The MAMFT program is a 48-hour program designed to meet the academic requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) license in Oklahoma. The curriculum is divided into 14 modules containing theoretical and applied psychotherapy courses and 450 hours of internship. Marital therapy, family therapy, and play therapy courses are completed over five nontraditional, accelerated semesters. MAMFT-track students will complete most of the program with their MSCP counterparts, but will diverge in Module 14 to complete Marital and Family Systems. MAMFT-track students have the option of adding an additional 12 hours to complete a 60-hour program. If students choose to complete an additional 12 hours of course work, they will complete Module 15 (Substance Abuse) and then rejoin their MSCP counterparts for Modules 16-18.
The courses (modules) are completed sequentially to allow focused study on one subject area at a time. Class meetings occur one night per week for a four-hour session for the first year of the program. In year two, classes will occur over intensive weekend courses that meet Friday evenings for four hours and all day Saturday for eight hours. Extensive directed study occurs outside the classroom in preparation for participative learning experiences during class time.
In addition to the courses, MAMFT students will complete a 450-hour Internship. Specific guidelines for the internship are provided in a supplemental publication (Internship Handbook). Work on all components of the program (modules and internship) occurs simultaneously.
Another vital component of counselor preparation is supervised experience in marital therapy, family therapy and play therapy counseling situations. This process is initiated briefly in the first module, but is developed more fully during the internship placement. Internships begin at the end of the first semester and are completed by the fifth and final semester. The internship occurs in approved clinical settings in which marital or marriage counseling is an integral part of the practice. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to apply the training from their psychotherapy courses. The clinical capstone of the program occurs in the Multicultural Treatment Planning course. Students integrate assessment, diagnostic, and treatment process into a clinical demonstration of their abilities to conceptualize the dynamics of their clients and to articulate comprehensive treatment plans.
All graduate degree programs at SNU require an exit evaluation. In the MAMFT program, the exit evaluation occurs through a Clinical Competency Interview (CCI). The CCI is a way of demonstrating clinical competency of the student and synthesizing the various clinical components of the program. The CCI is intended to evaluate students' competence in assessing, diagnosing, and treating clients. Specific guidelines for completing the CCI are available in the CCI Handbook.
What courses will I take in the MAMFT track? How does the MAMFT track progression look? See below for more information...
MAMFT SEMESTER 1 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 1 - PSY 5333 - Introduction to Counseling Techniques (3 hours) Bethany Instructor - Scott Secor; Tulsa Instructor - Kim Roach
An introduction to the basic helping skills and the role of professional counselors. Students are introduced to specific and nonspecific variables in the counselor, the client and the counseling environment that produce change in clients. An overview of the historical development of the counseling profession is explored as well as future directions for the profession of counseling. Foundations are explored for developing a worldview of counseling, inclusive of a Christian view of persons. Students will practice basic helping skills and learn to conduct initial interviews. Students will initiate use of library research to develop hypotheses for empirical research.
MODULE 2 - PSY 5313 - Lifespan Development (3 hours) Bethany Instructor - Joe Shaleen; Tulsa Instructor - Dr. Diane Potts
Theoretical and research approaches to the study of development of human abilities and behavior throughout the lifespan. The course will focus on such theorists as Piaget, Freud, Erikson, Kohlberg, Peck, Vaillant, Schaie, and Sternberg. Topics include developmental research methodology, variables influencing development, and basic developmental processes in physical, motor, perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, emotional, social, and personality development. Applications of developmental theory to counseling are emphasized.
MODULE 3 - PSY 5263 - Psychopathology (3 hours) Bethany Instructor - Dr. Paul Jones; Tulsa Instructor - Cathy Olberding
Examination of techniques used in defining and classifying deviant behavior syndromes, according to DSM-IV classification. Theoretical and empirical literature dealing with etiology and treatment of various disorders is examined. Areas of coverage are situation reactions, anxiety disorder, personality disorders, psychoses, organic disorders, and child adolescent onset disorders.
MODULE 4 - PSY 5283 - Professional Orientation (3 hours) Bethany and Tulsa Instructor - Dr. Wana Ellison
This course is designed to provide a survey of ethical, legal and professional issues facing counselors and others in human services. Emphasis is given to raising awareness of the complexities of ethical issues in professional practice.
Internship (6 hours) Bethany Instructor - Scott Secor; Tulsa Instructor - Kim Roach
The internship experience is based on the assumption that classroom study becomes more meaningful and relevant when it is integrated with planned hands-on field experience. In the internship, therefore, the Graduate Programs in Counseling student acquires direct experience working in a supervised counseling capacity. The internship experience emphasizes application of the principles and concepts learned through the Graduate Programs in Counseling coursework. Both the GPC Internship Coordinator and an agency supervisor supervises the internship. Both supervisors work with the Graduate Programs in Counseling student to insure that the internship provides a setting in which maximum learning may occur. Internships must be approved by the program. The internship occurs concurrently with course work and follows guidelines set forth in licensure preparation. Students are required to obtain at least 450 total hours of internship, 225 of which should be direct client contact hours.
MAMFT SEMESTER 2 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 5 - PSY 6333 - Theories of Counseling (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Paul Jones
This course provides an overview of the major viewpoints underlying various approaches to counseling. It shows how these viewpoints developed as well as the ways of influence outlook and technique in counseling. You will have opportunity to see the various viewpoints in action as used by others, and to apply them in role-played counseling sessions. Critique of the theories will include emphasis on Christian perspectives.
