Fewer than five universities in the United States hold COAMFTE accreditation at three distinct degree levels in marriage and family therapy. Nova Southeastern University is one of them, offering an M.S., Ph.D., and D.M.F.T. through its Department of Family Therapy on the Fort Lauderdale campus.

That breadth matters because it lets students enter at the master's level and, if their goals shift toward research or advanced clinical leadership, continue within the same accredited ecosystem. South Florida's dense, multicultural population also provides a clinical training context that few regions can match, with practicum placements spanning community mental health, hospital systems, and specialized centers. Students comparing options across the state can review other MFT programs in Florida for additional context.

The tradeoff is cost. As a private university, NSU charges the same tuition regardless of residency, and total program expenses can exceed six figures at the doctoral level.

NSU MFT Quick Facts: Degrees, Credits, and Accreditation at a Glance

Nova Southeastern University's Department of Family Therapy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offers three COAMFTE-accredited degree levels in marriage and family therapy. Here is a side-by-side snapshot of the key numbers across the M.S., Ph.D., and D.M.F.T. programs.

Is Nova Southeastern a Good MFT Program?

Nova Southeastern University stands out among MFT programs for one clear reason: it holds COAMFTE accreditation at three degree levels, covering the M.S., Ph.D., and D.M.F.T. That breadth is rare. Fewer than a handful of universities in the country can make the same claim, and it signals an institutional commitment to marriage and family therapy that goes well beyond checking an accreditation box. For students who know they want MFT-specific training rather than a generalist counseling degree, NSU deserves serious consideration.

Who Thrives at NSU

The ideal NSU student wants more than a standard MFT curriculum. The program offers specialization tracks that are difficult to find elsewhere, including Medical Family Therapy, Equine-Assisted Therapy, and Solution-Focused Coaching. These concentrations draw on distinct therapy approaches used by MFTs and allow graduates to carve out unique professional identities from day one. South Florida's diverse, multilingual population also provides an unusually rich clinical training ground. Practicum placements expose students to a wide range of presenting concerns, family structures, and cultural backgrounds, which translates into stronger clinical competence at licensure.

Students who do well here tend to share a few traits:

• They are drawn to specialized, hands-on clinical work in a metropolitan setting.
• They value COAMFTE accreditation and understand how it streamlines the licensure process across states.
• They are prepared to invest in a private-university education because the program's depth and clinical hours align with their long-term career goals.

Where NSU Falls Short

No program is the right fit for everyone, and NSU has genuine drawbacks worth weighing.

• Cost: Tuition runs significantly higher than what you would pay at a public university. Students who are budget-conscious need to compare the total cost of attendance against projected earnings carefully.
• On-campus focus: The program is delivered primarily in person at the Fort Lauderdale campus. That limits access for students who live outside South Florida or need a fully online format.
• D.M.F.T. recognition: The Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy is a practice-oriented terminal degree, but it carries less broad market recognition than a traditional Ph.D. If your goal is tenure-track academia or large-scale research, a Ph.D. may open more doors.

Consider an Alternative If

NSU is not the strongest choice for every aspiring therapist. You should look elsewhere if affordability is your top priority and you have access to a quality, lower-cost public program in your state. The same applies if you need a fully online degree to accommodate work or family obligations; while COAMFTE clinical requirements will still demand in-person practicum hours, the didactic flexibility of an online MFT program may matter to you. Finally, if you are exploring a broader mental health counseling path rather than committing to MFT-specific practice, a CACREP-accredited counseling program will likely serve you better and cost less.

Before committing to a private-university price tag, it is worth evaluating the return on investment of an MFT degree against your expected salary and debt load. For those who want deep, specialized MFT training in a clinically rich environment and are willing to invest accordingly, NSU remains one of the stronger options in the Southeast.

Program Cost and Tuition: M.S., Ph.D., and D.M.F.T. Breakdown

Understanding the full cost of an MFT degree at Nova Southeastern University requires looking at three distinct programs, each with a different credit load and timeline. Because NSU is a private university, there is no in-state versus out-of-state tuition differential, which simplifies the math but also means every applicant faces the same rate. Below is what you need to know before building your budget.

