Master's in Marriage & Family Therapy

Syracuse University is a prestigious private research university located in Syracuse, New York. Founded in 1870, Syracuse offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts and sciences, business, engineering, communication, and more. The university is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and social impact. Syracuse provides students with a transformative educational experience that combines rigorous coursework with experiential learning opportunities, research projects, and community engagement. With world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a vibrant campus community, Syracuse fosters a supportive environment where students can thrive intellectually, creatively, and personally. The university's strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, global perspectives, and inclusion prepares graduates to excel in their careers and become responsible global citizens.

The Department of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), in existence for nearly five decades, is the longest-standing department of its kind in the country and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Addressing the substantial need for trained professionals able to provide mental health services, Syracuse University’s accredited 60-credit master of arts degree in marriage and family therapy prepares students for rewarding work in marriage and couples counseling and family therapy in private practice, mental health facilities, social service agencies, and school districts, among many other organizations. The Syracuse University MFT M.A. program’s mission is to educate and train clinicians, scholars, and researchers in the ethical and systemic practice of MFT with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Department of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) is housed in Peck Hall, which offers advanced teaching technologies and learning environments that further distinguish Syracuse’s program in marriage and family therapy from others across the country. With extensive hands-on training, both at the Couple and Family Therapy Center, an on-campus clinical training and research facility, and at local community sites, students complete 500 hours of supervised clinical practice with individuals, couples and families. To conclude their studies, students complete either a one-day comprehensive examination or a master’s project. From working with LGBTQ clients, issues of trauma, and challenges of childhood and parenting to marital and couple difficulties, moving beyond family violence, or easing relationship and communications struggles, students have specialized skill sets upon completion of the program that set them apart in the job search process. Our comprehensive clinical training prepares graduates well in the marketplace for jobs in marriage and couples counseling and family therapy.