MFT Degrees, Schools, and Careers in Nebraska

To date, one graduate program in marriage and family therapy (MFT) in Nebraska has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Education (COAMFTE). As noted below, attending programs that are accredited for COAMFTE guarantees that the education provided by a program meets certain benchmarks/standards and in 49/50 states, meets full requirements for licensure in MFT. However, this does not mean that the only way to become a practicing MFT is to attend a COAMFTE-accredited program; other programs in counseling or psychology will often provide training in concepts, theory, and practice relevant to MFT. Nebraska currently has four programs that are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs—the University of Nebraska—Kearney, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (school counseling), the University of Nebraska at Omaha (clinical mental health counseling), and Wayne State College. However, it is important to note that none of these programs offer a specialization in MFT, so their coursework or training experiences may not be sufficient on their own to meet licensure requirements in Nebraska.

Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the University of Nebraska—Lincoln offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in MFT that is accredited by COAMFTE. As outlined in the student manual, students complete 51 credits of coursework and have clinical experiences in settings such as the university’s Couple and Family Clinic, as well as other local agencies.  The program boasts several unique features for masters-level graduate programs in MFT; in particular, UN-Lincoln offers a certificate program in Medical Family Therapy, where students receive specialized training in therapy within medical contexts and with patients suffering from acute and chronic illnesses. If students are interested in entering a doctorate program in the future, the program also offers training in and opportunities to participate in research.

Online MFT Degrees in Nebraska

The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) has recently begun to grant accreditation to online-only graduate programs within marital and family therapy. These programs offer an excellent opportunity to pursue an MFT degree for those that are seeking a more flexible program or are geographically located in places where MFT programs are more scarce. To date, there are no COAMFTE-accredited programs based in Nebraska. As such, residents of Nebraska wishing to pursue an online-only MFT degree are advised to consider other online, COAMFTE-accredited programs across the nation, including Capella University, which offers a master’s degree in MFT, and Northcentral University, that offers both master’s- and doctoral-level programs in MFT.

Learn more about an MFT degree online.

MFT Accreditation in Nebraska

Within Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services issues licenses to MFT trainees that allow them to practice independently throughout the state—the requirements for receiving a license are to (1) receive a graduate degree from a program that meets certain educational requirements, (2) to complete a set number of post-degree supervised clinical hours, and (3) to take and pass an examination. One way that individuals can ensure that their educational requirements meet the requirements outlined by the state is to attend a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).

COAMFTE is the main accrediting body within marital and family therapy, and if a program received accreditation from COAMFTE, it signifies a “stamp of approval” for the educational content and courses that are included in a curriculum. However, this does not mean that if an individual does not attend a COAMFTE-accredited program that they cannot be licensed in Nebraska— programs may simply be accredited by other organization within related fields, such as Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)—or have curricula that meet requirements outlined by the state licensure requirements.

Career Opportunities for MFTs in Nebraska

Across the country, there are a wealth of job opportunities for individuals seeking to pursue a career in marital and family therapy. In fact, the U.S. News and World Report rated marriage and family therapy as the twentieth best job within social services, based on factors such as salary, job market prospects, growth in the field, and work life balance. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates national growth of 14% for the profession through 2030. Currently, only 40 MFTs are employed within Nebraska, with a mean salary of $53,990, which is lower than the national average. Individuals seeking employment as am MFT can work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, university settings, private practice, residential care, and schools. Read more about NE MFT license requirements.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for marriage and family therapists are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2023.

Featured Nebraska Schools with MFT Degree Programs