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AmridgeUniversity-MDIVMFTwomansmiling

Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Marriage and Family Therapy is a professional-level degree program for individuals planning to enter or con­tinue careers in full-time ministry.  A major element of this program provides students with extensive studies in the biblical text and thor­ough preparation in theology and various areas of practical ministry.  Another major element provides students with a foundation for marriage and family therapy theory, scientific research, and clinical practice.  Finally, this program also helps prepare students for licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) in their resident state.  LMFTs will be able to do therapy with families, couples, and individuals in their ministry.

Students may also consider taking additional courses for a dual licensure in Professional Counseling. Students interested in a dual licensure in Professional Counseling should consult with the Dean of the School of Human Services. This program meets the course prerequisite for admission into our doctoral degree programs in the therapy and counseling area.

Upon completion of the Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy Program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to lead/counsel others through an advanced understanding of biblical texts.
2. Practice counseling through comprehensive Clinical Training.
3. Evaluate the ethical principles, professional issues, and laws inherent in given clinical case situations, ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in Marriage and Family Therapy.
4. Synthesize and utilize the major theories recognized by Marriage and Family Counselors.
5. Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity needs of clients
6. Delineate systemic and environmental factors that affect human development, functioning, and behavior.

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.

All Practicum and Clinical Training courses require face-to-face on-site clinical practice with the client(s).  The experience must be performed under face-to-face supervision of an approved licensed supervisor.  This experience should be conducted in the state in which the student will seek licensure.  The student must apply to the Dean of the School of Human Services, at least one semester prior to beginning a Practicum or a Clinical course.  Students should contact the dean via email to receive the Practicum and Clinical Course Form.

Email address is:  clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu

Also, during clinical training, each student will accumulate a minimum of 500 hours of client contact, supervised by an additional 100 hours with an approved supervisor.  Normally, clinical training requires one full year (3 semesters) to complete.  Students who do not satisfy the minimum requirements in three semesters may take one additional semester of clinical training.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF DIVINITY IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY

Before being graduated with the Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

1.    A total of 96 graduate semester hours of which at least 51 semester hours must be taken at Amridge University;

2.    Complete all required coursework including the specified practicum and clinical training courses.  This requirement includes the accumulation and documentation of at least 600 hours of face-to-face clinical experience.  Of these 600 hours, a minimum of 500 must be client contact, and a minimum of 100 must be concurrent supervision of that client contact with an approved supervisor, for a minimum ratio of 1 hour of supervision for each 5 hours of client contact.  The coursework must include a minimum of 36 semester credit hours in bible or divinity courses;

3.  Students in the Master of Divinity in the Marriage and Family Therapy program are required to earn at least a grade of B- (3.0) in each course. A course with a grade below B- must be repeated; Licensure Boards may refuse to grant credit for a course in which the student received a grade of B-. Students should review the grading policy of their respective states. Questions about licensure can be directed to clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu.

4.    Pass the respective Comprehensive Examination as specified within this publication.  The Comprehensive Examination serves as the Program Exit Examination; and

5.    Complete an Amridge University Degree Completion Application. The properly completed and signed application must be submitted no later than the first day of classes of the semester prior to the semester the student plans to graduate.  Following this schedule permits the University to conduct a full audit of the respective student’s records to make sure that all courses, programs, and respective graduation requirements have been met.  Students having any questions regarding the Degree Completion Application should contact the Registrar’s Office.

In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), Amridge University provides information pertaining to the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, and Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs as it relates to licensure within each state.

In order to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist, candidates must complete the degree, program, and/or coursework required by their chosen state. States also have licensing requirements beyond a program’s graduation requirements that include post-master’s supervised clinical experience, examination(s), background check, and application for a license. Professional licensure requirements vary by state. If you are considering an academic program that leads to professional licensure, we recommend you contact the appropriate licensing agency in your home state for information and guidance prior to starting a program outside your state. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy provides a listing of state licensure boards on its website: https://www.aamft.org/Directories/MFT_Licensing_Boards.aspx?hkey=c0f838ad-2672-4b4e-8b51-b9578fe5c28a

As of July 1, 2020, the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs meet the degree and coursework requirements in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Washington, DC.

Modifications to the practicum and clinical training portion of the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs must be made in order to meet the requirements in Louisiana, Maine, Oregon, and Utah. Contact the University’s Clinical Training Director at clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu for additional information.

Amridge University’s Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs do not meet the licensure requirements of Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

A determination has not been made as to whether or not the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in New York.

While Amridge University strives to ensure the information contained here within is current and accurate, human error may occur, and state requirements may change or be updated without our knowledge. We recommend that you regularly check your state’s licensure requirements throughout your studies to ensure ongoing eligibility. For more information contact clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu or 800.351.4040, extension 7802.

The Course Requirements of 96 semester credit hours for the degree program Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Marriage and Family Therapy consists of program specific courses.

Required Courses Sem. Hrs

The Course Requirements of 96 semester credit hours for the degree program Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy consists of Non-Marriage and Family Therapy courses (15 semester hours), Marriage and Family Therapy courses (60 semester hours), elective Non-Marriage and Family Therapy courses (18 semester hours), and a Comprehensive Examination (3 semester hours).

 
Required Non-Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Courses for the Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy
FD 6312 Hermeneutics
LD 6362 Spiritual Leadership
NT 6301 Critical Introduction to the New Testament
OT 6301 Critical Introduction to the Old Testament
PS 6302 Homiletics
3
3
3
3
3
Total Required Non-MFT Hours for Masters Degree 15
Required Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Courses for the Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy  
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
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Total Required MFT Hours for Masters Degree 60
Elective Non-Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Courses for the
Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy
 
Textual Courses
Foundation Studies
Theological Studies
12
3
3
Total Elective Non-MFT Hours for Masters Degree  18
Comprehensive Examination for the Master of Divinity
in Marriage and Family Therapy
FD 7323 Synthesis of Theological Curriculum II
(Comprehensive Examination)
3
Total Comprehensive Examination Hours for Masters Degree 3
Total Hours for Masters Degree 96

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 Dean of the School of Human Services for additional information regarding the licensure process at clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu or 800.351.4040, extension 7815.

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