Antioch University-New England MFT Program: Full Review
Antioch University-New England MFT Program: Is It Right for You?
A detailed look at COAMFTE-accredited degrees, costs, curriculum, and what to expect from Antioch's low-residency MFT pathway.
By Emily CarterReviewed by Editorial & Advisory TeamUpdated May 24, 202610+ min read
In Brief
Antioch University-New England's 61-credit MA in Couple and Family Therapy holds COAMFTE accreditation and follows a low-residency hybrid format.
Total cost of attendance extends well beyond per-credit tuition once you factor in fees, clinical placement costs, and travel to Keene, New Hampshire.
The three-year curriculum splits into 36 credits of core coursework and 25 credits of clinical practica and supervised experience.
No GRE is required, and admissions weight life experience and relational awareness over rigid GPA cutoffs.
Fewer than 20 COAMFTE-accredited master's programs in the United States offer a low-residency hybrid format, and Antioch University-New England's MA in Couple and Family Therapy is one of them. Based in Keene, New Hampshire, the program pairs brief on-campus residency intensives with distance coursework, making it accessible to working adults who cannot commit to a traditional full-time, on-campus schedule. Its curriculum is rooted in systemic and relational clinical theory, a framework that shapes how graduates assess and treat couples, families, and individuals within broader relationship contexts.
For prospective students, the central tension is practical: balancing a respected credential against real costs, residency travel logistics, and a multi-year licensure timeline that extends well beyond graduation. This profile breaks down Antioch's tuition, curriculum, admissions process, and career outcomes so you can decide whether this master's in marriage and family therapy belongs on your short list.
Antioch MFT Quick Facts
Here are the essential details about Antioch University-New England's MA in Couple and Family Therapy at a glance. This COAMFTE-accredited, low-residency program is designed for working adults who need flexibility without sacrificing clinical training quality.
Is Antioch University-New England a Good MFT Program?
The single most important credential to look for in any marriage and family therapy program is COAMFTE accreditation. Antioch University-New England has held COAMFTE accreditation for its MA in Couple and Family Therapy since 1993, making it one of the longest-accredited programs in the country.1 The university also offers a COAMFTE-accredited PhD in Couple and Family Therapy, accredited since 2010.1 That track record answers the core evaluative question: yes, Antioch's MFT program meets the gold standard in the field.
Beyond the credential itself, the program's reported outcomes reinforce its quality. Graduates have achieved a 100% licensure exam pass rate, a 99% employment-in-field rate (with an average of roughly two months from graduation to a clinical position), and a 99% student recommendation rate.1 Those numbers place Antioch among the strongest COAMFTE-accredited programs on any outcome metric that matters to prospective students.
Who Thrives in This Program
Antioch's low-residency format is designed for a specific learner profile. If you are a mid-career changer, a working professional, or someone living outside New England who wants a COAMFTE-accredited degree without uprooting your life, this program deserves serious consideration.2 You will complete intensive on-campus residencies in Keene, New Hampshire, and then return home to carry out coursework and clinical hours in your own community. That structure rewards self-directed adults who can manage their own schedules and clinical placements.
Students who want a traditional full-time campus cohort, daily in-person interaction with peers, or an urban clinical pipeline with a wide menu of practicum sites arranged by the school should look at other COAMFTE accredited programs instead.
Key Strengths
COAMFTE longevity: Over three decades of continuous accreditation signals institutional stability and a mature curriculum.
Low-residency flexibility: You can earn your degree while living anywhere in the U.S., traveling to New Hampshire only for scheduled intensives.
Systemic, relational philosophy with small cohorts: The program emphasizes relational and systemic clinical training in an intimate cohort model, giving students direct faculty mentorship that larger programs rarely match.
Honest Drawbacks
Travel and lodging costs: Flying or driving to Keene for residencies adds expenses that do not appear on a tuition bill, and those costs add up over the program's duration.
Limited on-campus resources between intensives: Between residency periods, you rely on virtual support and your local community for clinical supervision sites, library access, and peer connection.
Tuition may exceed public alternatives: As a private university, Antioch's per-credit cost is higher than what you would pay at many state-funded programs, a gap that financial aid may or may not close.