MODULE 6 - PSY 6133 - Research Methods I (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Alicia Limke
An overview of the various research methodologies used to study behavior. The focus is on application, especially to counseling research. This course is closely tied to development of the thesis. The prospectus is begun during this module.
MODULE 7 - PSY 5143 - Family and Psychological Assessment (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Ryan Scott
Testing theory and statistical considerations in the construction of psychological measurements. Coverage is given to administration and interpretation of various assessment tools. The course also includes diagnostic interviewing techniques, report writing, direct observation techniques, and self report scaling.
MODULE 8 - PSY 6263 - Family Crisis Intervention (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Randy Cochran
An applied psychotherapy lab course that engages the student in both the theoretical foundations for crisis intervention and in the actual and practical experience of implementing crisis intervention techniques. Students will be instructed in the stages of emergency and crisis situations and the theoretical frameworks for describing crisis events.
MAMFT SEMESTER 3 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 9 - PSY 6293 - Philosophy of Interpersonal Relationships (3 hours) Instructors - Dr. Ron Wright and Dr. Paul Jones
Considers worldviews with regard to situations that are an inherent part of the human condition, such as suffering, change, trauma, and so forth. Focus is on an understanding of such conditions and the garnering of resources for coping with these situations. Special emphasis will be given to the ways in which the various philosophical positions give rise to ethical considerations.
MODULE 10 - PSY 6303 - Counseling Children and Adolescents (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Anne Jacobs
An advanced counseling course focused on specific techniques used in diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents. Normative and nonnormative aspects of development are examined to assist in understanding appropriate interventions. DSM IV diagnoses found in children and adolescents are evaluated. Legal and ethical issues related to intervention with minors are also explored.
MODULE 11 - PSY 6243 - Marriage and Family Therapy (3 hours) Instructor - Bill Spence
This course addresses the practice of marital and family therapy. It is designed to teach theory application, technique formation, technique delivery, and follow through in marital and family therapy. Techniques in marital and family therapy such as joining, relabeling, reframing, structure change, pattern enhancement, first and second order change, power word unpackaging, and faith language framing will be taught. Instruction in the assessment and utilization of the family’s language, rules and structure will be provided.
MODULE 12 - PSY 6393 - Multicultural Treatment Planning (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Philip Budd
This course is a synthesis of the student’s clinical training. The student is taught how to coordinate diagnostic interviewing, psychological assessment techniques and diagnosis to assist in developing appropriate treatment plans for clients. Students will demonstrate appropriate use of DSM-IV diagnostic skills and illustrate an awareness of the growing body of literature on empirically based treatment planning. Multicultural aspects of counseling and treatment planning are investigated.
MAMFT SEMESTER 4 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 13 - PSY 6353 - Counseling the Elderly (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Jim Sturgis
A major emphasis for this course will be the multitude of changes that elderly adults experience and how these changes can result in issues that are addressed in a counseling setting. Normal and non-normal physiological changes and memory changes will be identified and discussed. Depression, substance abuse, and the high incident of elderly suicide will be highlighted.
MODULE 14 - PSY 6343 - Marital and Family Systems (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Ursula Bowling
This course is the foundational material for discovering how Marital and Family Therapy approaches human relationship problems. Marital and Family Therapy utilize systemic theory as problems and problem resolution in a different way. This “different way” brings focus on the processes or context that is giving meaning to events instead of the individuals or the events themselves. Examination of marriage and family in the context of a system will be the theme of this course.
EXTENSION/OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL HOURS - MAMFT SEMESTER 5 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 15 – PSY – Drug and Alcohol Counseling Theories (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Wana Ellison
The purpose of this course is to educate students in the field of chemical dependency and substance abuse. The course is designed to assist the student in developing prevention, intervention, and treatment techniques and skills. In depth issues surrounding addiction, etiology, diagnosis and treatment will be explored.
MODULE 16 - PSY 6233 - Brief Psychotherapy (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Rob Braese
Explores the growth and implementation of short-term treatment strategies with particular attention to cognitive behavioral intervention strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to understand the foundation of behavior through cognitive schemas. Outcome studies indicating the efficacy of these models will be discussed.
MODULE 17 - PSY 6213 - Group Psychotherapy Techniques (3 hours) Instructor - Rita Crockett
An applied psychotherapy lab course that engages the student in both the theoretical foundations for group psychotherapy and in the actual experience of facilitating a psychotherapy group. Students will review literature regarding appropriate referrals to this modality of treatment as well as learning techniques to enhance the efficacy of group therapies. Much of this course will involve an experiential learning model as students participate in group process. There will also be an exploration of the use of groups within the Christian community.
MODULE 18 - PSY 6193 - Career Assessment and Counseling (3 hours) Instructor - Bill Spence
An exploration of testing theory, career assessment theory, and the application of career assessment to career counseling. Major theories in career counseling are examined and the assessment tools utilized with various age groups are considered.
ELECTIVE OR ADDITIONAL HOURS
Additional Internship Hours – (3 hours) Instructor - Scott Secor
Students can elect to add an additional 150 hours of internship to their coursework. The additional hours must maintain a ratio of at least 75 direct client contact hours and will count for an additional 3 credit hours. Adding additional hours will add additional cost to the students overall program cost.