New Hampshire has very few COAMFTE-accredited marriage and family therapy programs, and the Master of Science offered through UNH's Department of Human Development and Family Studies has long been the state's flagship option. The 72-credit, on-campus degree is built around intensive clinical training, small cohorts, and a curriculum aligned with LMFT licensure requirements in New Hampshire and most other states.

Prospective applicants should know that UNH paused admissions to this program for the 2025 to 2026 cycle. Whether the pause extends further remains unclear, making it essential to verify enrollment status directly with the department before planning your application timeline.

For students who can relocate to Durham and commit to a rigorous two-year sequence, UNH's accreditation and clinical infrastructure carry real weight in a state where licensed MFT positions consistently outnumber qualified candidates.

UNH MFT Program Quick Facts

The snapshot below captures the essentials of the University of New Hampshire's Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. Note that admissions were paused for the 2025-2026 cycle; prospective applicants should confirm directly with UNH whether the program is accepting new cohorts before preparing materials.

Is UNH a Good MFT Program?

The M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies: Marriage and Family Therapy at UNH is built for a specific kind of student. If you thrive in small, tightly knit cohorts where you know every classmate and faculty member by name, and you want hands-on clinical work from early in the program, this is a strong fit. It is not the right choice for everyone, though, and understanding both the program's advantages and its limitations will save you time and money.

Who This Program Serves Best

The ideal candidate is someone who wants an immersive, on-campus clinical training experience in New England. You should be comfortable relocating to or living near Durham, New Hampshire, and ready to commit to a rigorous 72-credit curriculum that goes well beyond what many master's programs require.¹ Students who get the most out of UNH's program value direct, supervised client contact through the university's own Marriage and Family Therapy Center, a teaching clinic where trainees see real couples and families under faculty supervision from an early stage.

Key Strengths

• COAMFTE accreditation: UNH holds one of very few COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs in New England, which simplifies the path to licensure in New Hampshire and most other states.
• Integrated clinical training: The on-campus MFT Center gives students a built-in practicum site, reducing the scramble to secure outside placements during the first phase of clinical hours.
• Faculty expertise: Program faculty specialize in systemic therapy models, aligning coursework directly with the theoretical foundation that licensure boards expect.
• NH licensure alignment: The curriculum is designed to meet New Hampshire LMFT requirements, minimizing gaps between graduation and eligibility for the licensing exam.

Honest Drawbacks

No program is perfect, and UNH has real limitations to weigh. The 72-credit requirement means more semesters in the classroom and a higher total cost than programs that require only 48 to 60 credits. There is no online or hybrid option, so the program is inaccessible to working adults who cannot attend in person. New Hampshire's job market for MFTs is relatively small, so many graduates end up practicing in neighboring states like Massachusetts or Vermont. Most importantly, admissions were paused for the 2025 to 2026 academic year.¹ As of spring 2026, applicants should verify directly with the Department of Human Development and Family Studies whether the program has reopened for the 2026 to 2027 cycle, because an extended pause would affect timelines significantly.

When to Consider Alternatives

Look elsewhere if any of the following apply to you:

• You need to begin coursework immediately and cannot wait for UNH to confirm whether admissions have resumed.
• You require an online or hybrid format because of work, family, or geographic constraints.
• You want a shorter, lower-cost path to licensure eligibility through a 48- to 60-credit program.
• You are targeting a job market outside New England and would benefit from a program with stronger regional connections in your preferred area.

If none of those factors are dealbreakers, UNH remains one of the most clinically intensive MFT training environments in the northeastern United States. Prospective students exploring other New England options may also want to review the Antioch University New England MFT program, which offers a contrasting format. Regardless, UNH's COAMFTE accreditation carries weight with licensing boards nationwide.

Program Cost and Tuition at UNH

Tuition is one of the first questions prospective MFT students ask, and UNH's pricing structure deserves careful attention. Because the MFT program requires roughly 72 credit hours, even small per-credit differences add up fast. Below is what we know based on published UNH graduate rates for the 2025, 2026 academic year, along with important caveats about fees and regional discounts.

Per-Credit Rates and Estimated Total Cost

UNH publishes separate graduate tuition schedules for in-state, out-of-state, and online students. For the 2025-2026 cycle, on-campus online graduate programs through UNH's College of Professional Studies list tuition at $640 per credit hour.¹ The MFT program, however, sits within the College of Health and Human Services and is delivered on campus, so its per-credit rate may differ from the online figure. UNH's on-campus graduate tuition historically varies by college and residency status, and exact per-credit costs for MFT students are not broken out on a single public page.

