Best Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Degree Programs in Arkansas 2026

John Brown University's Master of Science in Counseling with a Marriage and Family Therapy concentration is a 60-credit hybrid program blending online coursework with weekend face-to-face classes. This CACREP-accredited curriculum includes 41 core credits, 16 clinical hours, and 3 emphasis credits, featuring a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship. Admission requires a bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA, official transcripts, and a faculty interview, with no GRE or application fee. The program prepares graduates for LPC or LMHC licensure, offering a 100% clinical placement rate and classes capped at 24 students.

• 60 total credit hours
• 41 credit hours core requirements
• 16 credit hours clinical requirements
• 3 credit hours emphasis choice
• 100 clinical hours practicum
• 600 clinical hours internship
• Hybrid online and face-to-face
• Weekend class options available
• No GRE requirement
• No application fee

At John Brown University, the Master of Science in Counseling with a Play Therapy concentration provides specialized training through a 60-credit CACREP-accredited hybrid program. Students complete 41 core credits, 16 clinical hours, and 3 emphasis credits, with over 70% of coursework available online or on weekends. Admission requires a bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA, official transcripts, and a faculty interview, with no GRE or application fee. The program prepares for LPC licensure, featuring a 100-hour practicum, 600-hour internship, and an 82% NCE pass rate.

• CACREP Accredited program
• No GRE requirement
• No application fee
• 60 total credit hours
• 41 credit hours core requirements
• 16 credit hours clinical requirements
• 3 credit hours emphasis choice
• Bachelor's degree 2.75 GPA required
• Online application required
• Official transcripts required

John Brown University offers a Master of Science in Counseling with an Adventure Therapy concentration, a 60-credit CACREP-accredited hybrid program. This curriculum includes 41 core credits, 16 clinical hours, and 3 emphasis credits, with over 70% of coursework online or on weekends. Admission requires a bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA, official transcripts, and a faculty interview, with no GRE or application fee. The program prepares for LPC/LMHC licensure, featuring a 100-hour practicum, 600-hour internship, 100% clinical placement, and a 91% job placement rate.

• 60 credit hour program
• CACREP accredited through 2032
• No GRE requirement
• No application fee
• Hybrid delivery format
• Over 70% coursework online/weekend
• Bachelor's degree with 2.75 GPA required
• Official transcripts required
• Faculty interview required
• 100 clinical hour practicum

Harding University's Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling is a 60-credit, CACREP-accredited graduate program that prepares students for dual licensure as professional counselors and marriage and family therapists. This on-campus program typically takes two years to complete and requires an entrance exam for admission. The curriculum emphasizes systemic counseling approaches, with 300 face-to-face client contact hours including 100 relational hours, supervised at a 3:1 ratio. Students gain specialized training in family violence, sexual abuse, and substance-related issues. Admission requires an online application, transcripts, recommendations, a resume, MMR immunization record, and a personal interview. The program starts annually in August and offers a full-time cohort experience through the College of Education.

• 60 credit hours.
• CACREP-accredited program.
• On-ground format.
• Average time to degree 2 years.
• 300 face-to-face client contact hours.
• 3:1 supervision ratio.
• Two licensures through one program.
• Full-time cohort experience.
• Program starts once a year in August.
• Admission requires online application.

Arkansas State University's Graduate Certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy provides specialized training for counseling professionals aiming to enhance their credentials. This intensive program focuses on systemic theory and practical applications in couples and family counseling, preparing students for Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) certification in Arkansas. The curriculum includes four specialized courses covering sexuality issues and therapeutic techniques, designed specifically for licensed counselors and Clinical Mental Health Counseling students. No entrance exam is required for this certificate program, making it accessible for professionals seeking focused advancement in marriage and family therapy practice.

• 12 total semester hours
• For licensed counseling professionals
• LAMFT credential preparation
• Four specialized counseling courses
• State board credentialing focus
• Systemic therapy training
• Couples and family counseling emphasis