Antioch University-New England is a strong pick for self-motivated learners who need geographic flexibility and value a deeply relational clinical training model. It is not a default recommendation for every aspiring MFT, but for the right student, few COAMFTE-accredited programs offer this combination of format, mentorship, and proven outcomes.
Program Cost and Tuition at Antioch University
Understanding what you will actually pay for Antioch University-New England's MFT program requires looking well beyond the per-credit tuition rate. Between mandatory fees, clinical placement costs, and travel to Keene, New Hampshire for residency intensives, the true cost of attendance is meaningfully higher than the sticker price.
Tuition and Credit Costs
For the 2025, 2026 academic year, Antioch University-New England charges $548 per credit for the Marriage and Family Therapy program.1 The degree requires approximately 60 credits, which puts estimated total tuition at roughly $32,880. Keep in mind that if you need to repeat a course, take additional electives, or extend your timeline, total tuition will increase accordingly.
Mandatory Fees and Hidden Costs
Tuition alone does not capture the full picture. You should budget for several additional line items:
Technology fee: $125 per semester, which adds approximately $750 over the course of a typical three-year program.1
Residency fees: The low-residency format requires on-campus intensives in Keene, New Hampshire two to four times per year. Some residency periods carry their own fees on top of tuition.
Clinical placement fees: Students entering the practicum and internship phases may encounter separate clinical placement or supervision fees, though specific amounts vary by year and site.
Travel to residencies: If you do not live in the greater New England area, expect to cover flights or long drives, hotel stays (typically four to seven nights per residency), and meals. A reasonable annual travel budget falls in the range of $2,000 to $5,000, depending on your distance from Keene and the number of required on-site sessions.
When you add fees and travel to the base tuition, total cost of attendance over the full program could range from roughly $38,000 to $44,000 or more.
Financial Aid and Funding Options
Antioch participates in federal financial aid programs, so students can access Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS loans to cover tuition and living expenses. Beyond federal borrowing, a few other avenues are worth exploring:
Antioch scholarships and assistantships: The university periodically offers merit-based awards and graduate assistantships, though availability can shift from year to year. Contact the financial aid office directly for current opportunities.
Employer tuition reimbursement: Because the program's low-residency format is designed for working adults, many students leverage employer education benefits. Confirm with your HR department whether Antioch qualifies under your company's plan.
HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce grants: Programs accredited by COAMFTE may be eligible for federal Health Resources and Services Administration workforce development funding. Check with Antioch's financial aid team to see whether any active HRSA grants are available to MFT students in the current cycle.
How Does Antioch's Cost Compare?
Among COAMFTE-accredited master's programs nationwide, total tuition generally spans from the low $20,000s at state-funded universities to $70,000 or more at private institutions. At an estimated total tuition near $33,000 before fees, Antioch falls in the lower-to-middle range for a private university, though once you factor in travel and fees the effective cost edges closer to the median for accredited programs overall. Students hunting for the most affordable options may want to browse low cost MFT programs at public universities, but for those who need a flexible, low-residency format, the premium over a local public option may be justified by the ability to keep working while you earn your degree.
Full Cost-of-Attendance Breakdown
Understanding the true cost of Antioch University-New England's MFT program means looking beyond tuition alone. The estimates below reflect the major expense categories across the full length of the program. Financial aid, scholarships, employer tuition assistance, and graduate assistantships can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket figure for many students.
Curriculum, Courses, and Specializations
Antioch University-New England's MA in Couple and Family Therapy is built around 61 credits spread across three years, giving you a curriculum that balances classroom theory, hands-on clinical work, and guided supervision.1 The credit breakdown divides into 36 credits of core coursework, 9 credits of electives, and the remaining credits allocated to practicum and supervision experiences.2 This structure meets and slightly exceeds the 60-credit threshold that most states set as a minimum for LMFT licensure, so graduates enter the licensing process without needing supplemental coursework.
