Best 10 Online Doctoral Programs in Marriage and Family Counseling

Regent University School of Psychology and Counseling Online Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies

• Location: Virginia Beach, VA
• Percentage of Graduate Students: 60%
• Student to Faculty Ratio: 42 to 1
• Degrees Offered: Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master’s degree, Post-master’s certificate, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship, Doctor’s degree – professional practice
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges as well as several other accrediting bodies.

Founded in 1977 by Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson with a vision of establishing a graduate-level institution that would train men and women for the challenge of representing Christ in their professions, Regent University is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school began with 77 students, and today has grown into a nationally recognized institution.

Through the School of Psychology and Counseling, Regent University offers a Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Ministry. The degree can be completed online, one of the few online Ph.D. programs available. Students will research specific areas, including forgiveness and grace, inner healing, conflict and crisis management, sexuality, eating disorders, child behavior, and more.

Graduation requires a total of 51 credit hours. In order to be accepted into the program, candidates must hold a regionally accredited 30 hour master’s degree in a mental health field,a minimum of a 3.5 GPA in their graduate level coursework, and at least one year of experience in a mental health field.

Incorporating a Christian worldview, graduates of the program will be fully equipped to enter into the challenging field of marriage and family therapy. One of the most affordable programs on the list, Regent University belongs at the top of the list.

Oregon State University College of Education Online Ph.D. in Counseling

• Location: Corvallis, OR
• Percentage of Graduate Students: 17%
• Student to Faculty Ratio: 18 to 1
• Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master’s degree, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship, Doctor’s degree – professional practice
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities as well as numerous other accrediting bodies.

Located in the scenic Willamette Valley of Oregon, Oregon State is an international public research university that draws people from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. An academic powerhouse, the University is home to 11 colleges, 15 experiment stations, 35 Extension offices, and over 200+ academic programs.

Oregon State University offers an online Ph.D. in Counseling through the College of Education and the ECampus. The program is a hybrid program that requires both face-to-face and online instruction for each course. Face-to-face classes are required only twice each quarter in a Friday through Saturday block in Wilsonville, OR. The face-to-face course location is in the Portland Metro area, rendering it easily accessible from the Portland International Airport,  making it easily accessible for out-of-state students. The program is CACREP accredited.

Adopting a cohort model, students become a member of a supportive and active cohort of peers. Additionally, each student is guided by a department professor throughout the program. Completion takes three- to five-years.

Oregon State University offers the cheapest program on the list at only $24,381. With an average mid-career salary of $101,300, the ROI is high, leaving no doubt that OSU is a top place to earn an online Ph.D. in Counseling.

Eastern University Online Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy

• Location: Saint Davids, PA
• Percentage of Graduate Students: 36%
• Student to Faculty Ratio: 10 to 1
• Degrees Offered: Less than one year certificate, Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Post-master’s certificate, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship, Doctor’s degree – professional practice
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education as well as several other accrediting bodies.

Eastern University is a Christian university offering more than 160 nationally-recognized undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certifications. The University is located near the thriving metropolis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Eastern University offers a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family that is completed primarily online with several required campus residencies at their main campus in Saint David. The program is 60 credits and is designed for people looking to expand their hearts and minds while developing skills to meet the challenges of 21st Century life. Students will complete research and study in counseling theories and practice integrated with a Christian worldview.

Although the program is primarily online, there is a one-week residency of intensive classroom instruction required in addition to the 14 weeks of online coursework.  Attendance at residency weeks is mandatory.

Admission requirements include a completed Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Masters of Counseling, or Master’s degree in a related field from a regionally accredited college, university, or seminary, a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.5, an interview, transcripts, Statement of Purpose, and a Statement of Faith.

The program is affordable at only $30,660, and the student to faculty ratio of 10 to 1 ensures students that they will receive personal attention from the faculty.

Louisiana University – Monroe Online Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Systemic Studies

• Location: Monroe, LA
• Percentage of Graduate Students: 15%
• Student to Faculty Ratio: 19 to 1
• Degrees Offered: Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate Master’s degree, Post-master’s certificate, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship, Doctor’s degree – professional practice
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education as well as several other accrediting bodies.

