Marriage and Family Therapy

Program

Program Description

This is a 60 credit hour master’s degree program in MFT. A partnership between Converse University and EMERGE Therapy Clinic provides a complementary interface between the academic and clinical components offered in this degree program. Converse University provides the academic component and EMERGE Therapy Clinic provides the clinical practicum.

Before applying to begin the clinical practicum, students must complete at least 24 credit hours of coursework which must include practicum prerequisite courses (EDU634, MFS680, MFS645, MFS642 and either EDU635 or EDU639), have passed the first year student Progress Evaluation in which faculty members assess students for both their academic performance and their professional disposition for the field of MFT, and have the approval of their academic advisor. Students will then meet with the Clinical Readiness Committee, composed of AAMFT approved supervisors, who will make the final decision regarding acceptance into the practicum. This decision is based upon both the students’ readiness and the capacity of the EMERGE system to provide training placement at that time. Students who have an existing MFT related graduate degree may be approved to begin their practicum experience before completion of the 24 hours.

The practicum experience includes a 900 hour internship that meets or exceeds the requirements for Clinical Membership with the AAMFT and LMFT in South Carolina. However, Converse University/EMERGE is not responsible for changes made to licensure laws. As a part of this internship, each student will receive 100 hours of clinical supervision of 500 hours of face-to-face client contact with individuals, couples and families with a wide variety of DSMV diagnoses, including serious mental illness, and diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. Of the 100 hours of supervision, 50 must be group supervision and 50 must be individual supervision. In addition, 50 hours must entail raw data, such as live, videotaped, or audiotaped therapy sessions. Of the 500 client contact hours, 250 must be relational, i.e. with couples or families. The remaining 400 hours include, but are not limited to, monthly administrative clinic meetings, interfacing with other community professionals, participating in satellite site activities such as treatment teams and consultation groups, record-keeping, and case management activities. Students will participate in quarterly evaluations of their progress with the supervisors and must pass a clinical comprehensive exam in order to successively complete the practicum.

EMERGE Therapy Clinic is located at 138 Dillon Drive in Spartanburg. The clinic is fully accredited by COAMFTE at the post-degree level. There are also satellite facilities in several local agencies in Spartanburg that work with the EMERGE Therapy Clinic to provide sites for training. Students complete the practicum in 15 months.

Students attending full-time may complete the entire program within two years. All students have up to five years.

Mission Statement/Program Goals

The mission of the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program is to train clinically-skilled and culturally-competent systemic marriage and family therapists who can practice effectively and ethically with a wide variety of clients. The MMFT degree is designed to meet the academic and clinical practicum requirements of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists in South Carolina. The program was granted full accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) in 2005.

The Marriage and Family Therapy program at Converse University values diversity in its faculty, students, and the community it serves. The program’s definition of diversity includes but is not limited to the following: race, ethnicity, age, gender, identity or expression sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, ancestry, relationship status, veteran status, physical status or appearance, or any other characteristic protected by law. The program is committed to creating a learning environment in which the accompanying values, beliefs, traditions, and symbols of diverse cultures are respected, cultivated and taught. We do not discriminate against students or faculty based on any of the aforementioned characteristics.

Learning Objectives/Outcomes

Program Outcomes

The MMFT program will:

Train students to be effective, systemic clinicians who positively contribute to the well-being of individuals, couples, families, and communities.
Teach students MFT models, theories, treatment techniques, and how to use and understand research to inform systemic practice.
Prepare student to practice in a culturally competent manner with a wide variety of client populations.
Prepare students to develop into professionals who practice ethically in the field of MFT.

Associated Student Learning Outcomes

The MMFT student will:

Learn to practice skillfully in collaboration and communication with other disciplines, agencies, and professions.
Use basic clinical skills, including admission to treatment, establishing a therapeutic alliance, maintenance of treatment records, case management, crisis intervention, and systemic treatment planning.
Demonstrate proficiency in assessing, diagnosing, and treating serious mental illness as defined by the state of South Carolina, and will understand its impact on the system.
Demonstrate an understanding and application of major models of marriage and family therapy.
Comprehend research methodology and be able to apply current research findings to the practice and assessment of clinical work in the field of marriage and family therapy.
Students will apply in both an academic and clinical setting knowledge of individual and family development, including issues related to human sexuality and sexual dysfunction.
Understand contemporary and diversity issues and be able to implement that knowledge in a clinical setting.
Demonstrate an understanding and competency of ethical, legal, and professional issues associated with the practice of marriage and family therapy and be able to apply that knowledge in a clinical setting.

Admission Requirements/Application Procedures

Applicants will be required to submit a formal application and attend an on-campus interview. For full admission, the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Admission materials must include:
1. A $40 application fee
2. Completed application form online
3. Official Transcripts from all colleges attended
4. Completion of an admissions essay
5. Three letters of recommendation; and
6. Personal statement approximately 1 page
7. $100 Graduate Deposit Fee
An interview is scheduled in the Spring of each year. Potential applicants will be notified whether or not they are invited to the interview.
Students invited to the interview will receive formal notification. Following the interview, students will be notified of an acceptance within 2 weeks.
Deadline for applications is February 1st each year.

Requirements for Degree

To complete the requirements for the MMFT degree, the graduate student must:

Complete an approved 60 credit hours of coursework in the MFT program, including the 15 credit hour clinical practicum
Complete the 15 credit hours clinical practicum, including 500 client contact hours, 100 hours of supervision, and 300 hours of internship experience.
Maintain an overall B (3.0) average
Receive a satisfactory score on the first year Progress Evaluation
Receive a passing score on Clinical Comprehensive Examinations
Receive a passing score on Academic Comprehensive Examinations
Request and complete a degree application form. If all is in order the student’s transcript bears the degree at the end of the following term. Regardless of the semester in which the student completes the graduate degree, the student will receive the degree at the graduation ceremony in May.

REQUIRED HOURS: The MMFT has a minimum of 63 graduate semester hours.