Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling, M.A.


Master of Arts/Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling


About the Degree

The Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Masters Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. It focuses on core curriculum designed to train students to sit for and pursue licensure as an Independent Marriage and Family Therapist (IMFT) and be able to independently diagnose and treat mental health and substance abuse problems. Marriage and family counseling/therapy is one of the core mental health disciplines and is based on research and theory that demonstrate that mental health and family problems are best treated from a relationship perspective that incorporates family systems. The training of marriage and family counselors/therapists prepares them to work with individuals, couples and families as well as conducting groups in a variety of mental health settings, including agencies, hospitals, and private practice, with an understanding and respect for diversity and non-discrimination being practiced and valued.

Various schools of couple and family therapy, focusing on evidence-based practice, the AAMFT Codes of Ethics and ethical decision making, assessment, diagnosing and treatment of mental health and substance abuse problems as well relational issues. Focus is also given to individual and family development, clinical skill development, and group counseling as well as clinical training in our in-house fully functioning high-tech counseling center, providing cutting-edge clinical training opportunities and internship (external clinical experience) with one of our community agencies.


Salary and Career Outlook

  • According to the US News and World Report, in 2017, MFTs were ranked the #2 in Best Social Service Jobs and #51 among The 100 Best Jobs.2
  • According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook from Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies that MFTs have a 20% projected growth by 2026 (much faster than the average for all occupations)3
  • O*Net OnLine identifies MFTs as having a “Bright Outlook” 4
  • Within Ohio alone, by 2022, employment is expected to grow by 25%.5
  • In 2012, The VA announced a movement toward hiring Marriage and Family Therapists as part of an expansion of it’s mental health services

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017) the professional average for marriage and family therapists (fully licensed) is $$53,860.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics


Why Akron?

  • Our program is the only Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education [COAMFTE] accredited Masters Program in the State of Ohio
  • Our Masters students have the opportunity to work alongside, train and be mentored by doctoral students within the Marriage and Family Therapy field, as well.
  • Our high-tech in-house clinical training facility provides a strong clinical foundation for students and makes them very desirable to internship sites, often leading to employment after graduation
  • Electives in specialty areas such as play therapy, traumatology, etc.
  • Faculty that is actively engaged in research and teach from a research-oriented knowledge base focused on emerging trends, providing a cutting edge education, and clinical skill level that encourages students to function as well prepared practitioners. Part-time clinical faculty that are clinically active provide “real world” clinical expertise.

  • Family Therapy is a relatively new profession in Ohio, therefore there is a shortage of marriage and family therapists in the state, creating many employment opportunities
  • Graduates of are license eligible for the Marriage and Family Therapy License in the state of Ohio (and many other states).
  • The Marriage and Family Therapy faculty are clinically active, allowing them to bring that real-world knowledge into the classroom and supervision room.
  • Delta Kappa Lambda (DKL), an international student honor society, provides guidance and mentorship for professional development to students in our program.
  • Clinical training in our high-tech in-house counseling center – the Clinic for Individual and Family Counseling. Students have been identified as well-prepared when entering their internship
  • A diverse student population (age, gender, ethnicity, race, etc.)
  • Academic commitment to diversity, advocacy, and social justice
  • Faculty diversity including Marriage and Family Therapists , Professional Counselors, and School Counselors.
  • Our program also has strong long-standing relationships with multiple community agencies throughout the Akron (and beyond) area that offer outstanding internship opportunities for our students, with the majority of our students being offered job opportunities post-graduation at their internship site.
  • The program completion rate is approximately 95%, licensure examination pass rate is approximately 98%, and job placement rate is approximately 95%.

The majority of our graduates are offered employment opportunities at their internship placements. Below are a few of the locations alumni worked post-graduation:

  • The Mentor Network
  • Ohio Guidestone
  • Child Guidance and Family Solutions
  • Catholic Charities
  • Catalyst
  • Viaquest
  • Child and Family Solutions
  • Children’s Advantage


Contact Information

Contact Information:

Heather Katafiasz, PhD, IMFT-S, AAMFT Approved Supervisor

hkatafiasz@uakron.edu

3309726637