Master of Arts In Marriage and Family Therapy Program Student Handbook

Transcription

1 Master of Arts In Marriage and Family Therapy Program Student Handbook

2 1 Table of Contents Section One: Introduction... 3 Marriage & Family Therapy Program... 5 Mission... 5 Program Outcomes... 5 Educational Outcomes... 6 Program Overview... 8 Sequence of Courses... 9 Section Two: General Information Academic Advising Academic Calendar..13 Registration Prerequisites Communication within the Program Faculty Libraries...15 Research and Writing Additional Course Readings...16 Class Attendance Leave of Absence..16 Visitors in Classes.17 Teaching Assistantships Conference Attendance and Travel Grants Personal Therapy Licensing and Certification Job Opportunities after Graduation...19 Committee Structure Graduate Psychology Student Association Graduate Chapel Committee..23 Section Three: Outline of Requirements Licensure (ALMFT)..25 Courses for Illinois LMFT Requirements Mandatory Topics for Illinois LMFT Requirements 26 Academic Probation/Satisfactory Progress Time Limit for Degree Length of Program 28 Filing for Candidacy Transferring Between Programs Graduation... 28

3 2 Withdrawal from Program or Courses..29 Incomplete & In-Progress Grades Section Four: Clinical Training Practicum Placement Practicum Requirements Section Five: Evaluation Student Evaluation Overview Student Portfolio Collaborative Evaluation.35 Problems of Professional Competence..36 Practicum Student Evaluation Final Evaluation...37 Dismissal...37 Student Evaluation and the Student Review Committee (SRC) Policy on Academic Honesty Program Evaluation Grievance Procedure Section Six: Ethical Standards Student Private Practice and Professional Standards... 53

4 3 SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION

5 4 This handbook is to be a practical resource of information for the faculty, staff, and students involved in the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Program. It offers an overview of the M.A. in MFT program at Wheaton College, including the program mission, educational outcomes, course of study, outline of clinical training, evaluation samples, program policies and procedures, grievance procedure, and guidelines for pursuing licensure. Also included are details about policies and procedures in the Catalog of Wheaton College that apply to the entire school and take precedence over those stated here. M.A. students are responsible for being informed of the general policies and procedures from the college catalog as they are not necessarily repeated in this manual. Any discrepancies among these resources should be discussed with the MFT Program Director. Please note that the MFT program undertakes reviews of its coursework, procedures, and policies annually. When changes are deemed appropriate, based on collective professional judgment of faculty, administration, and placement site supervisors, with input from students and alumni, such changes will be communicated in a timely fashion to all communities of interest. Many forms are referred to throughout the handbook. Some are incorporated for informational purposes in the relevant handbook section or the appendices. All of the program forms can be found on the MFT Groups page. To access the MFT group page, log into your my.wheaton account ( and click on the Groups icon on the upper right-hand corner of the screen. You will find a link to the group M.A. Psych Programs. Click on this group link and a new window will appear. On the left-hand side of this window, click on the Files link where multiple folders will be displayed in the center console, one of which will be labeled MFT. This is the MFT Groups page where you will find these departmental forms.

6 5 Wheaton College Mission MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY PROGRAM The Wheaton College MFT Program is housed in the Psychology Department at Wheaton College. The College Mission Statement is as follows: Wheaton College serves Jesus Christ and advances His Kingdom through excellence in liberal arts and graduate programs that educate the whole person to build the church and benefit society worldwide. Psychology Department Mission The Mission Statement of the Psychology Department is as follows: The Wheaton College Department of Psychology exists to educate its students in a manner informed by contemporary psychology and shaped by the beliefs and practices of the Christian faith, enabling them to contribute to building the church, ministering to those on the margins, and improving society worldwide. MFT Program Mission Congruent with the Wheaton College and Psychology Department missions, our MFT Program Mission is as follow: We seek to form Marriage and Family Therapists who are clinically skilled and who integrate their personhood as followers of Christ in their professional and personal lives; who value interpersonal justice and the diversity of clients and client systems; and who work toward the goal of healthy and whole relationships, giving specific attention to those on the margin of society and those who are underserved. Program Outcomes The following five MFT Program Outcomes (POs), which correlates with our Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), align with our mission statement and adhere to MFT Educational Guidelines and Marriage and Family Therapy Core Competencies as developed by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the AAMFT Code of Ethics, and the laws and regulations of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR): 1. Adequate clinical progress of students preparing for service as MFT professionals (SLO1: Clinical Competence: Student). 2. Alumni licensed as MFTs and/or serving in the church (SLO1: Clinical Competence: Alumni).

