Only about 130 programs in the United States hold COAMFTE accreditation at the master's level, and the M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Mary's University of Minnesota is one of them. That distinction matters because it is not shared by every school carrying the "Saint Mary's" name, a point of confusion that trips up applicants every cycle.

The program operates as a 48-credit, on-campus degree anchored in systemic clinical training and structured practicum hours designed to feed directly into LMFT licensure requirements. For students weighing cost, admissions barriers, and post-graduation employment in the Upper Midwest therapy market, the calculus depends heavily on whether COAMFTE recognition justifies the tuition premium over regionally accredited alternatives that lack it.

St. Mary's MFT Program at a Glance

This snapshot covers the essential details prospective students ask about most. Whether you are comparing COAMFTE-accredited programs or just starting your research, these figures give you the baseline you need in seconds.

Is St. Mary's a Good MFT Program?

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota offers a COAMFTE-accredited Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy that consistently earns strong marks from graduates, with an 86% recommendation rate and an 88% career improvement rate according to student review data.¹ But whether it is the right program for you depends on where you live, how you learn best, and what you are willing to invest.

Who Thrives Here

This program is a natural fit for students who want the licensure portability that comes with COAMFTE accredited online MFT programs, particularly those living in or near the Twin Cities metro area. If you value a Lasallian educational tradition rooted in social justice, ethics, and service to underserved communities, Saint Mary's culture will feel like home. It also suits working adults who can manage a blended delivery format over roughly 24 months, balancing online coursework with in-person clinical requirements.²

Concrete Strengths

• COAMFTE accreditation: Graduates meet the gold-standard credential recognized across all 50 states, smoothing the path to LMFT licensure wherever you choose to practice.³
• Structured clinical training: The program requires a minimum of 300 direct client-contact hours, including at least 150 relational (couples or family) hours, ensuring you graduate with meaningful hands-on experience rather than observation alone.³
• Supervision and tracking model: Saint Mary's uses Time2Track for practicum hour logging, which simplifies documentation when you later apply for licensure.⁴ Faculty supervision is integrated into a six-credit practicum sequence designed to mirror real-world caseload management.
• Regional clinical site network: The Twin Cities area offers a dense network of community mental health centers, hospitals, and private practices that serve as practicum placements, giving students exposure to diverse client populations.

Honest Drawbacks

• Cost relative to public alternatives: At roughly $670 per credit and 48 credits required, the estimated tuition lands north of $32,000 before fees.² Public university MFT programs in the region can be meaningfully less expensive for in-state residents.
• Limited fully online flexibility: The blended format still requires students to be present in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area for clinical components. If you cannot relocate or commute regularly, this will be a barrier.
• Geographic practicum constraints: Because supervised clinical hours must be completed at approved sites, students outside Minnesota will find it difficult to piece together placements that satisfy program requirements.

When to Consider Alternatives

If you need a fully online MFT degree, live far from Minnesota with no plans to relocate, or are highly price-sensitive and eligible for in-state tuition at a public university, Saint Mary's may not be your strongest option. Similarly, if you are based in California and want a program specifically designed to align with the Board of Behavioral Sciences licensure pathway, a regionally tailored program could save you time and paperwork. For everyone else, especially those in the Upper Midwest who want a COAMFTE-accredited degree with a strong clinical training framework, Saint Mary's deserves serious consideration.

Questions to Ask Yourself

How Much Does St. Mary's MFT Program Cost?

Understanding the full cost of a graduate program before you apply is essential, especially when you are weighing multiple COAMFTE-accredited options. Below is what we can confirm about pricing at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, along with guidance on how to budget for the degree.

Published Tuition Structure

St. Mary's University of Minnesota is a private institution, which means tuition is charged at a flat rate regardless of whether you live in Minnesota or another state. There is no in-state versus out-of-state differential to worry about. According to the university's 2025-2026 Graduate Tuition and Fees catalog, graduate tuition is based on the rate of the specific program in which a student is enrolled.¹ The university has not published a single university-wide per-credit figure that applies uniformly to every master's program, so you should confirm the exact per-credit rate for the MFT track directly with the admissions or financial aid office. Program-specific tuition pages are updated annually each spring.

