Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling MA

  • Master's
  • MA
Format
  • In-Person
Location
  • Greeley
Start Date

Fall and Summer

Tuition Rate Department(s)
Credits

66-75

Area of Study

Program Overview

Work directly with couples and families as part of your clinical training—guided every step of the way by expert faculty through live supervision and personalized feedback.

UNC’s Master of Arts in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling/Therapy equips you to help people strengthen relationships, navigate challenges, and create lasting change. Small, interactive classes mean you’ll learn in a supportive environment from approachable faculty who bring diverse counseling and research expertise to every lesson. You’ll also gain hands-on experience and professional connections through our extensive network of community partnerships.

  • Counseling theories and approaches
  • Family systems and couples therapy
  • Group dynamics and facilitation
  • Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
  • Legal, ethical, and multicultural issues in counseling
  • Clinical practicum and internship experience

Electives & Special Topics

Students may choose electives such as play therapy, workshops, or advanced practicum experiences to customize their training and meet certificate or certification requirements.

View Full Degree Requirements 

Applicants must first apply to the UNC Graduate School before the program reviews the application. Missing materials may delay evaluation.

Eligibility:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (or foreign equivalent)
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (for most recent degree)
  • If completing your bachelor’s degree:
    • Admission based on current GPA
    • Submit final transcript with degree conferral and GPA during first semester
    • If final GPA is below 3.0, additional program requirements may apply
  • If completing or holding a master’s degree, GPA from master’s coursework will be used

View complete admission details

Graduates of our Couples and Family Counseling/Therapy program go on to work in a variety of professional settings, such as substance abuse centers, residential treatment centers and private practice. You’ll be eligible to become a Nationally Certified Counselor when you graduate.

This program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), ensuring that your coursework meets national licensure standards and qualifies you to become a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) upon graduation.

What You’ll Gain

Through this program, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact in the lives of couples, families, and individuals.

Is This Program Right for You?

The MA in Couples and Family Counseling/Therapy is designed for students who:

  • Thrive on building strong interpersonal skills
  • Enjoy working with diverse individuals and families
  • Prefer small, interactive classes with close faculty mentorship

A UNC graduate student meets one-on-one with a client to complete a counseling assessment, gaining hands-on experience in clinical practice.

Graduate counseling student conducting a session with a client, who is completing an assessment form on a clipboard.

Sample Courses

  • Understanding and Counseling Diverse Populations
  • Family Systems
  • Group Dynamics and Facilitation
  • Sexuality Counseling
  • Advanced Methods in Couples and Family Therapy
  • Practicum in Couples and Family Therapy

Graduate students collaborate on completing client assessment forms, gaining hands-on experience in counseling practice.

Two graduate counseling students working together on client forms during a counseling session.

Train Where It Matters Most

Gain real-world experience in our state-of-the-art Psychological Services Clinic—a premier training center for more than 50 years where you’ll provide mental health services to UNC students and the broader community. This hands-on learning environment has bridged classroom theory with clinical practice, preparing you to excel from day one of your career.

Staff and students at the Psychological Services Clinic collaborate to provide client support and hands-on clinical training.

Two counseling professionals working together at UNC’s Psychological Services Clinic.

Professional Licensure

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Applied Psychology Counselor Education

Want to become a professional counselor psychologist, move into counselor education and supervision, or build a career in counseling psychology? Our programs are APA and CACREP accredited, designed to help you reach your goals and stand out in the field.