8 Top COAMFTE-Accredited MFT Programs in California
COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs represent the highest standard in marriage and family therapy education. California stands out with its exceptional range of options for aspiring therapists.
Students can choose from 25 COAMFTE-accredited programs among 36 total Masters in MFT programs in California. These complete programs need 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of coursework. Students must also finish six semester hours of practicum and complete 150 face-to-face counseling hours. Most students finish these programs in two full-time years after their undergraduate degree.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at 8 great COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs in California. You’ll learn about each school’s curriculum, format, clinical training requirements, tuition costs, and unique features. The selected programs from San Diego to San Francisco show the best paths to become a licensed marriage and family therapist in the Golden State.
Alliant International University – Irvine
Alliant International University’s Irvine campus sits in Orange County’s heart. The campus offers reliable MFT programs that blend academic excellence with hands-on training.
Program overview
The California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University gives you two complete degree choices. You can pursue a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Marriage and Family Therapy. The MA program needs 60 credits and takes at least two years to finish. Students with family and work commitments can choose from different scheduling options. The curriculum teaches everything in couples therapy, domestic violence, family systems, and trauma intervention.
Accreditation and format
Alliant stands out among California institutions. It has COAMFTE accreditation for both master’s and doctoral MFT programs. The doctoral program was the first COAMFTE-accredited program in the country. This prestigious accreditation gives you great advantages. You can transfer your license to other states easily and work with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Students can learn on campus, online, or through a mix of both.
Clinical training and practicum
The practical training is solid. MA practicum students must complete 500 hours of direct client contact, 250 supervision hours, and at least 100 professional development hours. These hours add up to 800-1200 hours toward your license. Students work at community-based sites of all types. These include mental health centers, medical settings, and inpatient facilities with qualified supervisors.
Tuition and financial aid
Your education cost at Alliant depends on how you study. The in-person MA program costs about $73,500. The online version costs less at around $57,000. Students can get financial help through scholarships, grants, part-time jobs, and loans from federal, state, and private sources.
Special features
The Irvine campus boasts modern facilities. You’ll find five classrooms, a conference room, student lounge, computer lab, and a cross-cultural room. The campus library contains special collections in clinical and forensic psychology, family therapy, education, and multiculturalism. Students can use computer stations and study spaces. Every classroom has smart TVs and continuous connection to WiFi.
Licensure preparation
Alliant really prepares you for professional licensure beyond classroom learning. The curriculum meets requirements for both MFT and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licensing exams in California and most other states. Students take a complete exit exam that mirrors the actual licensing test. MA graduates must complete California’s required 3,000 supervised professional experience hours. This includes at least 1,700 post-master’s hours before taking the state licensing examination.
National University – San Diego
National University in San Diego leads the way in distance education for MFT programs with its fresh take on marriage and family therapy education.
Program overview
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at National University (formerly called Northcentral University) helps students build clinical skills and grow professionally. Students can work in mental health centers, public service agencies, correctional institutions, and private practice after completing the program. You’ll need at least 45 credit hours, but most students take 60 credit hours to get licensed. The program takes about 33 months and puts graduates in a great position to start their licensure journey.
Accreditation and format
This program made history as the first online MFT program to get COAMFTE accreditation. Students complete their coursework online but must do their clinical work in person. The program lets you finish weekly assignments on your schedule during 8 or 12-week courses. This setup works great for professionals who can’t make it to campus classes.
Clinical training and practicum
Clinical training includes 500 hours of direct client contact, and 250 of these hours must be with couples or families. Students need 100 hours of supervision, with 51 hours of one-on-one, face-to-face supervision. Students can start seeing clients after their first nine courses. Each 12-week clinical course runs back-to-back, and students typically complete about 100 client hours per practicum.
Tuition and financial aid
Program tuition runs between $41,540 and $55,270, based on your state’s licensing requirements. Students pay a one-time $450 fee for the learning management system. National University offers scholarships to help with costs. Students can also get financial aid from federal, state, and private sources.
Special features
Students can choose specialty tracks in MFT for couples, LGBTQ community, military families, systemic addiction treatment, child and adolescent therapy, medical family therapy, trauma-informed systemic therapy, and systemic sex therapy. Expert professors with hands-on MFT experience teach all courses, and many still practice as clinicians. The California Licensure Track has Board of Behavioral Sciences approval and meets all California licensing requirements.
