Degree Highlights
- Integrate Christian faith with mental health best practices, family care, psychological science, and counseling ethics.
- Explore how interpersonal dynamics shape individual behaviors and family relationships.
- Develop critical thinking skills.
- Enjoy the flexibility of online learning with supportive professors dedicated to your success.
- Gain clinical skills and professional preparation for Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure.
For over 30 years, Montreat College’s School of Adult and Graduate Studies has empowered students to acquire essential skills, complete their degrees, and advance their careers. Montreat offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs both in the classroom and online.
How soon can I start?
With six start dates a year for most programs you have the flexibility to start when makes the most sense for you. Chances are we have classes starting in the near future, providing you the opportunity to move forward with your academic goals. Please see the admissions page for specific enrollment and start dates.
What are the admissions requirements?
Applicants must submit the following for admissions consideration:
- Montreat College Application for Admission
- Official, final transcripts of all college courses taken (All final transcripts must include graduation information)
- Minimum 2.75 GPA over last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work
Apply for admission today!
What are the program requirements?
The program requirements can be found in the academic catalog.
Start your success story at Montreat.
Why earn a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy?
Montreat College’s Master of Counseling Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy is designed for students with a desire to become licensed as a Marriage and family therapist, caring for individuals, marriages, and families in a systemic and theologically informed capacity.
Growth Potential
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Job Market Growth
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U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS) Estimates
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Financing college can be intimidating, which is why we’ve developed programs and opportunities to help you.
Why Montreat?
At Montreat College, we understand the unique challenges adult learners face. That's why we've created a program that empowers you to balance work, family, and education without compromising your career ambitions.
Flexible scheduling
Our classes are conveniently scheduled, so you can earn your degree while still meeting your daily commitments.
Supportive community
Join a close-knit community of experienced faculty who are dedicated to your success. As an AGS student, you're part of the Montreat family.
Affordable tuition
We are committed to making a Christ-centered education as affordable as possible, so you can achieve your educational goals. That’s why Montreat College tuition is nearly 25% lower than the national average for private colleges and universities.
Relevant programs
Montreat College offers a wide range of degree programs and certificates in fields such as Business Administration, Education, Counseling, and more. Our programs are designed to align with industry trends and provide you with the skills employers are seeking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete the MSCP: MFT degree program?
If students take 1 or 2 courses each session/2 or 4 courses per semester, they should complete this program within 6 to 8 semesters.
How much does the MSCP: MFT degree program cost?
Montreat College programs are competitively priced, and we offer multiple forms of financial aid to help you achieve your educational goals. Please see the current AGS Tuition and Fees page here. Also, please keep in mind that there are multiple college and government financial aid programs available to help mitigate the cost of your education. You can learn more about your financial aid options.
What are the length of online courses?
The courses for this graduate program are eight-week sessions. There are 2 sessions in a semester. To be considered a full-time graduate student, a student must take 6 credit hours per semester. The student must take 1 course (3 credit hours) the first eight-week session and 1 course (3 credit hours) the second eight-week session. Semesters in this program are Spring, Summer, and Fall.
What jobs can you pursue with a MSCP: MFT degree?
This degree prepares students to become Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. Marriage and Family Therapists work in a variety of fields such as:
- Marriage and Family Counseling
- Human Services
- Youth Development and Counseling
- Trauma Care and Recovery
- Church and Family Ministry
- Career Counseling
- Mental Health
What is the job market like for people with MSCP: MFT degree?
The regional outlook is strong with 16.5% job growth expected over the next 10 years, and 21.7% job growth nationally within the last year.
How much money do MSCP: MFT professionals typically make?
The average regional salary of graduates with a MSCP:MFT degree is $54,551 regionally and $51,500 nationally.
The current program is 54-credit hours, and my state requires a 60-credit hour master’s degree for LMFT/LMFT Associate licensure. What should I do?
Students may choose the 60-credit hour track to fulfill their state’s licensure requirements. Students can choose the last 6 credit hours or 2 courses to meet the 60-credit hours from the list of CMHC and/or MSCP:SAAC program courses below:
- COUN 5241: Career Counseling
- COUN 5261: Substance Abuse Counseling
- COUN 5271: Child and Adolescent Counseling
- MSCP 5214: Techniques in Addiction Counseling
- MSCP 5280: Client, Family, and Community Education in Addiction Counseling
What courses will I study?
MSCP5210: Professional Identity and Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy
This course is an introductory exploration of the history of marriage and family therapy (MFT) as a profession and current trends in the practice of MFT. Students will begin to explore the various settings in which MFT can take place, the specialties within the profession, as well as professional MFT licensure and credentialing. Students will be introduced to the AAMFT Code of Ethics, as well as discuss the additional topics of counselor self-care, consultation, professional counseling organizations, advocacy, ethics, and multicultural competency.
MSCP5222: Systemic Diagnosis and Assessment
This course will provide students with an overview of the traditional diagnostic categories, psychopharmacology, and systemic assessment and treatment of mental health issues. Emphasis of curriculum and teaching will be placed on integration of systems concepts and tenets into diagnosis and assessments.
