Marriage And Family Therapist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Marriage and family therapists rank among the more sponsorship-friendly mental health roles. Employers can file H-1B visa or O-1 visa petitions, and the field's documented workforce shortage means green card sponsorship via EB-2 or EB-3 is realistic for candidates with a master's degree and state licensure. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsAUBURN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE
ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY
POSITION AVAILABILITY: The Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) in the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track position at the assistant/associate level in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), a fully COAMFTE accredited, terminal Master’s degree program. The position will begin August 2027.
THE DEPARTMENT: The Department includes 32 faculty members (20 full-time, tenure-track and 12 non-tenure track focused on teaching, research or outreach work), 285 undergraduates, and 55 graduate students and offers undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees. It administers the Auburn University Marriage and Family Therapy Center which houses the masters-level Marriage and Family Therapy program; the Auburn University Early Learning Center; the Harris Early Learning Center in Birmingham, AL; and the Family Child Care Partnerships program. HDFS also administers undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in Health Equity Science as well as an Advanced Methods Certificate. The MFT program is fully integrated within the broader HDFS department, and faculty contribute to the department's teaching, research, and service missions while bringing expertise in systemic clinical practice and training. The MFT program is a full-time cohort model that accepts 6 students each year.
THE UNIVERSITY: Auburn University is a land-grant institution with a student enrollment of over 28,000 undergraduate students and 6,000 professional and graduate students. The University provides instruction in approximately 70 academic departments and maintains graduate research and public service programs. The University is located in the city of Auburn in east-central Alabama near several large metropolitan areas of Alabama and Georgia. Auburn University is understanding of and sensitive to the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will contribute to the department through excellence in research, teaching, clinical supervision, and service. Responsibilities include maintaining a productive, externally visible program of research; pursuing extramural funding opportunities; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses within the HDFS curriculum; providing supervision and training within the MFT program; mentoring graduate students and chairing thesis and dissertation committees; and participating in service activities that support the university, profession, and community. The department seeks candidates with a well-defined program of research and welcomes candidates with research expertise in any area of HDFS or MFT scholarship.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in MFT or HDFS (if the latter, the applicant must have an MS in MFT) at the time employment is scheduled to begin; AAMFT approved supervisor status or supervisor candidate status; and MFT licensure in Alabama or eligibility to obtain within 90 days of date of hire. Experience or readiness to teach core MFT courses, supervising clinical graduate students, and conducting research to advance the fields of HDFS and/or MFT is necessary. The candidate must be fluent in English, must possess excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, and must meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment. Candidates for appointment at the Associate Professor rank must demonstrate an established record of scholarly productivity and external funding.
APPLICATIONS: Please provide an application letter addressing the position description, a research statement, a teaching statement, a current CV, a transcript from the completed PhD program, and 2-3 recent publications or other scholarly writing samples. In addition, candidates must provide contact information for three professional references who will be contacted for a reference letter upon invitation for on-campus interviews. Review of applications will begin November 30, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position should be addressed to Dr. Mallory Lucier-Greer, Search Committee Chair, at mluciergreer@auburn.edu.
Pay Range: USD $85,000.00 - USD $120,200.00 /Yr.
Why Work at Auburn?:
- Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
- Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
- We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
- Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
- A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement:
It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE
ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY
POSITION AVAILABILITY: The Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) in the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track position at the assistant/associate level in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), a fully COAMFTE accredited, terminal Master’s degree program. The position will begin August 2027.
THE DEPARTMENT: The Department includes 32 faculty members (20 full-time, tenure-track and 12 non-tenure track focused on teaching, research or outreach work), 285 undergraduates, and 55 graduate students and offers undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees. It administers the Auburn University Marriage and Family Therapy Center which houses the masters-level Marriage and Family Therapy program; the Auburn University Early Learning Center; the Harris Early Learning Center in Birmingham, AL; and the Family Child Care Partnerships program. HDFS also administers undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in Health Equity Science as well as an Advanced Methods Certificate. The MFT program is fully integrated within the broader HDFS department, and faculty contribute to the department's teaching, research, and service missions while bringing expertise in systemic clinical practice and training. The MFT program is a full-time cohort model that accepts 6 students each year.
