Dallas Marriage and Family Therapy Schools
Individuals in the Dallas area interested in pursuing studies in marriage and family therapy have a few options. This article highlights the graduate coursework and practicum experiences required at three universities located within roughly 45 minutes of the city's center. A table of facts and figures about the schools is included too, which provides info that could help you make your education decision.
- Southern Methodist University is located about six miles from downtown Dallas, and it offers a master's degree program in counseling with an emphasis in marriage, couple and family counseling.
- At Texas Wesleyan University, which is located in Fort Worth, students can earn a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy and gain experience at the school's community center. The campus is roughly 28 miles from central Dallas.
- Located about 36 miles from the downtown Dallas area, Denton's Texas Woman's University offers master's and doctoral degree programs in family therapy. The school has a clinic where students can practice their skills and provide low-cost counseling to the community.
Comparison of Schools
Finding the right marriage and family therapy program is vital to your career goals, but it's also important to most students to consider the costs associated with getting that education. Find out about the graduate tuition rates and other facts for the featured universities in the table below.
| Southern Methodist University | Texas Wesleyan University | Texas Woman's University | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | 4-year; private not-for-profit | 4-year; private not-for-profit | 4-year; public |
| Total Enrollment (2017) | 11,789* | 2,396* | 15,473* |
| Campus Setting | Large suburb | Large city | Midsize city |
| Average Graduate Tuition and Fees (2017-18) | $46,800* | $17,282* | $7,072 in-state* $14,542 out-of-state* |
| Percent of First-Year Students Receiving Financial Aid (2016-2017) | 79%* | 82%* | 89%* |
| Graduation Rate for Students Beginning in 2011 | 81%* | 35%* | 36%* |
Sources: *NCES College Navigator
Southern Methodist University
The Department of Dispute Resolution and Counseling at SMU's Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development offers programs in dispute resolution, mediation and counseling. Students can gain real-world experience at the school's centers, including the Center for Family Counseling.
Master of Science in Counseling with a Concentration in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Through this master's degree program, students learn counseling techniques that can apply to children and adults. This program allows students to gain the education and experience necessary to prepare them for the Texas licensure exam for marriage and family therapists. Core courses for the concentration in marriage and family therapy include family therapy, assessment, sexual counseling and psychopathology. Students complete a supervised clinical practicum and two internships. Electives could include child counseling, play therapy, therapeutic parenting and topics in marriage and family therapy.
Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Wesleyan University is a private university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Counseling students have the opportunity to apply their skills and gain experience at the Glick House Community Counseling Center.
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
The master's degree program in marriage and family therapy addresses relationship dynamics for couples and families and teaches students how to intervene in family issues. Students explore counseling trends and complete clinical practica at the Glick House Community Counseling Center.
Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy
This program is meant to help students reach the highest level of competence and training for contributing to the field of marriage and family therapy with a special concentration in intervention based research. Students are expected to complete 68-credit hours with 30 credits being core courses, 12 for research, 12 of practica, 3-credit hours of exam studies and 9-credit hours dedicated to their dissertation.
Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University is a public university that is primarily for women and is committed to helping women achieve both their personal and professional goals. It was the first public university in Texas to offer degree programs for aspiring marriage and family therapists. Students have the opportunity to pursue degree programs in family therapy through the department of family sciences.
Master of Science in Family Therapy
Through the 60-credit master's degree program in family therapy, students take classes in family sexuality, family therapy and family theory. Students can select the thesis or non-thesis degree option. For the thesis option, students design and conduct research and write and defend a thesis. For the non-thesis option, students complete additional courses in child guidance, multicultural counseling and group counseling procedures. Upon completion of the degree program, students are eligible for the examination by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Doctor of Philosophy in Family Therapy
This doctoral degree program is designed to prepare students for the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists' licensing exam. Through this 90-credit program, students complete clinical coursework, including an internship in family therapy. Courses in the family therapy core cover family systems, marital therapy principles, financial counseling for families, methods for intervening to provide therapy and ethics in professional development. Students must also research, write and defend a doctoral dissertation.