COUN5214: Counseling Across the Lifespan
This course will provide an overview of human development across the lifespan, from birth until death and explore critical considerations for counseling individuals across these stages of development. Special consideration is given to how development across the lifespan impacts family systems and structures.
MSCP5281: Marriage and Family Therapy
This course will examine various Marriage and Family Therapy presenting issues and techniques, as well as address the various roles and responsibilities of the professional counselor working within a marriage and family setting. Presenting issues include, but are not limited to: sex, addiction, co-dependency, enmeshment, disengagement, intimacy, mental illness in the family, triangulation, parenting, family hierarchy, and spiritual development within the family. Therapeutic techniques to be examined include those found within Bowenian Family Systems, Madanes’ Strategic Family Therapy, Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy, and Gottman’s Sound Marital House. Ethical standards, specifically in relation to confidentiality, within marriage and family therapy will be discussed.
COUN5215: Multicultural Counseling
This course will provide students an opportunity to begin to develop skills for multicultural competency when providing counseling services to clients of diverse backgrounds. Multicultural competencies will be reviewed and students will explore their own identity as a cultural being.
MSCP5217: Research Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy
This course will provide an overview of qualitative and quantitative research methodology and techniques and discuss the role of research in marriage and family therapy. Ethical standards for conducting research among individuals, families and couples will be discussed. Students will develop the ability to read and critically evaluate marriage and family therapy literature as well as develop a research prospectus.
COUN5223: Group Counseling
This course will provide an overview of theory and principles of effective group work, provide students an opportunity to develop skills in using group techniques, and plan activities for groups. Students will participate in a group experience during this course. Ethical standards for group counseling will be reviewed.
COUN5231: Spirituality and Religion in Counseling
This course will examine the role of spirituality and religious beliefs in the counseling relationship and process. Students will explore how different religious traditions that clients may participate in could influence the counseling process, as well as examine their own religious and spiritual foundations for their counseling theory and practice. Students will explore the concept of toxic faith and how toxic beliefs can manifest and present within the therapeutic setting. Ethical standards will be discussed.
COUN5251: Crisis Intervention and Crisis Counseling
This course will provide students with an overview of counseling skills for working in crisis and trauma situations as well as crisis intervention theory. Students will review case studies and create a crisis resource for a client population or counseling setting of interest.
MSCP5290: Advanced Marriage and Family Therapy
This course is designed to build upon the introductory overview of couple and family therapy theories (in COUN5281) with a focus on using counseling interventions with couples and families. Within this course an exploration of selected major treatment approaches utilized in martial and family counseling. Development of practical skills, interventions, and techniques constitute the primary focus. A pre-requisite for this course is COUN5281.
MSCP6100: Family Systems Theories
In this course students examine the theoretical and practical foundations of the family systems approach to marriage and family therapy. The major theorists, theories, various models and practices are examined. The primary focus is upon the theories, principles, and language, which support the numerous marriage and family therapy models.
MSCP6200: Couples Intimacy & Sexuality
The purpose of this course is to develop students’ knowledge and skills in the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of sexual dysfunction with an overview of physiology. Students will learn therapeutic approaches to couples and marital therapy within a systemic perspective. The course work will include a study of couple’s therapy with a clinical focus on diversity, sexuality, premarital issues, and relationship enhancement.
MSCP6150: Methods in MFT
The purpose of this course is to develop students’ knowledge and skill in the cognitive-behavioral approach to individual, marital, and family therapy within a systemic perspective. Students will examine theoretical foundations, research findings, basic principles, assessment techniques, and the intervention strategies of cognitive-behavioral therapy. These examinations are applied to a wide variety of problems in marriage, family, and social relationships and are framed within a Christian theological context.
MSCP622: MFT Practicum
This is an experiential course and requires students to complete a minimum of 100 hours of marriage and family therapy practice, under supervision, at an approved site. Students will provide therapy services as well as continue to learn skills in intake, assessment, counseling, and consultation. Students will participate in weekly individual as well as group supervision. Prerequisite: All Core Curriculum Courses and Consent of Department Chair.
MSCP6222: Internship I
This is an experiential course and requires students to complete a minimum of 200 hours of clinical counseling experience (face-to-face) in the practice of marriage and family therapy, under supervision of an LMFT, at an approved site. Students will provide counseling services as well as continue to learn skills in intake, assessment, counseling, and consultation. Students will also begin to complete paperwork required for licensure as an LMFT-A (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist – Associate) in NC. Students will participate in weekly individual supervision as well as group supervision. Prerequisites: MSCP 6221 and consent of Department Chair.
MSPC6223: Internship II
This is an experiential course and requires students to complete a minimum of 200 hours of clinical counseling experience (face-to-face) in the practice of marriage and family therapy, under supervision of an LMFT, at an approved site. Students will provide counseling services as well as continue to learn skills in intake, assessment, counseling, and consultation. Students will also begin to complete paperwork required for licensure as an LMFT-A (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist – Associate) in NC. Students will participate in weekly individual supervision as well as group supervision. Prerequisites: MSCP 6222 and consent of Department Chair.