Frequently Asked Questions about the UVU MFT Program

How long does the program take?

The coursework of the program is designed to be completed in 5 sequential semesters.  Students who need additional time to complete the clinical hour requirement may enroll for additional semesters while they complete the clinical hours.

Students who enroll in fewer than all credits offered each semester and students who take a leave of absence from the program will need additional time to complete graduation requirements.  Graduation requirements must be completed within 6 years of initial matriculation.

 

Semester

Course Name

Credits

Fall

 

 

12 credits

Ethical Issues in MFT

3

Systemic Foundations of MFT

3

Systemic Assessment and Diagnosis

3

Pre-Practicum

3

Spring

 

 

 

12 credits

Contemporary Approaches to MFT

3

Couples Therapy

3

Working with Diversity

3

Practicum I

3

Summer

 

9 credits

Research in MFT

3

Group Therapy

2

Community Intervention

1

Practicum II

3

Fall

 

 

 

12 credits

Child & Adolescent Development

3

Family Therapy

3

Individual Therapy

2

Contemporary Issues in MFT

1

Practicum III

3

Spring

 

 

9 credits

Adult Issues in Human Development

3

Either Clinical Business Development     OR 2

    Special Topics Elective

1-3

Capstone

1

Practicum IV

3

How much does the program cost?

The UVU MFT program tuition and fees are determined by the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents. Tuition and fees are adjusted and published each spring for the following year beginning summer semester. 

Additional program expenses include:

Expense

Estimated Cost

Timing

Required course textbooks

Costs vary by course

Each semester

AAMFT Student membership

$200.00 ($90 - 100 per year)

1st semester in Ethics and/or Pre-Practicum course(s)

Program iPad - Provided by the program

Replacement cost if broken or lost. Replacement cost is $409

Practicum I

AMFTRB Practice Exam

$60.00 per attempt

Capstone Course

Note:  Students must pass the AMFTRB exam, which may require multiple attempts.

Additional courses

Costs vary by year and number of credits

Whenever a repeated course is necessary due to course grade or insufficient clinical hours

Personal Therapy

Costs vary.   $10.00 for sessions at UVU health center.

If desired by the student, or when required by the program

How many students does the program take?

The program enrolls one cohort of students each fall semester. The maximum enrollment for a cohort is 24 students.

When are classes held?

Classes are held from 9 - 2:30 Tuesday and Thursday for first-year students and 9 to 2:30 Monday and Wednesday for 2nd-year students.  All academic courses within the UVU MFT program are delivered at the Orem campus. The program does not offer online or hybrid courses.  The program does not offer evening or weekend classes.

Can I attend part-time?

 

The MFT program is offered as a full-time program only. Students who do not enroll in the recommended sequence of courses will need to wait until a course is offered again (See program schedule.  FAQ: How long does the program take?).  Any variation from the recommended program schedule should be discussed with the MFT Program Director and Advisor.

Does this program require a thesis?

No. The UVU MFT program emphasizes clinical training and specifically prepares students for licensure and employment as an MFT. Students will be required to demonstrate competence in all program outcomes prior to graduation. Summative assignments include a clinical presentation, essays, and a comprehensive exam. Students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree after graduation would benefit from seeking individual opportunities to participate in research with faculty members as an addition to their required program coursework.

Can I get licensed when I graduate?

 

The UVU MFT program is designed to align with the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Utah. Upon graduation from the UVU program, students should be eligible for licensure as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist.

The UVU MFT program does not influence the decisions of the Utah MFT licensing board and cannot, therefore, guarantee licensure.

Please refer to https://dopl.utah.gov/mft/  for additional information about MFT licensure in Utah.

Students who plan to leave Utah after graduation should make themselves fully aware of the licensing requirements for another state. It is strongly advised that students obtain current and accurate information about licensing requirements in a state to which they may move prior to starting the UVU program. 

How can I find a practicum site?

The UVU MFT program has relationships with many local practicum sites. Students should work closely with the Director of Clinical Training to determine if one of these sites would be a good fit.

Any student who wishes to work at a site that is not approved by the UVU MFT program should seek approval from the Director of Clinical Training prior to providing services at that site. (See Current Students: Program Resources)

Is the UVU MFT program accredited?

 

The UVU MFT Program is not yet accredited by COAMFTE.  Although the program was designed to align with current accreditation requirements, we cannot guarantee that the program will become accredited in the future. We have begun the process of seeking COAMFTE accreditation, which will take several years to complete.

What does it  mean if I graduate from an MFT program that is not COAMFTE-accredited?

Sometimes this question is specifically - Can I still get licensed and can I get a job if I graduate from a non-COAMFTE-Accredited program? The short answer is yes. You can get licensed, and you can get a job.

There are three things to know about graduating from an MFT program that is not COAMFTE-Accredited:

1.  When you apply for an Associate MFT License in Utah, you will need to list out your courses to show that they meet the education requirements for a license in Utah. The program courses are mapped to licensing requirements in the Program Handbook.

