The Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Program offers the Master of Science (M.S.) in Marriage and Family Therapy. The program prepares graduates for careers in family therapy and is committed to nurturing the development of highly competent clinicians working from a systemic and contextual perspective. Graduates of this program are prepared to apply for licensure as MFT’s in Georgia and other states, acquire membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and continue on to apply to doctoral programs.

The MFT Program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) since 2006. As part of our accreditation process, the MFT faculty publishes Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s), which mean that when students graduate from the VSU MFT Program, they are prepared to do the following:

SLO 1. Practice from a culturally sensitive lens (consider the relevance of ethnicity, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and culture when working with people

SLO 2. Practice from a systemic lens (apply a systems/relational understanding to the assessment and treatment of mental health and emotional problems)

SLO 3. Obtain entry-level employment in mental health agencies.

SLO 4. Claim the professional identity of a Marriage and Family Therapist (assume the professional role and identity of a marriage and family therapist; be able to apply various theoretical models of marriage and family therapy to practice; display clinical competency in the practice of MFTH; and practice according to the AAMFT ethical code.)

SLO 5. Recognize the way research shapes the field of Family Therapy.

SLO 6. Practice informed by ethics. 

The MFT Program has a commitment to diversity and to the belief that the differences that make up the weave of humanity cannot be merely tolerated, but embraced and cherished. The program brings a relational understanding to human behavior and meaning-making, viewing both as context-dependent. Thus, a deep appreciation for clients’ contexts is necessary for respectful treatment. The program addresses the interpersonal and social context of mental health and emotional problems. The curriculum focuses on teaching the knowledge and skills necessary to access and intervene in the interactions between people. It prepares students to use an active, positive approach to therapy that helps individuals and families build on strengths, improve communication, and develop solutions to problems.

M.S. IN MFT PROGRAM INFORMATION

The MFT program curriculum is 60 semester hours, 18 hours of which is a rigorous 12-month clinical practicum.

The program expects its students to demonstrate their ability to assume a professional role and the identity of a marriage and family therapist; to apply a systems/relational understanding to the assessment and treatment of mental health and emotional problems; to consider the relevance of ethnicity, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and culture when assessing and developing treatment plans; to apply various theoretical therapy models to practice; to display clinical competence in the practice of MFTH; and to practice according to the AAMFT ethical code.

The faculty and students invite prospective students to take a tour of FamilyWorks, talk to 1st and 2nd year MFT students, and visit a class or practicum. For additional information about admission and program requirements, tuition and fees, or how to set up a campus visit the program’s Admissions and Prospective Student webpage.