THE UNIVERSITY: Auburn University is a land-grant institution with a student enrollment of over 28,000 undergraduate students and 6,000 professional and graduate students. The University provides instruction in approximately 70 academic departments and maintains graduate research and public service programs. The University is located in the city of Auburn in east-central Alabama near several large metropolitan areas of Alabama and Georgia. Auburn University is understanding of and sensitive to the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will contribute to the department through excellence in research, teaching, clinical supervision, and service. Responsibilities include maintaining a productive, externally visible program of research; pursuing extramural funding opportunities; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses within the HDFS curriculum; providing supervision and training within the MFT program; mentoring graduate students and chairing thesis and dissertation committees; and participating in service activities that support the university, profession, and community. The department seeks candidates with a well-defined program of research and welcomes candidates with research expertise in any area of HDFS or MFT scholarship.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in MFT or HDFS (if the latter, the applicant must have an MS in MFT) at the time employment is scheduled to begin; AAMFT approved supervisor status or supervisor candidate status; and MFT licensure in Alabama or eligibility to obtain within 90 days of date of hire. Experience or readiness to teach core MFT courses, supervising clinical graduate students, and conducting research to advance the fields of HDFS and/or MFT is necessary. The candidate must be fluent in English, must possess excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, and must meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment. Candidates for appointment at the Associate Professor rank must demonstrate an established record of scholarly productivity and external funding.
APPLICATIONS: Please provide an application letter addressing the position description, a research statement, a teaching statement, a current CV, a transcript from the completed PhD program, and 2-3 recent publications or other scholarly writing samples. In addition, candidates must provide contact information for three professional references who will be contacted for a reference letter upon invitation for on-campus interviews. Review of applications will begin November 30, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position should be addressed to Dr. Mallory Lucier-Greer, Search Committee Chair, at mluciergreer@auburn.edu.
Pay Range: USD $85,000.00 - USD $120,200.00 /Yr.
Why Work at Auburn?:
- Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
- Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
- We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
- Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
- A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement:
It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Marriage And Family Therapist Jobs
Lead with your state license
H-1B approval for marriage and family therapists hinges on state licensure confirming the role meets specialty occupation standards. Employers want candidates who are already licensed or license-eligible in the state where the job is located.
Target employers with a sponsorship history
Community mental health centers, hospital systems, and federally qualified health centers have sponsored MFT roles before. These organizations have immigration counsel on retainer and understand the process, making them far more likely to move forward than private practices.
Understand the specialty occupation argument
USCIS scrutinizes MFT petitions because the degree requirement varies by state. Your employer's attorney will need to demonstrate the role normally requires a master's in marriage and family therapy or a closely related clinical field, not just any bachelor's degree.
Ask about cap-exempt employers
Nonprofits affiliated with universities or research institutions are H-1B cap-exempt, meaning they can file year-round without waiting for the April lottery. Many community behavioral health organizations qualify, which is a significant advantage for international candidates.
Factor in supervised hours for licensure
Most states require 2,000 to 4,000 post-degree supervised hours before full licensure. Confirm whether your visa status permits accumulating those hours, since working as a pre-licensed associate under supervision still counts as employment requiring authorization.
Consider EB-2 or EB-3 for permanent residence
The documented national shortage of mental health professionals strengthens PERM labor certification cases for MFTs. Employers in underserved areas may also qualify for Schedule A designation, which can bypass the PERM process and accelerate the green card timeline significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does marriage and family therapy qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it requires a stronger legal argument than some other mental health roles. USCIS looks for evidence that the specific position normally requires a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or a directly related clinical field. Roles at licensed clinics, hospital behavioral health departments, or accredited treatment programs tend to make the strongest cases because the degree-to-job connection is clearest.
Do I need a U.S. master's degree to get sponsored as a marriage and family therapist?
Not necessarily, but a foreign degree must be evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. master's in a qualifying field. Most states require an MFT-specific or closely related clinical master's for licensure, and without licensure you cannot legally practice. A credential evaluation from a recognized agency is essential if your degree was earned outside the United States.
How do I find employers who have sponsored marriage and family therapists before?
Migrate Mate is the best starting point for finding MFT roles at employers with an active sponsorship history. Beyond that, federally qualified health centers, Veterans Affairs facilities, and large nonprofit behavioral health networks are the most consistent sponsors. Hospital systems in states with critical mental health workforce shortages also tend to have more immigration infrastructure in place.
Can I work as a pre-licensed MFT associate on an H-1B visa while completing supervised hours?
Yes, if the employer files the H-1B visa for the associate-level role and the position still meets specialty occupation requirements. The challenge is convincing USCIS that an associate role requiring ongoing supervision still demands a master's degree. Some attorneys argue this successfully; others recommend waiting until full licensure to pursue sponsorship, since the petition is stronger.
Are approval rates for MFT H-1B petitions lower than for other mental health professions?
Approval rates for MFT petitions have historically been more variable than for psychiatrists or psychologists, largely because USCIS has questioned whether the role always requires a specific degree rather than any bachelor's in a related field. Well-documented petitions that cite state licensure requirements and describe clinical responsibilities in detail see meaningfully better outcomes than generic filings.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Marriage And Family Therapist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.