The Master of Arts (MA) in Marriage and Family Therapy is a professional-level degree program. Experiences provide the foundation for marriage and family therapy theory, scientific research, and clinical practice. In this context, students learn the different approaches and clinical techniques required for today’s practitioners offering therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families. Also, a major goal of this program is to help prepare students for licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy in their resident state. Students graduating from the MA in Marriage and Family Therapy Degree program will be prepared to do therapy in a church setting, private practice, governmental agency, and community agency. This program also prepares students for advanced studies in related fields.
Students may also consider taking additional courses for a dual licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Counseling. Students interested in a dual licensure should consult with the Dean of the School of Human Services.
Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, the graduate will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and skills in therapy which can be applied in church settings or other professional settings;
- Prepare for licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy;
- Practice Marriage and Family Therapy through comprehensive Clinical Training;
- Conduct himself or herself according to the Code of Ethics of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT);
- Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity needs of clients; and
- Possess academic credentials necessary to advance to the Ph.D. program in Family Therapy if they so choose.
Time Normally Required to Complete the Program
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy may be completed in seven semesters. A student may take courses on a part-time or full-time basis.
Practicums and Clinicals
Students, not Amridge University, are responsible for locating and making arrangements for their practicum and clinical experiences and courses. As such, students should begin making the required arrangements several semesters before the semester of the respective student’s first practicum or clinical experiences courses.
Special Notice Concerning Programs Which May Lead to Licensure
Amridge University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is an agreement in which among member states and institutions have established national standards for distance learning. As a participant, Amridge University has agreed to provide the following special notification to all students enrolled in a course or program that customarily leads to professional licensure, or which a student could reasonably believe leads to such licensure.
Students who reside outside of Alabama and plan to enroll in any Amridge University online course(s) or degree(s) that may lead to licensure are individually responsible for verifying that the program in which they intend to enroll meets the requirements for licensure in their state. Amridge University cannot confirm whether a course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in a student’s state. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she meets the licensure requirements for the state or states that he or she intends to be licensed. Online students are strongly encouraged to contact the state licensing body for which he or she will be seeking licensure to ensure that their intended program of choice will meet all eligibility requirements for certification or licensure.
The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy provides a listing of state licensure boards at the following link: http://www.aamft.org. Students are encouraged to contact the respective board to obtain the latest licensure information.
The National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates (NBCCA) provides contact information for state licensure boards in the area of Professional Counseling at the following link: http://www.nbcc.org. Students are encouraged to contact the respective board to obtain the latest licensure information.
Students are encouraged to contact the Clinical Director for additional information regarding the licensure process at clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu or 800.351.4040, extension 7802.
The Course Requirements of 60 semester credit hours for the degree program Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy consists of program specific courses.
| Required Courses for the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy | Sem. Hrs. |
| FT 7300 Ethics and Professional Identity FT 7306 Community and Social Systems FT 7310 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy FT 7311 Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy FT 7320 Human Development FT 7321 Human Sexual Development FT 7322 Theories of Personality Development FT 7323 Marriage and Family Development FT 7326 Social and Multicultural Diversity FT 7330 Interpersonal and Family Dynamics FT 7331 Marital and Family Systems FT 7332 Counseling for Abusive Relationships -OR- FT 7333 Systemic Treatment of Substance Related Disorders FT 7335 Advanced Therapy FT 7336 Basic Counseling Techniques/Helping Relationships FT 7340 Assessment of Individuals and Families FT 7355 Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology FT 7370 MFT Practicum FT 7371 MFT Clinical Training I FT 7372 MFT Clinical Training II RS 6339 Research and Evaluation |
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 |
| Total Hours for Masters Degree | 60 |
| A student needing extra courses for Licensure or Certification may select from the following: | |
| FT 7302 Professional Ethics and the Law FT 7334 Psychology of Grief, Death and Dying PT 7350 Lifestyle and Career Development FT 7373 MFT Clinical Training III (if needed) |
3 3 3 3 |
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