As a general reference point, COAMFTE-accredited master's programs at private universities typically fall somewhere in the range of $40,000 to $80,000 in total tuition. St. Mary's positioning as a mid-sized private university in the Upper Midwest places it within that corridor, though pinpointing the precise number requires the current MFT-specific rate multiplied by the total credit requirement. If budget is your primary concern, our guide to cheapest MFT programs can help you benchmark costs across institutions.

Known Fees Beyond Tuition

The university's published fee schedule includes a few line items to factor into your budget:¹

• International student services fee: $50 per semester (applies only to international students).
• Late payment fee: $10 per occurrence.

Many graduate programs also assess technology fees, practicum placement fees, and a one-time graduation fee. St. Mary's has not itemized all of these in its publicly available catalog, so request a full fee breakdown when you speak with admissions. Even modest fees can add a few hundred dollars to your total cost over the life of the program.

Financial Aid and Funding Options

Because St. Mary's is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, enrolled students are eligible for federal financial aid, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans. Beyond federal borrowing, consider the following avenues to reduce your out-of-pocket expense:

• Graduate assistantships: Some departments offer assistantship positions that provide a tuition reduction or stipend in exchange for research or teaching support. Availability varies by year, so inquire early.
• Institutional scholarships: The university maintains merit-based and need-based scholarship funds for graduate students. Check the financial aid office for application timelines.
• Employer tuition reimbursement: If you are currently working in a healthcare, social services, or education setting, your employer may cover part of your tuition. St. Mary's billing office can typically coordinate direct employer payments.
• External scholarships: Organizations such as AAMFT and state MFT associations periodically offer awards for students in accredited programs.

Putting the Cost in Context

Compared to the broader landscape of COAMFTE-accredited programs, a private university in the $40,000 to $80,000 range sits in the middle tier. Public university alternatives may come in lower, sometimes under $30,000 for in-state residents, while higher-profile private programs can exceed $90,000. When you evaluate cost, weigh it against clinical training quality, licensure exam preparation, and regional employment pipelines. A moderately priced program that positions you for efficient licensure and strong early-career earnings can deliver better long-term value than the cheapest option on paper.

Before committing, request a personalized cost estimate from St. Mary's financial aid office. Ask for the current per-credit tuition rate for the MFT program specifically, a complete fee schedule, and any funding packages you may qualify for. That conversation will give you the clearest picture of what this degree will actually cost you.

Curriculum, Clinical Training, and Supervision Model

The 48-credit M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Mary's University of Minnesota is built around the relational and systemic foundations that COAMFTE accreditation demands, while weaving in the applied clinical hours you need to pursue licensure after graduation.¹ Here is how the coursework, clinical training, and supervision come together.

Core Coursework

The curriculum covers every domain the profession requires without unnecessary filler. Expect coursework in systems theory, major family therapy models (structural, strategic, Bowenian, narrative therapy, solution-focused, and experiential, among others), psychopathology and diagnosis, professional ethics, human development across the lifespan, research methods, and diversity and social justice in therapeutic practice. A capstone course (MFT680) and a capstone paper (MFT791) round out the academic sequence, pushing you to synthesize theory with your emerging clinical identity.² The program does not currently offer formal specialization tracks in areas like child and adolescent therapy, sex therapy, or trauma. That said, elective clinical experiences and capstone projects can let you tilt your training toward a population or issue area that interests you, even if the transcript will not carry a named concentration.

Clinical Training Structure

Clinical experience is the heartbeat of any COAMFTE-accredited program, and St. Mary's requires a minimum of 300 direct client contact hours, at least 150 of which must be relational hours (meaning couples or families in the room together).² The practicum spans roughly 12 months and takes place at off-campus approved sites.³ These typically include community mental health centers, social service agencies, and other clinical settings that serve diverse populations. Students work with the program to secure placements at approved locations rather than being simply assigned to a site, so some initiative on your part is expected.

Supervision Model

Supervision is provided by professionals who hold or are pursuing AAMFT Approved Supervisor status, a credential that signals advanced training in mentoring therapists-in-development.³ You will receive a combination of individual and group supervision sessions throughout the practicum year. University-connected supervision complements the on-site oversight you receive at your clinical placement, creating layered feedback loops. This dual-layer model helps you refine conceptualization skills and address blind spots from multiple professional perspectives.

