Northwestern University Online MS in Marriage and Family Therapy

The Family Institute (TFI) at Northwestern University offers an online Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT@Northwestern) program. The Family Institute is a relationship-based, behavioral health organization committed to helping families, couples, young people, and adults.

Significant hands-on training occurs through six quarters of clinical practicums at approved sites. Here students practice using a framework of marriage and family therapy from a relational lens. As well, students come to the Northwestern University campus in Chicago, Illinois, or another location, for one immersion experience. During the in-person immersion, students work to develop their MFT identity and interact with peers and faculty.

MFT@Northwestern meets all requirements to be eligible to take national exams to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). After graduation, students must complete any supervised clinical work required by their state. It is recommended that applicants have a bachelor’s degree in family science, child and family services, psychology, social sciences, human development and family studies, or behavioral sciences. In the absence of one of these degree paths, prerequisites include college-level psychology and human development courses.

Online students participate in live, online class sessions with a cohort of peers, and complete asynchronous coursework outside of class meetings. The curriculum is based on the Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) approach developed by Northwestern University faculty. IST addresses marriage and family issues from a relational and systemic perspective.

MFT@Northwestern consists of 26 courses comprising one credit each. However, it is the equivalent of a 60-credit program. Note that tuition is charged at 25 credits for the program. Cohorts begin in January, April, June, and September. Students may complete the program full-time in 21 months or part-time in 36 months. Residents of California complete the program in 24 months due to state regulations. Students who must work should follow the 36-month pathway.

Required courses may include Professional Identity Seminar; Basic Concepts in Systemic Therapy; Methods and Systems Therapy; Self and Other Systems: Theory and Interventions; Human Development and the Life Cycle; Intimate Relationship I-II; Special Problems and Populations; Systemic Assessment; Family Research; Group Therapy; Family of Origin: Systemic Perspectives on Risk and Resilience; Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy; Sex Therapy; Power, Privilege, and Difference: Practicing Cultural Curiosity and Humility in a Multicultural World; Family Therapy Treatment Models; Family Therapy with Children and Adolescents; Systemic Perspective in the Treatment of Substance Use/Misuse and Addiction; Pre-Practicum and Marriage and Family Therapy; Internship and Marital and Family Therapy; Advanced Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy; and Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy Capstone Project. Students complete six quarters of practicums totaling 500 clinical hours.

Northwestern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). MFT@Northwestern is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).

Please note: Northwestern University is not able to accept students from the following states at this time: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, District Of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Northwestern University is working to make this program available in more states.