7 6 3. Student and Faculty involvement in program development, program governance, and community connection (SLO2: Relational Competency). 4. Attending to the needs of diverse populations and the underserved (church, missional and community settings) (SLO3: Interpersonal Justice) 5. Integration of systemic thinking and Christianity (SLO4: Christian Distinctiveness). Students of the M.A. in MFT program at Wheaton College are prepared for clinical assessment, conceptualization, and intervention (SLO1). We aim to form clinicians who participate capably in the interactive process of assessing clients and client systems; incorporating knowledge of individual and family life-cycle developmental stages; and conceptualizing and integrating clinical/relational/contextual information. We also aim to develop marriage and family therapists who intervene effectively to promote, restore, sustain, or enhance positive functioning in clients. We strive to integrate theory with practice early in the program through student involvement in pre-practicum training beginning in their first year and practicum placement in their second year. Graduates will be capable of working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Students of the M.A. in MFT program at Wheaton College are prepared to serve as licensed MFTs and/or to serve the church (SLO1). We are convinced that the most effective practitioner will be one who is growing as an individual, has a multidisciplinary focus and who thinks in analytical, systemic, and sophisticated ways while developing understanding of the human condition, relationships, and the individual s spiritual life. Our goal will be to produce service-minded marriage and family therapists, practitioner/scholars equipped with current skills, and a capacity for continued growth professionally and personally. Students of the M.A. in MFT program at Wheaton College are involved in program development, program governance and community connection (SLO2). The Masters program in Marriage and Family Therapy seeks to function as a community of learning that fosters professional and spiritual formation in students, faculty, and staff alike. We are committed to understanding and embracing the diversity among members of our educational community, our clinical settings, and the larger systems in which we take part.

8 7 Students of the MA in MFT program at Wheaton College are prepared to serve Christ and His Kingdom, attending to the needs of diverse populations and the underserved (church, missional, and community settings) (SLO3 and SLO4). Our commitment to Christian distinctiveness is a reflection of the historic commitment of the entire institution, a commitment that has endured when the intellectual trends have not been as supportive. Wheaton College [in its entirety] exists to help build the church and improve society worldwide by promoting the development of whole and effective Christians through excellence in programs of Christian higher education Wheaton College seeks to relate Christian liberal arts and graduate education to the needs of contemporary society. (Catalog of Wheaton College). Students of the M.A. in MFT program are expected to affirm the Statement of Faith* of Wheaton College and voluntarily adhere to the Community Covenant** of Wheaton College that provides a framework for our life together as an academic and spiritual community. These commitments encompass far beyond philosophical positions; they represent our firm belief that both unity and diversity adds depth and richness to the community being developed at Wheaton and the MFT program. The M.A. in MFT program is congruent with the Wheaton College Graduate School, which exists to relate Christian education to the needs of contemporary society... to enable the committed Christian student to formulate and articulate a biblical and global understanding of life and ministry and to apply it to service for Christ and His kingdom. In keeping with these values, the MFT program encourages student, faculty, and alumni to serve underserved populations, focusing on carrying out Wheaton College s mission to minister to the widest and most diverse communities possible throughout the world and modeling Christ s love to all. * Statement of Faith at: ** Community Covenant at:

9 8 PROGRAM OVERVIEW Students accepted into the Wheaton College Graduate School Master s Program in Marriage and Family Therapy complete the 48-credit program in two years to three years. Some students, often missionaries or international students, elect to do the coursework on campus and have their practicum in their home country in year three. The MFT curriculum and course objectives were developed based on the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) educational guidelines, AAMFT Code of Ethics, AAMFTRB exam domains, AAMFT Licensure Boards, and the MFT Core Competencies (2011). The coursework provides a comprehensive and substantive understanding and foundation of human development, family dynamics, systemic thinking, interactional theories, traditional and contemporary marriage and family therapy theories, research, and the cultural context in which they are embedded, (COAMFTE Key Element) while maintaining our core commitment to training students who are dedicated in their Christian faith and interested in the underserved in their practice of marriage and family therapy. (See Standard Course Sequencing, p. 10) In addition to service as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, faculty members and students in the department have a strong interest in the interface of Christian ministry and couple and family therapy, including such endeavors as serving with or assisting missions agencies, relief agencies, and missionaries. Others seek to serve in nontraditional roles that bring the training and values of the marriage and family therapy field into ministry roles within the church. Members of the MFT program and the psychology department are active in teaching and training professionals, clergy, and lay people internationally. Faculty and students join together in actively exploring the integration of Christian faith and MFT practice both in classroom study and in more personal settings. During both years of the program, students and faculty participate together in Personal and Professional Development Groups (PPDGs, MAFT ), an opportunity for mentoring by faculty, and exploration of family/contextual dynamics, interpersonal processes, and professional identity integral to the practice of couple and family therapy from a distinctly Christian perspective. Faculty members also provide oversight of students Pre-practicum and Clinical Practicum experiences through Practicum Seminars (MAFT ) focused on supervision where the concepts and theories of MFT are explored in relationships and put into practice with client systems. Students are responsible for locating practicum experience in their second or third year. Students are assisted in the search for a practicum to fit their professional goals and interests. In the fall of each year, students are advised to begin preparation of vita and cover letters, seeking assistance from Career Services if necessary, and to review current information on potential training sites used by Wheaton students in the past. The psychology department (all three programs: PsyD, CMHC, & MFT) participates in a Practica Information Exchange (PIE) with representatives from the various clinical sites coming to Wheaton s campus, giving students the opportunity to learn about the sites missions, theoretical perspectives, client populations, activities, and approaches to therapy. Students go through an application and interview process before they are placed in their practicum. Students must receive permission from the MFT program prior to applying for practicum positions (See MFT Clinical Handbook).

