© Copyright 2025 MarriageFamilyTherapist.org
A detailed look at Seton Hall's Marriage and Family Therapy degree — accreditation, costs, curriculum, and career outcomes compared.
New Jersey has only a handful of COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs, and Seton Hall University's M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy is one of them. Housed within a private Catholic university in South Orange, the program is delivered entirely on campus and builds its curriculum around the supervised clinical hours and systemic therapy training required for LMFT licensure in the state. For a full list of options in the region, see our guide to accredited marriage and family therapy programs NJ.
For prospective students, the practical tension is straightforward: Seton Hall carries private-university tuition in a field where early-career salaries often sit in the mid-$50,000s. That gap between upfront cost and initial earning power makes accreditation quality, clinical placement pipelines, and time to licensure the factors that matter most when evaluating whether this program fits your situation.
Before diving into the details, here are the essential facts about Seton Hall University's M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy. Save this snapshot for quick reference as you compare programs.
The short answer is yes, and the most important reason is its accreditation. Seton Hall's M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy holds full accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), the gold-standard credential for MFT programs in the United States.1 COAMFTE accreditation matters because it signals that the curriculum, clinical training hours, and faculty qualifications meet rigorous national benchmarks. Graduates of COAMFTE-accredited programs typically enjoy smoother licensure portability across states and stronger recognition from employers, insurance panels, and credentialing bodies. In New Jersey, where only a handful of programs carry this distinction, Seton Hall's accreditation gives it a meaningful edge.
This program is designed for students who want a clinically focused, systemically oriented MFT degree in the heart of the NYC and northern New Jersey metro area. If you value small cohort sizes, close faculty mentorship, and the resources of a Catholic university tradition that emphasizes service and ethical practice, Seton Hall deserves a hard look. It is also a natural choice for anyone whose primary goal is New Jersey LMFT licensure, since the degree is built to satisfy the state's educational and supervised-experience requirements.1
Students at Seton Hall tend to report engagement levels that exceed those at peer institutions, which speaks to the program's hands-on, relational training culture.2 If you thrive in a tight-knit academic community rather than a large, impersonal lecture hall, this environment will likely suit you.
No program is perfect, and Seton Hall has trade-offs you should weigh carefully.
You should explore other options if any of the following apply to your situation:
If none of those apply and you want a respected, accredited MFT education with strong clinical training in one of the most dynamic metro areas in the country, Seton Hall belongs on your short list. For a sense of how other COAMFTE-accredited private programs compare, you can review the Drexel University MFT program, which shares a similar Northeast metro setting and private-university cost structure.
Understanding the full cost of Seton Hall's M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy is essential before you commit. As a private Catholic university, Seton Hall charges the same tuition rate regardless of where you live, which eliminates the in-state versus out-of-state guesswork but also means New Jersey residents do not receive a discounted rate.
For the 2025, 2026 academic year, graduate tuition in the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media is approximately $1,570 per credit.1 The M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy requires 60 credits, which puts base tuition near $94,200. On top of that, full-time students should expect mandatory university fees of roughly $735 per semester.1 Over a typical three-year, six-semester timeline, those fees add approximately $4,410, bringing the realistic total cost of attendance to around $98,600 before books, materials, liability insurance, or personal living expenses.
That figure is notably higher than what you would pay at most public universities offering COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs. If cost is your primary concern, it is worth comparing Seton Hall's sticker price against state university alternatives in the region.
Publicly available sources do not list MFT-specific scholarships or tuition remission for this program as of early 2026.2 That does not mean funding is nonexistent, but prospective students should contact the department directly to ask about any assistantship opportunities, merit awards, or Catholic-affiliated scholarships that may offset costs. More broadly, Seton Hall students can pursue the following:
Licensed marriage and family therapists in New Jersey typically earn in the range of $55,000 to $80,000 in the early years of practice, with experienced clinicians and those in private practice often surpassing that range. Measured against a total program cost approaching $100,000, the return on investment demands careful planning. If you can secure assistantship funding, employer reimbursement, or scholarship support, the math becomes considerably more favorable. Without meaningful financial aid, expect to carry a substantial loan balance into your early career, so budgeting for manageable monthly payments on an entry-level LMFT salary is a conversation worth having before you enroll.
The bottom line: Seton Hall's tuition reflects its private-university positioning and COAMFTE-accredited clinical training model. The program can be a sound investment for students who leverage available aid and enter the strong New Jersey therapy market, but it requires honest financial planning up front.
Understanding the full cost of a graduate program means looking beyond tuition alone. Below is an estimated breakdown of the major expenses you can expect across the Seton Hall MFT master's program, giving you one concrete number to plan around.
