Top Marriage and Family Counseling Degree Programs in New York

If entering a helping profession that provides future job stability is important to you, then you should consider attending one of the accredited marriage and family counseling degrees in New York to receive the training needed to enter one of the most in-demand social service jobs. As the stigma associated with therapy lessens and more people seek treatment for mental/emotional disorders, the employment of marriage and family therapists is expected to skyrocket by 29% before 2022. Beyond the emotional rewards of helping clients who are struggling through life’s challenges, marriage and family therapists bring home a healthy paycheck with an average annual salary of $45,230 in New York. Therefore, read on to learn more details about the graduate marriage and family counseling programs that are available to build a successful career in this in-demand profession within the “Empire State.”

Adelphi University

Gordon F. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies

First founded in 1896, Adelphi University has a rich history of being the first private co-educational higher learning institution on Long Island with a main 75-acre suburban campus in historic Garden City serving nearly 8,000 students. Named as a “Best Buy” by Fiske Guide to Colleges, Adelphi is currently ranked as the 149th best college and 45th top university for veterans in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. The Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies is also acclaimed for having the 191st best graduate psychology programs in the United States.

Master of Arts (M.A.) in General Psychology

Intended to advance students’ understanding of psychology as the scientific study of human behavior and as a profession that treats psychological problems, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in General Psychology program seeks to prepare compassionate and innovative leaders for addressing pressing topics in the mental health field. Featuring small classes and seminars taught by dedicated professors who are respected clinicians, the program requires the completion of at least 36 credits in a full-time or part-time schedule. Many students join the program to gain knowledge in psychology for advancing their already established career or to build a foundation for future doctoral-level training. After completing the program, graduates can focus on contemporary relationships issues with an Advanced Certificate in Couple Therapy.

Accreditations

American Psychological Association (APA)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

1 South Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 237-8572
erodriguez@adelphi.edu
http://derner.adelphi.edu/psychology/graduate/ma-general-psychology/

Hofstra University

School of Health Sciences and Human Services

Situated on a 240-acre suburban campus on Long Island in the town of Hempstead within just 25 miles east of New York City, Hofstra University is a dynamic comprehensive four-year private institution of over 11,000 students. As one of the “Colleges of Distinction,” Hofstra is currently ranked as the 135th best college and 36th top university for veterans in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. Also recognized for the 104th best clinical psychology programs, the School of Health Sciences and Human Services is quickly becoming a national leader for preparing students as healthcare professionals.

M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy

Through an integrative approach that exposes students to a broad range of structural, cognitive behavioral, emotional, solution-focused, narrative, and object relations theories, the M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy program is focused on familiarizing students with the traditional models of family therapy to receive the training required for licensure. In order to blend theory with practice, the program consists of four semesters of supervised internships within the 54-credit curriculum. Students begin with practicum experience at the university’s Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic housed in the Saltzman Center, before being placed in off-campus clinical settings with individual supervision. Full-time graduate students can expect to complete the program’s requirements in around three years.

Accreditations

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

1000 Fulton Avenue
Hempstead, NY 11550
(516) 463-5348
Holly.J.Seirup@Hofstra.edu
http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/Colleges/healthscienceshumanservices/MAMFT/

Iona College

School of Arts & Sciences

Rooted in the traditions of the Christian Brothers as a private co-educational Catholic liberal arts institution, Iona College is located on a 43-acre suburban campus in Westchester County in the town of New Rochelle within 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a diverse community of over 4,200 learners, Iona is currently ranked as the 74th best college in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the School of Arts & Sciences, the Marriage and Family Therapy Department is committed to meeting the needs of individuals and families facing life’s stresses in surrounding communities.

M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)

With the goal of preparing qualified graduate students to have a direct and meaningful impact on improving the relationships of others, the M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program is focused on building the practical skills and expert knowledge needed in the fields of therapy, education, social services, and behavioral sciences. As a demanding 54-credit program that fulfills requirements to pursue New York State licensure, the program studies the therapeutic techniques of helping people from a relational perspective. Students will be required to complete at least 500 hours of supervised face-to-face clinical experience with individuals, couples, and families to join the mental health field as an entry-level practitioner.

Accreditations

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

715 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 633-2514
rburns@iona.edu
http://www.iona.edu/Academics/School-of-Arts-Science/Departments/Marriage-and-Family-Therapy.aspx

Long Island University – Brooklyn

School of Education

For nearly 90 years, Long Island University has been one of the nation’s largest comprehensive four-year private institutions with more than 20,000 students based on a main campus in Brookville with a satellite location in the heart of the Brooklyn borough of New York City. As a recent winner of the “Commitment to Excellence and Leadership Award in the Field of Higher Education,” LIU has been consistently named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs. At the Brooklyn campus, the School of Education draws upon long-term relationships with organizations across New York City to offer real-world placements for future teachers, counselors, psychologists, and leaders.