10 9 Prior to graduation from the program, students are required to complete a minimum of 300 hours of direct service/client-contact. These are hours spent face-to-face with clients in a therapy setting. At least half (150) of those hours must be spent with couples, families, or other combinations of family members. In addition, students must obtain a minimum of 60 hours of supervision (5 client hours to every 1 hour of supervision). At least half (30) of the supervision hours must be carried out by an AAMFT Approved Supervisor or equivalent. Sequence of Courses The M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 48-credit, two-year program. A unique contribution to the MFT curriculum is the integration courses a sequence of three courses that provide the foundation to continued integration of Faith and Learning as MFTs. The Integration Sequence is as follows: Theological Anthropology Choice of: o Christian Theology o Foundations of Biblical Interpretation o History of the Church to 1900 Integration Seminar: MFT and Christian Faith/Practice On the following page is the course work structure for the two years a student spends in the Wheaton MFT program as a full-time student. Be aware of the following important factors: Total credit and/or internship hours required for licensing in some states may exceed those required to graduate from the program. See the licensing requirements for the specific state in which you intend to obtain licensure. Students can make accommodations to meet other state licensure requirements through the Psych Department Electives as well as Clinical hours through our Advance Practicum Seminar section after the 2 year. You can view MFT licensure requirements for the various States at: A course load of 12 hrs./semester is needed for full-time status of all M.A. students per Wheaton College Catalog, though 11 hrs. is acceptable in the student s final semester in the program. In Year 2 Spring Semester, financial aid awards can be prorated. Please see your Financial Aid Counselor for details.

11 10 Year 1 Fall Semester 13 total credits MAFT Marriage and Family Therapy I: Theoretical Foundations (3) Year 1 Spring Semester 12 total credits MAFT Marriage and Family Therapy II: Systemic Assessment and Intervention (3) PSYC 512-Theories and Principles of Counseling (3) MAFT MFT Ethics and Professional Practice (3) MAFT Families in Context: Culture, Class, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Identity, and Religion (3) MAFT Individual and Family Life Cycle Development (3) MAFT Couple Therapy: Systemic Assessment and Intervention (3) BITH Theological Anthropology (2) MAFT Personal and Professional Development Group (PPDG) (0) MAFT PPDG (0) MAFT Clinical Pre-Practicum I (1) MAFT Clinical Pre-Practicum II (1) Year 2 Fall Semester 12 total credits MAFT Systemic Interventions with Children and Adolescents (3) MAFT Psychopathology and the Family (3) Theological Studies Requirement - (Christian Theology or Foundations of Biblical Interpretation or History of the Church to 1900) (4) Year 2 Spring Semester 11 total credits** MAFT Systemic Interventions with Special Populations: Abuse, Neglect, Violence, and Poverty (3) MAFT Integration Seminar: MFT and Christian Faith/Practice (3) MAFT Family Therapy Research and Implications for Evidence-Based Practice (3) MAFT PPDG (0) MAFT PPDG (0) MAFT Clinical Practicum I (2) MAFT Clinical Practicum II (2)

12 11 Sequential Years Fall/Spring Semester MAFT 690- Advance Clinical Practicum

13 12 SECTION TWO: GENERAL INFORMATION

14 13 ACADEMIC ADVISING A faculty advisor is assigned to each incoming master s student at orientation. You will be assigned an advisor by the program director from the MFT s core faculty. The faculty advisor provides academic and career counseling and gives the student an opportunity to develop a mentor relationship to guide her/him through the program. This will be your advisor for the duration of your time in the program. While the advisor is available to assist with planning, it is the student s responsibility to meet the requirements for the degree under the catalog of the year entered or a later edition. The student should be knowledgeable of the certification or licensure requirements of the state in which the student is likely to practice (see Licensing and Certification in this section). The Graduate Records Analyst of the Registrar s Office is the official auditor for the completion of all degree and graduation requirements. ACADEMIC CALENDAR The year s academic calendar is found online here: A campus events calendar is also available online here: REGISTRATION Except for new incoming fall students, registration for each semester is completed during an advance registration period prior to the next semester: for fall the previous spring, for spring the previous fall. For these advance registrations the Registrar s Office sends forms through the CPO to each student. Failure to register during the advance time may result in a fee and/or the student s being dropped from the program. Drop/Add Procedure Graduate students do not need faculty advisor signatures to drop, add, or drop and add courses. Consult the academic calendar in the catalog or current course schedule for deadlines. These indicate whether you can change your curriculum without tuition or grade penalties. It is the student s responsibility to be aware of these deadlines. There is a form for each of the three options mentioned above. The forms may be obtained from the Registrar s Office. Remember, the MFT program is a cohort model curriculum and the sequence of courses is only offered once a year.