This is what the Utah Application for MFT License states:

EDUCATIONAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS TO be completed by applicants who have not graduated from a COAMFTE accredited program in marriage and family therapy. Graduates from COAMFTE accredited programs are not required to complete this section.

Note: The UVU program aligns with Education Requirements required by Utah Admin. Code R156-60b-302a. Qualifications for Licensure -  Education Requirements. 

Go to the DOPL Website or review the UVU MFT Graduate Handbook to see all educational requirements for MFT licensure in Utah.

ALL APPLICANTS:

Documentation of meeting the education requirement (submit one of the options below):

      • Official transcripts documenting completion of a master’s or doctorate degree from a marriage and family program accredited by COAMFTE.  
      • Official transcripts evidencing completion of a master’s or doctorate degree in marriage and family therapy from an institution which is accredited by a professional accrediting body approved by CHEA and completion of course requirements.  Please use page 4 of this application to record the required courses.  NOTE: You can expedite the review process by providing a copy of the graduate catalog course description and/or syllabus of any identified course.

 

Note:  The following information documents that the UVU program meets the second bullet point listed in the documentation section above:

Utah Valley University is accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is an accredited body approved by CHEA.  The website link states:

“The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is pleased to announce that we have been awarded recognition by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). At its meeting on January 28, 2019, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Board of Directors reviewed the recommendation of the CHEA Committee on Recognition regarding the recognition application submitted by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The Board of Directors accepted the committee recommendation and recognized NWCCU for the following CHEA-recognized scope of accreditation:  The accreditation and pre-accreditation (“Candidacy status”) of postsecondary degree-granting educational institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and internationally, and the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within these institutions. (2018)”.  You can look up UVU on the CHEA website.

2.  You need to make sure you know the licensing requirements in any other state you think you may want to apply for an MFT license. 

Portability of the MFT degree for licensure across state lines can be a little more difficult if you graduate from a non-COAMFTE accredited program.  If you are planning to move out of Utah, make sure you are working toward your state’s licensing requirements throughout the MFT program.  Schedule a time to review your plan with the Program Director.  Make sure to save copies of all course syllabi.  Some state requirements are much more difficult than others.  Plan ahead and start with your end-goal in mind.

3.You may not be able to work for the VA.  Most employers of MFTs do not require graduation from a COAMFTE-accredited program. 

For information about employment with the VA, please click on this link to view the VA Handbook for MFT qualifications.  

To read more about  AAMFT’s relationship and advocacy efforts with the VA, click on the AAMFT website

Can I transfer into this program from another graduate program?

Individuals with graduate credit are welcome to apply to the MFT program via the regular annual application process. 

The UVU MFT program has a residency requirement of 42/54 credits, which means the program can accept no more than 12 transfer credits.  All potential transfer credits are evaluated by the Program Director in accordance with Graduate School policies.

 

Graduate Transfer Credit

Graduate credits from another regionally accredited institution or equivalent shall have been completed within four years of the graduate student’s matriculation into the graduate program and cannot be older than six years at the time of graduation with a master’s degree or a graduate certificate from the University. Graduate transfer credits are also subject to grade and grade-point average minimums of the graduate program. (Policy 524, Section 4.5.1).

 

Program Goals and Outcomes

The UVU MFT program prepares students to demonstrate competence in MFT knowledge, practice, diversity, research, and ethics.  These competences are referred to as program goals, and specific student learning outcomes support each goal.

Program Goal 1:  The program trains students in the knowledge and history of the MFT profession and how to utilize systemic and developmental theories in their clinical work

  • Student Learning Outcome 1:  Students will demonstrate understanding of MFT Models
  • Student Learning Outcome 2:  Students will apply systemic and developmental theories in their conceptualization of clinical cases

Program Goal 2:  The program trains students to practice relational/systemic therapy including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of presenting problems

  • Student Learning Outcome 3:  Students will demonstrate competent assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of clinical cases
  • Student Learning Outcome 4:  Students will utilize published MFT literature to provide research-informed therapy

Program Goal 3:  The program trains students to be aware, knowledgeable, and conscientious in their work with diverse, marginalized and under-served populations

  • Student Learning Outcome 5:  Students will demonstrate awareness of client context and of their power and privilege as individuals and clinicians
  • Student Learning Outcome 6:  Student work with marginalized, diverse, and underserved communities will be multiculturally-informed 

Program Goal 4:  The program trains students to engage in ethical clinical work and decision making through a commitment to ethical practice and to the AAMFT Code of Ethics

  • Student Learning Outcome 7:  Students will demonstrate  recognition of the AAMFT Code of Ethics' application to clinical scenarios and cases
  • Student Learning Outcome 8:  Students will apply an ethical decision-making framework in clinical practice and supervision

Program Goal 5:  The program assists students as they develop an MFT identity by preparing students for MFT licensure and employment upon graduation from the program

  • Student Learning Outcome 9:  Graduates of the program will become licensed as A/MFTs.
  • Student Learning Outcome 10:  Graduates of the program will become employed as MFTs

 

 

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Two Female students

MFT Program Faculty and Staff

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UVU Faculty Who Teach in MFT Program

 

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