M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy

Based on the skills needed to implement change in the overall well-being of individuals, couples, families, and those in other relationships to achieve specific long-term therapeutic goals, the M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy program offers a solution-focused approach to delivering the core knowledge for working in a variety of mental health settings. In the 60-credit curriculum, students will take courses in counseling theories, human development, ethics, group work, diversity, family law, evidence-based practice, psychopathology, and assessment. For completion of the degree, students must also acquire at least 695 clock hours of supervised field work, pass a comprehensive examination, and participate in a child abuse workshop.

Accreditations

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

9 Hanover Place 4th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 488-1011
kathleen.prince@liu.edu
http://www.liu.edu/Brooklyn/Academics/Schools/SOE/Dept/CSP/Graduate-Programs/CP/MS-MFT

Medaille College

School of Adult and Graduate Education

Established in 1937 as an independent non-sectarian higher learning institution, Medaille College serves more than 2,450 students on a main 13-acre urban campus along the historic Olmsted Crescent near the cultural heart of Buffalo with satellite locations in Amherst and Rochester. With a strong commitment to hands-on learning, Medaille offers a wide range of associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in flexible schedules to meet the needs of adult learners balancing school with work. In the School of Adult and Graduate Education, students can choose from on-campus and online programs leading to in-demand degrees to receive career advancement toward success.

Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy

In a highly specialized program designed to prepare graduate students to work effectively with people who are struggling in their relationships, the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy takes on an applied approach to training students to assist individuals, couples, and families in the context of their marriages or family systems to function more productively. As the only MFT degree offered in the Buffalo/Niagara region, the program is ideal for developing the practical skills needed to address problems associated with modern marriage and family life, including unemployment, substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, and more. Within the 54-credit program, students meet one weekend a month in small classes taught by teacher-clinicians and complete at least 500 hours of practicum in a family service agency.

Accreditations

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

18 Agassiz Circle
Buffalo, NY 14214
(716) 880-2000
Rene.A.Jones@medaille.edu
http://www.medaille.edu/sage/master-marriage-family-therapy

Mercy College

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Located on a picturesque 66-acre suburban campus overlooking the Hudson River in the village of Dobbs Ferry within 30 minutes from the heart of New York City, Mercy College is a four-year comprehensive private institution of over 5,500 students with additional locations in Manhattan, Bronx, and Yorktown Heights. Named as one of 200 “Colleges of Distinction” nationally, Mercy College is well-known for having the lowest private tuition rate in New York and one of the lowest in the United States. The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences is devoted to fostering compassion in our global community by helping individuals and families better manage everyday issues.

M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy

Requiring about two and a half years of graduate studies through part-time attendance in convenient on-campus evening classes, the M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy program features a 45-credit curriculum designed to cover contemporary models of family systems theory to prepare students with the skills needed for clinical assessment, psychotherapy, and intervention in troubled relationships. With a unique focus on preventing emotional problems arising from illness, job loss, and domestic violence, the program is ideal for student seeking employment in social service agencies, hospitals, court systems, substance abuse treatment centers, foster care systems, and child welfare services. Through strong relationships with local mental health facilities, students will obtain the practicum hours needed for eligibility in pursuing licensure in New York State.

Accreditations

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
(800) 637-2969
admissions@mercy.edu
https://www.mercy.edu/degrees-programs/ms-marriage-and-family-therapy

Syracuse University

Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Featuring a total enrollment of over 21,200 students, Syracuse University is a major four-year private research institution tied to a brilliant shade of orange on a 708-acre urban campus atop University Hill overlooking downtown Syracuse in the heart of Central New York. In addition to being ranked 5th in the nation’s top party schools by Princeton Review, SU is named the 58th best university, 47th best value college, and 7th top school for veterans nationwide by the U.S. News and World Report. In the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, students can pursue degrees in addiction studies, family health, marriage and family therapy, public health, nutrition, social work, or sport management.

M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy

Specifically designed to meet the academic requirements for obtaining clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy program is available for mature individuals who are seeking the graduate training to fulfill their commitment to the family therapy profession. In the first semester, students will take basic clinical courses covering theories and techniques in family therapy while serving as part of therapy teams in the on-campus Couple and Family Therapy Center. By the second semester, students will begin having direct client contract until 500 clock hours of supervised clinical practice has been completed with individuals, couples, and families. At the conclusion of the 60-credit program, students must complete a written comprehensive exam or a Master’s project to apply their learning.