15 14 PREREQUISITES Upon acceptance into the M.A. Program, the student is notified of any deficiencies in fulfilling undergraduate coursework requirements in psychology/family studies/human development/research. This is done via the Notification of Acceptance form that accompanies the acceptance letter. It is strongly recommended that, once accepted into the program, incoming students complete as many of the prerequisites as possible prior to beginning matriculation. However, all prerequisites are to be made up by the end of the A quad fall semester. Failing to do so may impede the student from registering for additional classes until requirements are met. In addition, late registration may result in a financial penalty. An official transcript of those prerequisites completed outside of Wheaton College must be sent to the Registrar. The Graduate Records Analyst of the Registrar's Office maintains records of all completed graduate degree requirements, including the prerequisites. COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE PROGRAM Being able to effectively connect with one another is very important, especially since there are five different degree programs within the psychology department undergraduate, master s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, master s Counseling Ministries, master s in Marriage and Family Therapy, and doctorate in Clinical Psychology Faculty Mailboxes and Student CPO Faculty and staff have a department mailbox just inside the departmental office (M230). Forms for their signature can be left in the mailbox. Students are assigned a CPO mailbox upon entering the program. Students need to keep up with mail since boxes not emptied within two weeks are automatically closed, causing problems to the department. Faculty Appointments Students are responsible for making their own appointments by signing up on the office hours posted outside the faculty member s office door, or by contacting the faculty by , by phone, or in person. If you cannot make it to your appointment, please leave a message as soon as you can. Please do not knock on faculty doors if they are closed unless you have an appointment at that time. Each student, faculty, and staff member has a Wheaton College address. It is the student s responsibility to check regularly as this is the primary means of department communication. Students can have forwarded to an outside

16 15 address, by going to for instructions. The department uses only the Wheaton address for sending notices via . Voice Mail For Wheaton College extensions, the phone system allows callers to leave voice messages. The Voice Mail System responds if there is no answer. You may use the Voice Mail System directly by dialing x2222 on campus phones or on outside phones. You will be asked for the extension on which you wish to leave a message. Address and Home Phone Information It is very important to keep the college and the department informed of your current address and telephone information, even after graduation. To notify the college of an address change, please submit your student number, name, and new address and phone number via to addresschange@wheaton.edu. Please copy this to jessie.drachenberg@wheaton.edu (MFT Program Administrator). This effectively notifies the Psychology Department of your changes. Additionally, the MFT program distributes a cohort directory in the fall semester to students in the cohort. FACULTY LIBRARIES Faculty members do not routinely loan books from their personal libraries. Exceptions are sometimes made to this when a book is not otherwise available. Also, faculty members are usually willing to allow you to consult books in their library and use them either in their office or in the building. RESEARCH AND WRITING In Wheaton s Buswell Library, Nancy Falciani-White is the subject librarian for psychology. For research help, she can be reached at Nancy.Falcianiwhite@wheaton.edu or In addition you can contact her online at Please submit all written work in American Psychological Association (APA) format. This means that, unless otherwise instructed, all papers should contain references presented in standard APA format. The APA manual, Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (current ed.), is available in the library or bookstore. Many of your texts are written in APA form and can serve as models. Purdue Owl Online, is an excellent example of resources available as an electronic APA guide ( In addition, you may consult the Writing Center in Buswell Library for feedback on your writing. Please put a cover sheet and a title page on each paper. Do not include an abstract or table of contents for a coursework paper. If a paper is more than three pages long, it is

17 16 usually a good idea to use headings and subheadings. All papers should be stapled at the top left corner, with no plastic cover. ADDITIONAL COURSE READINGS Faculty frequently assign readings from journal articles and/or book chapters that are not part of the textbooks used in class. Faculty may use Blackboard to give students access to this information. Individual faculty members will give information about accessing Blackboard for their class. You may access Blackboard at Most of the journal readings will be available electronically through the library website. CLASS ATTENDANCE Graduate students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and labs. We understand that illness or family emergency may result in periodic missed classes. Students are expected to inform faculty at their earliest convenience about missing class and they are responsible for securing class notes and handouts when they are unable to attend a given class. Inconsistent attendance or frequent absences can significantly impact grades. Please see attendance policies posted on individual course syllabi. Students may petition the course instructor(s) and the MFT Program Director in the case of absences resulting from extreme circumstances. LEAVE OF ABSENCE Master s degree students are encouraged to complete coursework in the two-year period because of the cohort model of training. While the college expects completion of all program requirements within the allotted time limits of the degree (five years), they do not necessarily expect students to maintain continuous enrollment throughout their course of study at Wheaton College (See Wheaton College Course Catalogue for LOA policy). It is the responsibility of the student to understand the LOA policy and the ramifications of a LOA on their loan repayment schedules, future financial aid/scholarship eligibility, health insurance coverage, re-activation of enrollment, etc.; and, to plan accordingly. Degree students who fail to register for one term must submit a Re-enrollment Application. The Graduate Admissions Director and/or graduate program faculty will decide whether to approve, defer, or deny re-enrollment.

