SITE SEARCH
Breaking News
Online Degree Rankings
Best Buy Online Degrees
Best Buy Online Degrees
An online degree can cost as little as $3,000 – or over $100,000. More than 12,000 online degrees and certificates – and no two charge the same tuition. Our affordability rankings reveal who offers the best – and worst – buys in online degrees.
 
Best Student Satisfaction
Best Student Satisfaction
Enrolled in an online degree program? Alumni of an online college? Visit your college or degree program in our directory and "grade" – rate and rank – its performance. Your opinion will help others "get educated" about the real-life ratings of thousands of online college programs.
 
Best Public Perception
Best Public Perception
Not all online colleges rate the same in the eyes of the public or potential employers. How does the public rate your online degree? Do they rank it high – or rate it low? Help rate and rank all the choices. Your opinion will help others "get educated" about the real-life reputation of thousands of online colleges.
 
Newsletter
Most Popular Articles
Career Center
CAREER CENTER HOME
 
Psychology & Human Services
Marriage and Family Therapist
Outlook & Growth
This career is expected to grow 30 percent—much faster than average—through 2016. This is due in part to an increased recognition of the field. It is more common for people to seek help for their marital and family problems than it was in the past.
Salary & Wages
In 2006, marriage and family therapists earned an average salary greater than $43,000. The middle 50 percent earned $33,000 to $54,000. The highest 10 percent earned more than $69,000. Median annual earnings were $36,020 in individual and family social services, the industry employing the largest number of marriage and family therapists.
What is a Marriage and Family Therapist?
Marriage and family therapists help couples and families resolve emotional conflict. In doing so, they enhance communication and understanding among family members and help to prevent family and individual crises. Marriage and family therapists also may engage in psychotherapy of a non-medical nature and make appropriate referrals to psychiatric resources. They often perform research on family communication issues, and teach courses about human development and interpersonal relationships.
Some marriage and family therapists, especially those with doctorates in family therapy, become supervisors, teachers, researchers or advanced clinicians in the discipline.
Counselors also may become supervisors or administrators in their agencies. Some counselors move into research, consulting or college teaching or go into private or group practice. Many choose to pursue a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) to improve their chances for advancement and salary.
Check with your state’s counseling certification board to determine the education and experience required in your state to practice as a marriage and family therapist.
Education and Degree Path
A master’s degree is frequently required to advertise as a counselor. A few states will accept a bachelor’s degree with appropriate counseling courses.
Licensing: Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia have some form of counselor licensure that governs the practice of counseling. Requirements typically include the completion of a master’s degree in counseling. Two years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience beyond the master’s degree level is often required.
After completing all the education and experience requirements, many states require applicants to pass a written exam and undergo a criminal background check.
Some counselors elect to be certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors, which grants a general practice credential of National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Entering the Field: Many test the waters by working as human service or social work assistants in residential care or halfway houses. Some work as case workers in probation and parole offices. Most entry-level workers hold at least an associate degree in social or human services. Bachelor's degrees in psychology or sociology also are very popular. To receive the best pay and working conditions be prepared to complete a master’s degree in counseling.
Career Changers: Because of the relatively high educational requirements of this field, career changers find themselves following more or less the same path as entry-level employees.

Find online degrees for Psychology and Human Services now. >>

Career Links



Salary and growth data source is the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information on careers in marriage and family therapy, salaries, and job prospects visit: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Counselors, at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm.
  
Ask GetEducated!
Q I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them? —Roberta, Gary, IN
A The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA...
Read More
Q I was laid off from my job as a real estate agent and want to be a high school math teacher, but my bachelor’s degree is in psychology. Do I need a new degree in education? Will an online bachelor’s in education qualify me to become a licensed teacher? —Willis, Houston, Texas
A If you didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree in education years ago and you now want to teach in the public schools, don’t fret. Every state maintains what are termed “alternative teacher certification” programs...
Read More
 
Featured Programs
Northeastern University
Northeastern University, a world leader in practice-based education, is pleased to offer its MBA degree program in a convenient online format. As a student in the online MBA program, you will gain a solid foundation in all areas of business enterprise and be prepared to drive business growth in a global marketplace. Northeastern University is AACSB International accredited — this is the highest standard of accreditation for any business school worldwide.
Learn more
American Intercontinental University Online
AIU Online is the web-based virtual campus of American InterContinental University, an international university with residential campuses located in Georgia, California, Florida and England; offers graduate degree programs in Information Technology, Business Administration and Education completely online via rich, multimedia course delivery. American InterContinental University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees.
Learn more
Military Resource Center
For active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and military families.
More than half of military students use online education. What do you need to know to find schools that best fit your needs? How can you find the best financial aid and scholarship package at your online school? Answers are here.

Jobs and Careers in Online and Distance Education
Online and distance schools need teachers.
The field of online education is growing and so is the need for teachers who can teach online. Check out our regularly updated list of online job opportunities, post your job availability, and visit our Online Resource Center, with tips, advice and free downloads for online educators.

Sponsors
 
GETV

Secure your career with an online MBA.

Facts from GetEducated's National Survey of Online MBAs. Who offers the cheapest online MBA? Do you need an AACSB-accredited distance MBA? Online MBA rankings and ratings. Everything you need to know to compare 390 accredited online MBAs from 168 online business schools.

Visit our Online MBA Career Center today

Learn more about in-demand and high-paying healthcare jobs - and online degrees that help you land them.

Visit our Healthcare & Nursing Career Center

From CSI to paralegal to forensic accountant, justice jobs are waiting for you.

Visit our Justice, Law & Legal Studies Career Center

What are the hottest careers in business and management, plus online degrees to help you succeed?

Visit our Business & Management Career Center

Move into a high-paying, fast-growing computer career by studying online.

Visit our Computers & IT Career Center today

Which are the best engineering or electronics jobs for you and how can online education help you prepare?

Visit our Engineering & Electronics Career Center

Teachers and librarians are needed for the future - prepare online for these careers.

Visit our Education & Library Science Career Center

You can learn online to be a social worker, counselor, or other human services professional.

Visit our Psychology & Human Services Career Center

Home | Articles | Media Coverage | About Us | News Releases | Privacy | Team Bios | History and Mission | Newsletter | Contact Us | Advertising Opportunities