Core Coursework: Building Your Clinical Foundation
The 36-credit core sequence walks you through the theoretical, ethical, and diagnostic competencies every marriage and family therapist needs. While Antioch periodically updates specific course titles, representative core offerings include:
Family Systems Theory: The foundational lens for understanding how individuals function within relational contexts, covering Bowenian, structural, strategic, and narrative frameworks.
Psychopathology and Diagnosis: Training in the DSM diagnostic system as it applies to individuals, couples, and families, with attention to systemic perspectives on mental health.
Human Sexuality: Exploration of sexual development, identity, and common clinical concerns that arise in couple and family therapy settings.
Ethics and Professional Practice in MFT: Examination of the AAMFT Code of Ethics, legal obligations, confidentiality in multi-client sessions, and boundary management.
Research Methods: Preparation in evidence-based practice so graduates can critically evaluate treatment literature and contribute to the field.
Diversity and Social Justice in Therapy: Coursework addressing cultural humility, systemic oppression, and the therapist's responsibility to serve diverse populations equitably.
These courses are delivered primarily through the program's low-residency hybrid model, combining asynchronous online learning with four required on-campus residencies, each lasting four days.2 Students interested in learning more about how to specialize in family systems therapy will find that the core sequence provides a strong grounding in the major systemic frameworks.
Electives and Specialization Opportunities
The 9 elective credits give you room to shape your clinical identity. Elective clusters often focus on areas such as trauma-informed care, child and adolescent therapist career preparation, and advanced couples work. Antioch's interdisciplinary environment also allows students to draw from related departments. It is worth noting that the program does not currently award a separate formal certificate or named concentration through electives alone. Instead, elective choices function as a self-directed emphasis you can highlight on your resume and in licensure applications.
Practicum and Supervised-Hours Model
Clinical training is where this program distinguishes itself, especially for a low-residency format. Students complete a total of 1,250 supervised clock hours, which includes 500 direct client-contact hours, a benchmark that aligns with what most state licensing boards require before you can sit for the national MFT exam.2 Of those 500 direct hours, at least 150 must be relational hours, meaning sessions conducted with couples, families, or other multi-person systems rather than individual clients alone.
Supervision itself totals a minimum of 100 hours. That breaks down into 50 hours of individual supervision and 50 hours of live-observed supervision, where a supervisor watches your session in real time (either in person or via approved telehealth technology). This live-observation component is a hallmark of COAMFTE-accredited programs and ensures you receive immediate, actionable feedback on your clinical technique. For a deeper look at how these hours translate across jurisdictions, review our guide to LMFT supervised clinical hours by state.
Because students in a low-residency program are often geographically dispersed, Antioch works with learners to identify approved practicum sites in or near their home communities. The program's clinical training team assists with site placement and vetting, though students are expected to participate actively in securing a site that fits their learning goals and schedule. Supervision sessions are commonly conducted through a combination of on-site mentorship at the practicum location and remote sessions facilitated by Antioch-approved supervisors.
Does the Curriculum Prepare You for Licensure?
In short, yes. The 61-credit total, 500 direct client-contact hours, and structured supervision model are specifically designed to satisfy the educational requirements for LMFT licensure across most U.S. states.1 Some states impose additional post-degree supervised practice hours before you can become fully licensed, but the degree itself positions you to begin that process immediately upon graduation without credential gaps. If you are targeting licensure in a specific state, confirm its exact requirements early, as a handful of jurisdictions have unique course mandates beyond the standard COAMFTE framework.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Can you travel to New Hampshire multiple times per year for intensive residencies?
Antioch's low-residency model requires periodic on-campus immersions in Keene, NH. If travel costs or time away from work and family would create significant strain, a fully online or local program may be more practical.
Do you have the self-discipline to manage asynchronous coursework while building clinical hours in your home community?
Between residencies, you will juggle online assignments and a local practicum placement simultaneously. Students who thrive with structured daily class schedules sometimes struggle with the independence this format demands.
Would you benefit more from daily in-person faculty access, or does a concentrated residency model suit your learning style?
Low-residency intensives pack mentorship and peer interaction into focused blocks rather than spreading them across a semester. If you learn best through ongoing, informal contact with professors, a traditional campus program may be a stronger fit.