18 17 VISITORS IN CLASSES Visitors may be welcome in some of our classes but only with prior permission of the professor. Please be courteous discussing the situation with the professor at least one day before the class and not surprising the faculty by bringing a guest with you at the beginning of class. Also please try to understand when it is indicated that some classes are unsuitable for guests. The presence of visitors may at times be inappropriate due to the experiential nature of some classes or the nature of the material under discussion. TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS A limited number of teaching assistantships are available to M.A. graduate students, usually second year, who desire to work in the Psychology Department. The duties include assistance in all phases of faculty preparation, assistance and collaboration with faculty research projects, and other work as needed. The positions are for 5 hours of work per week per semester. If you are interested in applying for a position, complete an Application for Teaching Assistantships and submit it to the MFT Program Administrator (MFT-PA) by May 1st. The PA usually coordinates the selection process. Students will be notified of selection before Fall of the second year. CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE AND TRAVEL GRANTS Attending professional conferences, such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Conference (AAMFT), Illinois Division of AAMFT Conference (IAMFT), International Family Therapy Association Conference (IFTA), American Association for Christian Counselors Conference (AACC), or Christian Association for Psychological Studies Conference (CAPS), provides great opportunities for students to connect with students from other programs, to present papers, and to network with other MFT professionals. From time to time an opportunity may arise to make a presentation with faculty at a conference. Once annually, an M.A. student may receive up to $500 in expense advances from Wheaton College to cover expenses related to the conference (e.g. fees, travel, lodging) if the student is working with a faculty member on the project being presented and helps make the presentation. Additionally, the student may be required to staff a booth or pass out program materials as a condition of receiving an advance. The process to apply for the expense advance is to the MFT-PA with a request documenting the conference, conference dates, conference location, presentation title, and faculty member name. Once approved, the request is forwarded to the Office Manager, who submits the request for payment at the appropriate time. The Office

19 18 Manager will contact the student when the advance arrives. The student will sign a release at the time the advance is given to the student. The student is responsible for keeping all original receipts related to the conference, itemizing any receipts for food. The Office Manager will orient the student to the expense reimbursement report, which should be submitted within two weeks of the student s return from the conference. The student must return advances that exceed expenses, submitting a check for that amount with the expense reimbursement report. The student is responsible for any expenses that exceed the advance. PERSONAL THERAPY In the MFT program we emphasize personal growth and exploration. Each year a number of students decide to pursue a course of personal psychotherapy, something which the faculty strongly believes is an essential part of the personal and professional development of anyone who desires to be a therapist. The college counseling office is a good source for referrals. The psychology department office also maintains a list of psychotherapists who are willing to take students at reduced prices. To avoid conflict of interest and role complications, faculty members do not see current students in therapy. They will, however, provide brief personal as well as academic advising, and you are encouraged to approach your advisor with any such concerns. Overview LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION The faculty and staff of the Wheaton College Master s of Arts Program in Marriage and Family Therapy are committed to providing the appropriate coursework and clinical requirements to enable students to obtain licensure as marriage and family therapists. The program has been designed to meet or exceed the requirements in Illinois as outlined by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation ( All students must understand from the beginning of their training, however, that becoming informed about, applying for, and obtaining a professional license or certificate is solely the responsibility of the student with the assistance of faculty and staff. NOTE: It is very important to keep copies of all your syllabi and clinical training records as they may be needed to verify the content of the curriculum or the practicum experience to various licensing agencies. In the event that a syllabus or syllabi are lost, you may contact Judy Rostis, Office Manager, (judy.rostis@wheaton.edu), who will coordinate the reproduction of syllabi from the department s archive. If a printed copy is desired, this service will cost $.50/page plus the cost of postage. There is no charge for an electronic copy.

