Top Marriage and Family Counseling Degree Programs in Texas

If you are interested in advancing your career as a mental health professional with licensure to independently diagnose and treat problems in a relational context, then you should definitely consider attending one of the top-notch accredited marriage and family counseling degrees in Texas to reach your career aspirations. As the largest state in the continental United States, it is no surprise that Texas is packed full of higher learning options at top-ranked universities in the West. However, statistics indicate that the state’s public mental health system is providing services to only 21% of the nearly 835,000 adults and 288,000 children living with mental illness. As a result, Texas is seeking to add to the only 900 Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in the state and improve mental health services with the following degree programs.

Abilene Christian University

College of Biblical Studies

As a premier selective private master’s level institution with a Christ-centered community of more than 4,600 students on a 208-acre urban campus within just 150 miles west of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Abilene Christian University is currently ranked as the 17th best college, 6th top value school, and 2nd best up-and-coming college in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the College of Biblical Studies, the Department of Marriage and Family Studies is committed to equipping students for careers in areas of service and ministry in God’s Kingdom.

Master of Marriage and Family Therapy

Through integrating a relational understanding of people’s live with counseling theory, clinical training, and faith, the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program is designed to prepare graduates for leadership in Christian service to serve the mental health needs of individuals, couples, and families in secular or faith-based settings. After completing this two-year program for a total of 60 credits, graduates have achieved an average pass rate of 94.74% on the national MFT exam for licensure.

Accreditations

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

1600 Campus Court
Abilene, TX 79699
(325) 674-6911
jamie.goff@acu.edu
http://www.acu.edu/graduate/degree-programs/marriage-family-therapy/index.html

Amberton University

Division of Graduate Studies

Based on a main five-acre campus in the town of Garland within the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex with an extension center placed in Frisco, Amberton University is a comprehensive private non-profit institution that strongly adheres to the Evangelical Christian faith. In particular, the Division of Graduate Studies is geared towards non-traditional working students who seek to benefit from the richness of relevant educational experiences for lifelong learning.

Master of Arts in Professional Counseling

Intended to prepare qualified graduate students to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups, the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling program features a 48-credit curriculum with at least 300 clock hours of practicum to fulfill the requirements needed for becoming Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) within Texas. Graduates often go on to excel in providing mental health services in community, social service, religious, healthcare, and/or private practice settings.

Accreditations

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

1700 Eastgate Drive
Garland, TX 75041
(972) 279-6511
info@amberton.edu
http://www.amberton.edu/degrees/graduate/MA_Pro_Csl.aspx

Hardin-Simmons University

Department of Psychology

Currently ranked as the 35th best college and 13th top school for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report, Hardin-Simmons University is a private co-educational Baptist liberal arts institution located on a 220-acre urban campus in the city of Abilene with over 2,300 students. With the university’s largest academic unit, the Department of Psychology is focused on helping students understand the basic principles that guide human behavior to assist others in living more successfully.

Master’s in Clinical Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy (CCMF)

Structured in the unique Hardin-Simmons Four-Dimension Model to allow students to fully appreciate the biological, social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of clients, the Master’s in Clinical Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy (CCMF) program offers an education enlightened by Christian faith to prepare students for licensure as a LPC or LMFT in Texas. In the program, students accumulate at least 700 clinical hours of practice under intensive individual, group, and live supervision in the on-campus Family Psychology Center.

Accreditations

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

2200 Hickory Street
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 670-1298
gradoff@hsutx.edu
https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/cap/graduate/fampsych/

LeTourneau University

School of Education

Nestled among the beautiful pine-forested hills of East Texas on a 162-acre urban campus in Longview as a Christ-centered private interdenominational institution of around 2,700 students, LeTourneau University is currently ranked as the 27th best college and 13th top value school in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. In the School of Education, the Psychology Department has the mission of accommodating each student’s career interests to prepare for a bright future in helping professions.

Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT)

Established as a specialized professional graduate program, the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) degree is designed to train graduate students to become relationship specialists to diagnose and treat problems for individuals, couples, families, and groups for achieving healthier relationships. With an emphasis on the integration of clinical practice and faith from a distinctively Christian counseling perspective, the program consists of at least 66 credits with two semesters of professional internship.