As a rough planning frame:

• In-state estimate: If on-campus graduate tuition falls in the range commonly posted for UNH resident students, a 72-credit program could land somewhere between $50,000 and $65,000 in tuition alone before fees.
• Out-of-state estimate: Non-resident rates at UNH are substantially higher, often roughly double the in-state figure, which could push total tuition well above $90,000.
• Mandatory fees: UNH charges per-semester student fees and technology fees that scale with credit load. For a student enrolled in 9 to 16 credits per term, these fees run approximately $1,249 combined per semester.² Over the course of a multi-year program, that adds several thousand dollars to the total bill.

Because program-specific tuition tables for the MFT degree are not always published in a single location, prospective applicants should contact the UNH Graduate School or the Department of Human Development and Family Studies directly to confirm the exact per-credit rate for their residency category.

New England Regional Student Program (NEBHE)

Students from other New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont) may qualify for reduced tuition through the New England Board of Higher Education's regional student program. Under NEBHE, eligible students pay a discounted rate that typically falls between in-state and full out-of-state tuition. Because COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs are relatively rare across New England, UNH's program has historically qualified for this benefit. If you live in a neighboring state, confirming current NEBHE eligibility with UNH admissions is a smart first step, as it can save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the degree. Students in Connecticut, for example, may also want to compare costs with the CCSU marriage and family therapy program before committing.

Funding Opportunities

UNH's Graduate School offers several avenues to offset costs:

• Graduate assistantships: Teaching and research assistantships are available across UNH departments. These positions typically include a tuition waiver (full or partial) plus a modest stipend. MFT students should inquire early, as positions are competitive and often awarded before orientation.
• Federal financial aid: As an accredited university, UNH participates in federal student aid programs. Eligible students can access Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans.
• Departmental and university scholarships: UNH periodically offers merit-based awards through the Graduate School and individual colleges. MFT-specific scholarship availability can vary year to year, so checking with the department each admissions cycle is advisable.

Cost Trajectory

Like most public research universities, UNH has generally adjusted graduate tuition upward in modest annual increments. No dramatic single-year increase has been publicly announced for the near term, but students entering a program that spans two to three years should budget for annual tuition adjustments, typically in the range of a few percentage points. Locking in a clear picture of expected costs before you commit, including whether assistantship funding is realistic for your profile, is one of the most important steps you can take during the application process.

UNH MFT Tuition: In-State vs. Out-of-State vs. NEBHE

UNH's 72-credit Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy carries meaningfully different price tags depending on your residency status. New Hampshire residents benefit from the lowest rate, while students from other New England states can access a discounted NEBHE (New England Board of Higher Education) regional tuition. Nationally, total tuition for COAMFTE-accredited master's programs typically falls between $40,000 and $90,000, placing UNH's in-state cost at the affordable end of that range.

Curriculum, Clinical Training, and Specializations

UNH's 72-credit M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies: Marriage and Family Therapy is designed as an intensive, two-year program (including two summers) that covers every content area required by COAMFTE.¹ The credit breakdown reflects a curriculum weighted heavily toward both clinical skill-building and applied practice, ensuring graduates are prepared to meet New Hampshire licensure standards from day one.

How the 72 Credits Break Down

The curriculum is structured across three main components:

• MFT-specific coursework (35 to 36 credits): Courses in systemic and relational theories, couple and family therapy models, human development across the lifespan, diversity and social justice in therapeutic practice, and professional identity and ethics.¹
• Core coursework (12 credits): Research methods, foundational human development theory, and interdisciplinary content that situates MFT within the broader behavioral sciences.
• Practicum and internship (24 credits): Direct clinical training that spans multiple semesters and forms the backbone of hands-on experience.
• Electives (3 to 4 credits): A small window for students to tailor coursework to personal interests.

The program culminates in a capstone requirement: an integrative paper and video presentation in which students articulate their personal theory of change, synthesizing the clinical and academic learning from across the degree.¹

Clinical Training and the MFT Center

Students must accumulate a minimum of 500 clinical contact hours before graduating, a threshold that aligns with COAMFTE standards and positions graduates to pursue licensure without needing additional post-degree supervised experience in many states.²

The on-campus MFT Center is where most students begin seeing clients, typically in their first year. The center serves as a community resource, offering low-cost therapy to individuals, couples, and families in the Durham area. For students, it functions as a closely supervised training environment. Sessions are observed through one-way mirrors and reviewed via video, and each student receives weekly individual and group supervision from program faculty.² This model allows faculty to give real-time feedback, which accelerates clinical development in a way that off-site placements alone cannot.