20 19 Each state regulates and sets rules of its own MFT licensure. It is important that students attempt to anticipate their future licensing needs. If you know of a state or several states where you are likely to move after completion of the program, your research into the licensure requirements in those states must begin in your first semester of the program (if not before). It is possible a state s licensure requirements may differ from the department s graduation requirements in such areas as courses, practicum hours, type of supervisor, etc. It is difficult to correct such problems after graduation. To view current State licensure requirements in the United States visit: Resources Since the licenses in different states (and different countries) frequently change, it is not possible for faculty to monitor the situation in states other than Illinois. Websites that are helpful in locating the various boards and licensing information include the following: - IL Department of Financial & Professional Regulation - American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy - Illinois Association for Marriage & Family Therapy -Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards We do monitor the requirements of the Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) license in Illinois and provide students with information that is as current as possible on obtaining licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Students should refer to the MFT Student Clinical Training Handbook for more information on licensing. JOB OPPORTUNITIES AFTER GRADUATION It may seem a long way off, but very quickly you are going to find yourself beginning to wonder how you will be able to use your degree subsequent to graduation. M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy There are a great number of job possibilities open to M.A.'s in marriage and family therapy. Opportunities exist in student development in Christian and public higher education, community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, group homes, church-based counseling centers, parachurch agencies, and private practice, as well as a variety of other settings. Others interested in working internationally may find opportunities in government, private, and church communities.

21 20 COMMITTEE STRUCTURE The following committees have been established to carry out necessary administrative, supervisory, and evaluative functions within the MFT Program. Some committees include student representatives determined jointly by the graduate faculty and the GPSA. Psychology Department Faculty Meetings Meetings of the entire department faculty are for colloquia, hiring, planning, and generally for facilitating group identity and communication--matters that concern the department as a whole. Periodically, colloquia to which students are invited are scheduled during the year. MFT Faculty Program Meetings Meetings of the core M.A. MFT faculty and staff are scheduled weekly to discuss current concerns and projects, at the end of each semester to review student progress, and at the end of each semester to come to consensus on students clinical competency (assessment & intervention), relational competency, interpersonal justice competency, and Christian distinctiveness, along with personal and professional comportment and clinical suitability. MFT program meetings are also set up to discuss information provided from stakeholders (e.g., supervisors, alumni, students, faculty, administration, professional organizations) to improve the quality and delivery of the M.A. in MFT program. The GPSA MFT vice president will attend these meetings at least once a month to be involved and share students voices into the continuing MFT program development and implementation. Graduate Training Council (GTC) Committee membership consists of the Associate Dean of the Psychology Department, CMHC s Clinical Training Coordinator, MFT s Clinical Training Coordinator, Counseling Ministry s Program Director, and the PsyD Training Director. The GTC serves as a sounding board and resource for the MFT Clinical Training Coordinator. It is responsible for setting policies and guidelines for all clinical programs in the department. The MFT Clinical Training Coordinator will review with the committee decisions about practica placements, assessment of the training sites, matters related to student progress, and other administrative concerns within the domain of clinical training. Student Review Committee (SRC) The Student Review Committee (SRC) consists of three members, including one member of the core MFT faculty, one non-mft core faculty member who teaches in graduate programs (e.g., PsyD core faculty member), and the Psychology Department Associate Dean.

22 21 The purpose of the SRC is to provide a more in-depth evaluation of a student s academic and professional progress in the training program, with the goal of recommending specific guidance for the problems or concerns that prompted referral to the committee. In more serious cases, the SRC can recommend dismissal from the program. (See Section Five: Evaluation for more information on the SRC process.) Admissions and Academic Requirements Committee (AARC -- MFT) Committee membership consists of the MFT Program Director, an MFT faculty member, the MFT Clinical Training Coordinator, and the GPSA s MFT Vice-President. The Program Director acts as chair. All members are eligible to vote. The Associate Dean is an ex-officio member. The Admissions and Academic Requirements Committee assists in the recruitment of individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the student body, reads and evaluates the applications for admission to the MFT Program after their initial processing by the Graduate Admissions Office, and makes final decisions for admission. GRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION Guidelines and Responsibilities The Graduate Psychology Student Association (GPSA) is an organization of the graduate students in the M.A. in CMHC, M.A. Counseling Ministries, M.A. in MFT, and Psy.D. programs. Its purpose is to provide student involvement in the establishment, modification, and implementation of the policies and procedures governing the graduate psychology programs. It provides encouragement and fellowship for the students as well as opportunities to develop skills and direction in professional development. Officers, Standing Committee, and Student Faculty Recruitment Committee members are elected by the student body each year to represent the classes/levels of each program (Catalog of Wheaton College). Memberships to all other committees are on a volunteer basis. GPSA also provides a forum for students to discuss department issues as a group and to bring their views to the faculty. GPSA Officers: President - Presides at meetings of the GPSA. Meets with the Associate Dean, Sponsor, or appointed faculty members to communicate outcomes of GPSA meetings as needed. Attends graduate faculty meetings periodically.

