Prepare to Become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) | Online

Begin your mission-driven career helping families and couples improve their relationships and overall well-being. 

  • Top online program — Join a program ranked #13 in best online master’s degrees in psychology.1
  • Earn your LMFT licensure — Our marriage and family therapy program prepares students with the academic requirements to sit for the LMFT licensure exam.
  • 27-month program — Complete your degree in as few as 27 months online.

The online Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology empowers you to provide families and couples with the impartial guidance they need to build happier and healthier relationships.

Through interactive online course work led by distinguished Pepperdine faculty and clinical training in or near your own community, you will be prepared to pursue work as an LMFT in as few as 27 months.

What Does a Marriage and Family Therapist Do?

Marriage counselors help families and couples deal with issues and conflicts that are affecting their relationships, mental health, and well-being. While no two clients will have the same needs, there are some common issues you can expect to help solve as a family therapist.

As a marriage counselor or family therapist, you may see clients who are:

  • Suffering through depression.
  • Affected by substance abuse of a partner or family member.
  • Affected by the psychological disorders of a partner or family member.
  • Going through marital stress or family conflict caused by grief, emotional pain, fear, anger, guilt, or separating lifestyles.

You will help your clients by:

  • Being an impartial listener.
  • Observing how family members and couples interact with one another.
  • Highlighting problematic relational and behavioral patterns.
  • Evaluating and finding effective and pragmatic resolutions to problems.
  • Helping replace dysfunctional behaviors with healthier alternatives.

LMFT Licensure Requirements

To pursue a career as an LMFT, first you will need to have earned a bachelor’s degree. Students of all educational backgrounds are able to apply. You will then need to:

Licensing requirements vary by state. You can learn more about LMFT requirements by state by visiting your state’s licensing board.

Did You Know?

Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology has been preparing students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership since 1971. Our online master’s in clinical psychology program is an extension of that mission—as such, our curriculum features the latest in multicultural counseling, trauma in diverse populations, substance abuse counseling, and more.

Earn Your Master’s. Help People Thrive.

Learn more about Pepperdine’s online Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program today.

Request Information

Access Your Application

Now is the time. Advance your career with Pepperdine. Take the next step today.

Apply Now

Careers in Marriage and Family Therapy

LMFT career options are many. Marriage counselors can work in hospitals, schools, or social service agencies, or even start their own practice. Many counselors also choose to work with a specific population, such as children or the elderly.

As you earn your master’s and complete your fieldwork hours, you’ll have time to explore your areas of interest within the field.

15%

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for marriage and family therapists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2022 to 2032.2

Start Your LMFT Path at Pepperdine

You want to help families build stronger relationships, and Pepperdine has empowered students to do just that since 1971. Join us—we’re just getting started.

Access Your Application

Now is the time. Advance your career with Pepperdine. Take the next step today.

Apply Now

FAQs About Our Online LMFT Program

  • For many, a career as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is a fulfilling and valuable choice. The profession offers a unique opportunity to create a positive impact by helping individuals, couples, and families navigate their relationships and emotional well-being. Additionally, the field of counseling is growing, which provides strong career prospects and job security.

  • The key difference is that an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) is fully licensed by their state, allowing them to practice independently, while an MFT (Marriage and Family Therapist) refers to a professional who has completed their education and gained supervised clinical experience but is not yet fully licensed to practice without supervision. An LMFT has met additional requirements, including passing licensing exams and completing supervised post-graduate clinical hours, enabling greater independence and professional recognition.

  • Yes, a common misconception is that Marriage and Family Therapists only work with families or couples. While LMFTs are uniquely trained in relational dynamics and family systems, they are also fully qualified to treat individual clients. Their training allows them to address individual mental health challenges within the context of the client’s family and social relationships.

  • With their licensure, LMFTs are qualified to independently diagnose mental health and substance use disorders. Their extensive training in both assessment and treatment equips them to evaluate a client’s symptoms and provide a formal diagnosis.

  • Marriage and Family Therapists have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings. They can be found in outpatient care centers, inpatient hospitals and residential care facilities, schools, and social service agencies. Many MFTs also choose to establish their own private practices, providing them with more autonomy and control over their work environment.

  • Yes, a career as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) is in high demand, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting job growth to be much faster than the average for all occupations. This demand is driven by increased recognition of mental health’s importance and the removal of the stigma associated with seeking therapy. MFTs are vital in providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families across various settings.