Seton Hall's Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy curriculum is designed to satisfy New Jersey's educational requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist.1 That alignment matters: it means the coursework, clinical training, and supervised hours are structured so graduates can move directly into the state licensing process without needing to fill gaps after commencement. Below is a practical overview of what the curriculum covers and how to research it in detail on your own.
Like all COAMFTE-accredited programs, Seton Hall's MFT curriculum covers foundational areas mandated by the Commission: systems theory, family development, psychopathology, ethics, diversity, research methods, and evidence-based therapeutic models. Students also complete supervised clinical hours through practicum and internship placements, which form the backbone of hands-on training.
The program does not currently offer formal concentrations or specialized tracks (such as child and adolescent therapy, sex therapy, or medical family therapy). Instead, the curriculum follows a generalist MFT model. This can be a strength for students who want broad preparation, though those interested in working with younger populations may want to explore how to become a child and adolescent therapist and evaluate whether elective options or internship site variety can fill that gap.
Because curricula can shift from year to year, you should consult primary sources rather than relying solely on third-party summaries. Here is where to look:
Seton Hall partners with clinical sites across New Jersey for student placements. The specific sites available to you may change each academic year, so contact the program's clinical coordinator directly for the most current list. Ask about the types of populations served (couples, families, children, individuals), the therapeutic modalities used at each site, and how many supervised hours you can expect to accumulate before graduation.
If you are comparing Seton Hall's curriculum to other COAMFTE-accredited programs, focus on total clinical hours required, the ratio of direct client contact to observation, and whether the program's internship network aligns with the populations or settings you eventually want to serve. These practical details often matter more than a program's course titles alone.
Seton Hall's MFT program uses a rolling admissions process, which gives you some flexibility in when you apply.1 That said, understanding every requirement in advance will help you assemble the strongest application possible.
The program asks for a well-rounded application package. You will need to submit the following:
Seton Hall does not require the GRE or any other standardized exam for admission to the MFT program.2 This removes a common barrier for applicants who may have been away from school for some time or who prefer to be evaluated on their academic record and professional experience rather than a single test score.
There are no prerequisite courses required before enrolling.2 You do not need to have completed specific undergraduate classes in psychology, statistics, or human development to be eligible. This makes the program accessible to career changers and applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds, not just those with undergraduate degrees in behavioral sciences.
Admissions operate on a rolling basis for fall entry, with a final deadline of May 1 for the upcoming fall cohort.1 Because spots are filled as qualified applicants are accepted, applying earlier in the cycle improves your chances. If you are still gathering materials, you can submit later in the window, but do not wait until the last moment if you want the best chance at a seat.
Seton Hall may invite applicants for an admissions interview as part of the evaluation process. Interviews are conducted upon request or at the discretion of the admissions committee, so not every applicant will be asked to complete one.2 If you are invited, treat it as an opportunity to demonstrate your interpersonal skills, your understanding of systemic therapy, and your commitment to the profession. Many COAMFTE-accredited online MFT programs use interviews to assess qualities that transcripts alone cannot capture, such as self-awareness, empathy, and readiness for clinical training.
Preparing your materials early and submitting a polished, complete application will put you in the strongest position, whether or not you are ultimately asked to interview.
One of the most common questions prospective students ask is whether Seton Hall offers its MFT program online. The short answer: no. Seton Hall's Marriage and Family Therapy program is delivered on campus, and there is no fully online or hybrid degree option available as of 2026.
This is not unique to Seton Hall. Most COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs operate primarily or entirely in person, and there is a practical reason for that. COAMFTE accreditation standards require extensive direct-client contact hours, live clinical supervision, and real-time faculty observation of therapeutic skills. These requirements make a fully online format extremely difficult to implement while maintaining accreditation standards.
COAMFTE does have a distance-education policy that allows some coursework to be delivered remotely, but programs must demonstrate that clinical training, supervision, and competency evaluation remain rigorous. As a result, only a handful of COAMFTE-accredited programs nationwide offer a meaningful online component, and even those typically require on-site residencies or in-person practicum placements. If online delivery is essential to your plans, you can explore programs on our list of accredited online MFT programs.
While the program is campus-based, Seton Hall does build in scheduling accommodations that help working adults manage their coursework alongside other responsibilities.
Seton Hall's main campus is located in South Orange, New Jersey, a suburban community with direct access to New York City via NJ Transit's Midtown Direct train line. The South Orange train station is within walking distance of campus, making the commute manageable for students traveling from northern New Jersey or the greater NYC metro area. On-campus parking is also available for those who drive.