Online and Low-Residency Format Explained
One of the most common questions prospective students ask is whether Antioch University-New England's MFT program can be completed entirely online. The short answer: no. This is a low-residency hybrid model, not a fully online degree. Most of your academic work happens remotely, but the program requires a series of brief, intensive on-campus gatherings in Keene, New Hampshire, plus substantial in-person clinical training at a practicum site. Understanding how each piece fits together will help you decide whether this format works for your life.
How the Residency Schedule Works
Over the course of the 36-month program, students attend a total of four on-campus residencies and one virtual residency.1 On-campus residencies are held twice per year and typically last four days each. During these intensives, expect hands-on skills labs, group supervision, faculty-led workshops, and structured cohort-bonding activities that are difficult to replicate through a screen. The single virtual residency runs for approximately two days and covers content suited to a remote format. In total, you will travel to Keene roughly four times across the program, a manageable commitment even for students who live across the country.
Between-Residency Coursework
When you are not on campus, learning continues through a combination of asynchronous online coursework and live virtual seminars. This blended approach gives you flexibility to study around work and family obligations while still participating in real-time discussions with faculty and peers. The program uses digital platforms for lecture content, readings, and assignments, so you can move through material at your own pace within each term's deadlines. If you are comparing this model against other delivery options, our guide to COAMFTE accredited online MFT programs covers the full landscape of distance-friendly choices.
Clinical Practicum and Supervised Hours
Practicum begins in the second year and is where real clinical training takes place. Antioch allows students to complete their practicum at approved clinical sites near their home, regardless of state, which is a major advantage for those outside New England.2 Over the course of your training, you will accumulate 1,250 supervised clock hours, including at least 500 direct client-contact hours and a minimum of 150 relational (couple or family) hours.1 Supervision requirements include 100 total supervision hours, with at least 50 of those in individual supervision and 50 involving direct observation. The program uses Supervision Assist, a dedicated clinical recording platform, to facilitate remote supervision when students and supervisors are not in the same location. For a broader look at what this phase of training involves, see our overview of MFT practicum requirements.
This structure satisfies COAMFTE accreditation standards, which require that students engage in direct, in-person therapeutic contact with real clients under qualified supervision. A distance-friendly delivery model does not mean reduced clinical rigor; it simply means the didactic portion travels with you while the clinical portion happens where you live.
Planning for Travel as an Out-of-State Student
If you do not live near Keene, budget for airfare or driving costs, lodging, and meals for each on-campus residency. Four trips over three years is a relatively light travel burden compared to many hybrid programs that require monthly or quarterly visits. Booking flights into Manchester-Boston Regional Airport or Hartford, Connecticut, and then renting a car for the drive to Keene is a common strategy. Splitting lodging costs with cohort members is another practical way to keep expenses down. Planning early, especially for fall and spring residency dates, often yields the best rates.
For students who want the credential and clinical depth of a COAMFTE-accredited program without relocating to New Hampshire, this low-residency format is one of the more flexible options available. Just be sure you can commit to the travel schedule and secure a strong local practicum site before enrolling.
Admissions Requirements and Deadlines
Antioch University-New England takes a holistic approach to admissions for its MA in Couple and Family Therapy program, placing greater emphasis on life experience, relational awareness, and professional motivation than on rigid numerical cutoffs.1 If you are a career changer, educator, social worker, or anyone drawn to relational and systemic thinking, here is exactly what you need to prepare.
Application Checklist
The program requires the following materials, and the application carries a $50 fee:1
Bachelor's degree: A completed undergraduate degree from an accredited institution is the only prerequisite. No specific major or prerequisite coursework is required.
Official transcripts: Transcripts from every college or university attended. While there is no published minimum GPA requirement, a strong academic record supports your candidacy.
Statement of purpose: A personal essay that demonstrates self-awareness, relational orientation, and a clear rationale for pursuing couple and family therapy.
Resume or CV: A current document outlining your professional, volunteer, and educational background.
Letters of recommendation: These are optional rather than mandatory, but submitting one or two thoughtful letters from supervisors, professors, or mentors who can speak to your interpersonal skills and readiness for graduate study can strengthen your application.
