Northwestern University Mental Health Programs | OnlineNorthwestern University Mental Health Programs | OnlineNorthwestern University Mental Health Programs | Online

The online branch of the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program and the online Master of Arts in Counseling program provide evidence-based knowledge and hands-on clinical experience you need to become a practitioner who helps communities thrive.The online branch of the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program and the online Master of Arts in Counseling program provide evidence-based knowledge and hands-on clinical experience you need to become a practitioner who helps communities thrive.The online branch of the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program and the online Master of Arts in Counseling program provide evidence-based knowledge and hands-on clinical experience you need to become a practitioner who helps communities thrive.

  • Accredited programs — The MA in Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); the MFT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
  • In-program clinical hours — Both the MA in Counseling and the MFT programs include clinical hours.
  • Top-ranked institution — Northwestern University is a top 10-ranked university1 and The Family Institute, which houses both programs, has been a leader in the mental health space for over 50 years.

A Supportive Path toward a Career in Mental Health

2

in-person immersive experiences

4

start dates each year

18-24

months to complete full time

500-800

hours of supervised clinical experience*

Two Programs from a Leader in Mental Health

The online Master of Arts in Counseling prepares students to become self-reflective clinical mental health counselors. With a rigorous curriculum focused on theories and evidence-based practices, the counseling program blends live, online classes with clinical field placements at faculty-approved sites. Students without previous clinical experience or a psychology degree may begin the Bridge to Counseling Program, which introduces fundamental concepts in introductory classes.

  • Live, weekly classes with 15 or fewer students.
  • Dedicated field-placement support with sites near your community.
  • Intuitive online campus connecting students and faculty.

The online branch of the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University combines evidence-based teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that fosters clinical excellence. Students learn to conduct therapy through a systemic lens, work with a diverse set of populations and clinical presentations, utilize the Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) framework to integrate knowledge from the field into their practice, and demonstrate multicultural sensitivity and ethical competence.

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Explore a Career that Puts Compassion First

*Actual number of hours varies by program.

1 Best Colleges, U.S. News & World Report, 2022.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference