Best Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Degree Programs in Minnesota 2026
Minnesota is home to a well-developed mental health network, making it an excellent place to pursue a Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) degree. The state has a growing need for licensed therapists, particularly in rural communities and urban centers like Minneapolis and St. Paul, where mental health resources continue to expand. Many LMFTs in Minnesota work in private practice, community mental health clinics, hospital settings, and telehealth therapy services, allowing them to provide essential counseling to individuals, couples, and families.
MFT programs in Minnesota emphasize family systems theory, trauma-informed care, substance abuse counseling, and child and adolescent therapy. Most programs integrate supervised clinical experience early on, ensuring that students gain real-world training before graduation. Many universities in Minnesota offer both in-person and hybrid learning options, making it possible for working professionals and career changers to complete their degrees while balancing other responsibilities.
Students considering an MFT degree in Minnesota should look for programs that provide strong internship placements, access to faculty mentorship, and licensure preparation support. With the state’s emphasis on mental health accessibility, graduates will find varied career opportunities across different therapy settings.
In this guide
2026 Best Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Programs in Minnesota
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN - Public 4-Year - twin-cities.umn.edu
Doctorate - Ph.D. in Couple & Family Therapy
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers a Ph.D. in Couple & Family Therapy, a campus-based doctoral program designed for licensed clinicians with a master's degree. This COAMFTE and IACSTE accredited program emphasizes systemic work with diverse families and communities, focusing on cultural competence and ethical practice. Students develop advanced research, teaching, and clinical skills while remaining clinically active. The program prepares graduates for leadership roles in academia, clinical administration, and advanced research, contributing to a more multicultural-informed profession. An entrance exam is required for this doctoral-level program.
- COAMFTE and IACSTE accredited
- Requires clinical master's degree
- Doctoral students clinically active
- Focus on diverse family systems
- Leadership and research emphasis
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN - Private 4-year - smumn.edu
Master's - Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy is a COAMFTE-accredited hybrid program requiring 48 credits and a 300-hour supervised practicum, including 150 hours of direct relational work. Admission requires a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA minimum (conditional admission available for 2.75-3.0), and notably no GRE or MAT exam is needed. The curriculum covers human development, marital studies, and professional issues, preparing graduates for Minnesota licensure. Applicants must submit transcripts, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and resumes for this limited-admission program.
- Master of Arts degree.
- Hybrid delivery format.
- 48 total credits required.
- 300 clinical hours practicum.
- 150 relational hours required.
- Accredited by COAMFTE.
- Prepares for Minnesota licensure.
- Bachelor's degree required.
- 3.0 GPA minimum.
- Conditional admission available.
Graduate Certificate - M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's COAMFTE-accredited M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy prepares students for Minnesota licensure through a rigorous 48-credit hybrid program. The curriculum emphasizes systemic interventions for individuals, couples, and families, requiring 300 clinical client contact hours in supervised practicum. With no GRE/MAT exam required for admission, this program maintains a 3.0 GPA minimum while offering diverse contemporary issues courses. The blended learning format combines face-to-face and online coursework, making it accessible for aspiring mental health professionals seeking comprehensive training.
- COAMFTE Accredited Program
- 48-credit Master's Degree
- Blended Learning Format
- 300 Clinical Contact Hours
- Minimum 3.0 GPA Required
- No GRE/MAT Required
- Diverse Contemporary Issues Courses
- Professional Licensure Preparation
University of St Thomas
Saint Paul, MN - Private 4-year - stthomas.edu
Master's - Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (Family Psychology Concentration)
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of St Thomas offers a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a Family Psychology Concentration, specifically designed for those pursuing licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) in Minnesota. This 66-credit campus-based program requires 18 specialized credits focusing on family dynamics, marriage counseling, and family therapy, including courses like Marriage and Family Development and Family Counseling. It includes extensive practicum/internship experience at over 90 external sites with licensed supervision. The program does not require an entrance exam and accepts fall or spring admissions, covering ethics, psychopathology, and diversity in its curriculum.
- 66 total credits required.
- 18 additional concentration credits.
- Meets LMFT licensure in Minnesota.
- Practicum/internship at external agencies.
- Supervision by licensed clinicians.
- Minneapolis campus location.
- Fall or spring start dates.
- Coursework includes family dynamics.
- Coursework includes marriage counseling.
- Coursework includes ethics and diversity.
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth, MN - Public 4-Year - d.umn.edu
Doctorate - PhD in Couple and Family Therapy Specialization
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Minnesota-Duluth's PhD in Couple and Family Therapy Specialization develops professionals into transformative mental health leaders through advanced research, clinical, and teaching skills. This nationally accredited campus program requires a clinical master's degree for admission and expects students to maintain clinical activity. With a strong focus on systemic work with diverse families and communities, graduates are prepared for careers in academia, clinical administration, and research. The program emphasizes multicultural competence and ethical practice. As a doctorate-level program, it requires an entrance exam (typically the GRE).