If a fully online MFT program is a non-negotiable requirement for you, Seton Hall will not be the right fit. However, for students who can physically get to the South Orange campus on a regular basis, the scheduling options and transit accessibility make balancing life and graduate school more realistic than you might expect.
Earning your master's degree from Seton Hall is a significant milestone, but it is only one piece of the licensure puzzle. Understanding the full path from graduation to independent practice will help you plan your timeline and budget realistically.
New Jersey requires the following sequence before you can practice as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist:1
Expect the full timeline from enrollment to independent licensure to span roughly five to six years when you combine two to three years of graduate study with three years of post-degree supervision. For a broader look at this process nationwide, see our guide to becoming an MFT.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median annual wage for marriage and family therapists (SOC 21-1013) in the range of approximately $56,000 to $60,000, though figures can shift with each annual data release. Early-career therapists working in community mental health or agency settings in New Jersey often start somewhat below the national median, while mid-career clinicians, especially those in private practice or specialized hospital roles, can earn well above it. The New York and northern New Jersey metropolitan area tends to command higher wages than rural parts of the state.
Common career settings for Seton Hall MFT graduates include private practice, community mental health centers, hospital-based behavioral health units, school-based counseling programs, and substance abuse treatment facilities. Our overview of marriage and family therapy career outlook breaks down these paths in greater detail.
One practical advantage of graduating from a COAMFTE-accredited program is smoother credential transfer. New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut all accept COAMFTE-accredited degrees for their respective LMFT licenses.2 That said, each state sets its own supervised-hours thresholds, exam requirements, and application procedures. If you plan to practice outside New Jersey, review your target state's board requirements early so you can structure your supervision hours accordingly.
Given that licensed MFTs in the greater New Jersey region can expect solid demand, particularly in underserved communities and integrated healthcare settings, the return on a Seton Hall degree is reasonable for graduates who complete licensure and build a caseload. The key is moving through the supervised-hours phase efficiently and positioning yourself in a market (private practice, specialized populations, or higher-paying clinical environments) where earning potential offsets graduate tuition costs over time.
Choosing between COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs means weighing cost, format, outcomes, and regional fit. Rather than relying on a single ranking, use multiple public data sources to build a clear picture of how Seton Hall stacks up against alternatives.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) publishes national and state-level salary data for marriage and family therapists, along with ten-year employment projections. Compare those figures against any program-specific outcomes Seton Hall reports in its student handbook or on its department website. Seton Hall's overall employment rate sits at 97 percent across its graduate programs, and mid-career alumni earn roughly 50 percent more than peers who hold only an undergraduate degree.1 Those university-wide numbers are encouraging, but you should ask the MFT department directly for discipline-specific placement data. For a broader look at where the field is heading, review marriage and family therapist job outlook projections alongside program-level metrics.
The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) maintains a directory of every accredited program and may publish aggregate enrollment or completion statistics. For school-level detail, contact each program's admissions or institutional research office and request retention, graduation, and licensure-exam pass rates. Seton Hall reports an 81 percent first-year retention rate and a 72 percent six-year graduation rate at the university level, numbers that suggest a strong support infrastructure, though graduate-program metrics can differ from undergraduate figures.
Numbers only tell part of the story. Search LinkedIn for Seton Hall MFT alumni to see where they land after graduation, and review any professional-association surveys published by AAMFT. Even more useful: reach out to clinical directors at community mental health centers, private practices, or hospital systems in New Jersey and ask how they view graduates from different programs. Program directors should also be willing to share placement statistics when you request them.
MFT skills intersect with related fields like clinical social work, mental health counseling, and substance abuse counseling. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator lets you look up programs by classification code so you can see how MFT curricula compare to neighboring disciplines. Cross-referencing those codes with BLS occupational data reveals how salary ranges shift depending on the credential you earn and the setting you practice in. If cost is a deciding factor, comparing Seton Hall's tuition against cheapest MFT programs nationwide can sharpen your budget analysis. If you are weighing Seton Hall's MFT track against its counseling programs, this kind of cross-comparison clarifies which degree opens the doors you actually want to walk through.
Taken together, these steps give you a research-backed framework for deciding whether Seton Hall's MFT program offers the right combination of cost, outcomes, and regional reputation for your career goals.
Choosing the right MFT program means weighing accreditation, cost, format, and career goals against your personal circumstances. Here is a straightforward breakdown to help you decide whether Seton Hall belongs on your shortlist.
Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about the marriage and family therapy program at Seton Hall University. If you need specifics beyond what is covered here, marriagefamilytherapist.org maintains updated program profiles to help you compare options.