GRE Policy
Antioch does not require the GRE or any other standardized entrance exam.1 This is a permanent policy, not a temporary waiver, and it applies to all MFT applicants. The admissions committee evaluates candidates through their written materials and, when warranted, through a personal interview. If skipping the GRE is a priority for you, Antioch is one of many accredited options; you can browse a broader list of MFT programs without GRE requirements to compare.
Deadlines and Cohort Start
The application deadline for the MA in Couple and Family Therapy is July 1.1 Because the program operates in a low-residency cohort format, students begin together as a group at a designated start term. If you are considering applying, submitting well before the July 1 date gives you the best chance of securing a seat, since cohort sizes are intentionally kept small to support the intensive residency and clinical training model.
The Interview Step
Antioch uses a conditional interview process. Not every applicant will be invited to interview, but the admissions committee may request one if they want to learn more about your fit for the program.1 Interviews typically explore your relational awareness, openness to feedback, appreciation for diverse perspectives, and your vision for how you would use the degree. Treat this step as a two-way conversation: it is also your opportunity to assess whether the program's values and structure align with your learning style.
Who Gets Admitted
The typical admitted student at Antioch is not a single profile. Cohorts tend to include career changers leaving fields like education, ministry, healthcare, and business alongside younger applicants coming directly from undergraduate programs. What the admissions committee values most is evidence of a relational orientation, meaning you think in terms of systems and connections rather than isolated problems. Demonstrated self-awareness, comfort with diversity of experience, and a genuine commitment to the therapeutic process matter far more than a perfect GPA or a specific academic background. If your application tells a compelling story about why couple and family therapy is the right path for you, Antioch's holistic review is designed to recognize that.
Career Outcomes and LMFT Licensure Pathway
Earning your master's degree from Antioch University-New England is a major milestone, but it is not the finish line. Every state requires additional steps before you can practice independently as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Understanding the post-graduation pathway now will help you plan your timeline and budget accordingly.
Post-Graduation Licensure Steps
The route from diploma to independent practice generally follows three stages:
Complete supervised clinical hours: Most states require between 2,000 and 4,000 hours of post-master's supervised clinical experience. You will work under the direct oversight of an approved supervisor, typically at a community agency, hospital, or group practice, while accumulating the contact hours your state mandates.
Pass the national licensing exam: The Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) administers the national MFT licensing examination. Nearly every state accepts this exam as the standardized competency measure for LMFT candidates.
Apply for your state license: Once you have met both the supervised-hours and exam requirements, you submit a formal application to your state licensing board, pay applicable fees, and, upon approval, begin practicing independently.
State-by-State Considerations
A 60-credit, COAMFTE-accredited master's degree satisfies the educational threshold in the majority of U.S. states, but certain jurisdictions impose additional requirements worth noting.1 California, for example, mandates coursework in state law and ethics, child abuse assessment, spousal or partner abuse, aging and long-term care, and cultural diversity.1 New York requires specific training in child abuse identification and reporting and accepts only degrees from COAMFTE-accredited or state-registered programs.2 States like Rhode Island (12 practicum credits plus a 52-week, 20-hour-per-week internship) and Maine (900 internship clock hours with 360 direct client contact hours) have their own practicum and internship minimums that may differ from what you completed during your degree.1 Before you relocate or begin accruing supervised hours, verify your target state's exact requirements so you can address any gaps early. Our guide to becoming an MFT breaks down these steps in greater detail.
Exam Pass Rates and Program Outcomes
COAMFTE requires accredited programs to publicly disclose certain outcome data, including graduation rates, licensure exam pass rates, and job placement figures. As of this writing, Antioch does not appear to publish detailed national exam pass-rate data in an easily accessible public format. If you are evaluating the program, contact the admissions office directly and ask for the most recent outcome disclosures, which the program is obligated to maintain under its accreditation standards.
