Offering Campuses
Argosy University, Chicago; Argosy University, Denver*; Argosy University Hawaii; Argosy University, Salt Lake City*; Argosy University, Sarasota*; Argosy University, Tampa; Argosy University, Twin Cities
Note:
Campuses with an asterisk ( * ) are currently not accepting new students effective July 2, 2018. If you are interested in an Argosy University program of study at another location or online, please call (855) 758-5664.
Program Overview
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 and is designed 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 seek employment 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
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 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (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.
Program Outcome Seven: Diversity
Competency 1. Describe the impact of contextual dynamics (e.g., gender, age, socioeconomic status, culture/race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, spirituality, religion, larger systems, social context)on the therapeutic process.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a nationally accredited institution approved and documented by the faculty and dean of the College of Counseling, Psychology and Social Sciences, or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
- A grade point average (GPA) on a scale of 4.0 as described below. Additional requirements may apply.
- 3.0 for the last 60 hours of coursework (including graduate work).
- 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. Such Admission must be recommended by the Admissions Committee and department chair and must be justified, documented, signed, placed, and retained in the student’s academic file.
- 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.
- 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.
Committee Decisions
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
Application deadlines vary by campus. Refer to campus-specific program requirements for further information.
Deadlines may be extended if there are continuing openings in the program.
Applications to Multiple Campuses
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
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 requirements.
- Successfully complete all program requirements within a specified time frame.
- GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) and a grade of “B-” or better in all courses.
- A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration
Program Requirements
For more detailed information, refer to the campus-specific program requirements for your campus of record.
Eligibility for Licensure
The curriculum at the various campuses offering a Master of Arts degree in marriage & 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
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 Argosy University Ethical Code of Conduct (see Section Four, Student Rights and Responsibilities) as well as the formal codes of ethics of American Association for Marriage and Familty Therapy (AAMFT).
Writing Program
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
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. See campus-specific program descriptions for detailed requirements.
The practicum/field experience is designed to emphasize 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
For information about course/credit transfers, please refer to Section Seven, Academic Policies and Procedures.
Campus Specific Program Requirements
To review the campus-specific program requirements for a given campus, click on the relevant link below:
Gainful Employment Information
The following links provide program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, salary data, alumni success, and other important information for the Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage & Family Therapy degree program offered at Argosy University:
