Home > College of Arts and Sciences > Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice > Marriage and Family Therapy > Admissions
Admissions
On this page you will find information about:
Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university*
- An official copy of all college/university transcripts
- Previous coursework in social science, human-services, or mental health related areas
- A cumulative minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on all attempted undergraduate coursework
- Graduate Record Exam or Millers Analogies Test
- GRE taken before October 1, 2002: 800 when the Verbal score is combined with the higher of the Quantitative or Analytical scores
- GRE taken after October 1, 2002: minimum of 400 on the Verbal section or 3.5 on the Analytical Writing section
- Miller Analogies Test: minimum score of 393
- Three references using the VSU Marriage and Family Therapy Recommendation Form. In addition to the form, letters from recommenders are accepted, but not required An essay describing self and professional goals and discussing the candidate’s reasons for choosing VSU’s MFT Program
- A personal interview with MFT faculty members
Please note that personal information disclosed in admission materials or during the admissions interview will be treated as confidential. Disclosures will be made only to other professional colleagues, administrators, or staff members who share responsibility for evaluating prospective students or maintaining student files.
*A note about preferred undergraduate majors: Prospective students often ask what major we prefer. We do not have a strong preference for one major over another; however, whether it is through coursework, volunteering, or life experience, we place a high value on applicants who have found ways of learning about what it is like to work in a social service career. Some students find their passion for helping people improve their lives and strengthen their relationships through coursework; others discover how rewarding a career in family therapy can be through life experiences. What is important to the admissions committee is that applicants have been thoughtful about the decision to become a family therapist, and that the goal of becoming a family therapist is grounded in accurate information about our field.
We have found that students who have majored or minored in anthropology, sociology, child and family studies, psychology, child development, education, and communication are all well prepared for graduate study in family therapy. However, while those degrees are probably the most common degrees held by students in our program, we have admitted students who majored in general studies, liberal arts, and a variety of other undergraduate degrees. If you are wondering if your undergraduate studies will serve as an appropriate springboard for graduate study in our program, we encourage you to contact the program director and discuss your undergraduate coursework.
Valdosta State University is a Regional University of the University System of Georgia. It is an equal opportunity educational institution that does not discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee based on the sex, race, religion, color, national origin, or disability of the individual. |
Learning More About the MFT Program & Planning a Campus Visit
Many students who are looking for a graduate program find it helpful to talk to students who are currently enrolled in the program. The MFT faculty members think this is a great idea, and we encourage prospective students to talk to our students.
A good way to talk to a current MFT graduate student is to contact one of our MFT Graduate Assistants. We always have one 1st year MFT Graduate Assistant and one Advance-Standing Student, so prospective students who talk to both can get a good sense of how current students are experiencing all aspects of the program.
You can reach an MFT Graduate assistant to talk about the program in two different ways:
- Call them during their morning intake hours at the Moore Street Clinic (our student-run family therapy clinic) between 9 am and 11 am, Monday – Friday at 229-219-1281.
- Email them at mftga@valdosta.edu. Be sure to include your phone number and mailing address so they can both call you and send you an information packet.
Probably the very best way to learn more about our program is to visit us! Our Graduate Assistants can help you to arrange a campus visit. Visits can include:
- Sitting in on MFT classes
- Lunch or dinner with current students
- Sitting in on a Clinical Practicum meeting
- Touring the community and residential areas where students live.
- Campus tours, including classrooms, the library, and recreational facilities
- Tours of the Moore Street Clinic—the MFT student-run family therapy clinic
If you prefer to look at written materials, we are glad to send you a program brochure and other written material that describes the program and the field of family therapy. If you would like to receive an information packet, please send your request, including your mailing address to: mftga@valdosta.edu.
Finally, the MFT faculty members are always glad to talk to prospective students who are considering a career in family therapy or who have questions about our program. Please feel free to call:
- Dr. Kate Warner, 229-293-6264
- Dr. Martha Laughlin, 229-249-4961
- Dr. Jennifer Lambert-Shute, 229-245-4323
The application proceeds as follows:
- The applicant submits the required materials to the VSU Graduate School
- When all of the application packet is complete, the Graduate School sends the application to the Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Faculty
- MFT faculty reviews the application and selects applicants who can move on to the interview stage of the application process.