Credit Requirements by Degree Level

NSU's Department of Couple and Family Therapy offers three COAMFTE-accredited pathways, and the total credits vary substantially:¹

• M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy: 60 credits, delivered on campus.
• Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (D.M.F.T.): 75 to 108 credits depending on prior coursework, delivered on campus, with an expected timeline of roughly eight years for those entering without advanced standing.²
• Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy: 81 to 114 credits, also on campus, and requires a master's degree in a clinical field for admission.

The wide credit ranges for the doctoral programs reflect how much transfer or waiver credit a student brings in. Someone entering the D.M.F.T. with an existing master's in a related clinical discipline may land closer to 75 credits, while someone who needs additional foundational coursework will sit nearer the upper end. If you are weighing the D.M.F.T. against a Ph.D. track at other institutions, our overview of MFT doctoral programs breaks down the key differences.

How to Find the Most Current Tuition Rates

NSU updates its per-credit tuition rates each academic year through the university's Bursar's Office. For the 2025-2026 cycle, the most reliable step is to search for the NSU graduate tuition schedule directly on the Bursar's website. Program-specific fees, such as clinic supervision charges or technology fees, are sometimes listed separately on the Department of Family Therapy's site rather than on the Bursar's page, so check both.³

Because per-credit rates can shift annually, we recommend verifying the current rate before multiplying it across total credits. Even a modest per-credit increase compounds quickly over 60 to 114 credits.

Graduate Assistantships and Scholarships

NSU does offer graduate assistantships and departmental scholarships for students in the family therapy programs.² Assistantships typically provide a tuition reduction or stipend in exchange for research, teaching, or clinical support duties. To explore what is currently available, contact the Department of Couple and Family Therapy at [email protected] or visit the department's website and look under financial aid or graduate assistantship listings. The NSU Financial Aid office can also outline broader university-level awards you may qualify for.

Beyond campus resources, external funding is worth pursuing. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) maintains a database of scholarships and tuition assistance opportunities aimed specifically at family therapy students. Applying to two or three external awards each cycle can meaningfully offset what is otherwise a significant private-university price tag.

Putting Cost in Perspective

Private-university tuition is undeniably higher than what you would pay at a state institution, and NSU is no exception. The trade-off is COAMFTE accreditation across all three degree levels, a well-established clinical training infrastructure in South Florida, and a program reputation that carries weight with licensure boards nationwide. If cost is your primary concern, compare the per-credit rate you find on NSU's Bursar page against cheapest MFT programs, then weigh clinical placement quality and time to degree completion before making a final decision.

NSU MFT Total Cost by Degree Level

Tuition is one of the biggest factors in choosing a graduate MFT program. The chart below compares estimated total tuition across Nova Southeastern University's three COAMFTE-accredited degree levels. These figures exclude living expenses, textbooks, technology fees, and professional liability insurance.

Curriculum and Specializations

NSU's COAMFTE-accredited M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy is a 60-credit program built on a clinical core that every student completes before branching into a concentration.¹ That shared foundation ensures you graduate with the theoretical breadth and supervised experience that state licensing boards expect.

Core MFT Coursework

Regardless of concentration, all M.S. students move through a sequence of courses that covers the essential pillars of marriage and family therapy practice:

• Family systems theory: Models of relational and systemic change, from structural and strategic approaches to narrative and collaborative therapies.
• Human development: Lifespan perspectives on individual, couple, and family functioning.
• Psychopathology: Diagnosis and systemic conceptualization of mental health disorders using current diagnostic frameworks.
• Ethics and professional identity: Legal, ethical, and professional standards specific to MFT practice.
• Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches to clinical inquiry, preparing students to evaluate evidence-based interventions.
• Diversity and social justice: Cultural competence, power dynamics, and advocacy across race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and other identity dimensions.

