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As the sticker price of earning a graduate degree continues to increase and concerns over student loan debt continue to rise, it is becoming more important than ever before for students to find scholarships for marriage and family counseling to fulfill their dreams of becoming a licensed therapist. In most states, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) are required to have at least a master’s or a doctoral degree in counseling. While satisfying these academic requirements in graduate school for two to five years, students need to find appropriate funding to cover tuition, educational fees, textbooks, supplies, and possibly room and board. Read on to learn about three of the great scholarships available for marriage and family counseling students to help relieve the financial burden of these academic expenses.
AAMFT Master’s Student Minority Scholarship
Within the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the Research and Education Foundation has established the Master’s Student Minority Scholarship to offer $2,000 for up to three master’s level students in marriage and family therapy who are from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. The scholarship is only open to minority citizens in the United States and Canada who are identified as African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander. Applicants must show a strong commitment to a career in marriage and family therapy by demonstrating work experience or volunteer activities relevant to the field. While this scholarship is solely offered to those in a Commission On Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)-accredited master’s degree program, there is also a Minority Fellowship Program open to doctoral students in marriage and family therapy.
Clinton E. Phillips Scholarship
In honor of one of the pioneers of the marriage and family therapy profession in California who dedicated his career to training therapists in a variety of educational settings, the California Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT) offers the Clinton E. Phillips Scholarship annually. For Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, this scholarship is available to provide financial assistance in completing an accredited advanced degree at the doctoral level. In order to be considered, candidates must demonstrate a high degree of academic achievement, financial need, participation in community or civic events, a commitment to the profession, and high moral and ethical character as a therapy practitioner. Scholarship applications are due to the CAMFT by December 31st each year to be considered for the financial support.
Christus Powell Minority Fellowship Program
For marriage and family counseling students who reside in Georgia, the Christus Powell Minority Fellowship program is sponsored by the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (GAMFT) to provide one or two qualified individuals with up to $1,500 each. Along with students currently enrolled in a graduate or post-graduate training program in marriage and family counseling, the program is open to graduating seniors who have already been accepted into an accredited graduate degree program for the field. With a commitment for diversity, the program is limited to those who are African America, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander. Applicants must show significant promise in the field of marriage and family counseling by academic performance, research participation, and work experience.
Overall, there are many scholarship opportunities available for students from every state nationwide within their local association for marriage and family therapy. When you choose to take advantage of scholarships for marriage and family counseling to receive a graduate degree, you will receive the financial funding needed to achieve your professional dreams in one of the fastest-growing fields in today’s market and open rewarding job opportunities in helping build stronger relationships.