23 22 Vice Presidents Elected student representatives from the various Programs within the Psychology Department. VPs attend GPSA meetings and acts as a liaison between student and program faculty, speaking into program policies and procedures and student feedback. Treasurer - Monitors budget and expense commitments and completes procedures for expenses and other financial matters. Secretary - Records and distributes all meeting minutes and GPSA correspondence and keeps the GPSA files. Class Representatives: Two representatives from each Psy.D. year (1 st 4 th ) and up to two from each class in the M.A. programs are elected or volunteer. A representative for the Psy.D. pre-doctoral interns is desirable, but not required. Class representatives serve as spokespersons for their class and assist in coordinating various activities, such as sign-ups for events, requesting volunteers, etc. Student Life Enrichment Director (SLED) develops and coordinates social activities for the graduate psychology community for the school year. One or two assistants may be recruited from the student body. Sponsor: The Psychology Program Administrator serves as a resource for information and liaison for coordination of GPSA activities. Standing Committees of Psychology Department that may have MFT student representatives: Multicultural Committee see description above in Committee Structure GPSA Committees (ad hoc): Spiritual Development Committee seeks to foster an atmosphere of unity among students and faculty and among M.A. and Psy.D. programs, to promote spiritual development of students and faculty, and to promote integration of psychology, theology, and spirituality. Professional Development Committee seeks to foster an atmosphere of unity among students and faculty and among M.A. and Psy.D. programs, and to plan professional development opportunities in addition to classroom experience. It also strives to initiate, maintain, and encourage professional networking with alumni of the graduate programs by means of newsletters, articles in college publications, and various seminars or social gatherings. This committee may establish subcommittees or ad hoc committees as needed.

24 23 Student Faculty Recruitment Committee main role is to serve as reviewers of those faculty candidates who are invited by the faculty to come for campus interviews. The specific responsibilities are as follows: 1. Attend a student group lunch with the faculty candidate. 2. Give a feedback sheet to Associate Dean within a day of lunch date. 3. Attend the class lecture of the faculty candidate (optional) if schedule permits, and complete teaching evaluation form. The Committee consists of two representatives from each class of the M.A. and Psy.D. programs one regular and one alternate. If the regular representative cannot attend the lunch interview, the alternate may attend. Both representatives are welcome to attend the candidate's lecture if available. Additional Committees Officers may establish other committees as deemed necessary or desired. GRADUATE CHAPEL COMMITTEE Student representatives meet with a group of faculty and administrators to develop a vision for the role of graduate chapel, and to plan chapel speakers and activities. The committee meets once per month. MFT student involvement is encouraged. Grad Chapel meets every Wednesday during the school year from 10:30 until 11:20.

25 24 SECTION THREE: OUTLINE OF REQUIREMENTS

26 25 Note that Standard Course Sequence of the Wheaton M.A. in MFT program is shown on page 9 of this handbook. LICENSURE Licensed as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (ALMFT) In nearly all States, there is a license that a MA in MFT may apply for following graduation, prior to meeting the post-master s clinical hours needed for LMFT. This license as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist allow you to receive an NPI (National Provider Identifier) number, establish your professional identity, certifies the licensure law, rules and ethics code that applies to ALMFT; provides coverage with some insurance companies (specifically for those organizations large enough to have a group number), certifies that ALMFT has met the academic standards regardless if the State changes the rules, and is valuable as you seek to gain hours prior to getting licensed as an LMFT. Courses for Illinois LMFT Requirements* Required Academic Coursework in Illinois for LMFT Individual Development & Family Studies Theoretical Foundations &Clinical Practice Professional Studies and Ethics Research Clinical Practicum/Internship Applicable Wheaton Courses MAFT 631 Individual and Family Life Cycle Development MAFT 633 Couple Therapy: Systemic Assessment and Intervention MAFT 634 Marriage and Family Therapy I: Theoretical Foundations MAFT 635 Marriage and Family Therapy II: Systemic Assessment and Intervention MAFT 637 Families in Context: Culture, Class, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Identity, & Religion MAFT 642 Psychopathology and the Family MAFT 645 Systemic Interventions with Children and Adolescents MAFT 655 Systemic Intervention with Special Populations: Abuse, Neglect, Violence, and Poverty MAFT 624 Ethics and Professional Practice MAFT 618 Family Therapy Research and Implications for Evidence-Based Practice MAFT 696, 697, 698, 699 Clinical Practicum I and Clinical Practicum II, MAFT 690 Advanced Clinical Practicum *The Program makes every attempt to stay current with licensing laws in the State of Illinois. Each state maintains its own licensing laws, and these laws are subject to change at any time. It is suggested that students consult licensing laws in the state where they wish to practice (including Illinois) to be certain of current licensing requirements (

