Marriage and Family Therapy M.S.

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (Evening and Weekend Cohort Tracks)

Program Rationale:

The Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program leads to a Master's of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT). The program is designed to prepare students for professional careers as marriage and family therapists in a wide variety of settings and roles. First, students are taught theories and techniques of practice in individual and group counseling modalities, as well as developmental theory. The foundation of the specialized training in marriage and family therapy is systems theory, serving as the linchpin for the study of clinical theories and practices that are taught in preparation for clinical training.

The philosophy of the program is that a student must integrate theories and techniques as tools for enhancing one's effectiveness as an agent of intervention and change. The program does so by interweaving theory and practice throughout the duration of the training process via graduated practical experiences while studying theory. Thus, through the process of study and practice, the student has an opportunity to incorporate a wide array of learning gradually and comprehensively. The end product of such training is a therapist who is well-grounded in theory and who has had nurturing through an on-going training and supervisory process to use him/herself effectively, professionally, and ethically as an agent of change at a variety of levels. A unique feature of the program is that we utilize a “common factors” approach based on a theoretical model called “Metaframeworks”, which provides a template for looking through different systemic “lenses” to make decisions regarding how to intervene to remove constraints preventing a person, couple, family or organization from making necessary changes for their well-being.

The curriculum is designed to meet academic and clinical requirements for Connecticut licensure for marital and family therapists (LMFT) and AAMFT Clinical Membership.

Clinical placements and intensive faculty supervision emphasize the development of effective therapeutic skills to meet the challenges of the new climate in health care service delivery. Emphasis is also placed on the development of the "person of the therapist." A key theme of the program is respect for diversity of people and lifestyles in families. The program has been awarded accreditation by AAMFT's Commission on Accreditation for MFT Education (COAMFTE).

Mission Statement:

The mission of the CCSU MFT Program is to provide quality training in MFT education that will ensure the development of competence of individuals entering the profession. To accomplish this end, the program is committed to advancing and disseminating the Metaframeworks paradigm as a valued systemic basis for teaching and practicing marriage and family therapy, promoting culturally-informed and respectfulsystemic mental health practice, and promoting leadership in the MFT field among our students, faculty, and graduates.

Our mission can be re-stated in terms of program Educational Outcomes (EO) that guide our curriculum, structures, and assessment of our success in accomplishing our mission:

MFT Educational Outcomes (EO):

1. To develop competent entry-level Marriage and Family Therapists at point of graduation
2. To advance and disseminate the Metaframeworks paradigm as a valued systemic basis for teaching and practicing marriage and family therapy
3. To promote culturally-informed and respectful systemic mental health practice
4. To promote leadership in the MFT field among our students, faculty, and graduates

To successfully accomplish these Educational Outcomes, the program places the following expectations on our students and faculty:

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO):

As a result of successful completion of the MFT program, students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge in the major schools of marriage and family therapy;
2. Demonstrate proficiency in practices of systemically-oriented therapy approaches to human problems in a variety of clinical settings;
3. Demonstrate an articulated personal model of therapy upon which they base their intervention, derived from Metaframeworks;
4. Establish professional identities as Marriage and Family Therapists through participation in activities that facilitate the process of socialization in the field;
5. Demonstrate knowledge as consumers of MFT relevant research and ongoing professional enrichment through the valuing of continued self study and skill development;
6. Demonstrate awareness, knowledge, and skills in providing culturally informed MFT;
7. Demonstrate ability to apply the standards of ethical professional conduct in the field; and
8. Develop a strong and clear sense of self as an intervener in human problems.

Admission Requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapy Program

Admission to the Master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy is made on a competitive basis. Two tracks are available: Evening Track and Weekend Cohort Track.

Admission for the Evening Track occurs two times per year (Fall and Spring). All applications must be completed and received by March 1 for Fall admission of the following academic year  and by November 1 for admission for the following Spring semester. Approximately twenty (20) students are accepted for each academic semester (Fall and Spring).

Admission for the Weekend Cohort Track occurs once per year for summer matriculation. All applications must be completed and received by March 1 for admission for the following summer semester. Approximately twenty (20) students are accepted for the summer cohort.

The admission standard for this program requires a minimum of 2.70 combined undergraduate and previous graduate GPA (of at least a 3.00 for graduate work) based on a 4.00 point scale where A is 4.00. Students with grade point averages between 2.40 and 2.69 may appeal their denials for admission. Conditional admission may be considered on a space-available basis. All students who are accepted into the department are initially granted pre-candidacy status and are assigned an academic advisor. The decision to admit a student into pre-candidacy status for the MFT program is based on the following criteria:

Candidates for initial admission will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Grade point average: Minimum 2.70 grade point average (GPA) based on a 4.00 point scale where A is 4.00
2. Three recommendations from individuals able to attest to the student's suitability as a prospective Marriage and Family Therapist
3. Personal essay regarding the applicant’s motivation and readiness to pursue a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Candidates must respond to the following questions (three to five pages maximum, double-spaced):

• Personal and professional experiences and reasons that influenced you to pursue the field of Marriage and Family Therapy.

• Personal characteristics you believe will contribute to your success as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

• Please express your view regarding the importance of your engaging in a personal therapy experience as part of becoming a marriage and family therapist.

• If applying for the Weekend Cohort Track: A statement that explains your reasons for opting for the Weekend Cohort Track and your ability to commit to a weekend-based cohort program.

If accepted, the advisor will orient the student regarding prerequisites, course scheduling, potential course transfers and substitutions, and the planned program of study.

MFT Pre-Candidacy and Degree Candidacy

Once accepted to the program, students qualify for Degree Candidacy by completing the prerequisite courses (CNSL 500, CNSL 501, and MFT 505 or PSY 512) and MFT 541, achieving a grade of B or better in each course and receiving favorable ratings on the "Attitudes and Attributes" scale by instructors for CNSL 501 and MFT 541. On fulfillment of these requirements, students meet with their advisors to complete their Planned Programs of Study and the Application for Degree Candidacy. These documents are submitted to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies for final approval and acceptance into the program as Degree Candidates. Any student who does not meet the specified criteria for degree candidacy is not permitted to continue in the program and will receive a dismissal letter from the Graduate Dean.

Once admitted into pre-candidacy, students may enroll as full-time or part-time students. Students in the Weekend Cohort Track are enrolled full-time for the first two years and become part-time students in their Internship Year. There is a prescribed sequence for all courses in this track. Students in the Evening Track have the flexibility of enrolling either as full-time or part-time students at any point in the program. Full-time students take a minimum of 9 credits during fall and spring semesters, follow a prescribed program schedule, may attend during the summer, and complete the program in 3 years. Part-time students may take 3 or 6 credits per semester (including summers) and must complete the program within a 6-year period. Programs of study are arranged with advisors. Students may shift between full-time and part-time status as individually determined between the student and his or her advisor. Typically, students are enrolled part-time during their internship (3rd year), and are eligible for consideration for part-time equivalency if they are only taking a practicum or internship field placement course.

For additional information, please see the MFT program website: http://www.education.ccsu.edu/Departments/Counseling_and_Family_Therapy/Marriage_and_Family_Therapy.asp

Application Process

Submission to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office, Henry Barnard Hall Room 102:

1. Application form (Available online)
2. Application fee
3. Official Transcript from each college and university attended (except Central Connecticut State University). Institutions must send transcripts directly to Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office. (Note: The office does NOT accept hand delivered transcripts, even if the envelope is sealed.)

Total Credit Hours: 51-63