This core aligns closely with COAMFTE curricular requirements and with the content domains tested on the national MFT licensing examination. Students interested in how these foundations translate into practice can explore Bowen family systems theory, one of several models covered in the program's systems coursework.

M.S. Concentrations

NSU offers three distinct concentrations within the master's program, each adding a specialized lens to your clinical training:

• Medical Family Therapy: Prepares students to work at the intersection of mental and physical health, equipping them to collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals in hospital and integrated-care settings.
• Equine-Assisted Therapy: Trains students to incorporate equine interactions into therapeutic interventions, a growing modality used with trauma survivors, at-risk youth, and individuals with behavioral health challenges.
• Solution-Focused Coaching: Blends brief therapy principles with coaching methodologies, preparing graduates to work with clients and organizations seeking goal-oriented, strengths-based change outside traditional clinical contexts.

Each concentration layers additional coursework and applied experiences onto the shared clinical core without extending the 60-credit total.¹

Practicum and Clinical Training

Clinical preparation is one of NSU's strongest selling points. Students complete a minimum of 500 direct-client-contact hours across their practicum sequence, which typically begins in the second year of study.¹ NSU maintains partnerships with over 70 externship sites throughout South Florida, including hospitals, addiction treatment centers, schools, homeless shelters, equine therapy programs, and private practices.² That breadth means you can tailor your clinical placements to your concentration and career goals rather than settling for whatever site happens to have openings.

The South Florida site network is a meaningful advantage. The region's demographic diversity and density of healthcare systems give students exposure to a wide range of presenting issues, populations, and interdisciplinary team structures, all of which translate directly into stronger clinical competence at licensure. For a broader look at where the degree can take you, see our overview of MFT career paths.

How Doctoral Curricula Differ

NSU's two doctoral tracks build on the master's-level foundation but diverge in purpose and structure:

• Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy (81 to 114 credits): A research doctorate requiring a traditional dissertation. Coursework emphasizes advanced research methodology, teaching competencies, and clinical supervision skills. It is designed for students who want to contribute to the MFT knowledge base through scholarship and who may pursue academic or leadership positions.²
• D.M.F.T., Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (75 to 108 credits): A professional doctorate culminating in an applied scholarly project rather than a dissertation. The curriculum focuses on advanced clinical practice, program development, and leadership within clinical organizations. It is the better fit for experienced clinicians who want doctoral-level credentials without pivoting to a research career.³

Both doctoral programs require a master's degree in a clinical field for admission, and both include coursework in supervision that qualifies graduates to train the next generation of therapists. The credit ranges reflect how many master's-level courses transfer in, so applicants with an NSU M.S. or a closely aligned degree from another COAMFTE-accredited program will typically land at the lower end of the range.

Admissions Requirements and Deadlines

Getting into Nova Southeastern University's MFT programs requires careful preparation, and the expectations vary depending on the degree level. Below is a breakdown of what you need to gather before you apply.

Required Application Materials

Regardless of which MFT degree you are pursuing at NSU, plan on submitting the following:

• Official transcripts: All previous undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be submitted electronically to NSU's graduate admissions office.¹ International applicants need a credential evaluation from a NACES-approved agency.²
• Statement of purpose: A personal essay outlining your interest in marriage and family therapy, relevant experience, and professional goals.
• Letters of recommendation: The M.S. program requires two to three letters, while the Ph.D. program requires three.³ Choose recommenders who can speak to your academic ability and, for doctoral applicants, your clinical readiness.
• Resume or CV: Highlight any counseling, social services, or behavioral health experience.
• Application fee: The M.S. application carries a $50 fee.¹
• English proficiency scores (if applicable): International students must meet minimum thresholds, such as a TOEFL iBT of 79, IELTS of 6.0, PTE of 54, or Duolingo of 105.²

GPA Expectations and GRE Policy

NSU lists a minimum GPA of 2.5 for the M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy.⁴ That floor is relatively accessible, but competitive admits tend to present GPAs well above 3.0, especially for the doctoral programs. If your GPA falls near the minimum, a strong statement of purpose and meaningful clinical or volunteer experience can strengthen your file.