Salary and Career Context
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marriage and family therapists earned a median annual salary of roughly $58,000 to $60,000 nationally in recent reporting years. Income varies significantly by geography, work setting, and specialization. Therapists in private practice, particularly those who develop niche expertise in areas like trauma-informed couples therapy or adolescent behavioral health, can earn well above the median, while entry-level positions at community mental health agencies tend to start closer to the lower end of the pay range.
Antioch alumni pursue a broad range of career paths. Common destinations include community mental health agencies, private and group practices, hospital-based family therapy departments, school-based counseling programs, and academic or clinical training roles. For graduates considering related specializations, the LMFT license page outlines how different settings shape day-to-day responsibilities and earning potential. The program's emphasis on systemic and relational approaches positions graduates to work across diverse populations and settings.
Does the Investment Make Sense?
Weighing Antioch's tuition against likely early-career earnings is an important calculation. A COAMFTE-accredited degree removes many licensure barriers and signals clinical rigor to employers and licensing boards alike. If you plan to practice in a higher-cost-of-living market or build a private practice over time, the earning trajectory tends to improve meaningfully beyond the first few post-licensure years. For candidates who value the low-residency format and can manage the tuition, the credential carries real weight in a field where accreditation status matters at every career stage.
LMFT Licensure Steps After Graduation
Completing your master's degree is a major milestone, but it is only the first rung on the credentialing ladder. The timeline below outlines the typical path from graduation to full LMFT licensure and beyond. Note that exact supervised-hour requirements and exam rules vary by state, so verify your state licensing board's specific criteria before you begin.
How Antioch Compares to Other COAMFTE-Accredited MFT Programs
Choosing a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program means weighing format, cost, clinical rigor, and how well a program sets you up for licensure. Below is a side-by-side comparison of three common program archetypes: Antioch University-New England's low-residency model, a typical lower-cost public university program, and a higher-brand private university program. No specific competitor schools are named, but the profiles reflect common patterns across the COAMFTE landscape.
Comparison at a Glance
Format and flexibility: Antioch's low-residency hybrid model blends intensive on-campus residencies with distance coursework, offering far more geographic freedom than a traditional on-campus public program while still requiring meaningful face-to-face clinical training. Fully online private programs may offer even more scheduling convenience, but they sometimes struggle to deliver the same depth of in-person clinical practice.
Estimated total tuition: Antioch falls in a middle range for COAMFTE-accredited programs. Public university programs can run significantly less, sometimes 40 to 60 percent lower in total cost for in-state students. Higher-brand private programs often exceed Antioch's tuition by a notable margin, particularly when factoring in cost-of-living in major metropolitan areas.
COAMFTE accreditation level: All three archetypes can hold master's-level COAMFTE accreditation. The key differentiator is not accreditation status itself but how each program structures its clinical hours. COAMFTE requires a minimum of 300 direct client contact hours, including at least 100 relational (couple or family) hours, and Antioch meets these benchmarks through its supervised practicum and internship sequence.2
Residency requirements: A public on-campus program typically requires full-time physical presence each semester. Antioch compresses its in-person obligations into periodic residencies, freeing students to complete didactic coursework and even arrange local practicum placements closer to home. Fully online alternatives may have zero or minimal residency, but students must still locate approved clinical sites independently.
Best-fit student: Antioch is ideal for working adults or career changers who need geographic flexibility but still value hands-on, cohort-based learning. Public programs tend to serve students who live near campus and prioritize affordability above all else. Higher-brand private programs often attract candidates seeking name recognition, research opportunities, or niche specializations.
Licensure readiness: Antioch reported a 100 percent MFT national exam pass rate and 99 percent student satisfaction in its most recent publicly available outcome data.1 Those figures compare favorably to many COAMFTE programs, where on-time graduation rates at some institutions have hovered between roughly 41 and 46 percent in recent reporting periods.2 Strong licensure-exam preparation is a hallmark of Antioch's curriculum.
Where Antioch Sits in the Market
Antioch occupies a practical middle lane. It is more flexible than a traditional on-campus public program, making it accessible to students who cannot relocate. At the same time, its structured residency requirements and supervised clinical hours give it a level of clinical rigor that purely online programs can find difficult to match. For students who want COAMFTE credentials, a proven licensure-exam track record, and the ability to keep working while they earn their degree, this balance is the program's core value proposition.
