MFT Program Mission

In concert with the Valdosta State University mission and its embrace of service learning,
safety, respect, community collaboration, creativity, social justice, and sustainability, the
mission of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program is to provide students with in-depth
knowledge and understanding of the interconnected, interrelated, and systemic nature of the
world, particularly as these pertain to the formation and resolution of human problems. This
systems theoretical knowledge-base forms the epistemological foundation upon which
students acquire an MFT identity and develop the clinical skills necessary to therapeutic
practice that is ethical, grounded in research, multi-culturally competent, and readies students
for employment in a variety of mental health settings with a diverse range of clients.

MFT Program Goals (PG)

PG 1. Diversity: The program will demonstrate that graduates consider ethnicity, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and culture in clinical work.

PG 2. Knowledge: The program will demonstrate that graduates have a master’s level understanding of systems theory, relational/contextual thinking, and the ability to apply a systems/relational orientation to the assessment and treatment of clients.

PG 3. Practice: The program will demonstrate that graduates have the clinical competencies and personal qualities necessary to gain employment in a variety of mental health settings.

PG 4. Professional MFT Identity: The program will demonstrate graduate readiness to assume the identity of a professional Marriage and Family Therapist

PG 5. Research: The program will demonstrate student understanding of the way research informs relational family therapy treatment.

PG 6. Ethics: The program will demonstrate that graduates understand and apply a systemic ethic and the AAMFT Code of Ethics to clinical work.

These program goals are informed by the five developmental competencies identified by COAMFTE (Accreditation Standards 12.5): 1) Knowledge of the MFT profession, 2) Practice of relational/systemic therapy as a qualified behavioral/mental health provider, 3)Commitment to ethical practice through ethical codes of the MFT profession and pertinent regulatory bodies 4) Awareness, knowledge and skill to responsibly serve diverse communities 5) Development and application of research to further the knowledge and practice of the MFT profession

MFT Program Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

SLO 1. Practice from a multi-culturally sensitive lens
SLO 2. Practice from a systemic lens
SLO 3. Be prepared to obtain entry-level employment in mental health settings
SLO 4. Claim the professional identity of a Marriage and Family Therapist
SLO 5. Recognize the ways research informs relational family therapy treatment
SLO 6. Practice informed by ethics

COAMFTE Accreditation Standards 12.5 alignment between Program Goals, Student Learning Outcomes, Targets and Assessment Mechanisms.