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Program Information

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Land Acknowledgment

Utah Valley University acknowledges that we gather on land sacred to all Indigenous people who came before us in this vast crossroads region. The University is committed to working in partnership—as enacted through education and community activities—with Utah’s Native Nations comprising the San Juan Southern Paiute, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Uintah & Ouray Reservation of the Northern Ute, Skull Valley Goshute, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute-White Mesa Community, and urban Indian communities. We recognize these Native Nations and their continued connections with traditional homelands, mountains, rivers, and lakes as well as their sovereign relationships with state and federal governments. We honor their collective memory and continued physical and spiritual presence. We reverence their resilience and example in preserving their connections to the Creator and to all their relations, now and in the future.

Draft (11.1.2021) 
UVU Land Acknowledgment Committee

Exceptional Care

In February 2022, the Russian government launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign and independent nation. Our thoughts are with all Ukrainians impacted by this act of aggression who might now be in harm’s way and who might have to flee their homes to ensure their safety. These ongoing events might be especially traumatic for our Ukrainian and Russian students as well as all members of the campus community who have families and friends directly impacted by the armed conflict. Free therapy is available from the UVU community clinic.

Especially in trying times like this, let us embody UVU’s core value of Exceptional Care by offering compassion and support for one another, including all of our students, staff, and faculty who are impacted.

 

 

 

Program Description

The UVU Master in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) trains students to be professionally competent in the field of marriage and family therapy. Through the application of systemic theories, skills, and ethics, students are prepared to serve a diverse client population. Students who successfully complete the program, including academic course work and supervised clinical practica, are eligible for employment and licensure as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Utah. This program is offered in collaboration with the Behavioral Science Department and the family science undergraduate degree.

Program Mission

Across a broad range of clinical employment settings, marriage and family therapists seek to improve the quality of life for individuals, couples, and families. The UVU Marriage and Family Therapy program emphasizes professional competence and stewardship within the local community. With an emphasis on systemic theories, clinical skills and professional ethics, the MFT program prepares graduates for licensure and employment in marriage and family therapy. The training of marriage and family therapy students champions inclusion and diversity through self-awareness and respect toward all people.

 

 

Why choose Marriage and Family Therapy?

Marriage and Family Therapists provide therapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups. MFTs work in a variety of settings including outpatient and hospital sites, agencies, and private practice.  Marriage and Family Therapy approaches treatment from a systems perspective, which means that these therapists view people and problems in context.  MFTs seek to empower their clients by focusing on individual resiliencies and contextual resources. For more information about Marriage and Family Therapy, go to the AAMFT website and click on Learn about MFTs.

In the 2019 U.S. News Best Job Rankings, Marriage and Family Therapists ranked #8 in Best Social Service Jobs and #75 in the top 100 Best Jobs list.

 According to Utah DWS Occupation Information,  marriage and family therapists are “expected to experience much faster than average employment growth with a moderate volume of annual job openings. Business expansion, as opposed to the need for replacements, will provide the majority of job openings in the coming decade. Job prospects are expected to be good for marriage and family therapists, particularly in rural areas or other communities that are underserved by mental health practitioners.” 

Why choose UVU?

The Utah Valley University mission is to prepare students for success in work and life through excellent and engaged teaching and scholarship. UVU prepares professionally competent people of integrity who, as lifelong learners and leaders, serve as stewards of a globally interdependent community. The UVU MFT program emphasizes clinical competence and ethical practice. This program prepares graduates for gainful employment and community service as marriage and family therapists.

Across a broad range of clinical employment settings, marriage and family therapists seek to improve the quality of life for individuals, couples, and families.  The UVU Marriage and Family Therapy program emphasizes professional competence and stewardship within the local community.  With an emphasis on systemic theories, clinical skills, and professional ethics, the MFT program prepares graduates for licensure and employment in marriage and family therapy.  The training of marriage and family therapy students champions inclusion and diversity through self-awareness and respect toward all people. 

Will the MFT Program at UVU meet the educational requirements for the professional credential in the state or US territory you might choose to live during or after completing your UVU degree? Visit the UVU Professional Licensure website to learn more.  Also, take a look at the Can I get licensed when I graduate? FAQ on our Program Information page.

 

MFT Student giving high-five

Diversity and Inclusion at Utah Valley University 

MFT Program Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

We view diversity as a concept that describes a complex intersection of variables.  To capture program diversity from a systemic perspective, we use the multidimensional ADDRESSING framework.

Hays, P. A. (2001). Addressing Cultural Complexities in Practice: A Framework for Clinicians and Counselors. Washington, D. C.: American Psychological Association

UVU MFT Program Diversity Composition 

"At UVU, include is an action commitment that is a crucial part of our identity (https://www.uvu.edu/inclusion/)."  MFT Faculty and students support the university's commitment to exceptional care in inclusion.  The MFT program champions inclusion by training students to competently serve diverse communities.  We promote self-awareness and respect among students and faculty by striving to maintain a humble and curious interpersonal stance.  We acknowledge the systemic challenges faced by marginalized populations and seek to open space for diverse perspectives and voices.  

The title  Marriage & Family Therapist is a legal designation protected by licensing laws and regulated by government agencies, like the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing in Utah.  Because of that, the program has chosen to align with this title and related terms in course descriptions and the name of the degree.

However, we want to emphasize that MFTs do not, by default, take a heteronormative approach to therapy.  We work with individuals, couples, and families who have diverse relationship commitments.  

MFT Non-Discrimination Policy.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, or national origin in any of our activities or policies relating to students, faculty, instructors, supervisors, and professional staff.

UVU & Inclusion 

UVU is committed to preparing all students and employees for success in an increasingly complex, diverse, and globalized society. We promote civility and respect for the dignity and potential of each individual. We seek to advance the understanding of diverse perspectives. We value and promote collegial relationships and mutual respect among students, faculty, and staff. We acknowledge and seek to address the needs of populations who are underrepresented and students with varying levels of academic preparation, even as we strive to provide access and support for all students and employees in ways that are culturally relevant and responsible.

Prospective students Inclusion and Diversity

UVU's Commitment to Diversity

One of the most important ways in ensuring students are successful is if the university environment is inclusive. Over the last several years, UVU has shown itself as a state and national leader in inclusion and diversity efforts, receiving national awards from the White House, Diversity MBA Magazine, and Minority Access Incorporated. As an institution, UVU has chosen to be proactive and far-reaching, raising and allocating almost 3.1 million dollars for its inclusion efforts. As one can find on the inclusion site, UVU has 20+ centers, initiatives, and other resources to ensure that students feel like they are safe and championed while being a Wolverine. In addition, one can also find the current Strategic Inclusion Plan, which outlines a large portion of our Inclusion efforts; and the annual reports, which highlight what has been accomplished and what is still being worked on.