27 26 Mandatory Topics for Illinois LMFT Requirements Mandatory Topics Course where topic was covered (only need 1) Historical Development, Theoretical and MAFT 634 Marriage and Family Therapy I: Empirical Foundations, and Theoretical Foundations Contemporary Directions MAFT 631 Individual and Family Life Cycle Development Overview of the Major Clinical Theories of Marital and Family Therapy Assessment and Evaluation of Individuals, Couples and Families Treatment and Intervention Methods for Working with Individuals, Couples, Families and Groups in Therapy MAFT 634 Marriage and Family Therapy I: Theoretical Foundations MAFT 635 Marriage and Family Therapy II: Systemic Assessment and Intervention MAFT 642 Psychopathology and the Family MAFT 635 Marriage and Family Therapy II: Systemic Assessment and Intervention PSYC 512 Theories and Principles of Counseling MAFT 633 Couple Therapy: Systemic Assessment and Intervention MAFT 645 Systemic Interventions with Children and Adolescents Assessment and Treatment of Mental, Emotional, Behavioral and Interpersonal Disorders and Psychopathology Contemporary Issues Crisis Intervention MAFT 642 Psychopathology and the Family MAFT 635 Marriage and Family Therapy II: Systemic Assessment and Intervention MAFT 655 Systemic Intervention with Special Populations: Abuse, Neglect, Violence, and Poverty MAFT 637 Families in Context: Culture, Class, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Identity, & Religion MAFT 655 Systemic Intervention with Special Populations: Abuse, Neglect, Violence, and Poverty

28 27 ACADEMIC PROBATION/ SATISFACTORY PROGRESS The student is expected to maintain a grade point average of 2.80 out of a possible 4.0. Students are expected to pass enough hours and maintain a grade point average sufficient to be considered as making satisfactory academic progress. A student's academic status will be checked at the end of each semester. Grade assignments are given in accordance with the following standards: A outstanding (4 grade points) A- superior (3.7) B+ very good (3.3) B expected graduate level work (3) B- below average (2.7) C+ below average (2.3) C below average (2) F unacceptable (0) Please note that B is the accepted norm for graduate study. Please do not assume that you deserve A's just because you are in graduate school. Similarly do not expect us to defend why you did not earn an A or A- if your grade is something lower than this. A grade of B is indicative of solid work. If you feel you deserved a higher grade, the burden is upon you to document why your work is outstanding, not for the faculty to document problems that somehow make it less than A work. If you are genuinely puzzled as to why you received a certain grade, please talk with the faculty member. Please do not attempt to get your grade raised unless you are very sure that some aspect of your work requires re-evaluation. Refer to the Catalog of Wheaton College ( search: Course Catalog) for information on academic probation or dismissal. TIME LIMIT FOR DEGREE Students have a maximum of five years from the time of enrollment to finish the M.A. degree. A student who does not complete the M.A. program within the five-year limit will be dropped from the program unless the student successfully petitions the Marriage and Family Therapy Program Director and the Master s Academic Affairs Committee (MAAC) for special consideration. Petitions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A petition to continue enrollment past five years must include a persuasive rationale for the program s not being completed on time, and a detailed plan to complete the unfulfilled requirements in a timely manner. An Academic Petition form is used to request an extension. The petition should be initiated at least three months before the student s expiration date.

29 28 LENGTH OF PROGRAM The Marriage and Family Therapy Program is established to be completed over four semesters or two years of coursework. While it can be taken over a longer period of time, attempts to shorten the length of the program are discouraged. A two-year period allows a certain assimilation of the material as well as a consolidation of personal growth and professional skills. Some students might want to extend the program, perhaps by taking their practicum in the third year. To extend her or his program, a student would need permission from both the Marriage and Family Therapy Program Director and the Associate Dean of Psychology, preferably prior to starting year 2. FILING FOR CANDIDACY The M.A. Candidacy form for Marriage and Family Therapy must be completed during the student s first semester in the program. Failure to do so may impede the student from registering for classes the following semester. When this form is approved, you will have achieved candidacy. Candidacy is not achieved unless all prerequisites are satisfactorily completed. Participation in the May graduation ceremony is contingent on meeting these requirements. The information on this form is crucial in order for information on the diploma to be correct. Your academic advisor or the MFT Program Director coordinates the completion of the candidacy form during the first year. In the meantime, the candidacy form may be viewed and downloaded from the Registrar s webpage ( TRANSFERRING BETWEEN PROGRAMS Each graduate psychology program has its own admissions requirements and stands on its own. Therefore, transfers between programs do not typically occur. It would require a new application and courses are not guaranteed to transfer. GRADUATION The college confers the master s degree on three dates only: the date of the day after semester final exams in May, August 31, and the date of the day after semester final exams in December contingent on satisfactory completion of all M.A. requirements. An Application for Degree must be submitted online by February 15 th for participation in the May graduation ceremony or by October 15 th for December graduation and/or to receive a diploma. The online Application for Degree is at the Registrar s webpage ( Students are eligible to participate in the May ceremony provided they have completed all coursework and have completed the required number of clinical practicum hours.