- The MFT student candidate is contacted and an interview is scheduled.
- The interview can take place by phone or on campus. Often applicants combine the campus interview with a day-long campus visit.
- After the applicant is contacted, the interview typically takes place in 5-10 days. When candidates are traveling from out of state, it usually takes longer because travel arrangements must be made.
- The interview takes place with one or two faculty members and usually lasts about one hour. It is a time for the applicant to ask questions about the program and information is shared about program requirements. In addition, the applicant is asked to talk about a range of topics, including: why they wish to become family therapists, how they feel they fit with the VSU family therapy program, to describe what they are looking for in their clinical training experience, career goals, their approach to diversity—including how they anticipate helping clients who hold values and goals that are different than the applicant’s and their personal philosophy about embracing difference, and how they define family.
- After the interview, the MFT faculty members convene and make a final decision about the application. The MFT faculty members forward their recommendation to the Graduate Dean.
- The Graduate Dean reviews the application and the MFT faculty recommendation and makes a final decision to accept or deny the application. The Graduate Dean sends the applicant a letter informing them of the final decision.
- When the Graduate Dean sends the applicant the letter accepting or denying admission, a copy of the letter is simultaneously sent to the Program Director of the Marriage & Family Therapy Program.
- In the case that the applicant has been granted admission to the MFT program, the Program Director sends the admitted student a letter welcoming the student to the program.
- The letter informs the student that they will not be given a slot in the program until they inform the MFT Program Director in writing (email is fine) that they intend to attend the program.
- Students who intend to attend the program are asked to provide the Program Director with complete contact information so that arrangements can be made for advising, attending the MFT New Student Orientation, and when needed, getting help relocating to Valdosta.
- Students are provided a reading list that will help them prepare for graduate study in the MFT program.
Action |
Approximate Time Frame |
The applicant submits the required materials to the VSU Graduate School |
Time period determined by the applicant and the time it takes for recommendations, transcripts, and other application materials to arrive |
The Graduate School sends the completed application packet to the Marriage & Family Therapy Faculty |
2 - 4 days |
MFT faculty reviews the application and selects applicants who can move on to the interview stage of the application process. |
2 - 5 days |
The MFT student candidate is contacted to scheduled an interview |
2 – 5 days, depending on the accessibility and responsiveness of the candidate |
Time that typically elapses between the contact and the interview |
5 - 10 days, depending on schedule conflicts and travel arrangements |
MFT faculty members convene and make a final decision about the application. |
2 – 3 days |
The Graduate Dean reviews the application and the MFT faculty recommendation and makes a final decision to accept or deny the application. |
2 – 5 days |
The Graduate Dean sends the application a letter informing them of the decision. |
2 – 5 days |
Upon receipt of a copy of the Graduate Dean’s letter, the MFT program director sends the admitted student a letter welcoming the student to the program. |
2 – 5 days |
How to contact the VSU Graduate School:
To obtain an application, request a brochure, or contact the VSU Graduate School:
Write: |
Valdosta State University |
Graduate School |
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Valdosta, Georgia 31698-0005 |
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Website: |
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Email: |
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Local phone: |
229-333-5694 |
Toll-free phone: |
1-800-618-1878, option #5 |
To Apply online: |
https://www.applyweb.com/apply/vsug/menu.html |
You can learn more about Valdosta State University's Graduate School by visiting the Graduate Catalog online.
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Tuition, Fees, & Financial Aid Information
Tuition and Fees. You can learn more about the tuition and fee schedule at the Financial Services Tuition and Fee Schedules webpage.
Financial Aid Student Loans. VSU has a wonderful website filled with useful information to help students identify sources of loans and other financial aid. To learn more about financial aid, visit the Office of Financial Aid online.
Grants and Scholarships. Grants and scholarships for graduate study can be difficult to find. Often grants and scholarships target minority students. We’ve compiled a partial list of organizations that offer grants and scholarships for minority students on our Minority StudentSupport, Funding, & Resources web page.
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