Offering Campuses Program Overview Program Outcomes Admission Requirements Exceptions to the Minimum Grade Point Average Committee Decisions Application Deadlines Applications to Multiple Campuses	Graduation Requirements Program Requirements Eligibility for Licensure Standards of Conduct Writing Program Practicum/Field Experience and Seminar Requirements Course/Credit Transfer
Offering Campuses Argosy University, Chicago; Argosy University, Denver; Argosy University Hawai’i; Argosy University, Salt Lake City; Argosy University, Sarasota; Argosy University, Tampa; Argosy University, Twin Cities
Campus Specific Requirements Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Program — Argosy University, Denver Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Program — Argosy University, Hawai’i Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Program — Argosy University, Chicago; Argosy University, Salt Lake City; Argosy University, Twin Cities Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Program —Argosy University, Sarasota Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Program —Argosy University, Tampa

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Program Overview

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The Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program recognizes the need to provide marriage and family therapists with the extensive knowledge and range of skills necessary to function effectively in their profession. The program introduces students to basic skills that integrate systemic theoretical foundations of marriage and family therapy into appropriate client interaction and intervention skills. The program is designed to emphasize the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential in the formation of marriage and family therapists who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services. The program has been developed by the school faculty members to provide working students with the opportunity to pursue personal and professional goals through completion of a master’s degree program.

The MA in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program is committed to educating and training students to enter a professional career as master’s level practitioners who can function ethically and effectively as skilled professionals with demonstrated knowledge of social and cultural diversity. This goal is achieved through a curriculum designed to integrate basic therapy, and practicum/field experience into appropriate client interaction and intervention skills for utilization in a wide variety of settings with diverse clients.

Marriage and family therapy is recognized by the Public Health Service Act as one of the five core mental health professions, and the National Institute of Mental Health accepts marriage and family therapists as qualified mental health professionals.

Program Outcomes

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Program Outcome One: Theoretical Knowledge

Competency 1. Apply principles and constructs of various systems theories in marriage and family practice.

Program Outcome Two: Clinical Knowledge

Competency 1. Apply family therapy skills and techniques to structure and direct therapy, help clients to find solutions, identify strengths, and stay engaged in the therapeutic process.

Program Outcome Three: Individual Development and Family Relations

Competency 1. Integrate the relationship between individual development and family lifespan development within the context of the various schools of family therapy and real world influences.

Program Outcome Four: Professional Identity and Ethics

Competency 1. Develop professional identity consistent with professional attitudes and behaviors outlined in the AAMFT Code of Ethics, and applicable laws and regulations.

Program Outcome Five: Research

Competency 1. Analyze research, and translate research findings for improvement of family therapy services using statistics and program evaluation methods.

Program Outcome Six: Interpersonal Effectiveness

Competency 1. Achieve personal development and demonstrate positive relationship skills via effective communication, respect for others, and awareness of their impact on others.

Admission Requirements

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• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
• A grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for the last 60 hours of coursework (including graduate work).
• A minimum score on an Argosy University pre-approved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction as specified in Section Five, Admission Policies, “English Language Proficiency Policy .”
• Completion of an interview with a member of the program Admissions Committee.

All applications for admission must be submitted to the Admissions Department. An admissions representative is available to help interested applicants complete the following required documentation:

• Completed Application for Admission Form
• Application fee (Non-refundable, except in California and Arizona. In the state of Arizona, the application fee is refundable if the application is canceled within three business days of the applicant signing the Enrollment Agreement.)
• Personal/professional goal statement with a self-appraisal of qualification for the profession of marriage and family therapy
• Current résumé (or career summary)
• Three completed Applicant Recommendation Forms
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended

Exceptions to the Minimum Grade Point Average

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Applicants with grade point averages lower than the stated program minimums may be considered for admission with significant evidence of academic and professional potential demonstrated by the career and/or professional accomplishments indicated in the statement of academic and professional goals, the career summary, and academic or professional letters of recommendation.

Exceptions must be recommended by the Admissions Committee and program chair. Exceptions must be justified, documented, signed, placed, and retained in the student’s academic file. Students admitted on an exception basis will be assigned provisional status. See “Exceptions to Admission Requirements” in section 5 of this catalog under Admission Policies .

Committee Decisions

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A member of the program admissions committee reviews completed applications. Upon approval of the application, the applicant will be offered an interview with the admissions committee.

Students are notified in writing of the decision made by the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Applicants who have been denied admission may reapply after the passage of one year from the date of denial by submitting all documents required of new applicants. Individuals who intend to reapply for admission are strongly encouraged to contact the Admissions Department prior to reapplying.