Licensure preparation
Students must take an AATBS practice exam for national or California licensing. They also need to show their skills in their chosen therapy model using actual therapy session videos. The MAMFT degree helps students get licensed in their preferred state, and they can add courses to meet specific state requirements.
Loma Linda University – Online
Loma Linda University runs one of California’s longest-standing MFT programs. Students get detailed online education based on values of compassion, integrity, and excellence.
Program overview
Loma Linda University runs two fully online COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs: a Master of Science (MS) in Marital and Family Therapy and a Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy (DMFT). The MS program gets you ready for professional clinical practice with individuals, couples, and families in medical facilities, schools, and community mental health centers of all types. The DMFT program has a 78-unit curriculum that takes three years of full-time study. It builds applied skills for clinical practice, supervision, and administrative positions. Both programs focus on relational therapy, systemic practice, and prepare you to work with diverse mental health challenges.
Accreditation and format
Loma Linda stands out by offering the only COAMFTE-accredited MFT online program in the Inland Empire. Their DMFT program is the country’s only COAMFTE-approved doctoral program that runs entirely online. The MS program combines synchronous and asynchronous learning. Students meet online Mondays and Wednesdays between 5:30pm and 7:30pm PST. This schedule works great for working professionals.
Clinical training and practicum
Clinical training needs 300 direct face-to-face client contact hours. Students must spend 100 of these hours on relational/systemic therapy. You’ll need at least 100 hours of clinical supervision, with one hour of supervision for every five hours of clinical contact. Students complete practicum placements in person at their local area, with program approval. Loma Linda University’s healthcare system and local community agencies provide clinical opportunities.
Tuition and financial aid
The online MS in Marital and Family Therapy costs about $77,580 in total tuition. Students don’t pay application fees or quarterly enrollment fees. The Health Professional Scholarship Program can help students pursuing healthcare service education.
Special features
The program comes with several unique benefits:
- Students can get tuition waivers when adding Play Therapy or Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificates
- Access to Loma Linda University Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, Behavioral Medicine Center, and Behavioral Health Institute
- The program values your cultural heritage, life experience, and personal creativity in professional growth
Licensure preparation
California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences approves the MS program for state licensure. Your graduation will meet educational requirements for MFT licensure and possibly Professional Clinical Counselor licensure, based on your course choices. COAMFTE accreditation means your degree meets national standards, making it easier to get licensed in different states.
San Diego State University
San Diego State University stands out with its MFT program that puts social justice and diversity at the forefront.
Program overview
SDSU’s Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy uses a close-knit cohort model that takes 2.5 years to complete, including three summers. Students start their journey together in late May and stay connected throughout their studies. The program has 65 units of required and elective courses at the 600 and 700 levels. Students learn to provide therapy and create positive change while focusing on social justice in different settings.
Accreditation and format
The program’s COAMFTE accreditation shows it meets national training standards. The WASC Senior College and University Commission also accredits the university. California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences has approved the curriculum according to Business and Professions Code Sections 4980.37, 4980.40, and 4980.41. Classes split their time between the main SDSU campus and the Center for Community Counseling and Engagement (CCCE) clinic.
Clinical training and practicum
The program needs students to complete 300 direct clinical hours working with individuals, couples, and families. At least 100 of these hours must be relational. Students need 100 hours of supervision, half of which uses live, videotaped, or audio-taped methods. Clinical work starts at the CCCE during the first fall and spring terms, then moves to traineeship locations. Clinical training runs for at least 18 months.
Tuition and financial aid
California residents pay $10,794 in tuition and fees for the 2025-26 academic year. Students who live off-campus should budget around $35,616 yearly for books, housing, and other costs. The university offers merit and need-based scholarships, plus teaching and research assistant positions.
Special features
The program’s student body shows remarkable diversity – 78% are students of color. The gender breakdown shows 82% female, 15% male, and 3% gender-nonconforming students. Sesen Negash leads the program as its first director of color, emphasizing support for underserved communities through a social justice lens. Students get excellent supervision and learn from a curriculum that weaves in multicultural perspectives.
Licensure preparation
After graduating, students register as Associates with the Board of Behavioral Sciences to continue their path to licensure. Full licensure requires 3,000 hours of clinical experience and passing two BBS exams. Students must pass the Law & Ethics Exam (taken yearly until licensed) and the Clinical Exam. The program’s COAMFTE accreditation makes it easier to transfer education and experience between states.
