicly available program details as of 2026.

Is Friends University's MFT program COAMFTE accredited?

Yes. The Friends University MSFT program holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) at the master's level. This accreditation signals that the curriculum, clinical training, and faculty meet national standards, and it streamlines the licensure process in most states because licensing boards widely recognize COAMFTE-accredited degrees.

Can you complete the Friends University MFT program online?

The program is not offered in a fully online format. Coursework is delivered on campus at the Wichita or Kansas City locations, typically through evening and weekend scheduling designed for working adults. Clinical practicum hours must also be completed in person at approved sites, which is standard across COAMFTE-accredited programs regardless of delivery format.

How much does the Friends University MSFT program cost in total?

The program requires roughly 60 credit hours. At the published tuition rate of approximately $575 per credit hour, total tuition comes to around $34,500 before fees, books, and other expenses. Because Friends is a private university, there is no in-state versus out-of-state differential. Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may reduce out-of-pocket costs.

How long does it take to complete the Friends University MFT program?

Most students complete the 60-credit MSFT in about two and a half to three years of part-time study. The evening and weekend class schedule is structured so working professionals can maintain employment while progressing through coursework and clinical practicum. Full-time enrollment may shorten the timeline, but availability depends on course sequencing and practicum placement scheduling.

Does Friends University require the GRE for MFT admissions?

Friends University does not require GRE scores for admission to the MSFT program. Applicants are evaluated on their undergraduate GPA, personal statement, professional references, and a program interview. This GRE-free policy removes a common barrier and allows the admissions committee to focus on clinical aptitude and professional readiness rather than standardized test performance.

What is the LMFT licensure path after graduating from Friends University?

After earning the MSFT, graduates pursue Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) status through their state licensing board. In Kansas, this requires passing the national AMFTRB examination and completing post-degree supervised clinical hours, typically around 1,500 hours under an approved supervisor. The COAMFTE-accredited degree satisfies the educational requirement in Kansas and most other states.

Is the Friends University MFT program worth the cost?

For students in central Kansas or the Kansas City metro who want COAMFTE-accredited training with evening and weekend flexibility, Friends University offers a strong value proposition. The total tuition is competitive with many private MFT programs. Graduates enter a field where demand for licensed therapists continues to grow. However, if affordability is your top priority, comparing costs with public university alternatives is a smart step before committing.