What This Means for Your Licensure Timeline

Keep in mind that 300 clinical hours satisfies the program requirement, but most state licensing boards, including the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, require additional post-degree supervised hours before you can sit for the national licensing exam and earn your LMFT.⁴ The program is designed to align with Minnesota's requirements, yet you should verify hour thresholds for any other state where you plan to practice. On the whole, the curriculum positions you to enter post-degree supervision with a strong systemic foundation, even if you will need to build further specialization through continuing education or advanced training after graduation.

The LMFT Licensure Pathway After St. Mary's

Graduating from a COAMFTE-accredited program like St. Mary's positions you well for licensure, but the credentialing process involves several distinct stages. Most states require between 2,000 and 4,000 post-degree supervised clinical hours, and COAMFTE accreditation is widely recognized, which generally smooths transcript evaluation and application review. That said, states such as California, Texas, and New York each layer on additional requirements, so always verify your target state's rules before you begin accumulating hours.

Admissions Requirements for St. Mary's MFT Program

Getting into the Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.) program at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota requires a focused but manageable application.¹ The program does not require the GRE or MAT, which removes a significant barrier that many graduate applicants dread. Below is a breakdown of every component you need to prepare.

GPA Thresholds

Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. If your GPA falls between 2.75 and 3.0, you may still be considered for conditional admission, which typically means you will need to demonstrate strong performance in your first semester of graduate coursework before full admission is granted. There is no specific undergraduate major required, so career changers from fields outside psychology or counseling are welcome to apply.

Application Materials

Your complete application package will include:

• Personal statement: A written essay explaining your interest in marriage and family therapy, your relevant experiences, and your professional goals.
• Letters of recommendation: References that speak to your academic readiness, character, and potential as a clinician. Aim for recommenders who can address your interpersonal skills and commitment to the helping professions, such as former professors, supervisors, or clinical mentors.
• Résumé or CV: A current document outlining your education, work history, volunteer experience, and any clinical or counseling exposure.
• Official transcripts: From every post-secondary institution you have attended.

Deadlines and Start Terms

The priority application deadline is December 15, with admissions decisions communicated by March 31. The program offers both summer and fall start terms, giving admitted students some flexibility in when they begin. Because the cohort model shapes the clinical training sequence, applying by the priority deadline is strongly recommended to secure your preferred start date.

Interviews and Additional Requirements

An admissions interview may be required on a conditional basis. If the admissions committee wants to learn more about your fit for the program, you should expect a conversation focused on your motivations, your understanding of the MFT field, and how you handle interpersonal challenges. Treat it as a two-way evaluation: it is also your chance to ask detailed questions about clinical placements and faculty mentorship.

International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through one of several accepted tests. Minimum scores include a TOEFL iBT of 4, IELTS of 6.0, PTE Academic of 51, Duolingo of 105, ITEP of 4.0, or MELAB of 74 percent.¹ Confirm the latest accepted scores directly with the admissions office, as thresholds can shift between application cycles.

If you are comparing admissions standards across COAMFTE programs, the no-GRE policy here is a notable advantage. Programs like the Ohio State MFT admissions requirements page illustrate how expectations can vary considerably from school to school.

Online and Flexible Learning Options at St. Mary's

Understanding the delivery format of any MFT program is essential before you commit, especially if you are balancing work, family, or geographic constraints. Here is what you need to know about how St. Mary's structures its marriage and family therapy coursework and clinical training.

Delivery Format: On-Campus With Limited Flexibility

The MFT program at St. Mary's University of San Antonio is primarily an on-campus program. Didactic coursework is delivered face to face on the university's campus, and the program does not currently offer a fully online pathway to the degree. Some courses may incorporate digital tools or learning management systems for supplemental materials, but you should plan on attending classes in person for the duration of the program.

Classes are generally scheduled during evening hours, which can accommodate students who hold daytime jobs. A full-time track typically allows completion in about two to three years, though students who need to move at a slower pace should discuss part-time scheduling options with the program director, as availability may vary by cohort.

Clinical Practicum: Always In Person

Regardless of how any COAMFTE-accredited program delivers its lectures, clinical practicum and direct client contact hours must be completed in person at approved sites. St. Mary's partners with community agencies, counseling centers, and other clinical placements in the greater San Antonio area. Students should expect to accumulate their required supervised clinical hours at these local sites, meaning geographic proximity to campus or the surrounding region is effectively a requirement.

What If You Need a Fully Online Program?

If an on-campus commitment is not realistic for your situation, a fully online COAMFTE-accredited MFT program may be a better fit. Several institutions now offer MFT accredited programs with online didactic coursework and practicum arranged near your home.