  • According to BLS, the average salary for a Marriage and Family Therapist in the United States is approximately $63,780 per year. However, this amount can vary significantly based on location, experience, and employer. While the median annual wage for MFTs is competitive, salary can range from an entry-level salary to a higher income for more experienced professionals, particularly those in private practice.

  • The main difference between an LMFT and an LPC is their area of specialization. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) are trained in a family-systems approach, focusing on how relationships and family dynamics affect mental health. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) typically have a broader scope of practice, focusing more on a wide range of individual mental health issues. While both professions help with similar problems, their educational emphasis and treatment approach differ.

  • No, your diploma from the Pepperdine University online LMFT program will not say “online.” Accredited universities like Pepperdine generally issue identical diplomas for both online and in-person programs. The diploma will display the degree title, the university name, and in some cases, the specific school within the university, but it will not distinguish the format of study.

  • The LMFT program can be completed in as few as 27 months (roughly 2.5 years) online.

  • Yes, it is possible to work full-time while enrolled in the Pepperdine University online MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) program, as it is specifically designed for working professionals. However, it is described as challenging, particularly when balancing intense coursework with mandatory clinical practicum hours.

  • The online experience is designed to mirror the rigor and connection of our on-campus programs while offering the flexibility working professionals need.

    • Synchronous Live Sessions: Weekly, face-to-face classes via Zoom are the core of the program, ensuring you build real relationships with faculty and peers.
    • Small Class Sizes: To maintain intimacy and support, we cap online classes at roughly 20 students.
    • Virtual Campus: You will access coursework, video lectures, and case studies through our Digital Campus (powered by Canvas), which also connects you to student groups, academic advising, and career services.
    • Field-Based Learning: You will complete required clinical rotations at approved sites near your own community, with support from our placement team to secure a location that fits your professional goals.

  • Yes, Pepperdine University’s online Master’s in Clinical Psychology (LMFT) program includes a mandatory, built-in clinical training component, often referred to as a practicum or field placement, where a dedicated team helps secure local opportunities. Students typically complete 700 total placement hours to meet licensure requirements.

  • The primary difference is the delivery format, not the degree itself. Whether you earn your degree online or on-campus, you receive the same diploma and curriculum from the Graduate School of Education and Psychology.

    • Flexibility: The online program is designed for working professionals, typically taking 27 months (roughly 2.5 years) to complete. The on-campus program offers full-time daytime, evening, or weekend options that can sometimes be completed in 2 years.
    • Location: Online students can study from anywhere in the U.S. and complete fieldwork locally, while on-campus students attend classes in Southern California.

  • While Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) all provide mental health treatment, they differ in their treatment “lens” or philosophy:

    • LMFTs (Relational Focus): LMFTs view mental health through the lens of relationships. They focus on family systems and how interactions between people affect an individual’s well-being.
    • LPCs (Individual Focus): LPCs typically focus on individual development, mental health, and wellness, helping clients achieve personal goals.
    • LCSWs (Systemic/Advocacy Focus): Social workers often look at the broader social and environmental factors affecting a client, connecting them with community resources and advocacy.

  • The Pepperdine University online Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy program requires students to complete a total of 700 placement hours for the LMFT track, typically during the last four semesters of the 27-month program. This includes a minimum of 225 to 240 direct client hours.

  • Yes, a portion of the clinical hours earned during the Pepperdine University online Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (MACLP) program count toward the 3,000 hours required for LMFT licensure in California. Up to 500 hours (including direct client contact) gained during practicum are typically allowed to count. 

    • LMFT Requirements: For the LMFT track, students must complete at least 225 hours of direct client contact during their practicum. These count toward the 3,000-hour total.

  • Pepperdine’s Online MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California, which has some of the most rigorous standards in the nation.

    Because licensure requirements vary significantly by state, many students are able to use this degree to pursue licensure outside of California. However, the program does not guarantee licensure in every state.

    • Your Responsibility: We strongly encourage you to contact the licensing board in the state where you intend to practice to verify that our curriculum meets their specific requirements.
    • Support: Our clinical training staff can provide guidance on how to navigate these requirements as you plan your career.

Pepperdine University partners with 2U to support the delivery of these online programs. Pepperdine University has full control over the programs, including all core academic functions. Click here to learn more about 2U’s roles and responsibilities.

  1. Best Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology. (2024). OnlineU Best Online Colleges. Retrieved June 13, 2024. ↩︎
  2. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Marriage and Family Therapists. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved June 13, 2024. ↩︎