The University of Louisiana Monroe is a comprehensive, state-funded institution of higher education and is home to over 9,100 students. The University was founded in 1931, and offers one of the state’s most attractive campuses with beautiful Bayou DeSiard flowing through it.

The Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with a concentration in Systemic Studies is a theoretically oriented Ph.D. offered at the University of Louisiana, Monroe. It should be noted that the degree does not end in Marriage and Family licensure, but rather is a scholarly program of study that is non-clinical in emphasis. It is designed for the clinician, counselor, coach, clergy, healer, educator, scholar, artist and professional who desires deeper study of the contexts that advance the practices necessary for change.

Students are required to complete 60 hours of coursework along with a dissertation in order to graduate. Classes are completed in a cohort, creating a learning community where collaboration is encouraged. Courses are seminar-style where individuals are expected to participate in conversations relevant to course content and its application to lived experience.

The degree is completed through eULM Online, which offers numerous nationally recognized online programs.

Amridge University Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy

• Location: Montgomery, AL
• Percentage of Graduate Students: 52%
• Student to Faculty Ratio: 19 to 1
• Degrees Offered: Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

Founded in 1967, as a theological seminary, Amridge University primary mission was to train ministers in Bible and Christian Counseling. Today they have a grown into an institution where distance learning is the primary method of  instructional delivery and they offer online degrees through fives schools.

Through the Amridge University School of Human Services, Amridge University offers a 60-hour Ph. D. program in Marriage and Family Therapy. The program is not designed to prepare individuals for professional licensure as it is assumed that the applicant has already completed the course work required for professional licensure. There is an option provided should the student wish to obtain professional licensure; additional courses may be required.

Students complete studies in theories of marriage and family therapy, human development, problems with abuse and addiction, cultural diversity, and research. These intensive classes are offered partly from traditional class settings and will be partly delivered online. The program is typically completed in four years if the student is attending full-time. Credits are broken into 48 hours of  specific courses and 12 hours of dissertation courses. There are also qualifying examinations required.

Academically rigorous, this program is worth the cost, as the average mid-career salary is $74,000, but the total program cost is only $46,800.

Mississippi College Online Professional Counseling, D.P.C.

• Location: Clinton, MI
• Percentage of Graduate Students: 40%
• Student to Faculty Ratio: 19 to 1
• Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master’s degree, Post-master’s certificate, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship, Doctor’s degree – professional practice
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges as well as numerous other accrediting bodies.

Founded in 1826, Mississippi College is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Mississippi. A private, co-educational, Christian university of liberal arts and sciences, the College is home to approximately 5,000 students.

Mississippi College offers a Doctor of Professional Counseling degree program that is designed to meet the career advancement goals of licensed professional counselors. The degree is cohort-based and students are required to be enrolled continuously and year-round once they have been admitted. It can be completed in both the traditional or online format.

The program requires 72 hours to completion. These credit hours are broken into several components: Core Courses (30 semester hours); Application Courses (12 semester hours); Specialization Courses (12 semester hours); Internships (12 semester hours); and Concluding Courses (6 semester hours). It should be noted that the although the program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, it is not accredited by CACREP.  There is no assurance that a clinical doctorate will meet the CACREP standards for a research-based doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision, which is currently the only doctoral-level accreditation.

Students who are interested in the program are required to have at least two years of documented experience in professional counseling.

Antioch University – New England Online Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy

• Location: Keene, NH
• Percentage of Graduate Students: 100%
• Student to Faculty Ratio: 12 to 1
• Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master’s degree, Post-master’s certificate, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission and WASC Senior College and University Commission

Founded in 1964, Antioch University New England provides graduate level degrees to over 9,000 students each year. The student population comes from six continents and all 50 states.

Antioch University provides a low-residency Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. This doctorate degree is designed to be completed in three years of full-time enrollment, with two years of coursework and practice experience, and one year of working on a dissertation. Residencies will take place four times per year, and will take from three to five days each. Residencies combine seminars, workshops, guest lectures, advising sessions, peer discussions, and student presentations, for an intensive few days of learning.

Most coursework will be facilitated online in a flexible format, with weekly professional seminar meetings facilitated online via video and/or voice conferencing. Students are not required to be located in the New England area, only to attend the scheduled residencies. The Ph.D. may also serve as a qualifying degree for licensure for those whose Master’s degree does not fit licensure requirements.