Being honest with yourself about your scheduling needs at the outset will save you time and tuition dollars. An on-campus program like St. Mary's works well if you live in or can relocate to the San Antonio area and prefer the structure of in-person learning. If that does not describe your circumstances, prioritize programs designed from the ground up for remote learners.

How St. Mary's Compares: Disambiguating Saint Mary's-Branded MFT Programs

If you have ever searched for a "Saint Mary's MFT program," you already know the problem: at least four institutions share some version of the name, yet they differ significantly in what they offer, how they are accredited, and how their graduates qualify for licensure. Choosing the wrong one because of a confusing search result can cost you years and thousands of dollars, so the comparison below is worth a careful look.

Why Disambiguation Matters

Accreditation type is the single biggest variable separating these programs. A COAMFTE-accredited degree is purpose-built for marriage and family therapy licensure and is recognized by licensing boards in every U.S. state and most Canadian provinces. CACREP accreditation covers clinical mental health counseling, which can lead to licensure as an LPC or LMHC but does not automatically satisfy MFT-specific coursework and clinical-hour requirements. A program that holds only state board approval (such as California's BBS approval) may prepare you to sit for that state's exam, yet it may complicate reciprocity if you later move. Understanding these distinctions before you apply prevents surprises after graduation.

Side-by-Side Comparison

• St. Mary's University of Minnesota (Winona/Minneapolis, MN): Offers the M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. COAMFTE-accredited at the master's level. Delivered in a hybrid format combining on-campus intensives with distance coursework. Approximately 51 to 54 semester credits. The program is specifically designed for MFT licensure nationwide.
• Saint Mary's College of California (Moraga, CA): Offers the MA Counseling: MFT/PCC. This program is approved by California's Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) but does not hold COAMFTE or CACREP accreditation.¹ Delivered primarily on campus. Graduates are eligible to pursue California LMFT licensure, though the lack of national programmatic accreditation may limit portability to other states.
• St. Mary's University (San Antonio, TX): Offers the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. CACREP-accredited, not COAMFTE-accredited.² This is a counseling program, not an MFT program. Graduates typically pursue LPC licensure in Texas and other states rather than LMFT licensure.
• University of Saint Mary (Leavenworth, KS): Does not currently list a standalone MFT degree. Counseling-related offerings at this institution do not carry COAMFTE accreditation. If your goal is LMFT licensure, this school is generally not the right fit.

What This Means for You

If LMFT licensure is your goal, and especially if you value the flexibility to practice in any state, the COAMFTE-accredited program at St. Mary's University of Minnesota stands apart from the other similarly named schools. Saint Mary's College of California can work well for students committed to practicing in California, but its BBS-only approval means you should verify reciprocity requirements before enrolling if there is any chance you will relocate. The San Antonio program is an excellent CACREP counseling track, yet it channels graduates toward LPC, not LMFT, credentials.

Before submitting any application, confirm the current accreditation status directly with the school and cross-reference it against your target state's licensing board requirements. You can browse COAMFTE accredited programs or explore our full directory of best online MFT programs to compare alternatives quickly.

Career Outcomes: Licensure Exam Pass Rates and Employment Data

Understanding what happens after graduation is just as important as evaluating the program itself. St. Mary's University of Minnesota is required by COAMFTE to publish student achievement data, and those numbers give you a concrete way to assess whether the investment pays off.

Student Achievement Data

COAMFTE mandates that accredited programs disclose three core metrics: program completion rate, licensure exam pass rate, and job placement rate. St. Mary's publishes this information through its student outcome disclosure page.¹ The COAMFTE benchmark for licensure exam pass rates is 70 percent, and accredited programs must meet or exceed that threshold to maintain their status. Before applying, review the most recent published figures directly from the program, as these numbers are updated periodically and reflect the performance of recent cohorts.

If the program's published pass rate meets or exceeds the COAMFTE standard, that is a reliable indicator that the curriculum prepares graduates adequately for the national licensing examination administered through the AMFTRB. Whether St. Mary's offers dedicated exam prep resources (structured review courses, practice exams, or faculty-led study groups) is worth asking during an admissions conversation. Many students at COAMFTE-accredited programs supplement their coursework with third-party exam preparation materials, so budget a few hundred dollars for that possibility.

