Getting Started

Once you have been admitted, you will be contacted by your assigned advisor. Students in the MFT program typically follow a two-year course of study, however you are allotted up to seven years to complete your degree.

After acceptance, you will receive the plan of study form from your advisor. You and your advisor are expected to determine the plan of study that best suits you using information on the MFT Program Requirements page. Once a plan of study has been created and signed by you and your advisor, the advising flag will be lifted to allow you to register for classes.  

For information on graduation advising, see the Application for Graduation page. If you do not fall into the typical two-year format, please meet with your advisor in an individual meeting to complete these forms at least two semesters prior to when you will graduate.

Registering for Classes 

Generally, registration is open during a mid-semester window for about one month. It re-opens a week prior to the first day of classes. To see the specific dates for registration check the VSU Academic calendar and the Student Message Board. Prior to the open registration period, your advisor will lift your advising flag, allowing you to register for classes. If your advisor has not received a revised plan of study and a note describing the changes and why they are being made, he or she will assume that your last approved advising plan is valid.

To register, enter the registrar's registration portal through the Banner Login page. You can also view the schedule of classes offered. Click here for more help registering for classes.

We encourage you to meet with your faculty advisor whenever you are considering making changes to your plan of study or whenever you have questions about the order and availability of coursework. It is your responsibility to register for the proper coursework, take the appropriate pre-requisites, and meet all graduation requirements.

Be aware that advisors use the plan of study to project class size. When there is more demand for a course than space or enrollment limits allow, students with outdated advising plans will be removed from the course in question. More information about registering for classes. 

Making Changes to your Plan of Study

Prior to making changes to your plan of study, you must provide your advisor with the following two items:

  • Revised copy of the plan of study form
  • A brief note/email explaining the proposed changes and how this change may impact your date of graduation.

If your advisor is not aware of alterations to your plan and has not received the items listed above, he or she will assume that your last approved plan of study is in force, and lift your advising flag prior to the open registration period. This frees you to register during open registration periods. Again, the responsibility for your advising plan rests with you, so to prevent costly mistakes, we encourage you to meet with or contact your advisor.

Add/Drop Classes

  • Drop/Add dates and all registration dates are listed in the VSU Academic Calendar.
  • Dropping or withdrawing from a course can have an impact on your financial aid. Prior to dropping or withdrawing from a course please talk with your financial advisor. You can drop a class as withdrawal/passing until the midterm; after that, you can only withdraw as withdraw/failing. Click here for information about each of these options.

Self Evaluate at Midterm

At the midterm, you should evaluate whether you want to continue in the classes for which you are currently registered. Keep in mind that unlike undergraduate classes, graduate classes do not usually have assignments due by the midterm. To help you decide if you should remain in all of your classes, ask yourself:

Can I reasonably get all of the work done by the end of the semester?
Do I feel comfortable with the material, and do I believe I am gaining mastery over the concepts?

  • Prior to dropping or adding a course, please see your advisor and re-read the section on changing your advising plan.
  • Remember, at the graduate level, professors may not post mid-term grades. If you are having difficulties or you are concerned about your standing in the class, you should meet with the professor and your advisor prior to the midterm to discuss whether you should drop or withdraw from the course.