Illinois Marriage Counselor Education Requirements

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) estimates that there are 48,000 counselors working with couples and families in the United States. All 50 states and the District of Columbia require these professionals to have a license, the AAMFT explains. Typical licensure requirements include an appropriate education and experience working directly with clients under supervision.

Regulated Title

Illinois requires you to get a license if you wish to practice marriage therapy, according to the state's Division of Professional Regulation website. Your professional title becomes "Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist" if you meet the licensure requirements, including an appropriate education. The state spells out the degrees and coursework that qualify you to practice professionally.

School Selection

The state of Illinois requires you to attend a school that offers master's or doctorate degrees in marriage and family counseling and that is regionally accredited by the U. S. Department of Education, according to the Illinois General Assembly website. Alternatively, you can select a school with a program approved by the either the Commission on Accreditation for Counseling Related Educational Programs or the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Required Hours

Marriage counselors who wish to get a license in Illinois are required to complete 48 semester hours of graduate coursework. Counselors can hold either a master's or doctorate degree, but you must take classes in certain required areas. The state mandates courses in individual development and family relations, theoretical foundations and clinical practice, professional studies and ethics and research topics, the Illinois General Assembly website explains.

Experience

The state of Illinois requires practical experience as part of a marriage counseling program. Students must do a clinical practicum/internship for a total of 300 hours. The Illinois General Assembly website advises that this means 15 hours per week, spent in eight to 10 hours of face-to-face work doing counseling activities with individuals, couples and families. The AAMFT explains on its Illinois Division website that this professional experience must be done in no less than two years and completed within five years.

Purpose

The Northern Illinois University College of Health & Human Sciences explains that the purpose of the Illinois licensure requirements is to prepare you to work with individuals, couples and entire families, as well as group counseling. The Marriage and Family Therapist license proves that you have special training to work with these populations on marital issues and family-related conflicts.

References

• Joint Committee on Administrative Rules: Administrative Code
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: Directory of MFT Licensure and Certification Boards
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Illinois Division: Illinois MFT Reference Page
• Northern Illinois University College of Health & Human Sciences: Specialization in Marriage & Family Therapy FAQs

Resources

• Division of Professional Regulation: Marriage & Family Therapy