The program starts in the Fall each year, and students begin as a cohort who move through the program together. The degree takes 86-89 credits to complete.

Nova Southeastern University Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy

• Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Percentage of Graduate Students: 78%
• Student to Faculty Ratio: 17 to 1
• Degrees Offered: Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate, Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master’s degree, Post-master’s certificate, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship, Doctor’s degree – professional practice
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges as well as numerous other accrediting bodies.

Nova Southeastern University was founded in the 1960’s with the intention to be the MIT of the South. Today, the private, non-profit university is focused on research and innovation. NSU educates through 18 colleges and schools and offers over 150 programs of study.

NSU’s Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy (D.M.F.T.)  is a terminal degree designed for those holding a master’s degree. The program is not fully online but has online components.  The 78-credit D.M.F.T. aims to produce graduates getting jobs as private practitioners, agency administrators, clinical supervisors, and senior clinicians. The program takes a minimum of three years and maximum of seven to complete.

Curriculum includes coursework in Human Development across the Life Cycle, Theories of Personality and Psychopathology, and Human Sexuality and Gender. You also produce a Clinical Portfolio, part of Applied Clinical Project (ACP) courses, and does not require a dissertation. The Clinical Portfolio involves written and video presentations of your clinical work. Online components of the program include discussion boards, multimedia presentations, chat rooms, and more through NSU’s digital platform called Canvas.

Admission requirements include a Master’s Degree, minimum 3.5 GPA, academic writing samples, letters of recommendation, and experience is also considered.

Liberty University Online EdD in Community Care and Counseling – Marriage and Family Counseling

• Location: Lynchburg, VA
• Percentage of Graduate Students: 39%
• Student to Faculty Ratio: 18 to 1
• Degrees Offered: Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate, Associate’s degree, Two but less than 4 years certificate, Bachelor’s degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master’s degree, Post-master’s certificate, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges as well as several other accrediting bodies.

Liberty University is one of the largest Christian universities in the world with a total enrollment of over 100,000. Their mission is to “train Champions for Christ with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting tomorrow’s world.” The School offers 550 unique programs of study, both residential and online.

The Online EdD in Community Care and Counseling at Liberty is 57 credits and takes an average of three years to complete. With one of the most affordable tuitions on our top 10, the degree combines cost, quality, and convenience. The EdD in CCC-Marriage and Family Counseling is designed for Christians who seek to apply the skills and knowledge in ministry settings. For example, pastors, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers.

The fully-online curriculum features ethical, evidence-based, and biblically grounded knowledge and skills and includes an internship, comprehensive exam, and dissertation. The online program will apply towards numerous certifications including Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts (SYMBIS) and Prepare and Enrich (PE).

It is important to note that the EdD is not designed to lead to licensure. Though the degree is fully online you also have the option to take “Intensives.” These are face-to-face hands-on courses and seminars.

Honorable Mention – Northcentral University Online Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Percentage of Graduate Students: 15%
• Student to Faculty Ratio: 1 to 1
• Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master’s degree, Post-master’s certificate, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission and WASC Senior College and University Commission

Northcentral University is a for-profit institution where approximately 10,000 students are pursuing their master’s and doctoral degrees. The University offers over 40 programs that provide the flexibility of no group projects, no set class times, no GRE/GMAT requirements and no physical residency requirements.

Northcentral University offers an online Ph. D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. The program is both COAMFTE and IACSTE-accredited and follows the COAMFTE Marriage and Family Therapy Educational Guidelines. Northcentral is one of the few universities to offer this type of accreditation through an online doctoral degree. The degree requires anywhere from 63 – 99 credit hours for graduation and typically takes 56 months to complete, depending on how many credits transfer in from prior degrees and coursework.

Classes start every Monday, so you don’t have to wait to start your degree. There are eight specializations to choose from that range from General Family Therapy to Therapy with Military Families. Another unique aspect of this program is faculty will work with you to arrange a local provider to complete your required practicum and your 9-month internship.

Even though it is a for-profit institution, Northcentral is ranked as an honorable mention due to its outstanding flexibility coupled with accreditation. There is no doubt that an online marriage and family therapy degree at Northcentral University is worth considering.