Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
College of Health and Human Services
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) develops highly qualified professionals at the master’s level, who possess the knowledge, skills, and disposition to use a systemic perspective to improve the lives of individuals, couples, and families. MFTs believe that individuals, couples, and families are complex systems influenced by a wide variety of biopsychosocial-spiritual dynamics. All human systems are subject to occasionally becoming sufficiently disorganized that they need outside help to become stable again. Students in our program will be trained to help these human systems through a deep understanding of systems, human development, and intimate human relationships. The program develops skilled therapists who are able to assess: evaluate, and create treatment plans for individuals, families, and couples experiencing distress; cultivate empathetic, respectful, and congruent interpersonal skills; and research and evaluate the latest advances in the field.
The program provides the academic and experiential training needed for students to apply for licensure as a marriage and family therapist. To become fully licensed in Iowa, students are required to complete a two-year post-graduate supervised clinical experience, the completion of 3,000 clinical hours (1500 direct client contact) and the passage of the national MFT examination. Graduates will be prepared for work as therapists and consultants in clinical and counseling settings, in private practice as therapists, and in businesses, schools, hospitals and churches.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MFT-503 | Family Systems | 3 |
| MFT-518 | Models of Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT-524 | Human Development and the Family | 3 |
| MFT-545 | Micro-Counseling | 3 |
| MFT-546 | Pre-Practicum | 3 |
| MFT-550 | Systemic Sex Therapy | 3 |
| MFT-569 | Ethical and Professional Issues in MFT | 3 |
| MFT-582 | Models of Couples Therapy | 3 |
| MFT-602 | The Cross-Cultural Family | 3 |
| MFT-626 | Psychopathology and the Family | 3 |
| MFT-640 | Research Methods | 3 |
| MFT-671 | Therapeutic Techniques with Parents and Parents and Children | 3 |
| Select 4 elective courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Introduction to Play Therapy & Family Therapy | ||
| Neuroscience for MFTs | ||
| Trauma, Violence and Addiction | ||
| Medical Family Therapy | ||
| Spirituality and the Family | ||
| Applications of Play Therapy with Children and Families | ||
| Thesis Direction | ||
| Clinical hours: Select 12 credits of the following: | 12 | |
| Practicum in MFT I | ||
| Practicum in MFT II | ||
| Practicum in MFT III | ||
| MFT Practicum IV: 1 semester hour | ||
| MFT Practicum IV: 2 semester hours | ||
| MFT Practicum IV: 3 semester hours | ||
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Admission Requirements
- Personal interview with program director and additional faculty
- Resume that documents volunteer or professional experience in a human service area
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities previously attended
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and an undergraduate record that reflects ability to be successful in graduate studies (Students with a GPA less than 3.00 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
- Provide a personal statement that demonstrates solid writing skills and motivation for graduate studies
- Submit two letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty and/or work supervisors, who can attest to an applicant’s ability to be successful in graduate studies
Academic Standing
Only two “C” grades (C+, C or C-) are permitted in the program. A third grade of “C+” or below will result in academic dismissal from the program. No course with a grade of “C-“ or below will count toward a graduate degree. Any grade of “F” may be cause for dismissal from the program. A second “C+” or below in a repeated course may be cause for dismissal from the program. Dismissals may be appealed through the appeal process.
Departments can identify courses in which a “B” is the minimum grade required.
Course Continuation
MFT students may elect to complete a thesis in order to graduate. Students must continuously enroll in a 1-3 credit MFT Thesis (MFT-695 Thesis Direction) course until the thesis receives final approval from the student's thesis committee. Students will receive 3 credit hours the first semester registered for the course (course should be taken during the Spring semester of the second year) and 1 credit hour each semester after that (Fall, Spring, and Summer) until the student is finished. A continuation fee, equivalent to one credit hour, will be assessed for every semester the student is enrolled in MFT-695 Thesis Direction. An incomplete will be given in MFT Thesis until the final thesis is approved by the committee. Upon approval of the thesis, the grade will be changed to a Pass.
Any student who chooses the thesis option and fails to complete the thesis will not be able to graduate without additional coursework. In such cases, the student will need to complete the elective that was forgone in favor of the thesis option. Once the elective course has been completed the student will become eligible for graduation, assuming that all other course work has been completed satisfactorily. If a student does not enroll in MFT Thesis or complete additional coursework, the incomplete grade will turn to a Fail (F).
Transfer Policy
Upon admission to the program, students may transfer in graduate courses with the approval of the Program Director. The maximum number of transferable credit hours is 12. Credit allowance for graduate courses is considered on an individual basis; however, students must have earned a “B” or higher for the course to be considered. Course syllabi, college catalog, and a sample of previous course work may be requested for consideration of a class.