Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration
Marriage and family therapy (MFT) treats mental health and relationship problems through a relational lens – working with couples, families, and individuals while viewing problems in the context of family systems rather than in isolation. It leads to its own license, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), with its own accreditor and exam.
Among the counseling-related occupations in our data, marriage and family therapists earn the highest median wage: $66,940 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Quick Answers
What is a marriage and family therapy concentration?
It is the master’s-level specialty that trains therapists to treat individuals, couples, and families using family systems theory. It leads to the LMFT credential, which is licensed separately from professional counseling in most states.
What do marriage and family therapists earn?
Marriage and family therapists earn a median $66,940 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) – the highest median among the counseling occupations tracked in our data.
Is an MFT the same as an LPC?
No. LMFTs and LPCs are separate licenses with different required coursework, supervised-hour rules, and exams. The training overlaps substantially, but MFT programs emphasize relational and systems-based treatment, and most states regulate the two under separate boards or credential tracks.
Back to Counseling Concentrations
At a Glance
- Focus area: Relational therapy with couples, families, and individuals using systems theory
- Degree level: Master’s specialization; post-master’s certificates available for licensed clinicians
- License path: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) – requirements vary by state
- Career alignment: Marriage and Family Therapist ($66,940 median, BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Accreditation to look for: COAMFTE; some CACREP programs offer MFT tracks
- Online availability: Coursework widely online; supervised clinical hours in person
For an overview of all degree paths, see the Counseling Program Guide.
What you typically study
| Course Topic | What You Learn |
|---|---|
| Family Systems Theory | How families function as interconnected systems |
| Couples Therapy | Evidence-based approaches to relationship distress |
| Child and Adolescent Family Therapy | Treating young clients within the family context |
| Relational Assessment | Evaluating family structure, patterns, and dynamics |
| Human Sexuality | Clinical issues in intimacy and sexual health |
| Divorce, Remarriage, and Blended Families | Transitions and restructured family systems |
| Trauma and the Family | How trauma moves through family systems |
| Ethics in MFT Practice | Confidentiality with multiple clients in the room |
| Supervised Clinical Practicum | Direct client hours with couples and families |
The LMFT licensure path
The MFT pathway mirrors the broader counseling sequence with its own specifics: a qualifying master’s degree (COAMFTE accreditation is the gold standard and simplifies licensure in many states), supervised post-graduate clinical hours with emphasis on relational cases, and the national MFT exam administered through state boards. Supervised-hour requirements and the mix of relational versus individual hours vary by state, so verify your state board’s rules before enrolling.
Licensed counselors who want to add couples and family work without a second degree can use post-master’s MFT certificates – see counseling certificates.
Where marriage and family therapists work
- Private practice – a larger share of MFTs than most counseling specialties
- Family service agencies and nonprofits
- Outpatient mental health clinics
- Hospitals and integrated care settings
- Employee assistance programs
- Telehealth platforms, subject to state licensing rules
Questions to ask before choosing this concentration
- Is the program COAMFTE-accredited, or does it meet your state’s MFT education requirements another way?
- Does the practicum guarantee relational (couple and family) client hours, which licensure requires?
- How does the program’s credit count align with your state’s LMFT rules?
- Does the program publish a state-by-state licensure disclosure?
- If you may want dual LPC/LMFT credentials, does the curriculum support both? (Compare the mental health counseling concentration.)
How counseling concentrations compare
| Concentration | Typical Credential | Related BLS Occupation | Median Salary (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Counseling | LPC / LMHC | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor | $59,350 |
| School Counseling | State certification | Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor | $64,330 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | State addiction credential | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor | $59,350 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | LMFT | Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
The credential runs through the master’s in counseling. Find programs aligned to your state’s LMFT requirements at counseling degrees by state.
Data verified: June 11, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.