Friends University to end Wichita marriage and family therapy program

Critics say the move will leave students and local families without critical mental health services.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:39pm

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A blurred, dreamlike photograph in shades of amber and ochre showing the silhouettes of two people embracing, conveying the emotional intimacy and personal connections at the heart of marriage and family counseling.The closure of a vital marriage and family therapy program will leave a gap in accessible mental health services for the Wichita community.Wichita Today

Friends University has announced it will be ending its Wichita Marriage and Family Therapy program after the class being admitted this fall. The program director cited slowing enrollment and "emerging market realities" as reasons for the change, and said the program will move to Kansas City following the graduation of the final cohort in 2028.

Why it matters

The Wichita Marriage and Family Therapy program has provided practical experience and mental health services to the local community for years. Its closure will leave a gap in available resources for students and families seeking these critical counseling services.

The details

Last year, multiple faculty members spoke out about dramatic changes to the program, including the firing of professors for "not being Christian enough". The program's director, Dr. Chris Habben, announced the final cohort will be admitted this fall before the program moves to Kansas City in 2028. He cited slowing enrollment and unnamed "emerging market realities" as reasons for the change.

  • The Friends University Marriage and Family Therapy program will accept its final cohort of students this fall.
  • The program will move to Kansas City following the graduation of the final Wichita cohort in 2028.

The players

Friends University

A private Christian university located in Wichita, Kansas that is ending its Marriage and Family Therapy program.

Dr. Chris Habben

The director of the Friends University Marriage and Family Therapy program, who announced the program's closure and relocation to Kansas City.

Jackie Carter

The manager of interns from the Friends University Marriage and Family Therapy program who work at Table of Hope Metropolitan Community Church, providing services to 16 local families.

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What they’re saying

“For years now, students graduating from Marriage and Family Therapy program have gone out into the community in their final year for practical experience. Services she's learning will soon come to an end.”

— Jackie Carter, Intern Manager, Table of Hope Metropolitan Community Church

What’s next

The final cohort of students will be admitted to the Friends University Marriage and Family Therapy program this fall before the program relocates to Kansas City in 2028.

The takeaway

The closure of the Friends University Marriage and Family Therapy program in Wichita will leave a critical gap in mental health services for local students and families, highlighting the importance of maintaining accessible and community-based counseling resources.