Application Deadlines

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Application deadlines vary by campus. Refer to campus-specific descriptions for further information.

Deadlines may be extended if there are continuing openings in the program.

Applications to Multiple Campuses

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An applicant who wants to apply to more than one campus must complete a separate application and forward a full set of  application materials to each campus.

Graduation Requirements

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Students who are admitted into the Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program will be responsible for completing the program requirements in effect at the time of admission. Argosy University retains the right to modify requirements in accordance with the demands of the profession. The courses must be completed in the order recommended.To receive the Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy degree, the student must  fulfill the graduation requirements of the campus attended.

Graduation requirements include:

• Satisfactory completion of all requirements in the program of study as detailed in the campus-specific program descriptions.
• Successfully complete all program requirements within a specified time frame.
• GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
• A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration

Program Requirements

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For more detailed information, refer to the campus-specific program descriptions for your campus of record.

Eligibility for Licensure

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The curriculum at the various campuses offering a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy includes the core curricular content required to meet licensing requirements for that state. It is the student’s responsibility to determine the requirements for professional licensure in the state they wish to practice. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy frequently publishes information on professional issues of importance to marriage and family therapists, including licensure, on their Web site at www.aamft.org.

Standards of Conduct

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Students in the Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the ethical and professional standards outlined in the Codes of Ethics of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition, consistent with the mission of Argosy University, respect for human difference in all its many forms is practiced at all times.

Students who violate the ethical and professional principles and standards of conduct will be referred to an appropriate Committee for evaluation of suitability for training. Students should familiarize themselves with the of Argosy University Ethical Code of Conduct (see Student Rights and Responsibilities ) as well as the formal codes of ethics of AAMFT.

Writing Program

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Students are expected to be proficient in written and oral communication and to produce graduate-level written work consistent with the accepted standards in the field.

Those who are identified by faculty as needing further development of writing skills will be referred to their academic advisors for the development of a writing remediation plan.

Practicum/Field Experience and Seminar Requirements

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The practicum/field experience is the initial opportunity provided to Argosy University students for clinical field training. Within the series of practicum/field experience courses, students have the opportunity to work under supervision of an appropriate clinician in an approved setting with a clinical population. The practicum/field experience is an essential part of clinical training, and all students are required to participate in the practicum/field experience experience. See campus-specific program descriptions for detailed requirements.

The practicum/field experience is designed to emphasizes therapeutic intervention skills. Theoretical orientations, specific treatment options and opportunities and client populations will vary across training settings. Argosy University encourages students to explore a variety of therapeutic perspectives. The faculty and curriculum represent the major theoretical orientations. Students are encouraged to keep an open mind to get the full benefit of general theoretical exposure, and to explore and experiment with a variety of treatment approaches. Practicum/field experience sites provide knowledge and modeling of therapy within an organized theoretical framework so that students may learn to use the framework to guide conceptualizations and interventions.It is hoped that students will, with time and experience, recognize strengths and limitations of a variety of approaches and develop proficiency in formulating and working within an approach best suited to their own personal style. The practicum/field experience presents an excellent opportunity for this kind of learning.

Course/Credit Transfer

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For information about course/credit transfers, please refer to section seven, “Academic Policies and Procedures .”

Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Degree Program—Argosy University, Denver

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Program Requirements

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The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree program requires the satisfactory completion of 48 credit hours distributed as follows: Family Studies Requirements, 9 credit hours; Family Therapy Requirements, 12 credit hours; Development Requirements, 12 credit hours; Ethics and Professional Studies Requirements, 3 credit hours; Research Requirements, 3 credit hours; Practicum Requirements, 9 credit hours

   

Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Degree Program—Argosy University, Hawai’i

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Program Overview

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The Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program has been designed to educate and train students to function effectively as marriage and family therapists. Argosy University, Hawai‘i provides for its master’s degree program students an educational program that is designed to provide the necessary theoretical and clinical elements that will allow them to be effective therapists of couples, families, groups and individuals. The program introduces students to therapeutic foundations of systemic theory and the development of appropriate clinical relationships. Coursework in addiction studies and substance abuse counseling is designed to prepare students to work with families affected by the burgeoning substance abuse problem in Hawai‘i and elsewhere.

Course Delivery Formats

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The MA in Marriage and Family Therapy degree program at Argosy University, Hawai‘i is offered in a cohort model. Coursework must be completed in the order specified by the campus. To meet the needs of working adults, all courses with the exception of practicum, are offered on the weekends and online.