Accreditations

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

2100 Mobberly Avenue
Longview, TX 75602
(903) 233-3481
MelanieRoudkovski@letu.edu
http://www.letu.edu/_Academics/Education/psychology/degrees/MAMFT/

Saint Mary’s University

School of Graduate Studies

Recognized as the 21st best college and 6th top school for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report, Saint Mary’s University is a private four-year Christian and Marianist liberal arts institution located on a 135-acre urban campus just northwest of San Antonio’s vibrant downtown center. The School of Graduate Studies equips students with advanced academic degrees to cultivate their intellectual growth and professional preparedness for the public or private sector.

Master of Marriage and Family Therapy

Featuring a 54-credit accredited curriculum that includes an intensive 12-month internship to acquire at least 500 direct client contact hours with live supervision at the on-campus Family Life Center or other local community agencies, the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program aims to produce clinician-scholars who can competently provide quality clinical services to diverse families in South Texas. After completing the program in two years full-time or three years part-time, graduates have an average pass rate of 92.86% on the national exam.

Accreditations

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

1 Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, TX 78228
(210) 436-6418
ctubbs@stmarytx.edu
https://www.stmarytx.edu/academics/graduate/masters/counseling/masters-degrees/marriage-family-therapy/

St. Edward’s University

School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

First established in 1885 as an independent Catholic liberal arts institution by the Congregation of Holy Cross on a 160-acre urban campus in Austin, St. Edward’s University is currently ranked as the 13th best college and 2nd best school for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Behavioral and Social Sciences is focused on preparing students for careers that require an in-depth understanding of human behavior, social justice, social institutions, and global perspectives.

Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC): Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Concentration

Designed to serve graduate students who range in age and life experiences for completion in just three years part-time for a total of 54 credit hours, the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program is concerned with exposing students to a wide variety of therapeutic approaches for improving mental health. In addition to firsthand practice, students in the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Concentration will take courses in group counseling, treatment planning, child/adolescent mental health, counseling assessment, and marriage/family therapy.

Accreditations

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

2001 West Seminary Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76115
(817) 923-1921
seu.admit@stedwards.edu
http://www.stedwards.edu/academics/masters/counseling

Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi

Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology

Situated on a 317-acre campus near the pristine beaches of the Gulf of Mexico on the cultural border with Latin America, Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi is the only public research institution in the United States on its own island. In the nation’s 162nd best graduate education school, the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology is also acclaimed for being on the forefront of meeting regional and national needs for high-quality counselor education.

M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling

Meeting all Texas academic requirements for becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), the M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program strives to prepare knowledgeable and skilled mental health professionals to work from a relational context in schools, community agencies, private practices, and other settings. Students can complete the 60-credit curriculum within just two years full-time or three-years part-time with convenient courses scheduled in the late afternoon or evening hours.

Accreditations

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, TX 78412
(361) 825-3393
rachel.perez@tamucc.edu
http://cnep.tamucc.edu/masters_program.html

Texas State University

College of Education

Named the 50th best college and 12th top public school in the West by the U.S. News and World Report, Texas State University is a comprehensive state-supported research institution of over 35,000 students on a 455-acre suburban campus in San Marcos in the heart of Texas Hill country. As the nation’s 154th best education school, the College of Education prepares teachers, principals, superintendents, counselors, mental health professionals, and psychologists for success.

M.A. in Professional Counseling: Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling Emphasis

Within a dynamic multi-modal learning environment in which diversity is celebrated, the M.A. in Professional Counseling program is structured to provide the essential training needed to prepare ethical professionals for meeting the academic credential requirements to work in an array of mental health settings. Students with the Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling Emphasis will be on the path towards becoming an LMFT with the completion of 60 credits, a comprehensive exam, and at least 700 clock hours of site-based internship.

Accreditations

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 245-2575
profcounadm@txstate.edu
http://www.txstate.edu/clas/Professional-Counseling/Program-Information.html

Texas Tech University

College of Human Sciences

As one of America’s premier public research institutions with more than 33,000 students on a vast 1,839-acre urban campus in the vibrant college town of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is highly regarded as the 156th best college, 84th top public school, and 47th best college for veterans in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. The College of Human Sciences has the mission of offering high-quality educational, outreach, and research programs that will enhance human well-being worldwide.

M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy

Boasting one of the largest groups of MFT faculty practitioners in the nation, the M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy program is designed to provide systemic clinical-focused training that prepares graduate students for clinical licensure as well as scholarly achievement in helping enhance the relationships of individuals, couples, and families. In the 56-credit program, master’s students will gain hands-on experience in the on-campus Family Therapy Clinic (FTC) to treat a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, divorce, trauma, family violence, remarriage, substance abuse, mental illness, and more.