Regarding the GRE, many COAMFTE-accredited programs dropped or made the exam optional following COVID-era policy changes. NSU's published M.S. admissions materials do not currently list the GRE as a requirement. Doctoral applicants should verify directly with the Department of Family Therapy, as Ph.D. programs sometimes maintain separate expectations. Confirming this detail early in your application timeline prevents last-minute surprises.

Application Deadlines

NSU operates on a rolling admissions model for the M.S. program, with priority deadlines falling in April, July, and December.⁴ Applying by the priority date is strongly recommended because rolling does not mean unlimited: once a cohort fills, waitlisted applicants are pushed to the next cycle. Doctoral programs may follow a more structured deadline, so check the current academic calendar for the Ph.D. and D.M.F.T. well in advance.

Differences Between M.S., Ph.D., and D.M.F.T. Admissions

Doctoral applicants face a higher bar. Both the Ph.D. and D.M.F.T. expect a completed master's degree, preferably in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field. Clinical experience, whether through supervised practicum hours or post-licensure practice, is typically preferred. The Ph.D. track leans more heavily on research interests, so expect to discuss your research goals in your personal statement and during any interviews. The D.M.F.T. is positioned for experienced clinicians who want an advanced practice credential, meaning your professional background carries significant weight in the evaluation. Clinicians considering the D.M.F.T. may also want to explore a post-master's certificate in marriage and family therapy to compare credential options before committing to a full doctoral program.

Online and Flexible Learning Options

One of the most common questions prospective students ask is whether Nova Southeastern University offers a fully online MFT program. The short answer: NSU's marriage and family therapy degrees are not delivered in a fully online format. The M.S. and doctoral programs are primarily on-campus, housed at the Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus, with some coursework components available through distance technology. If you are searching for a program you can complete entirely from your home computer, NSU is not that program, and very few COAMFTE-accredited options are.

Why Fully Online COAMFTE Programs Are Rare

COAMFTE accreditation standards require students to accumulate substantial direct client contact hours under approved supervision. These clinical practicum and internship experiences demand face-to-face therapeutic work with individuals, couples, and families in real clinical settings. No amount of online coursework can substitute for sitting across from a client. Even programs that market themselves as "online" still require students to secure local practicum placements and attend periodic on-campus intensives. Prospective students should approach any program advertising a completely remote MFT degree with healthy skepticism and verify the specifics directly.

How NSU Accommodates Working Professionals

Although NSU's MFT programs are campus-based, the department does build in scheduling features that help students who are balancing work or family responsibilities:

• Evening and weekend classes: Many core courses are scheduled outside traditional business hours, making it possible to hold a daytime job while progressing through the program.
• Part-time enrollment: The M.S. program allows part-time pacing, extending the timeline but reducing the per-semester course load.
• On-site clinical training: NSU operates its own Brief Therapy Institute and community clinics, which means students can often complete practicum hours at campus-affiliated sites rather than scrambling to find external placements.

Setting Realistic Expectations

If geographic flexibility is your top priority, a small number of COAMFTE accredited MFT programs nationwide do offer hybrid models with limited residency requirements. These programs still mandate local, in-person clinical hours wherever you live. NSU's model trades that flexibility for a more integrated, on-site training experience where faculty supervision and clinical work happen in a single ecosystem. For students who can relocate to or already live in the South Florida area, this structure tends to produce a more cohesive training experience than piecing together remote coursework with independently arranged practicum sites.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Career Outcomes and Licensure Pathways

Earning your degree from NSU's COAMFTE-accredited MFT program positions you well for licensure, but the path from graduation to a fully independent practice requires additional steps, time, and honest financial planning.