Accreditations

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

119 Euclid Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 443-5555
falk@syr.edu
http://falk.syr.edu/MarriageFamilyTherapy/Masters.aspx

Touro College

School of Health & Human Services

Founded in 1970 with a unique focus on higher education for the Jewish community, Touro College is a comprehensive private multi-campus global institution headquartered in the hub of Manhattan with affiliated branches in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, California, Nevada, Israel, Russia, France, and Germany. With a widely diverse population of over 19,000 students, Touro is named America’s largest private university under Jewish auspices. The School of Health & Human Services builds on the historic Judaic commitment to social justice to produce graduates who will positively impact the healthcare of their communities.

Online Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy

Driven by society’s increasing demand to understand the unique relationship dynamics existing between families and couples, the Online Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program is offered to train graduate students for creating holistic patient treatment plans that play close attention to the greater complexity of the familial system. The program produces marriage and family therapists who will become vital members of healthcare teams to utilize their expertise in interpersonal relationships for treating a wide range of serious mental and emotional disorders. Within the fully online curriculum, students will be required to complete 18 courses and two semester-long clinical practicum experiences to accumulate a total of 60 semester credits before qualifying for licensure.

Accreditations

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

27-33 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
(212) 463-0400
Alisa.Weinstein@TouroW.edu
http://www.tuw.edu/marriage-family-therapy/

University at Buffalo

Graduate School of Education

As the flagship institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, the University at Buffalo is a premier comprehensive public research institution of over 29,800 students based on a 154-acre urban campus in downtown Buffalo with a satellite center in Amherst. Ranked first in the nation among public research universities in international student enrollment, UB is named the 103rd best college, 48th top public school, and 23rd top college for veterans in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the Graduate School of Education is acclaimed for being the 55th best education school with the 25th top online graduate education programs in America.

Mental Health Counseling Advanced Graduate Certificate (AGC)

Available in a convenient part-time schedule for completion 100% online at a distance, the Mental Health Counseling Advanced Graduate Certificate (AGC) program has been established to help qualified graduates bridge the gap in education to obtain licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York State. With a focus on the practical skills needed to transform the lives of clients, the program prepares graduates to provide assessment, treatment planning, individual counseling, group/family counseling, psychotherapy, and consultation services. After initial coursework, students will complete clinical instruction and participate in a supervised field internship within a mental health facility. Applicants to the program must have a master’s degree in counseling or a closely related human service field for admissions.

Accreditations

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

491 Baldy Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
(716) 645-1122
tjanikow@buffalo.edu
http://www.buffalo.edu/gse/online/programs/agc/mhc.html

University of Rochester

Department of Psychiatry

As a top-tier private non-sectarian research institution of over 10,500 students, the University of Rochester is located on a main 154-acre suburban campus along the Genesee River within two miles south of downtown. Renowned for being one of the most collegiate and smallest top research institutions with a low student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, Rochester is ranked as the 33rd best college and 29th top value school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the nation’s 21st best medical school, the Department of Psychiatry hosts the Family Therapy Training program to provide COAMFTE-accredited education about the mental health of couples and families.

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy

Housed in the University of Rochester Medical Center to embed students in clinical practice in an award-winning teaching hospital, the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program is designed to expose qualified graduate students to the major contemporary conceptual and clinical models for family therapy. Featuring clinical training with diverse client population at several OMH-approved mental health care settings, the program provides the unique opportunity to learn about family systems in a collaborative interdisciplinary approach. Within the 60-credit program, all students will participate in live family therapy supervision under the supportive eye of a field supervisor to work directly with individuals, couples, and families facing the full range of relational problems.

Accreditations

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

300 Crittenden Blvd.
Rochester, NY 14642
(585) 275-0577
Jenny_Speice@urmc.rochester.edu
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/psychiatry/institute-for-the-family/family-therapy/master.aspx

With specific training in psychotherapy for familial systems, earning a degree in marriage and family therapy can be the perfect option for aspiring mental health practitioners who are interested in diagnosing and treating disorders within a relational context. In order to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in New York State, professionals must complete a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree, pass a licensing examination, and finish one year of supervised work experience for 1,500 client hours. Luckily, these top-notch marriage and family counseling degrees in New York are offered by some of the nation’s prestigious universities to help you reach your professional goals in helping others improve their well-being.

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