Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education COAMFTE

Overview

The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) is the specialized accrediting body responsible for evaluating and accrediting educational programs in marriage and family therapy (MFT) in the United States. COAMFTE ensures that MFT programs meet rigorous academic and clinical training standards, promoting excellence and consistency in the preparation of marriage and family therapists. According to uniRank, COAMFTE accreditation is widely recognized as a mark of quality and is essential for licensure eligibility in many states.

History and Legal Framework

COAMFTE was established in 1981 as a collaborative effort among key professional organizations in marriage and family therapy to provide a standardized accreditation process. It operates under the legal authority granted by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for marriage and family therapy education programs.

The Commission’s foundation was motivated by the need to ensure consistent educational quality and to protect the public by promoting competent clinical practice in marriage and family therapy.

Mission, Vision and Objectives Role in Higher Education

Mission: COAMFTE's mission is to advance quality education in marriage and family therapy by establishing and maintaining high standards for academic programs.

Vision: To be the leading accrediting authority recognized for promoting excellence in marriage and family therapy education that prepares competent, ethical and effective professionals.

Key objectives include:

• Evaluating and accrediting MFT academic programs at the master’s and doctoral levels
• Promoting continuous program improvement through standards and peer review
• Supporting professional competence, ethical practice and cultural responsiveness in MFT education
• Facilitating public protection by ensuring graduates meet licensing requirements

Governance, Structure and Independence

COAMFTE is governed by a Commission composed of appointed members representing professional MFT organizations, educators, clinicians and public members. The Commission establishes accreditation policies, standards and procedures, while maintaining organizational independence and impartiality.

An executive director and administrative staff manage daily operations, including application processing, site visits and reporting.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

COAMFTE accredits master's, doctoral and post-graduate clinical training programs in marriage and family therapy. The accreditation process involves rigorous peer review, including evaluation of curriculum, faculty qualifications, clinical training opportunities, student outcomes and program resources.

Programs accredited by COAMFTE demonstrate compliance with standards that align with best practices in education, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for professional practice and licensure eligibility across the United States.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

COAMFTE collaborates with other professional and accrediting organizations, including the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and participates in international dialogues on clinical training standards.

While its accreditation scope is primarily U.S.-focused, COAMFTE supports initiatives that promote international quality assurance and encourages global exchange of best practices in marriage and family therapy education.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

COAMFTE plays a vital role in shaping the quality and consistency of marriage and family therapy education in the United States. Its standards drive curriculum development, clinical training and research integration in accredited programs.

Looking forward, COAMFTE aims to enhance accreditation processes through technology adoption, increased focus on diversity and inclusion and alignment with evolving healthcare and educational trends to better prepare graduates for contemporary practice challenges.

Summary

The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education is the premier accrediting body ensuring the quality of MFT education programs in the United States. Established in 1981 and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, COAMFTE sets rigorous standards and conducts peer reviews that foster excellence in academic and clinical training. Governed by an independent Commission, it collaborates with professional organizations to promote ethical, competent and culturally responsive marriage and family therapists, according to uniRank.

FAQs

1. What is COAMFTE?
   COAMFTE is the accrediting body for marriage and family therapy education programs in the U.S.
2. Why is COAMFTE accreditation important?
   It ensures educational quality and is often required for state licensure eligibility.
3. Which programs does COAMFTE accredit?
   Master's, doctoral and post-graduate clinical training programs in marriage and family therapy.
4. Who governs COAMFTE?
   A Commission consisting of professionals, educators, clinicians and public members oversees COAMFTE.
5. Does COAMFTE work internationally?
   While primarily U.S.-focused, COAMFTE engages in international collaboration and promotes global best practices.

Organization Name

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education

Acronym

COAMFTE

Year of Establishment

1/01/1974

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

Affiliations or Memberships

Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

123

Address

112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria
22314-3061 Virginia United States

Phone

+1 (703) 838 9808

Fax

+1 (703) 838 9805

List of universities offering programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE):

Alabama

1. Auburn University (MS), Auburn

California

1. Alliant International University - Irvine (MA), Irvine
2. Alliant International University - Irvine (PsyD), Irvine
3. Alliant International University - Los Angeles (MA), Alhambra
4. Alliant International University - Los Angeles (PsyD), Alhambra
5. Alliant International University (MA) - Online, Irvine
6. Alliant International University (PsyD) - Online, Irvine
7. Alliant International University - Sacramento (MA), Sacramento
8. Alliant International University - Sacramento (PsyD), Sacramento
9. Alliant International University - San Diego (MA), San Diego
10. Alliant International University - San Diego (PsyD), San Diego
11. California State University - Northridge (MS), Northridge
12. Chapman University (MA), Orange
13. Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, Los Angeles
14. Hope International University (MA), Fullerton
15. Loma Linda University (DMFT), Loma Linda
16. Loma Linda University (MS) - MFT Program, Loma Linda
17. Loma Linda University (MS) Online, Loma Linda
18. Loma Linda University (PhD), Loma Linda
19. National University (MA) (formerly Northcentral University), San Diego
20. National University (PhD) (formerly Northcentral University), San Diego
21. San Diego State University (MS), San Diego
22. University of San Diego (MA), San Diego
23. Touro University Worldwide, Los Alamitos

Colorado

1. Colorado State University (MS), Fort Collins
2. Denver Family Institute (PDI), Denver
3. Regis University (MA), Thornton
4. University of Colorado Denver (MA), Denver

