Welcome to the Marriage & Family Therapy Program

The specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy at Purdue University Calumet is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). This will allow students to apply to accredited COAMFTE doctoral programs, Clinical Membership in AAMFT, and take the MFT state licensure exam after they have completed the required number of post-graduate hours practicing family therapy.

The specialization stresses a three-pronged approach to marriage and family therapy training that highlights theory, research, and practice. Because of the need to provide this well-balanced perspective, and to comply with COAMFTE requirements, students must accrue at least sixty-one credit hours to graduate. In most cases, this will require full-time students to take between two and three years to complete their Master’s degree.

Clinical training consists of one continuous year of practicum experience and an eight-month internship. Students are expected to accrue 500 hours of face-to-face contact with couples, families, and individuals. Students receive a minimum of three hours of clinical supervision per week comprised of videotape and audiotape review, case discussion, and live observation in the on-site Marriage and Family Center.

MFT Program Strengths

• The program provides all students with financial assistance and assistantships.
• The program is comprised of a three-pronged approach: strong theoretical orientation; research, including a master's thesis; and solid clinical practice.
• Faculty members are very encouraging and supportive of students throughout the program; especially helping them complete their theses.
• Students work with a wide array of client problems and cultural/racial groups at their clinical internships.
• Graduates of the program have a 100% employment rate and acceptance into doctoral programs.
• Many students publish articles and present at conferences by the time they graduate.
• Several students have received research awards for their theses.
• Several students have published their theses or presented them at conferences after graduation.
• Program graduates have a 100% success rate at passing state MFT licensure certification exams.
• Numerous program graduates have been promoted into supervisory positions at the agencies at which they are employed.