As students advance, they may also complete hours at approved external sites, broadening their exposure to different populations, treatment settings, and presenting concerns. The combination of in-house and external training creates a well-rounded clinical foundation.

Specialization Options

UNH's MFT program is generalist in focus. There are no formal concentration tracks in areas like medical family therapy, child and adolescent therapist career path, or trauma. This is not unusual for a COAMFTE-accredited master's program of this size, and the generalist approach has a practical advantage: it prepares graduates to work across a range of client populations and settings rather than narrowing career options before licensure. The 3 to 4 elective credits do offer a small degree of customization, allowing students to explore a specific interest area, but anyone seeking a deeply specialized curriculum should weigh this against best online MFT programs that offer designated tracks.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Admissions Requirements and the 2025–2026 Pause

Understanding what UNH typically expects from applicants is important, but equally critical right now is knowing that the program paused admissions for the 2025, 2026 cycle. Below is what you need to know on both fronts.

Standard Admissions Requirements

When the program is actively enrolling, applicants generally need to meet the following criteria:

• Bachelor's degree: A completed undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of approximately 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Personal statement: A written essay explaining your interest in marriage and family therapy, relevant life or professional experiences, and how the UNH program aligns with your goals.
• Letters of recommendation: Typically three letters from academic or professional references who can speak to your readiness for graduate-level clinical training.
• Resume or CV: A current document highlighting relevant work, volunteer, or research experience in mental health or related fields.
• GRE policy: UNH's MFT program has not traditionally required the GRE for admission. Applicants should verify the latest policy directly with the department, as requirements can shift between admissions cycles.
• Prerequisite coursework: While no rigid set of prerequisite courses has been publicized, a background in psychology, human development, or a related social science is strongly preferred.

Historically, the application deadline has fallen in early spring for a fall start, though exact dates vary. Admissions decisions are typically communicated within a few weeks of the deadline.

The 2025, 2026 Admissions Pause

UNH announced a pause in admissions to its MFT program for the 2025, 2026 academic year. Admissions pauses at COAMFTE-accredited programs are not unprecedented. They can stem from faculty transitions, curriculum restructuring, or internal program reviews. UNH has not provided extensive public detail about the specific reasons.

For prospective students, the practical impact is straightforward: you cannot submit an application for entry during this cycle. The pause does not mean the program is closing permanently, but there is no guaranteed timeline for when new cohorts will be admitted.

What You Should Do Right Now

If UNH remains your top choice, take these steps to stay positioned for a future application:

• Check the UNH Department of Human Development and Family Studies website regularly for official announcements about when admissions will reopen.
• Contact the department directly by email or phone. Ask to be added to any mailing list or notification system so you receive updates as soon as a new application cycle is confirmed.
• Use the waiting period productively. Prepare your personal statement, secure recommendation letters, and strengthen your resume with clinical or research experience.
• Explore alternatives in the region. Antioch University New England, located in Keene, New Hampshire, offers a well-regarded master's in clinical mental health counseling with a marriage and family therapy focus. Other COAMFTE accredited MFT programs in the broader New England area may also be worth investigating if you do not want to delay your education.

A pause is not a closure. Staying proactive, keeping your materials ready, and broadening your options will put you in the strongest position regardless of when UNH reopens its doors.

Online and Flexible Learning Options

UNH's MFT Program Is Fully On-Campus

If you are searching for an online or hybrid MFT degree at the University of New Hampshire, the short answer is that one does not exist. The program is delivered entirely on campus in Durham, New Hampshire, and there is no remote coursework option. This is worth stating clearly because prospective students sometimes assume that a large state university will offer at least a partial online track. At UNH, all MFT courses, clinical practica, and supervision sessions take place in person.

Why the Program Stays In-Person

COAMFTE accreditation standards place heavy emphasis on direct clinical training, live supervision, and face-to-face contact hours. Students in the UNH program treat real clients in the on-campus clinic and at community placement sites, and faculty observe sessions in real time through one-way mirrors or live video feeds within the clinic setting. These requirements are difficult to replicate through a screen. While accreditation standards have evolved to permit some remote instruction at certain programs, UNH has chosen to keep its model fully on-site, prioritizing the depth of hands-on training that in-person delivery supports. You can learn more about what this clinical component involves in our guide on MFT clinical internship expectations.