Attendance Policy

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The intensive weekend format of the program makes attendance crucial. Any amount of class time missed negatively impacts the grade. More than four hours (cumulative) of missed class time will result in automatic loss of one full letter grade. More than eight hours missed will result in automatic failure for the class. Instructors may have more stringent requirements that will be supported by the program administration.

Students who have emergencies or other circumstances that prevent them from attending or from being able to fully participate in class will be encouraged to withdraw from the class. Students are required to notify instructors concerning any anticipated absences.

Eligibility for Licensure

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While the program attempts to prepare students to become eligible for licensure as marriage and family therapists, eligibility requirements by the state of Hawai‘i may require additional coursework or clinical contact hours beyond the scope of the current program design. It is the student’s responsibility to determine the requirements for professional licensure in the state they wish to practice.

In addition, the program is designed to prepares students to pursue certification as certified substance abuse counselors (CSAC) in the state of Hawai‘i. As eligibility requirements may change, it is the student’s responsibility to determine requirements for CSAC certification.

Admission Requirements

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Please see the section under general program description for requirements for admission.

Application Deadlines

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Applications are accepted for the fall and spring semesters. Early application is encouraged.

Applications will be considered as they are received, based on the applicant’s qualifications. Admission of later applicants may be limited by space availability.

All admission materials for the Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program must be submitted by the following dates:

Fall Admission

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July 15

Final deadline

Spring Admission

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November 15	Final deadline

Deadlines may be extended at the discretion of the program chair.

Enrollment Requirements

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Students in the MA in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program enroll for the equivalent of 6 credit hours per semester with possible exception during practicum. Students should complete the coursework in a lock-step sequence. Any student who wishes to take a course or courses out of sequence must have the permission of the program chair.

Requirements for Academic Progress

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To maintain academic progress towards a degree, students must maintain the required cumulative GPA and meet cumulative maximum time frames for the program.

All students are reviewed each academic year at the completion of the spring semester by the Student Services Department to determine if students meet requirements for the following criteria:

• Cumulative Maximum Time Frame Students must complete the program within five years after matriculation. Students who have temporarily withdrawn from Argosy University will have five years plus the length of time that they were not enrolled, not to exceed one year, to complete the program.
• Incremental Maximum Time Frame Schedule The minimum amount of work that a full time student must complete by the end of each year in the program following matriculation to successfully complete the program appears below.

Students should complete 51 semester credit hours within the suggested incremental maximum time frame requirement listed below:

Suggested Incremental Time Frame Completion Rates
End of Year One	12 credit hours
End of Year Two	24 credit hours
End of Year Three	33 credit hours
End of Year Four	42 credit hours
End of Year Five	51 credit hours

The incremental maximum time frame requirements are not a replacement for the specific program sequencing and enrollment requirements, which may be stricter than the incremental maximum time frame requirements.

Students who achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or below will not be permitted to continue in the program. Students with a grade point average above 2.5 but below 3.0 will be advised of their status and may request in writing to the program chair to remain in the program.

Students with favorable evaluation for potential success may be permitted to take additional courses at the discretion of the program chair. Students who are given permission to continue must achieve a 3.0 GPA during the next semester of study and meet all further academic and other requirements of the program.

Student’s progress through the MA in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program at Argosy University, Hawai‘i is intended to be sequential. Introductory courses are offered to first year students which provide a theoretical and practical foundation for courses and practicum that follow. In addition, certain courses require the student to have the background for more basic courses in order to benefit fully from the course experience. A minimum of 18 credit hours of successful coursework including MF 6300 - Professional and Ethical Issues , MF 6032 - Psychopathology and Assessment , and two semesters of Professionalization Group (MF 6010  & MF 6011 ) is required for a student to be eligible to start practicum.

The student’s potential for completing the program and performing as professional marriage and family therapists will be assessed from a variety of perspectives throughout the program. Students must meet the academic requirements and demonstrate appropriate professional and personal conduct and development throughout the program to be considered for continuation in the program. At the beginning of the program, students will sign an Informed Consent Agreement that outlines personal and professional competencies they are expected to meet throughout the program.

Repeating Courses and Academic Dismissal

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Students who receive a grade below “B-” or a “NC” (No Credit) in any course within their program must repeat and pass that course with at least a “B.”

All “NC” grades or grades below “B-” appearing on transcripts may be used in assessing the academic performance, however when a student retakes a course, only the grade earned for the course when it is retaken is used to calculate the student’s GPA.

