Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT)

Specific Degree Requirements: Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT)

1. The Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy degree consists of 60 semester hours of course work, 500 hours of face-to-face direct-client-contact therapy (with at least 250 hours being with couples and families), and 100 hours of faculty supervision (of which not more than 50 hours may be group supervision). Recommendation for the granting of the MSMFT degree requires the completion of prescribed course work with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and completion of the client contact and supervision hours.
2. After 20 hours of study are completed, the student’s progress is reviewed by the MFT faculty and, should there be a need, options are suggested, e.g. additional course work, timeout from the program for personal growth experiences, reconsideration of vocational plans and academic alternatives, withdrawal from the program permanently or for a given period of time.
3. Clinical training integrates didactic and clinical material. Each of the required practica consists of a part-time clinical experience which is completed concurrently with didactic course work. A practicum typically results in 5-10 direct contact hours per week and includes such activities as supervision, staff meetings, community relations, and record keeping. Both in-house practica, with intense supervision by core MFT faculty, and off-site practica are provided to insure diversity of clientele and supervision. Students are required to successfully complete three semesters of practicum with a minimum grade of A or B.
4. Upon completion of two semesters, graduate students will be reviewed by the MFT committee and assess preparation for clinical practica. Students will be notified, in writing, if additional preparation is required prior to beginning the first clinical practicum: MFT 690 , Marriage and Family Practicum.
5. Near the end of the summer semester in which the student is enrolled in MFT 690 , Marriage and Family Practicum, the student is formally evaluated by the MFT faculty with regard to personal preparedness for and admission to MFT 691 , Marriage and Family Practicum. The faculty reviews such attributes as personal openness and maturity, motivation, ability to utilize supervision and establish clinical relationships.
6. In addition to completion of course work and 500 hours of therapy, students are required to demonstrate pre-professional competence in the following areas before final approval for graduation: personal maturity and integrity, adherence to Harding University’s Code of Conduct, conceptual understanding of personal and interpersonal behavior, familiarity with marriage and family theory and therapy literature, coherent therapeutic methodology, insight into own personality, and sound ethical judgment culminating in a satisfactory internship experience.

Curriculum for Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT)

(listed in semester hours)