Online MFT Programs in Indiana + Campus Degree Options (2024)

If you’re looking for a rewarding career with plenty of opportunities for upward mobility, consider becoming a marriage and family therapist! Marriage and family therapists help families and couples work through common issues that may arise in their relationships or traumatic events from their past. Indiana is a great place to begin this exciting career. To become a marriage and family therapist, you’ll need to first enter into an MFT degree program.

What is an MFT Degree?

MFT degrees are educational programs designed to train future marriage and family therapists for the workplace. They cover complex topics such as substance abuse, violence, and interpersonal relationships and develop methods to address these problems when they arise among families, couples, or even individuals.

MFT Degree Levels in Indiana

There are many levels of MFT degrees, but the most common by far are graduate degrees. Master’s degrees and doctorate degrees in marriage and family therapy allow students to become licensed and provide in-depth background and training in the field. For students who are already licensed mental health professionals, graduate certificates serve as a quick and easy way for students to learn and adapt to common MFT methods in their respective fields.

In the sections below, we’ve outlined these degrees, their cost, their length, and other pieces of information that can be helpful during your search. As you begin the application process, remember to always check for accreditation. Accreditation ensures that your program will meet the minimum standards of the state board and enable you to receive licensure. To make sure that your program is accredited, look for a stamp of approval by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).

Indiana Master's Degree in MFT

As discussed, the lowest level of MFT degree that you can obtain and still be licensed as a marriage and family therapist is an MFT master’s degree. Master’s degrees take two years to complete and require an average of 60 credits, usually costing around $400 to $800 per credit in Indiana. Here are a few options for MFT master’s degree programs based in Indiana:

Indiana University: If you’re looking to get your MFT degree with a focus in education, you may be interested in the Master of Science in Education (MS) in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling offered by Indiana University. This degree allows students to not only practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist, but also prepares them to go on to get their doctorate program if they are considering a career in academia. As the largest university in the state, Indiana University offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for future marriage and family therapists.

Perdue University: Another great MFT master’s degree program with a focus on both academia and clinical careers is Perdue University’s Master’s Degree in Couples and Family Therapy. This prestigious master’s degree program incorporates 67 credits, with over 500 hours of direct contact with clients and a written and oral thesis.

Indiana Graduate Certificate in MFT

If you’ve already completed your master’s degree (or doctoral degree) but would like to incorporate an academic focus on marriage and family therapy, MFT graduate certificates can be a great option. These non-degree certificates typically last a year or less but provide a more focused approach to marriage and family therapeutic methods if your graduate degree program only briefly touched on the field of marriage and family therapy in your coursework.

Graduate certificates typically range from $1,000 to $1,500 dollars and many are available online since they don’t require in-person licensure requirements. This fact is important to note because currently, Indiana does not host any MFT graduate certificates in-state. Here are a few nearby options:

Governers State University: The Post-Master'sMarriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Certificate offered by Governers State University, located in University Park, IL, allows licensed mental health professionals to add additional value to their CVs, increasing their marketability when seeking professional roles and, more importantly, providing a more holistic approach to their practice.

Wheaton College: The Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate offered by Wheaton College (located in Wheaton, IL) provides a Christian-based approach to marriage and family therapy. It is perfect for students who want to seek careers in biblical counseling, become clergy members, or expand their practice to reach individuals who prefer a Christian-based clinician.

Indiana MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

If you reach the end of your master’s degree program and want to develop your MFT studies further, MFT doctorate degree programs provide a more in-depth and expansive MFT education. Graduating from an MFT doctorate degree program also allows students to tap into more niche job markets and therapeutic roles. With a Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy, you can pursue research or educational roles (through an MFT Ph.D.) or more advanced clinical roles (through a PsyD).

Doctorate degree programs typically last 4 to 6 years and cost around $35,000 to $300,000, depending on the length and location of the program. There are currently no doctorate degree programs available in the State of Indiana, but you can find them available in nearby states:

Ohio State University: The Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral Degree offered by Ohio State University is highly focused on the research and theory aspects of marriage and family therapy for students looking to pursue these types of careers. The highly advanced curriculum and in-person clinical training equip students with all of the academic gems needed to stand out in the professional field of marriage and family therapy.

Adler University: The Ph.D. in Couples and Family Therapy offered by Adler University, located in Chicago, IL, not only prepares students for specialized practice as marriage and family therapists but also offers students the option to further sub-specialize in either substance abuse counseling or sex therapy for additional credits. The program also communicates a strong focus on diversity, recognizing the various dimensions of culture.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Indiana?

Yes! Many schools now offer MFT degrees at a variety of levels through online learning. Because no online MFT degrees are currently available in Indiana, enrolling in an out-of-state MFT degree program online can be a great option for students who have limited access to degree programs in there area. However, it’s important to understand how this impacts licensure and clinical requirements.

If you decide to enroll in another state’s online MFT program, you’ll likely be required to travel to the state where the program is based in order to fulfill in-person clinical and licensure requirements. You’ll also need to transfer your licensure to Indiana if your goal is to practice in the state. Here are a few nearby online MFT degree programs:

Northwestern University: Northwestern University offers its Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy online to both full-time and part-time students in as little as 21 to 36 months. The program is based in Evanston, IL but you can fulfill all coursework and clinical requirements from anywhere in the State of Illinois. This makes it easier for students who are located just over the border in Indiana.

Ohio State University: While you will likely still need to relocate to participate in this online/in-person hybrid, the Couple and Family Therapy Master of Human Development and Family Science offered by Ohio State University can be completed primarily online with some in-person classes and clinical training. The program is located on Ohio State University’s Columbus campus.

Becoming a Licensed MFT in Indiana

The final step to becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist is becoming licensed, of course! Each state has its own specific requirements for securing licensure. Here is the typical trajectory you’ll need to follow in Indiana:

Education: Obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related mental health field from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or a regionally accredited institution.
Supervised Experience: Complete the required supervised clinical experience. In Indiana, this involves accumulating 1,200 hours of postgraduate supervised experience, with at least 200 hours in direct client contact. This experience must be supervised by a licensed mental health professional, typically an LMFT.
Examination: Pass the National Examination in Marital and Family Therapy administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Along with the application, you’ll need to provide documentation of your education, supervised experience, and examination scores. You may also need to undergo a criminal background check.
Jurisprudence Exam: Indiana requires all licensees to pass a jurisprudence exam, which tests their knowledge of state laws and regulations related to marriage and family therapy.
Fees: Pay any required application and licensing fees.
Continuing Education: After obtaining your license, you must fulfill 40 continuing education hours every two years to maintain your licensure.