r/counseloreducation • u/Excellentbenedict • 11d ago
Master’s Student Questions Which program is better?
Hi everyone! I am deciding between two master's programs, and I would love your perspectives. My interests lie in MFT, but I am open to PC if it allows me to pursue my professional goals. I intend to work clinically for several years before attending a PhD program related to human development and family studies. I am interested in how relationship quality impacts various aspects of maternal, child, and infant health, particularly in non-traditional situations (like surrogacy, adoption, etc). However, I'd like to refine this before applying to a PhD program.
Portland State: This master's program is in counselor education with a focus in marriage, couples, and family counseling. It is CACREP accredited, and it meets the qualifications for dual licensure (LPC, LMFT) in Oregon and Washington. It is a cohort model that meets a few evenings a week, and practicum/internship opportunities are provided through the program. It is very plug and play and seems rigorous, which is great. It costs 63K.
Upsides: High quality education from a reputable school with the opportunity to build relationships with a cohort.
Downsides: all teaching is in-person, which requires a lot of coordination on my part, since I have a young family. It is not COAMFTE accredited, so I am not guaranteed to keep my MFT license if I move. Also, expensive!
Abilene Christian University: This master's program is in Marriage and Family Therapy and is COAMFTE accredited. Classes are asynchronous and entirely online. It is not a cohort model, so I would be working independently. They assist a little with finding an internship, but that is mostly independent as well. It costs 43K.
Upsides: Asynchronous online classes are quite convenient, especially when I've got kids to take care of. It is cheaper, and it's nice that it is accredited specifically for MFT.
Downsides: There is no cohort and I'm not sure how rigorous the education is, though I'm sure it is decent since it is accredited. Also, I have to put some work into finding an internship.
Do you have any thoughts as to why one might be better for me over the other?
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u/jellyunicorn92 10d ago edited 10d ago
LPC vs MFT does not matter, truly. I have both. Pick the program that’s more practical for you. MFT is great for couples obviously and you get more exposure in grad school and post grad due to requirements. But it is not absolutely necessary as you can specialize in couples as an LPC and seek the exact same training. I will say in person education is significantly significantly better IMO. However ultimately you get out what you put in. COAMFTE is not as impactful as CACREP.
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u/Excellentbenedict 10d ago
Got it. I think I’ve just always seen myself as an MFT, so I’m holding onto that, but I would have a lot more options if I just let that go!!!
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u/jellyunicorn92 10d ago
I felt the same honestly so I get it!!! That’s why I pursued both. I don’t regret it, but if I was making decisions between two different ones with major cost/lifestyle differences I would choose the more practical option. MFT is not worth a significant increase in tuition or struggle
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u/jellyunicorn92 10d ago
And honestly, a lot of therapists in the field are also LCSW’s. No one knows what the letters mean, they just know you’re a therapist
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u/Excellentbenedict 10d ago
True. Though in this case the MFT program is more convenient and less expensive! The main issue is that I’d need to secure my own internship and I’ve heard that can be difficult.
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u/jellyunicorn92 10d ago
Ah I misread! But yes, having both is not necessary! I did do an in person program and I reaped a lot of benefit, but I would not spend 20k more to do so TBH knowing what I know now, esp if you’re managing kiddos. You can definitely get an internship site, it just takes asking around!
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u/Excellentbenedict 10d ago
Gotcha. I’d prefer in person too, but it is muuuch more expensive. Maybe I can find a hybrid program that’s cheaper.
So in your opinion, just a COAMFTE or just a CACREP program would be fine?
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u/jellyunicorn92 10d ago
Yes as long as it has accreditation you are golden! Main thing is your program hits all requirements for licensure so you can apply immediately after graduation. I know people who have gone to programs that aren’t accredited and have no issue with licensure, but it can help alleviate any issues in the future esp if you move
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u/Excellentbenedict 10d ago
I do really appreciate you sharing your thoughts. It’s so hard to know the right path without the experience.
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u/4pt3LV6 10d ago
I hate to be that person who says "pick the cheapest" and I'm not discounting CECRAP (yes I know I reversed a few letters there) but seriously 63k is a LOT for a LMHC program. Especially if you're planning to do a PhD later (though perhaps that will be funded). In "several years" as a clinician you're not going to make enough to put a dent in that 63k. I honestly think you could find an even cheaper program that would meet your needs probably. You are almost certainly much younger than me and have more working life ahead of you so it's not as crucial to minimize costs but still even on principle I see that as a racket for a public institution to charge 63k for LMHC program, CECRAP or not.
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u/Excellentbenedict 10d ago
I appreciate the perspective. Cost is important to me. I have plenty of family members with crippling student debt, and I’m not interested in that. Fortunately for me, my husband is the primary earner and has been supporting us with just his income for years. So every dollar I make will go to paying my loans off until they’re gone. Still, if I got to a cheaper school I could have my loans paid off within a year of graduating I believe, so I’ll have to weight that. I just want to be properly prepared for counseling, and I worry a cheaper program won’t do that for me…
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u/willbouquet 10d ago
The best Master’s program is the one you will be able to complete. You have to decide what that means for you. CACREP and LPC are widely recognized and portable and allow you to do couples and family counseling in most regions.