2023 Best Marriage and Family Therapy Degrees Online

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Online's large, public institution offers a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services - Child and Family Services. This online degree prepares students to evaluate the needs of struggling individuals and groups while applying the appropriate legal, social, political, and historical perspectives. The concentration in child and family services focuses on relationship-building through courses such as Child Growth and Cognitive Development, Family and Community Systems, and Role and Impact of Trauma on Children and Families. This program also prepares students for a master's in psychology, where they can work their way towards a career as a case manager, child-focused advocate, or family services specialist.

SNHU's bachelor's degree in human services requires 120 credits, and students can take the entire program online with a flexible schedule. At a full-time pace, they can graduate within four years. SNHU uses Brightspace for their online coursework. Additionally, SNHU offers student support services such as academic advising.

Arizona State University (ASU) is a large, public institution with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development. Students dive deep into the issues facing child development and family relationships using theoretical and practical applications. Graduates may decide to pursue a career as a family and marriage therapist but will need additional education to do so. This program, however, does include relevant coursework such as Modern Family Relationships, Family Ethnic and Cultural Diversity, and Childhood Disorders and Family Functioning. Future career opportunities for bachelor's holders include guidance counselor, social services director, or mental health counselor.

This is a 120-credit degree that uses LearnX as its primary distance learning software. Students can finish all courses online in four years on a full-time schedule. ASU offers academic and career advising, technical support, and counseling services.

The Bachelor of Science in Marriage & Family Studies from Brigham Young University (BYU) - Idaho is an accelerated degree centered around learning conflict resolution skills and understanding relationship dynamics. Coursework includes Family Relations, General Psychology, and four religion-focused classes, among others. Students must also complete a family studies internship consisting of up to four credits, as well as choose a certificate in Child and Family Advocacy, Human Services, or Parent and Family Education. Graduates may enter careers as a child and family advocate, case worker, or probation officer.

BYU - Idaho is a large, nonprofit university offering students access to mentorship and advising. This bachelor's degree consists of 120 credits, and with a full-time schedule, students can expect to graduate in four years. BYU's online school uses Canvas for all classes, except the required experiential internship.

Utah Valley University (UVU) is a large, public institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Family Science. This online program focuses on family dynamics and systems, and it also delves into human development, family law, and marriage. Specific coursework includes Marriage and Relationship Skills, Ethics for Family Interventions, and Teaching Human Sexuality. UVU also offers technology support and career advising, where students can explore work as program administrators or case workers.

A two-credit internship is required, while the remaining courses can be taken online through Canvas, a learning management system. The program is flexible, giving students the ability to work while they study. In four years, students can typically complete the required 120 credits.

Lamar University offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Family Studies that focuses on maintaining and strengthening family relationships through research-based practices. Coursework includes Historical Context of Families, Community Resources, and The Whole Child. All 120 credits can be completed online through Blackboard LMS in four years on a full-time schedule.

LU is a medium-sized, public university offering a digital library and technology support for all online students. Upon graduation, students may look into careers in family wellness, community services, or family intervention.

Eastern Kentucky University's (EKU) is a medium-sized, public institution that offers a Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Child and Family Psychology. This concentration helps prepare students for licensure in a clinical career as a family or child therapist. Meanwhile, EKU's Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies is an online program that emphasizes early childhood development studies in a family context. Some of the core courses include Interaction and Guidance, Family Involvement with Young Children, and Child Development: Conception-Eight Years. Two in-person practicum experiences are also required.

To obtain EKU's bachelor's in child and family studies, students are required to complete 120 to 125 total credits through the Blackboard learning system. This is a four-year program, which students take on a full-time schedule. Additionally, EKU offers career advising that may lead to work as a child development program director or social services worker.

Texas Woman's University (TWU) is a medium-sized, public institution with counseling, psychological, and legal services for online students. The Bachelor of Science in Family Studies from TWU looks at the complexity of family relationships through socioeconomics. Students take courses in Development of Infants and Toddlers, Research Methods in Family Sciences, and Crisis in the American Family.

Most of the 120 credits can be taken online through Canvas LMS over the course of four years on a full-time schedule. There is an in-person practicum that requires supervised work with a family services organization. Graduates may pursue careers in outreach agencies, adult and child protection services, or adoption and foster care agencies.

The Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Relations from the University of Colorado (UC) Denver is a fully online program through Canvas that explores diverse family relationships through the lens of culture. To graduate, students must finish 120 credits — including courses in love, family, and human development, Black and Latino children in families and schools, and family systems and social justice. This is a full-time program, which may take up to four years to complete on a full-time schedule.

UC Denver is a medium-sized, public institution with support services for online students, such as digital writing centers and libraries, academic advisors, and student success coaches.

Campbellsville University's (CU) Bachelor of Science in Marriage and Family Ministry is a four-year, online program that looks at the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of complex relationships through the lens of Christianity. Because of the heavy emphasis on religious studies — with courses such as Pastoral Care and Counseling as well as Innovative Educational Ministries — this program will likely not be sufficient for students who wish to pursue a professional therapy or psychology license. However, it will be suitable for those interested in a career as a marriage and family minister, lead pastor, or coordinator of marriage and family ministries.

CU is a medium-sized university that has tech support and online advisors for their remote students. CU uses Engrade for online coursework, which consists of 120 credits for this bachelor's degree and may take four years to complete.

Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a medium-sized, nonprofit institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Services, with a concentration in child life as well as a general education concentration. The program as a whole looks at research and theory surrounding child and family services from the perspective of Christianity. To graduate, 120 credit hours are required, including coursework in Parenting and Family Skills, Family Communication, and Family Crises and Resiliency.

A 120-hour supervised practicum is required in addition to the coursework through Canvas. Students who study at a full- time pace can graduate in approximately four years. Career advancement opportunities may include adoption counselor, childcare director, or youth services coordinator. ACU offers students academic, career, and spiritual resources.