Marriage and Family Therapy is the professional practice of providing mental health services to address relationship and communication struggles, childhood and parenting challenges, and marital and couple difficulties. This program prepares students to work within a social justice framework to engage in cultural humility, awareness of self in relation to others and understanding of psychosocial and cultural contexts of issues presented in clinical practice and research.

The Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) offers an online Master of Arts degree that prepares students to meet the growing need for trained professionals to provide life-changing mental health services. The program provides specialized skills in areas that set graduates apart in the job search process and operates on the belief that valuing each other's similarities and differences helps deepen understanding of relationships in systems. Specialized areas include concentrations in child therapy and trauma informed practice. In existence for more than 50 years, the Marriage and Family Therapy program is the longest-standing MA program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) program of its kind in the U.S.

The SU Marriage and Family Therapy programs demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion and adheres to Syracuse University's Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy. The HDFS department prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, health, socioeconomic status, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers recruitment; admissions; codes of conduct; hiring, retention or dismissal of faculty, students and supervisors; and access to, and treatment in, university programs, services and activities. Syracuse University’s non-discrimination policy and the HDFS department’s statement on non-discrimination can be found in the student handbook.