Florida LMFT Licensure Requirements

Florida requires all Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) candidates to complete the following after earning a qualifying graduate degree:¹

• Post-degree supervised experience: A minimum of 1,500 clinical hours accumulated over at least two years, conducted under a Florida-qualified LMFT supervisor who holds at least five years of licensed experience.
• National licensing exam: Passage of the AMFTRB National MFT Examination, which tests core competencies across systemic therapy, ethics, and clinical practice.
• Additional training: Completion of a state-mandated course in the Prevention of Medical Errors.

Because NSU's curriculum is designed around COAMFTE standards, graduates enter the post-degree phase with the foundational clinical training and practicum hours that align directly with what Florida's licensing board expects. For a broader look at the full process, see our guide to becoming an MFT.

Licensure Pass Rates

COAMFTE requires accredited programs to track and publicly report student achievement data, including exam pass rates, as part of annual reporting.² The commission's benchmark sits at 70 percent.² However, NSU's Department of Family Therapy has not made its program-specific MFT exam pass rate data readily accessible online as of early 2026. This is a notable content gap for prospective students. If you are evaluating NSU against peer programs, request the most recent annual report directly from the department. Research has shown that graduates of COAMFTE-accredited programs tend to perform well on national and state MFT licensing exams, but program-level numbers matter and you deserve to see them before committing.³

Salary Context and ROI

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median salary for marriage and family therapists in the range of roughly $56,000 to $60,000, with Florida salaries tracking close to or slightly below that median. South Florida's elevated cost of living, particularly in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami metro areas where many NSU graduates settle, compresses the practical value of those earnings.

Given that NSU's master's program can cost in the range discussed earlier in this article, graduates should realistically plan on several years of full-time LMFT-level work to recoup their educational investment. Therapists who move into group practice ownership, specialized niches such as trauma or couples intensives, or supervisory roles can accelerate that timeline. Those who remain in agency settings at entry-level salaries may find the payback period stretches longer. Financial aid, scholarships, and whether you carry other debt all factor into this equation.

Portability to Other States

One of the clearest advantages of holding a degree from a COAMFTE-accredited program is interstate portability. Most state licensing boards either require or strongly prefer graduation from a COAMFTE-accredited institution, and NSU's accreditation satisfies that threshold across the vast majority of jurisdictions. That said, friction points do exist: some states require additional coursework hours beyond NSU's credit total, mandate different supervised-experience structures, or impose their own state-specific exams alongside the AMFTRB national exam. Before relocating, consult the AMFTRB state licensure comparison resources and contact the target state's regulatory board to confirm any supplemental requirements.

The bottom line: NSU's COAMFTE accreditation gives you a strong, portable credential. Pair that with realistic salary expectations and a deliberate plan for your post-degree supervision period, and the career trajectory is well within reach.

How NSU Compares to Other COAMFTE-Accredited MFT Programs

Choosing a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program involves weighing cost, format, specialization depth, and how well a school fits your professional goals. The comparison below places NSU's master's-level offering alongside two realistic archetypes: a lower-cost public university program and a higher-brand private university program. No specific schools are named, but the figures reflect actual ranges found across accredited programs nationally.¹

Side-by-Side Comparison

• Estimated total cost: A typical public university MFT program runs around $18,000 (roughly $300 per credit for 60 credits). NSU's M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy falls in the mid-range for private institutions. A higher-brand private program can reach $81,000 to $89,000 for 60 to 66 credits at approximately $1,350 per credit.
• Delivery format: Most public programs are on-campus only, as are many elite private programs. NSU offers both on-campus and hybrid or online-friendly options, a significant advantage for working adults or students outside South Florida.
• COAMFTE accreditation level: All three archetypes hold COAMFTE accreditation at the master's level, which satisfies licensure requirements in every U.S. state. NSU also offers COAMFTE-accredited doctoral options, something neither archetype consistently provides.
• Credit hours: Public programs typically require 60 credits. Higher-brand private programs range from 60 to 66 credits. NSU's master's program aligns within a similar range, keeping time to degree competitive.
• Specialization options: Public programs often offer zero to one formal specialization track. Higher-brand private programs may offer three to five. NSU provides multiple concentration areas and elective pathways, giving students more room to tailor their clinical focus without paying elite-tier tuition.
• Program duration: All three options generally take 24 to 36 months to complete, depending on enrollment pace.