- Nationally accredited program
- Clinical master's degree required
- Emphasizes diversity and inclusion
- Prepares leaders in family therapy
- Research and clinical focus
MFT Programs in Minnesota
Minnesota offers a range of COAMFTE-accredited and regionally accredited MFT programs, ensuring that students receive rigorous training that meets state and national licensing standards.
These programs focus on clinical skills, ethical considerations, and cultural competency, helping students develop the expertise needed to provide therapy in diverse communities. Many programs also include practicum and internship opportunities, allowing students to complete required supervised clinical hours while earning their degree.
Graduates from Minnesota MFT programs often find employment in hospitals, nonprofit mental health organizations, private counseling practices, and school-based therapy programs. The state’s emphasis on mental health expansion ensures that newly licensed LMFTs have ample career opportunities upon completing their education.
Minnesota’s Quickest MFT Programs
For students looking to complete their degree efficiently, Minnesota offers accelerated pathways that allow candidates to earn their MFT degree in as little as two years. These programs typically embed supervised training early, allowing students to gain clinical experience while completing coursework.
Several universities in the state provide year-round enrollment, summer courses, and hybrid models, enabling students to fast-track their path to licensure. Those with previous coursework in psychology, counseling, or social work may also be able to transfer credits, reducing the total time required for degree completion.
Because Minnesota has a well-established mental health sector, students have access to numerous practicum sites, including hospital-based counseling services, school therapy programs, and nonprofit behavioral health centers, ensuring they can complete their clinical hours efficiently.
Minnesota’s Cheapest MFT Programs
The cost of obtaining an MFT degree in Minnesota varies by program type, institution, and available financial aid options. Public universities in Minnesota typically offer lower tuition rates for in-state residents, making them an affordable choice for many students.
Many universities offer scholarships, assistantships, and grants, allowing students to offset tuition costs through merit-based and need-based financial aid. Online and hybrid programs can also reduce expenses by minimizing relocation and commuting costs, making education more accessible to students across the state.
For those pursuing careers in rural or high-demand mental health settings, Minnesota provides loan forgiveness programs and tuition reimbursement incentives through state and federal mental health workforce initiatives. These programs help new LMFTs manage student loan debt while contributing to underserved communities in need of mental health services.
How to Become Licensed as an LMFT in Minnesota
Step 1: Earn a Master’s or Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy
The first step toward licensure is obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree from a COAMFTE-accredited or regionally accredited MFT program. Coursework must include family therapy techniques, ethics, clinical assessment, and multicultural counseling.
Step 2: Complete 4,000 Hours of Supervised Experience
Minnesota requires LMFT candidates to complete 4,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience, with at least 1,000 hours dedicated to direct client interaction. This clinical experience must be supervised by a licensed LMFT or equivalent mental health professional.
Step 3: Pass the National MFT Examination
Candidates must pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) National MFT Exam, which assesses clinical knowledge, ethical judgment, and therapy intervention techniques.
This exam ensures that new therapists meet professional standards and can effectively support clients dealing with relational and psychological challenges.
Step 4: Apply for Licensure Through the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy
Once all requirements are met, applicants must submit their official transcripts, proof of supervised hours, and exam scores to the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. After review and approval, candidates receive their official LMFT license, granting them permission to practice independently.
Step 5: Maintain Licensure Through Continuing Education
To renew their license, LMFTs in Minnesota must complete 40 continuing education (CE) hours every two years, with required coursework in ethics, professional development, and specialized therapy training.
These educational updates help therapists stay current on best practices, emerging therapy methods, and evolving regulations in the field of mental health.
LMFT Career & Salary Outlook in Minnesota
Minnesota’s mental health sector is growing, with LMFTs playing a critical role in providing therapy services across the state. The average salary for LMFTs in Minnesota is $65,200 per year, with experienced professionals earning upwards of $92,000 annually.
Salaries vary by location, experience, and specialization. LMFTs in Minneapolis and St. Paul tend to earn higher salaries due to greater demand for mental health services, while those in rural areas often qualify for state-funded loan repayment programs that make practicing in these regions more financially viable.
The rise of teletherapy services has further increased job opportunities, allowing LMFTs to expand their client base beyond in-person settings. With mental health awareness growing, the demand for qualified marriage and family therapists in Minnesota remains strong.
Minnesota provides excellent opportunities for students pursuing a career in Marriage and Family Therapy, offering accredited programs, structured pathways to licensure, and growing job prospects. With diverse educational formats, financial aid availability, and strong employer demand, the state is a great place to train and establish a successful LMFT career.
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