Students will receive a letter of academic warning for:

• Receipt of a grade of “F”
• Receipt of a second “NC” grade or grade below “B-”

In addition, students placed on warning may be referred to an appropriate committee.

Students are dismissed from the program for:

• Receipt of a second grade of “F”
• Receipt of two grades below “B-” during the same semester, including “NC” grades
• Receipt of a third grade below “B-” , including “NC” grades

Writing Program

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Students who are identified by faculty as needing development of writing skills will be referred to their academic advisor for the development of a writing remediation plan. Written notification of the referral will be provided to students via the Writing Course Recommendation form. Students whose remediation plan requires them to take an appropriate writing course must fulfill the requirement before the end of the term following the one in which the referral was made. Proof of satisfactory completion must be submitted to the Student Services Department. Failure to fulfill this requirement within the specified time frame may result in referral to an appropriate committee. Students who continue to demonstrate deficits in writing skills after completing an approved course will be referred to the Student Professional Development Committee.

Additional Graduation Requirements

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Graduation requirements include:

• 51 semester credit hours that must be completed by the end of the fourth year of matriculation. The total hours must include:
  • 42 credit hours of required courses
  • 9 credit hours of required practicum and practicum seminar
• Satisfactory completion of the Comprehensive Examination
• Satisfactory completion of the Practicum Seminar Final Project

Students enrolled in the MA in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program are required to complete all graduation requirements within five years of the date of matriculation.

All students who desire to graduate, even those who do not intend to participate in the annual commencement ceremonies, must submit the Petition to Graduate form and fees to the Student Services Department at least eight weeks prior to the date of commencement. In addition, all graduation requirements must be completed prior to the commencement, including satisfactory completion of the Comprehensive Examination.

Although commencement is held annually on O’ahu, students who complete graduation requirements at other times during the year will be recognized as a graduated student and will receive a letter of completion.

Program Requirements

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The MA in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program requires the satisfactory completion of 51 semester credit hours, distributed as follows: required courses, 42 credit hours; and practicum requirements, 9 credit hours.

   

Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Degree Program—Argosy University, Chicago; Argosy University, Salt Lake City; Argosy University, Twin Cities

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Program Overview

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The Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program is designed to educate and train students to function effectively as marriage and family therapists. Coursework and practicum experiences integrate individual and relational foundations of therapy into appropriate client interaction and intervention skills within the context of marriage, couples, and family systems.

Students in the MA in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program may choose an optional concentration in Forensic Counseling.

Eligibility for Licensure

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Licensure eligibility requirements for marriage and family therapists vary by state. It is the student’s responsibility to determine the requirements for professional licensure in the state he or she wishes to practice. Further information may be obtained from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Directory of MFT Licensure and Certification Boards, http://www.aamft.org/resources/Online_Directories/boardcontacts.asp.

Marriage & Family Therapist Training Overview

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Practical training is the supervised out-of-class contact of students under supervision in a mental health delivery setting. Through this contact, students apply their theoretical knowledge, implement therapy techniques based on this knowledge, and develop the professional and personal attitudes important to the identity of a professional therapist. By the end of training, graduate students possess effective intervention skills and are able to practice in a highly ethical manner.

Student Professional Development

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The faculty regularly reviews student progress and evaluates any special academic, ethical or professional problems that may arise. The major goals of the review are to identify student problems early and to initiate remediation efforts, where appropriate, as soon as possible. Please refer to “Student Professional Development Committee ”.

Additional Graduation Requirements

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In addition to graduation requirements stated previously, students must also complete the following requirements:

• Satisfactory completion of 48 semester credit hours, which must include
  • 36 credit hours of required courses
  • 3 credit hours of Professionalization Groups I, II, and II
  • 9 credit hours (45 weeks) of required practicum and practicum seminar groups
• Successful completion of both the Portfolio and the Clinical Competency Examination
• Completion of all requirements within four years of matriculation into the program
• Submission of a Completion of Coursework Audit Form to the Student Services Department 

Foundation Course Requirements

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As a foundation for graduate study in marriage & family therapy, students are required to demonstrate successful completion of the following undergraduate level courses:

PSY 400 Counseling Theories *
PSY 304 Human Sexuality **

 Notes 

*To be taken concurrently with first semester MA in Marriage & Family Therapy courses

**To be taken concurrently with second semester MA in Marriage & Family Therapy courses  

 Program Requirements

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The MA in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program requires the satisfactory completion of 48 semester credit hours distributed as follows: course requirements, 36 credit hours; professionalization group requirements, 3 credit hours; and practicum and practicum seminar requirements, 9 credit hours.

