Loma Linda University Online Counseling & MFT Programs
Loma Linda University offers three online counseling-related options: the doctor of marital and family therapy (DMFT), the drug and alcohol counseling certificate, and the master of science (MS) in marital and family therapy (MFT). These programs are designed for students and professionals who want graduate training in marital and family therapy and substance use counseling.
The programs share a strong focus on whole-person care, clinical training, systemic practice, and service to diverse communities. They are offered in fully online or approved flexible formats, with practicum, internship, and supervised fieldwork built into the curriculum. The university also emphasizes Christian values, professional ethics, and preparation for advanced clinical work.
The doctor of marital and family therapy is a 78-credit, fully online doctoral program for licensed MFT and clinical counseling professionals. It follows a practitioner evaluator model and prepares graduates for leadership, supervision, administration, and faculty roles. Important courses include advanced family theory; foundations of systems thinking; multicultural and global mental health; program development for families and communities; grant writing; and professional internship in couple and family therapy. Full-time students will be able to complete this program in just three years.
The drug and alcohol counseling certificate is a fully online, 13-credit program for licensed behavioral health professionals and graduate students pursuing licensure in counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology, or social work. It includes courses such as substance use disorders, relationships, and recovery; advanced treatment strategies for substance use disorders; practicum in drug and alcohol counseling; and wholeness and health. Students complete four quarters of fieldwork at an approved site, working with individuals experiencing substance use disorders and their families. Successful completion requires 200 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience, and telehealth service delivery is acceptable. The certificate supports eligibility for national certifications such as the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC), and Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS).
The master of science in marital and family therapy is a COAMFTE-accredited program that can be completed online or on campus. The online format can be finished in about 2.5 years and includes local practicum placements, while the campus format takes about two years. The program requires 90 quarter units and clinical training, including 300 direct face-to-face client contact hours, 100 of which must be relational or systemic. Students must also complete at least 100 hours of clinical supervision, with at least 50 hours using observable data such as audio, video, or live session records. Field experience must occur over a minimum of twelve months.
Key courses include family therapy: foundational theories and practice; couples therapy; crisis intervention and client advocacy; research tools and methodology; treating the severely and persistently mentally ill and the recovery process; advanced child and adolescent development; and psychopathology and diagnostic procedures.
Students can add a certificate to the MFT MS program in drug and alcohol counseling or play therapy, and they receive a tuition waiver for the certificate of their choice by enrolling in specific elective courses. The program also offers a medical family therapy concentration or specialization for individuals interested in working with patients and families living with an illness, injury, or disability.
Admission requirements vary by program. The DMFT requires a clinical master’s degree, a 3.3 GPA, three letters of reference, an interview, and a background check. The drug and alcohol counseling certificate requires a bachelor’s degree, a relevant graduate program or licensure path, three references, an essay, and an interview. The MFT MS requires a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA in the last 45 quarter credits, three letters of recommendation, an interview, and other program-specific requirements. No GRE is required for the DMFT, and the MFT MS accepts students in California and approved SARA states only.
Loma Linda University is a private Seventh-day Adventist health sciences university in Loma Linda, California. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and the School of Behavioral Health has trained behavioral health professionals since 1954. The DMFT is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), and the MFT MS is accredited by COAMFTE and approved by the California Board of Behavioral Science.
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Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy (DMFT)
Drug and Alcohol Counseling (Certificate Online)
MS in Marital and Family Therapy
11175 Campus StLoma Linda, California
Program Essentials
Doctoral Degree
Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
78
Fall
Complete in as few as 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.3 or higher
AR, CT, DE, GA, IN, IA, LA, MD, MA, MN, MS, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, VA, WA, WV, WY
Program Tuition
78
$1,019.38
$79,512.00
$1,019.38
$79,512.00
Program Essentials
Post-Bachelor's Certificate
Counseling: Substance Abuse & Addiction
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
13
Fall
Complete in as few as 1 year
Program Admissions
No GRE required
Not specified
AR, CT, DE, GA, IN, IA, LA, MD, MA, MN, MS, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, VA, WA, WV, WY
Program Tuition
13
$990.00
$12,870.00
$990.00
$12,870.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
90
Fall
Complete in as few as 2.5 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
AR, CT, DE, GA, IN, IA, LA, MD, MA, MN, MS, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, VA, WA, WV, WY
Program Tuition
90
$1,000.00
$90,000.00
$1,000.00
$90,000.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.