Salary Expectations in Context

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for Marriage and Family Therapists is $58,510.² In Minnesota specifically, the median is higher at $65,146, which reflects the state's relatively strong demand for behavioral health professionals. These are median figures, meaning early-career salaries often start below that line, particularly in community mental health or nonprofit settings.

The ROI Question

Given that St. Mary's MFT program spans roughly 36 to 60 months and carries private-university tuition, graduates should expect the financial return to be a longer-term proposition. If your total program cost lands in the range typical of private master's programs and your starting salary falls in the low-to-mid $40,000s (common for new clinicians before full licensure), you are realistically looking at five or more years before the degree pays for itself in purely financial terms.

That calculation shifts meaningfully once you earn your LMFT credential and can bill insurance independently or move into private practice. For a detailed look at how to navigate the post-degree steps, see our guide on how to become an LMFT in Minnesota. Licensed therapists in Minnesota with a few years of post-licensure experience routinely earn above the state median, especially in couples or family specialty niches.

• Early career (pre-licensure): Expect salaries in the low $40,000s to low $50,000s, often in agency or supervised settings.
• Post-licensure (3 to 5 years): Salaries typically climb toward or above the $65,146 Minnesota median, with private practice income potential going higher.
• Long-term outlook: The BLS projects continued demand growth for MFTs, which supports long-run earning potential and job security.

The honest bottom line: St. Mary's MFT program is not a quick-return investment. It is a career-building credential that pays dividends over time, particularly if you practice in a state like Minnesota where MFT salaries trend above the national average. Prospective students should weigh that timeline against their financial obligations and consider how scholarships, assistantships, or employer tuition benefits might shorten the payback period.

Should You Apply to St. Mary's MFT Program?

Choosing an MFT program is a significant investment of time, money, and energy. Use the guidance below to decide whether St. Mary's University of Minnesota is the right fit for your goals, or whether a different path deserves a closer look.

Frequently Asked Questions About St. Mary's MFT Program

Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about the marriage and family therapy program at St. Mary's University of Minnesota. For the most current details, confirm directly with the admissions office or visit marriagefamilytherapist.org for side-by-side program comparisons.

Is the St. Mary's University of Minnesota MFT program COAMFTE accredited?

Yes. The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Mary's University of Minnesota holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). This accreditation signals that the curriculum, clinical training hours, and faculty qualifications meet national standards, which can simplify the licensure process in most states.

How much does the St. Mary's MFT program cost in total?

Total estimated tuition for the program typically falls in the range of roughly $35,000 to $45,000, depending on the number of credits required and any applicable fees. Because tuition rates can change each academic year, confirm the latest per-credit cost with the university's financial aid office. Graduate assistantships, scholarships, and federal loans may help offset expenses.

Does St. Mary's MFT program require the GRE for admission?

St. Mary's University of Minnesota does not require GRE scores for admission to its MFT program. The admissions committee evaluates applicants based on undergraduate GPA, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and relevant professional or volunteer experience. This GRE-free policy lowers one common barrier for working adults returning to graduate school.

Can I get licensed as an LMFT in California with a degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Earning a COAMFTE-accredited degree generally satisfies the educational component for LMFT licensure in most states, including California. However, California's Board of Behavioral Sciences has specific coursework and supervised-hour requirements that may exceed what Minnesota's program includes by default. Review California's regulations carefully and plan for any supplemental coursework before relocating.

What is the difference between St. Mary's University of Minnesota and Saint Mary's College of California for MFT?

These are two entirely separate institutions. St. Mary's University of Minnesota, located in Winona and the Twin Cities, offers a COAMFTE-accredited Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Saint Mary's College of California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, offers counseling-related graduate programs but operates under a different accreditation structure. Verify each school's specific accreditation and curriculum before applying.

Is the St. Mary's MFT program available online?

The program uses a hybrid delivery model that blends on-campus intensive sessions with distance coursework. Because COAMFTE accreditation requires supervised clinical practicum hours, students must complete in-person client contact at approved sites. This format offers some scheduling flexibility for working professionals while still meeting hands-on training standards.

How long does it take to complete the St. Mary's MFT program?

Most students complete the program in approximately two to three years of full-time study. The timeline can vary based on enrollment pace, practicum scheduling, and whether a student enrolls part-time. Clinical training hours, which are built into the curriculum, account for a significant portion of the overall timeline.