Pursuing a master’s degree in any career is a great way to find more advanced career opportunities and improve your skill set. Employers are not only more likely to give a job to someone with more credentials or education, but will also pay them more. Even if a student is earning a master’s degree while employed, it is common for them to receive a higher salary upon graduation. Employers are happy to reward students who seek new experience to use on the job.

Earning a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy is a great example of why a master’s degree is worthwhile. The experience that a master’s degree gives students sets them up for increases in salary and stability. Also, earning a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy prepares you for licensing, which can improve salary opportunities.

What is an MFT Degree Worth?

For those seeking an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, earning a higher degree can be worth it. According to PayScale.com, a website that collects salary reporting, the median salary for those with a bachelor degree in marriage and family therapy is $48,871. Once you earn your master’s degree, the number jumps up to $52,321 — a difference of approximately $4,000 that will only increase over time.

Career-Based Differences in Pay

When looking at salaries for careers that require a master’s degree, there is a clear and significant salary gap depending on the credential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, master’s degree holders make up 62 percent of all mental health counselors compared to 34 percent with bachelor’s degrees. The median wage for the career is $40,580. Also, a staggering 93 percent of school guidance counselors have a master’s degree, while only two percent have a bachelor’s degree. The median wages for this career reached $53,600 annually. These are just a couple of the careers that show a master’s degree can command a higher salary. 

A Bright Outlook for Marriage and Family Therapy

The biggest strength of earning an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy is the fact that the field will experience incredible growth over the next 10 years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the field will see 22 percent or higher growth by 2022, due to an increase in government agencies using counselors as an alternative to psychologists. This increase will result in an increase in demand, and likely salary, for those in the field.

Next Steps

At Touro University Worldwide, we are preparing students for this growth in the field. Our MA in Marriage and Family Therapy online degree program is perfect for students looking to enter a counseling role. We not only provide the credentials you will need to earn the job, but also the skills needed to succeed in your new role. Our experienced professors with real-world training will give you the expertise you need to be a leader in your chosen career.

Our fully online format is flexible and convenient, allowing working students to balance their time commitments with course work. We have 24/7 support for students, so studying anywhere at any time is possible. For more information about the online Marriage and Family Therapy degree, visit our program page.