The MAMFT program is a 48-hour program designed to meet the academic requirements for the LMFT license in Oklahoma. The curriculum is divided into fourteen modules containing theoretical and applied psychotherapy courses, and 300 hours of internship. Marital Therapy, Family Therapy and play therapy courses are completed over four, nontraditional, accelerated semesters. The courses (modules) are taken sequentially, to allow focused study on one subject area at a time. Class meetings occur one night per week for a four-hour session or on intensive weekend courses that meet Friday and Saturday for eight hours each day. Extensive directed study occurs outside the classroom, in preparation for participative learning experiences during class time.

In addition to the courses, the MAMFT student will complete a 300-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.

A scientist practitioner model of professional training assumes that in order to become professional qualified in marital therapy or family therapy; you must seek to understand the research underpinnings of the discipline while simultaneously developing counseling knowledge and skills. The Research Methods course is the primary tool for helping the student to develop competency in research.

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 in the second semester and are completed by the fourth semester. The internship occurs in approved clinical settings where marital or marriage counseling is an integral part of the practice. Throughout the program, the student is encouraged to apply the training from the psychotherapy lab courses. The clinical capstone of the program occurs in the Multicultural Treatment Planning course. The student integrates the assessment, diagnostic and treatment process into a clinical demonstration of his/her ability to conceptualize the dynamics of the client and to articulate a comprehensive treatment plan.

All masters’ degree programs at SNU require an exit evaluation. In the MAMFT program, the exit evaluation takes the form of a Clinical Portfolio. The Clinical Portfolio is a way of demonstrating clinical competency of the student and synthesizing the various clinical components of the program. Specific guidelines for completing the Clinical Portfolio are available in the Graduate Programs in Counseling office. The Clinical Portfolio is intended to evaluate the student’s competence in assessing, diagnosing, and treating clients seeking marriage counseling and information. In addition, students will be evaluated on their understanding of professional and ethical issues related to practicing as an LPC or an LMFT.

Requirements to complete the Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy

PSY 5333 Introduction to Counseling Techniques
PSY 5313 Lifespan Development
PSY 6133 Research Methods
PSY 5263 Psychopathology
PSY 6333 Theories of Counseling
PSY 5143 Family and Psychological Assessment
PSY 5283 Professional Orientation
PSY 6263 Family Crisis Intervention
PSY 6293 Philosophy of Interpersonal Relationships
PSY 6303 Counseling Children and Adolescents
PSY 6243 Marriage and Family Therapy
PSY 6353 Counseling the Elderly
PSY 6393 Multicultural Treatment Planning
PSY 6343 Marital and Family Systems
PSY 6196 Internship