Connecticut

1. Central Connecticut State University (MS), New Britain
2. Fairfield University (MA), Fairfield
3. Southern Connecticut State University (MFT), New Haven

Florida

1. Florida State University (PhD), Tallahassee
2. Nova Southeastern University (MS), Fort Lauderdale
3. Nova Southeastern University (PhD), Fort Lauderdale

Georgia

1. Mercer University - Atlanta (MFT), Atlanta
2. Mercer University - Macon (MFT), Macon
3. University of Georgia (PhD), Athens
4. Valdosta State University (MS), Valdosta

Illinois

1. Adler University (MA), Chicago
2. Adler University (PhD), Chicago
3. Northern Illinois University (MS), DeKalb
4. Northwestern University, The Family Institute (MS), Evanston
5. Northwestern University, The Family Institute (MS) Online, Evanston
6. Wheaton College Graduate School (MA), Wheaton

Indiana

1. Christian Theological Seminary (MA), Indianapolis
2. Indiana Wesleyan University - Indianapolis (MA), Indianapolis
3. Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion (MA), Marion
4. Indiana Wesleyan University - Online (MA), Indianapolis
5. Purdue University Northwest (MS), Hammond

Iowa

1. Mount Mercy University (MA), Cedar Rapids
2. University of Iowa (PhD), Iowa City

Kansas

1. Friends University - Kansas City (MS), Overland Park
2. Friends University (MS), Wichita
3. Kansas State University (MS), Manhattan
4. Kansas State University (PhD), Manhattan

Kentucky

1. Campbellsville University (MMFT), Louisville
2. Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (MA), Louisville
3. University of Kentucky (MS), Lexington
4. University of Louisville (MSCFT), Louisville

Louisiana

1. University of Louisiana at Monroe (MA), Monroe
2. University of Louisiana at Monroe (PhD), Monroe

Maryland

1. University of Maryland (MS), College Park

Michigan

1. Michigan State University (PhD), East Lansing

Minnesota

1. Capella University (MS), Minneapolis
2. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (MA), Minneapolis
3. University of Minnesota (PhD), St. Paul

Mississippi

1. University of Southern Mississippi (MS), Hattiesburg

Missouri

1. Saint Louis University (MA), Saint Louis
2. Saint Louis University (PhD), Saint Louis

Nebraska

1. University of Nebraska Lincoln (MS), Lincoln

Nevada

1. University of Nevada, Las Vegas (MS), Las Vegas

New Hampshire

1. Antioch University New England (MA), Keene
2. Antioch University New England (PhD), Keene
3. University of New Hampshire (MS), Durham

New York

1. Alliance University (MA) (formerly Nyack College), New York
2. Iona College (MS), New Rochelle
3. Syracuse University (MA), Syracuse
4. Syracuse University (MA) - Online Program, Syracuse
5. Syracuse University (PhD), Syracuse
6. University of Rochester (MS), Rochester

North Carolina

1. Appalachian State University (MA), Boone
2. East Carolina University (MS), Greenville
3. East Carolina University (PhD), Greenville

Ohio

1. Ohio State University (PhD), Columbus
2. University of Akron (MA), Akron

Oklahoma

1. Oklahoma State University (MS), Stillwater

Oregon

1. Lewis and Clark College (MCFT), Portland
2. University of Oregon (MS), Eugene

Pennsylvania

1. Council for Relationships (PDI), Philadelphia
2. Drexel University (MFT), Philadelphia
3. Kairos University - Evangelical Seminary (MA), Myerstown
4. LaSalle University (MA), Philadelphia
5. Philadelphia Child & Family Therapy Training Center (PDI), Philadelphia
6. Thomas Jefferson University (MMFT), Philadelphia

Rhode Island

1. University of Rhode Island (MS), Kingston

South Carolina

1. Converse University (MMFT), Spartanburg
2. Converse University - University Center of Greenville, Greenville

Tennessee

1. Lee University (MS), Cleveland
2. Lipscomb University (MMFT), Nashville

Texas

1. Abilene Christian University (MMFT), Abilene
2. Abilene Christian University Online (MMFT), Dallas
3. Our Lady of the Lake University - Houston (MS), Houston
4. Our Lady of The Lake University - Rio Grande Valley, La Feria
5. Our Lady of the Lake University - San Antonio (MS), San Antonio
6. St. Mary's University (PhD), San Antonio
7. Texas Tech University (MS), Lubbock
8. Texas Tech University (PhD), Lubbock
9. Texas Wesleyan University (MS), Fort Worth
10. Texas Wesleyan University (PhD), Fort Worth
11. Texas Woman's University (MS), Denton
12. Texas Woman's University (PhD), Denton

Utah

1. Brigham Young University (MS), Provo
2. Brigham Young University (PhD), Provo
3. Utah State University (MS), Logan

Virginia

1. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - Blacksburg (PhD), Blacksburg

Washington

1. Antioch University Seattle (MA), Seattle
2. Pacific Lutheran University (MA), Tacoma
3. Seattle Pacific University (MS), Seattle
4. Seattle University (MA), Seattle
5. Whitworth University, Spokane

Wisconsin

1. Family Therapy Training Institute (PDI), Milwaukee
2. University of Wisconsin Stout (MS), Menomonie

Canada

1. University of Winnipeg (MMFT), Winnipeg

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

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LinkedIn

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education's LinkedIn profile

YouTube

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Instagram

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Wikipedia Article

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