Accreditations

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

2500 Broadway
Lubbock, TX 79409
(806) 834-7606
douglas.smith@ttu.edu
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/mft/

Texas Wesleyan University

Department of Counseling

With a 125-year history of excellence as a private four-year Methodist liberal arts institution on a 75-acre urban campus in the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth community, Texas Wesleyan University is currently ranked as the 49th best college and 16th top school for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. The Department of Counseling is focused on preparing highly qualified practitioners through in-depth studies of advanced theory methods, engaging research opportunities, and practical training at renowned facilities.

Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy

Focused on training students with the theoretical basis for counseling from real professionals and providing practicum experiences at The Glick House counseling center on-campus, the Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy program meets the qualifications necessary for assuming LMFT licensure within Texas. For admissions, students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and have mental health casework or field experience.

Accreditations

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

1201 Wesleyan Street
Fort Worth, TX 76105
(817) 531-7530
lmetcalf@txwes.edu
https://txwes.edu/admissions/apply-now/graduate/counseling/masters-degrees-in-counseling/

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Graduate School

Initially chartered in 1845 in affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas as a private faith-based institution on a beautiful 200-acre urban campus in Belton at the midway point between Dallas and San Antonio, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is ranked as the 43rd best college in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the faith-enriched culture of UMHB, the Graduate School offers small class sizes with evening and weekend courses to help graduate students become experts in their chosen fields.

Master of Arts in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling (MFCC)

In developing the counseling skills needed to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or a National Board Certified Counselor, the Master of Arts in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling (MFCC) program provides graduate students with the mentoring, research experience, instruction, and practical experience for success. The 60-credit degree includes coursework in human development, counseling theories, group dynamics, lifestyle development, multiculturalism, appraisal, professional ethics, and treatment planning.

Accreditations

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

900 College Street
Belton, TX 79513
(254) 295-8642
mgarrett@umhb.edu
http://graduate.umhb.edu/counseling/

University of Houston – Clear Lake

School of Human Sciences and Humanities

With a total enrollment of more than 8,100 students, the University of Houston – Clear Lake is an innovative public partnership-oriented research institution nestled on a serene 524-acre waterfront campus in the Bay Area between Houston and Galveston. Building on a solid liberal arts foundation, the School of Human Sciences and Humanities is devoted to educating students with in-depth knowledge of human behavior through research and clinical experience.

Master of Arts in Family Therapy

As a terminal professional degree that strongly supports students with future doctoral aspirations, the Master of Arts in Family Therapy is one of the oldest programs of its kind in Texas and has been offering accredited clinical training for master’s-level family therapists since 1983. Within the two-year full-time or three-year part-time program of 60 credits, students benefit from participating in on-campus mental health training as well as outstanding internships at clinical sites throughout Houston.

Accreditations

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

2700 Bay Area Blvd.
Houston, TX 77058
(281) 283-3333
hshadvising@uhcl.edu
http://www.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/HSH/HOME/HSH%20Programs/Psychology%20Programs/Family%20Therapy

University of Texas at Tyler

Department of Psychology and Counseling

Currently ranked as the 68th best college and 24th top public school in the West by the U.S. News and World Report, the University of Texas at Tyler is home to more than 8,000 students on a beautiful 259-acre lakefront campus as part of the prestigious state university system. In the truly student-centered learning environment, the Department of Psychology and Counseling builds the broad-based skills needed to explore human behavior.

M.S. in Clinical Psychology – Marriage and Family

At UT Tyler, the M.S. in Clinical Psychology program provides the valuable opportunity for graduate students to better understand, evaluate, and counsel people with psychological problems by drawing upon community resources for assistance. During the completion of the 60-credit degree and approved field practicum experiences, students can choose a concentration in Marriage and Family to specialize their studies in this population. All graduates will have the advanced knowledge of counseling and psychotherapy techniques needed to become a Licensed Psychological Associate in Texas.

Accreditations

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

3900 University Blvd.
Tyler, TX 75799
(903) 566-7130
psychology@uttyler.edu
https://www.uttyler.edu/psychology/graduate/ms-clinical-psychology.php

Since the world is a complicated place, more individuals, couples, and families are seeking out the guidance of trained mental health professionals to learn how to better navigate through life’s challenges. By attending any one of these marriage and family counseling degrees in Texas, you will acquire the professional skills and credentials necessary to help meet this growing demand to help people overcome life issues for enhanced well-being.

Another great resource:

Top 10 Best Online Marriage and Family Counseling Degree Programs