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego runs a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program. This program emphasizes hands-on clinical skills in a rich educational setting with relationship-centered therapeutic approaches.
Program overview
USD’s Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy is a non-thesis program. Students need 51 units of coursework plus 6.5 units in continuing education. Students who start in fall can finish the degree in two academic years. Spring-start students need at least two and a half years because practicum placements start only in summer and fall. The program prepares you to become a Registered Associate Marital and Family Therapist. You’ll develop a biopsychosocial view that helps you imagine problems as outcomes of complex interactions between biological, psychological, and social variables.
Accreditation and format
The MFT program has had its COAMFTE accreditation since 1992. It meets all California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements for family therapy training. Classes run Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, with some early evening options. Each course runs twice yearly, which helps students plan ahead.
Clinical training and practicum
The final year involves a 12-month, three-semester practicum sequence. Students complete 400 direct client contact hours (minimum 200 relational hours) and 100 supervision hours (minimum 50 with raw data). Students work at prestigious sites like Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment Center, and San Diego Unified School District. AAMFT Approved Supervisors lead both individual and group supervision using live and videotaped session data.
Tuition and financial aid
Tuition runs $1,700 per unit for 2025-26, with total program costs around $102,000. Students can access various financial aid options. These include the Dean’s Excellence Award, W. Scott McIntyre Memorial Scholarship ($5,000), and Diocesan of San Diego Employee Scholarship. Some students might qualify for a $10,000 HRSA TeamUP stipend during their clinical practicum year.
Special features
Students must complete an international experience to promote cultural competency. The HRSA grant gives students access to professional development opportunities. These include conference travel support, specialty training, and Spanish language instruction. Faculty members are experts in adolescent therapy, men’s issues, chronic illness, couples therapy, and severe mental illness.
Licensure preparation
Graduates will have accumulated approximately 1,000 hours toward California’s required 3,000 MFT licensure hours. Students planning to practice outside California should check with the Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) about state-specific licensing requirements. The COAMFTE accreditation makes license transfers between states easier.
Hope International University
Hope International University, a 60-year-old institution with strong Christian roots, offers a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program. The program blends faith principles with clinical excellence in family therapy education.
Program overview
HIU’s Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 60-unit program that combines theory, practice, and research based on Christian principles. Students learn to treat mental health issues from a family systems point of view through academic research, theory, and clinical training. The core team provides mentorship and helps students grow professionally in a shared learning environment. HIU-trained licensed marriage and family therapists work in healthcare settings of all types, including hospitals, clinical agencies, churches, educational institutions, and private practices.
Accreditation and format
The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) has accredited HIU’s MFT program. The program also has International Accreditation Commission for Systemic Therapy Education (IACSTE) accreditation. Classes run for 8 to 16 weeks with morning, afternoon, and evening options. Students can complete the program in two to three years. This on-ground program lets you create a schedule that fits your work and personal life.
Clinical training and practicum
The degree requires at least 400 clinical training hours, with 300 hours spent directly working with clients. These hours include therapy sessions with individuals, couples, families, children, and groups. HIU’s on-site Hope Counseling Center serves students, faculty, staff, and local community members. Many MFT students complete their clinical training hours at this convenient location. The department must approve all practicum sites and supervisors to ensure compliance with Board of Behavioral Sciences regulations.
Tuition and financial aid
The program’s tuition rate is $775 per unit, bringing the total cost to about $43,500. Students pay additional fees of $1,200 when starting practicum class and $200 for state-required seminars. The university offers flexible payment options, including full payment or monthly installments.
Special features
Students come from around the world to learn about working with diverse populations. HIU’s College of Psychology and Counseling promotes excellence through innovative curriculum. The program emphasizes academic rigor, research, clinical training, faith integration, and community involvement. Faculty and staff create an environment that encourages mentoring relationships and supports both personal and professional development.
Licensure preparation
Graduates meet California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences educational requirements. They can take licensing exams after completing 3,000 supervised hours. The program’s COAMFTE accreditation makes it easier to transfer licenses to other states. Students also receive personalized advising to plan their curriculum based on specific state requirements where they plan to practice.