Part-Time Feasibility

The standard timeline for UNH's MFT master's program is roughly three years of full-time study. Part-time enrollment may be possible on a case-by-case basis, but the clinical training sequence creates scheduling constraints that make stretching the program significantly longer than three years impractical for most students. Practicum placements typically require daytime availability during the week, so working adults should plan for limited outside employment during the clinical phases of the degree.

If You Need a Flexible Format

Some COAMFTE-accredited programs around the country do offer hybrid models that pair synchronous online coursework with local practicum placements near a student's home. These programs let you complete didactic requirements remotely while still meeting in-person clinical training standards. If geography, work obligations, or family responsibilities make relocating to Durham unrealistic, exploring one of these hybrid options is a practical alternative. If timeline is also a concern, consider reviewing accelerated MFT programs that compress the didactic portion while still meeting accreditation requirements.

Career Outcomes and the NH LMFT Licensure Pathway

Graduating from a COAMFTE-accredited program like UNH's is one of the most direct routes to becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in New Hampshire. The program's structure is designed to align closely with what the state licensing board expects, but licensure is not automatic upon graduation. Understanding the full timeline, from degree completion through independent practice, helps you plan realistically.

From UNH Coursework to Licensure Eligibility

New Hampshire's Board of Mental Health Practice requires LMFT applicants to hold a graduate degree from a COAMFTE-accredited program (or equivalent), complete specific coursework categories in areas like human development, family systems, psychopathology, ethics, and research, and accumulate supervised clinical contact hours.¹ UNH's 72-credit curriculum covers all required course categories, and the program's 500 hours of direct client contact during practicum satisfy the in-program clinical requirement.¹ These practicum hours count toward the broader 1,000 hours of direct client contact the state requires overall. For a complete breakdown of every step, see our guide on LMFT New Hampshire requirements.

Post-Graduation Supervised Practice

After earning your degree, New Hampshire typically requires an additional 1,000 or more hours of post-degree supervised clinical practice before you can sit for full licensure. Supervision must come from an approved supervisor, generally an AAMFT Approved Supervisor or equivalent. Depending on your caseload and employment setting, accumulating these hours usually takes one to two years of full-time post-graduate work. During this period, you practice under a conditional or associate-level license. You must also pass the AMFTRB national MFT examination, a multiple-choice licensing exam administered across most states.

UNH Program Outcomes

UNH's track record is strong by objective measures. The program reports a 97% graduation rate and a 100% pass rate on the national MFT licensing exam.¹ These figures suggest that graduates leave well prepared for the credentialing process. Specific employment placement rates are not always published on a rolling basis, so prospective students should request the latest outcomes data directly from the program or check COAMFTE's program directory.

Does the Investment Make Financial Sense?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marriage and family therapists nationally earn a median salary in the mid-$50,000s, with variation by state and setting. New England salaries tend to track slightly above the national median, particularly in metropolitan areas. New Hampshire's relatively modest cost of living compared to neighboring Massachusetts or Connecticut can stretch those earnings further.

As a public university program, UNH offers a cost advantage over private alternatives, especially for in-state residents and NEBHE participants. Still, MFT salaries are moderate compared to some other health professions, so minimizing student debt is important. If you qualify for in-state tuition or graduate assistantships, UNH's total cost positions you well to recoup your investment within a few years of practice. Students paying full out-of-state rates should weigh the total cost carefully against projected earnings and explore every available financial aid option before committing.

UNH MFT Coursework to NH Licensure: Step by Step

Earning your LMFT in New Hampshire follows a structured sequence that begins with your COAMFTE-accredited master's degree and ends with a state license. The timeline below reflects the NH-specific pathway; other states may require different supervised-hours totals or additional exams.

How UNH Compares to Other MFT Programs

Choosing a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program means weighing cost, format, clinical training quality, and how well the program positions you for licensure in your target state. UNH sits in a mid-cost range among accredited options, but its differentiators go beyond price. Below is a side-by-side look at how the program stacks up against two common archetypes you will encounter during your search.

Comparison Table

Where UNH Stands Out

Three qualities separate UNH from the broader field of accredited programs.