Who Each Option Serves Best

A public university program is the right call if minimizing tuition is your top priority and you can attend classes on campus full time. You will graduate with strong foundational training, but fewer options for clinical specialization.

A higher-brand private program makes sense when name recognition, alumni networks, or a very specific research niche justifies a total investment that can exceed $80,000. These programs often come with robust funding packages for select applicants, so the sticker price is not always the final cost. Before committing at either price point, it is worth reviewing an MFT degree cost-benefit analysis to ensure your expected salary supports the investment.

NSU occupies the practical middle ground. It pairs COAMFTE accreditation with flexible delivery, multiple degree levels, and enough specialization depth to let you differentiate yourself clinically. For students who need scheduling flexibility or access to doctoral pathways within the same institution, NSU offers a combination that is difficult to replicate at either end of the cost spectrum.

Should You Apply to NSU's MFT Program?

Nova Southeastern is a strong choice for students committed to marriage and family therapy in South Florida, but it is not the right fit for everyone. Use the guidance below to decide whether NSU deserves a spot on your shortlist or whether a different COAMFTE-accredited program better matches your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions About NSU's MFT Program

Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about Nova Southeastern University's marriage and family therapy offerings. For additional details on cost, format, or admissions, explore the relevant sections above or visit marriagefamilytherapist.org for side-by-side program comparisons.

Is Nova Southeastern University COAMFTE accredited for MFT?

Yes. Nova Southeastern holds COAMFTE accreditation for its M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, its Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy, and its Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (D.M.F.T.) program. COAMFTE accreditation is the gold standard in the field and is recognized by most state licensing boards, which can simplify your path to LMFT licensure.

How much does the NSU MFT program cost in total?

Total cost varies by degree level. The M.S. program runs roughly $45,000 to $55,000 depending on credit load and fees. The Ph.D. and D.M.F.T. programs cost considerably more because of additional credit requirements and longer timelines. Financial aid, graduate assistantships, and scholarships can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Check NSU's tuition schedule each year, as rates are subject to change.

Does Nova Southeastern offer an online MFT program?

NSU's MFT programs are primarily delivered in a hybrid or on-campus format through the Fort Lauderdale campus. Some coursework may incorporate online components, but COAMFTE-accredited programs require in-person clinical practicum and supervised hours. Students should plan on completing substantial face-to-face training regardless of any online coursework options.

What are the admissions requirements for NSU's marriage and family therapy program?

Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree with a competitive GPA (typically 3.0 or above), official transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and a current resume. The GRE is not required for the master's program. Doctoral applicants may have additional prerequisites, such as a master's degree in a related field. Deadlines vary by program, so verify current dates with NSU's admissions office.

How long does it take to complete the MFT program at Nova Southeastern?

The M.S. program typically takes two to three years of full-time study, including practicum hours. The Ph.D. program generally requires four to five years beyond the master's degree. The D.M.F.T. is designed for working professionals and may take three to four years. Part-time enrollment can extend these timelines.

What is the difference between the M.S., Ph.D., and D.M.F.T. at NSU?

The M.S. is the entry-level clinical degree that prepares graduates for LMFT licensure. The Ph.D. is a research-oriented doctoral program suited for those pursuing academic, research, or advanced clinical careers. The D.M.F.T. is a practice-focused doctoral degree designed for licensed clinicians who want to deepen clinical expertise and take on leadership roles without a heavy research dissertation requirement.

Does the NSU MFT degree qualify you for LMFT licensure in other states besides Florida?

Because NSU's programs are COAMFTE accredited, the degree is widely recognized and meets educational requirements in most U.S. states. However, each state sets its own supervised-hours thresholds, exam requirements, and application procedures. Before enrolling, review the specific licensure requirements in the state where you plan to practice. Resources on marriagefamilytherapist.org can help you compare state-by-state requirements quickly.