 

     

Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Degree Program—Argosy University, Sarasota

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Enrollment Requirements

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Students must complete the program within five years after matriculation. Students who have temporarily withdrawn from Argosy University will have five years plus the length of time that they were not enrolled, not to exceed one year, to complete the program. In order to remain on track for degree completion within the maximum time frame allotted, students are expected to complete credit hours according to the suggested incremental maximum time frame table below:

Suggested Incremental Time Frame Completion Rates:
End of Year One	9 credit hours
End of Year Two	18 credit hours
End of Year Three	27 credit hours
End of Year Four	36 credit hours
End of Year Five	45 credit hours

Students are responsible for monitoring and maintaining an enrollment status that ensures their progress towards completion of their programs within the maximum time frame.

Program Requirements

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The Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program requires the satisfactory completion of 45 semester credit hours distributed as follows: core course requirements, 27 credit hours; marriage and family specialty requirements, 12 credit hours; and field experience requirements, 6 credit hours. Students may not complete 50 percent or more of their required program credit hours in an online or distance learning format. In addition to these credit hour requirements, students must successfully complete the Comprehensive Examination.

       

Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Degree Program—Argosy University, Tampa

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Admission Deadlines

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Applications are accepted for all 6 terms. Early application is encouraged. Applications will be considered as they are received, based upon the applicant’s qualifications. Admission of later applicants may be limited by space availability.

Deadlines may be extended if there are continuing openings in the program.

Course Delivery Formats

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Weekend Format

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The Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program is designed to allow students flexibility while pursuing a graduate degree. In addition to weeknight classes, courses are offered in a weekend format with weekly online instructional contact with instructors and peers. These courses span 7.5 weeks and consist of two weekends in-residence. Students are in-residence approximately one weekend every three weeks.

Online Courses

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In order to offer a more flexible learning experience for our students with multiple life responsibilities, selected courses are offered in an online format through other Argosy University campuses. Students may register for these classes by permission from Argosy University. This format may be ideal for students who live at a distance from our campus. Students work closely with their faculty advisor to develop the learning format best suited to their needs. Because this is an in-residence degree program, students may not complete more than 49 percent of their required program credit hours in an online or distance learning format.

Additional Enrollment Requirements

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Students are advised not to take more than one course at a time. Students wishing to take more than one course at a time should consult with an advisor or the program chair before doing so. While on field experience, students may enroll in classes and the field experience each semester, or they may enroll in the field experience alone if they have already completed other coursework.

Suggested Incremental Time Frame Completion Rates

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The minimum amount of work that a student must complete by the end of each year in the program following matriculation to  successfully complete the program appears below. Curriculum changes may result in a change in the completion schedule for maximum time frame.

Suggested Incremental Time Frame Completion Rates
End of Year One	10 credit hours
End of Year Two	20 credit hours
End of Year Three	30 credit hours
End of Year Four	40 credit hours
End of Year Five	45 credit hours

Additional Requirements for Academic Progress

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Students must successfully complete their first four courses with a grade of “B-” and a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (on a scale of 4.0) before the student is allowed to take additional courses in the program.

Upon successful completion of these four courses, each student’s academic performance and professional conduct is reviewed. Students who earn a GPA of 3.0 or above (on a scale of 4.0) and receive satisfactory faculty evaluations will be eligible to continue in the program.

Students who achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or below (on a scale of 4.0) will not be allowed to continue in the program. Students with a cumulative GPA above 2.5, but below 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) will be advised of their status and may be allowed to continue in the program, providing they request to do so in writing to the program chair. The request will be reviewed by the Student Professional Development Committee (SPDC). If approved to continue, students may be allowed to take two additional courses to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0. Students who do not achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) after completing the two additional courses will not be allowed to continue in the program. The SPDC may require that a student retake any course in which a grade below “B-” was earned. Students who receive two grades below “B-” in the first four courses, or three grades below “B-” in their academic experience, will automatically be dismissed from the program.

Additional Graduation Requirements

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To be eligible for graduation, students must meet the following requirements:

• Successful completion of 45 credits hours including field experience and a Comprehensive Examination
• A GPA of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
• A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to Campus Administration

Program Requirements

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The MA in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program requires the satisfactory completion of 45 semester credit hours, distributed as follows: core course requirements, 27 credit hours; additional course requirements, 12 credit hours; and practicum/ field experience requirements, 6 credit hours. At least 51 percent of required coursework must be completed in-residence. Note that field experience courses are usually taken in the last year of the program. In addition to these credit hour requirements, students must successfully the Comprehensive Examination.