• Integrated MFT Center: Rather than relying solely on external placement sites, UNH operates its own Marriage and Family Therapy Center on campus. Students begin seeing clients in a supervised, controlled environment early in the program, which typically results in clinical hours that exceed the 300-hour COAMFTE minimum by a significant margin.¹
• Small cohort model: Cohorts are intentionally kept small, which translates to more individualized faculty mentorship and tighter peer learning communities. At a larger public program, you may share supervisor attention with a much bigger group.
• New Hampshire licensure pipeline: The curriculum and practicum structure align closely with New Hampshire LMFT requirements. Graduates who plan to practice in the state can move through the post-degree supervised experience and examination steps with fewer gaps to fill, compared with someone arriving from an out-of-state program unfamiliar with NH rules.

When Another Archetype Might Be the Better Fit

If affordability is your top priority and you have access to a lower-cost public COAMFTE program in your home state, the tuition savings could be substantial, potentially cutting your total investment nearly in half. For example, programs like the North Dakota State University MFT program illustrate what a public, COAMFTE-accredited option looks like at a lower price point. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a highly specialized research track (trauma-focused MFT, medical family therapy concentrations, or doctoral pathways), a selective private program such as the Northwestern MFT program may offer faculty expertise and funded research opportunities that UNH's smaller department cannot match.

For students who want a balance of rigorous clinical training, manageable cost relative to private alternatives, and a direct path to New Hampshire licensure, UNH occupies a practical middle ground that is hard to replicate elsewhere in the region.

Should You Apply to UNH's MFT Program?

UNH's MFT program is a strong clinical training option when it is actively enrolling students. The COAMFTE accreditation, integrated on-campus training clinic, and deep ties to the New England behavioral health network make it a compelling choice for the right candidate. The admissions pause is the key variable: if the program is accepting applications, it deserves serious consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions About UNH's MFT Program

Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about the University of New Hampshire MFT program. If details shift after the current admissions pause, check directly with UNH's Department of Human Development and Family Studies for the latest updates.

Is the UNH MFT program COAMFTE accredited?

Yes. The UNH Marriage and Family Therapy master's program holds COAMFTE accreditation, which is the gold standard for MFT education in the United States. COAMFTE accreditation means the curriculum, clinical training hours, and faculty qualifications meet rigorous national standards. Graduating from a COAMFTE-accredited program also streamlines the licensure process in most states, including New Hampshire.

Is UNH still accepting MFT students in 2025 and 2026?

UNH paused admissions to its MFT program for the 2025 to 2026 cycle. The university has not publicly confirmed a reopening date as of spring 2026. Prospective applicants should monitor UNH's graduate admissions page for announcements. In the meantime, Antioch University New England in Keene, NH, continues to enroll students in its COAMFTE-accredited master's and doctoral MFT programs.

How much does the UNH MFT program cost in total?

Exact totals depend on residency status and the number of semesters needed. In-state graduate tuition at UNH is significantly lower than out-of-state rates, and students from other New England states may qualify for a reduced NEBHE tuition rate. Fees, practicum-related costs, and materials add to the base tuition. Because the program is paused, UNH has not published updated per-credit figures for the next entering cohort.

How long does it take to complete the UNH MFT program?

Most full-time students complete the UNH MFT master's degree in approximately two to three years. The timeline includes coursework, a practicum sequence, and supervised clinical contact hours. Students who need additional time to finish clinical requirements or who attend part-time may take longer. The program is designed so that graduates meet the clinical hour thresholds required for New Hampshire LMFT licensure.

Does UNH offer an online MFT degree or a graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy?

UNH's MFT program is delivered on campus in Durham, NH, and does not offer a fully online degree. There is no standalone graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy at UNH. If you need a distance-friendly option in New Hampshire, Antioch University New England offers a low-residency COAMFTE-accredited MA in Couple and Family Therapy, as well as a post-master's respecialization certificate (27 to 30 credits).

What exam do UNH MFT graduates need to pass for New Hampshire LMFT licensure?

New Hampshire requires candidates for the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) credential to pass the national MFT examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). UNH's COAMFTE-accredited curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for this exam. Candidates must also complete the state's required supervised clinical hours before receiving full licensure.

Are there other COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs in New Hampshire?

Yes. Antioch University New England in Keene, NH, holds COAMFTE accreditation for both its MA in Couple and Family Therapy (accredited since 1993) and its PhD in Couple and Family Therapy (accredited since 2010). That makes New Hampshire home to two institutions with COAMFTE-accredited offerings. Antioch also provides a post-master's respecialization certificate for clinicians who already hold a graduate degree in a related field.