Chapman University
Chapman University’s prestigious MFT program sits in Orange County, featuring an on-site training clinic where students apply theory to practice in a supportive learning environment.
Program overview
The Marriage and Family Therapy program at Chapman needs 60 units (20 courses) to graduate. Evening classes run Monday through Thursday (4-6:50 pm or 7-9:50 pm), and students can take some Friday afternoon classes. Students complete the program in 2.5 or 3 years, with part-time study options. Class sizes stay small at 25-30 students to give personal attention.
Accreditation and format
COAMFTE accreditation ensures the program meets national quality standards for marriage and family therapy education. This recognition makes it easier to transfer coursework and clinical hours between states. California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences has approved the program for both MFT and Professional Clinical Counseling licensure.
Clinical training and practicum
The Frances Smith Center, a 57-year old on-site training facility, hosts students for three semesters plus one interterm of practicum. Eight observation rooms equipped with digital recording technology fill the center. Students provide therapy to individuals, couples and families while licensed professionals supervise them directly. Most students log 300-400 clinical hours toward their license requirements.
Tuition and financial aid
Program tuition costs $1,435 per credit, reaching about $86,100 total. Students can access FAFSA assistance and fellowships if they qualify as top candidates. Monthly payment plans offer an alternative to full upfront payments.
Special features
The program stands out with:
- Faculty experts in family systems, cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, and post-modern therapeutic approaches
- A groundbreaking Competency Model featured in the Journal of Contemporary Family Therapy (2021)
- A modern training clinic offering real-life experience
Licensure preparation
Graduates complete about 10-13% of California’s required 3,000 supervised hours for licensure. The program’s Graduate Achievement Data shows outstanding results, with 87-100% licensure rates in recent graduating classes. Job placement remains strong, as 92-100% of graduates find work in the field.
Touro University Worldwide
Touro University Worldwide offers a fully online COAMFTE-accredited MFT program. The program is available to students whatever their location or work schedule.
Program overview
Touro University Worldwide’s School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences runs the online MFT program. The curriculum has everything you need to know about human development, psychotherapy techniques, and ethical issues in counseling. Students get both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills to tackle various challenges in marriage and family therapy. Students can choose from three concentrations: MFT Clinical Track, Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling Track, and Non-Clinical Track.
Accreditation and format
The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) accredits only the MFT Clinical Track. This “gold standard” accreditation shows the program’s excellence. The program gives you real-life experience through practical components while being completely online.
Clinical training and practicum
The program requires 300 direct client contact hours and 100 supervision hours. Students must complete at least 100 couple and family hours. Students need to find their own practicum sites since TUW doesn’t provide them.
Tuition and financial aid
Each semester credit costs $500. The Clinical Track’s total cost is $36,000. The LPCC Track costs about $41,000.
Special features
Students learn to work with people from different backgrounds through cultural competence training. Faculty members guide students throughout their clinical training.
Licensure preparation
Clinical track students pay a $116 material fee for their Capstone course starting Fall 2023. This fee covers exam preparation materials for California and National licensing exams. The program meets licensing requirements in all 50 states.
Choose the Right COAMFTE Program Today
Picking the right COAMFTE-accredited MFT program will shape your path to becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. California has 25 COAMFTE-accredited programs spread across the state. You’ll find options that fit your style – whether you want to study online, attend campus classes, or mix both approaches.
The state’s 8 notable programs showcase exceptional quality and variety. Each school brings something special to the table. Alliant International University has detailed practicum requirements. Northcentral University leads the way in distance education. Loma Linda University’s specialized programs and San Diego State University’s focus on social justice make them stand out.
Money matters will affect your choice. Program costs vary quite a bit – from $30,000 at some schools to more than $100,000 at other schools. The good news is most schools help make it affordable through scholarships, grants, and flexible payment options.
Clinical training looks similar across these programs. You’ll need 300-500 direct client contact hours. This hands-on experience helps you develop therapy skills with expert supervision. COAMFTE accreditation means your degree meets national standards and might help you practice in different states.
Getting your marriage and family therapy license in California takes about 3,000 supervised hours. These programs give you a head start – you can complete 300-1,000 hours while studying.
The right program depends on what works best for you and your career plans. Think about the location, teaching style, special focus areas, and costs. A COAMFTE-accredited program that matches your needs will set you up for success in helping people with their relationships.