If rock-bottom tuition is your top priority and you live near an accredited public university, that route will almost always cost less. If institutional prestige or a particular research focus matters most, a higher-brand private program may be worth the premium. To understand the financial tradeoffs in more detail, review our analysis on whether an MFT degree is worth it. If you need a flexible, clinically serious path that does not require uprooting your life, you can browse all COAMFTE accredited programs and see how Antioch stacks up. Either way, Antioch belongs on your short list.
Should You Apply to Antioch's MFT Program?
Choosing an MFT program is a significant investment of time, money, and energy. Use the verdict below to assess whether Antioch University-New England's Couple and Family Therapy program aligns with your goals, lifestyle, and budget.
Pros
You need a low-residency format that lets you keep working while earning a COAMFTE-accredited master's degree.
You value COAMFTE accreditation and want a program that meets the gold standard for MFT training nationwide.
You thrive in small, close-knit cohorts where faculty mentorship and peer collaboration are central to the learning experience.
You are drawn to a systemic and relational clinical orientation that prioritizes family systems theory and social justice perspectives.
You want structured practicum support with the flexibility to complete clinical hours in your own community.
Cons
You are looking for the lowest possible tuition and need a public university price point to manage your student debt load.
You prefer a fully online program with zero travel requirements, since Antioch's model includes mandatory on-campus residencies.
You want access to a large urban clinical pipeline with dozens of hospital and agency partnerships in a major metro area.
You need to complete your degree in a specific state for licensure convenience and prefer a program with established local supervisor networks there.
You prioritize a program with published post-graduation employment and salary data, which Antioch has not made widely available at the program level.
Frequently Asked Questions About Antioch's MFT Program
Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about Antioch University-New England's Couple and Family Therapy program. If you need details beyond what is covered here, marriagefamilytherapist.org maintains updated program profiles you can compare side by side.
Is Antioch University-New England's MFT program COAMFTE accredited?
Yes. Antioch University-New England's MA in Couple and Family Therapy 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, which can simplify the LMFT licensure process in most states.
Can you complete Antioch's MFT program entirely online?
Not entirely. The program uses a low-residency format that pairs online coursework with periodic on-campus intensives held at the Keene, New Hampshire campus. Clinical practicum hours must also be completed in person at approved sites. Students should plan for travel to residencies and for securing a local practicum placement in their home area.
How much does Antioch University's MFT program cost in total?
Total tuition depends on the number of credits required and the current per-credit rate, which Antioch publishes each academic year. Because Antioch is a private university, there is no in-state versus out-of-state distinction. Students should also budget for residency travel, technology fees, and practicum-related expenses. Contact Antioch's admissions office or check their tuition page for the most current figures.
How long does it take to finish the Antioch MFT program?
Most students complete the program in approximately three years of part-time, low-residency study. The timeline can vary depending on clinical placement availability and whether a student enrolls in summer terms. Students who need additional time for practicum hours may take slightly longer to finish.
Does Antioch's MFT program require the GRE for admission?
No. Antioch University-New England does not require GRE scores as part of its MFT admissions process. The admissions review focuses on transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and relevant professional or volunteer experience. This GRE-free policy removes a common barrier for working adults applying to graduate programs.
Does Antioch's MFT degree qualify you for LMFT licensure in every state?
Graduating from a COAMFTE-accredited program satisfies the educational requirement for LMFT licensure in the vast majority of states. However, each state sets its own rules regarding supervised clinical hours, exam passage, and application procedures. Before enrolling, verify your target state's specific requirements through its licensing board to confirm Antioch's program aligns with them.
What is the difference between Antioch's MA in Couple and Family Therapy and a generic counseling degree?
Antioch's MA in Couple and Family Therapy is designed specifically around systems theory, relational dynamics, and family-centered clinical work. A generic counseling degree typically covers broader mental health topics without the same depth in couples and family intervention. The COAMFTE accreditation also means Antioch's curriculum is tailored to meet LMFT licensure standards, whereas general counseling degrees usually prepare graduates for LPC or LMHC credentials instead.