Dec 26, 2024

2012-2013 Graduate Catalog

2012-2013 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Marriage & Family Therapy M.S.

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The Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s Degree Program, a 60 semester hour course of study, prepares candidates for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in Nevada. MFTs work with individuals, couples, families, and groups on mental health, behavioral, personal and/or relational concerns. MFTs are employed in a wide range of settings, including public and private, for-profit and non-profit agencies, hospitals and social service agencies. They may practice independently after they are fully licensed. While there are similarities between MFT licensing requirements for most states, students are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the licensing requirements in the state(s) wherein they want to practice as an MFT. Students who are in their final semester of completing of their degrees may apply to the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors for licensure as an MFT Intern. Once approved by the Board, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Intern is eligible to practice under the direct supervision of an AAMFT Approved Supervisor or AAMFT Supervisor Candidate. Further information on this process may be obtained by calling the board’s office. Students should be aware that the state’s post-master’s internship and the department’s pre-master’s internships are in no way related. The department does not offer, nor otherwise sanction, state internships.

Program Costs

Beginning Fall 2010 a flat rate will be charged for the program. The cost of the program for in-state students beginning is $26,500 and for out-of-state students it will be $28,500. You will be locked into this fee for the entire MFT program. In the event of a tuition increase, the MFT matriculating student will not be subject to any increase in those fees. The entire program is 7 semesters (counting the two summers of course work as semesters). Tuition for the first 6 semesters will be approximately $4,084 and $2,000 for the last semester for in-state students. While the current program charge is fixed, the per-semester costs may vary but will not exceed the total. Students will receive additional information on paying the per-semester charges.

Admission Requirements

The master’s degree program requires that applicants apply for admission to the Graduate College, as well as to the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy as Applicants must provide official transcripts of all college level coursework. In addition, applicants are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores on both the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the general test. A minimum score of 450 is required on each and must have been taken within five years prior to submitting admission applications. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 for all undergraduate work and a 3.00 for the last two years of undergraduate work is required.

Applicants must also make arrangements for three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the department, along with a departmental application form, and two writings (an autobiographical writing and a response to an ethical/moral question). Potential students should visit the department website for specific application materials (http://mft.unlv.edu/index.html). Applications are accepted once a year, with a January 15 deadline. The application process also involves an extensive on-campus interview for viable candidates, with all candidates participating in interviews together. Classes begin in the Fall semester.

Degree Requirements

To earn a master’s degree, students must:

Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better in the program. Students who receive an F, or more than two Cs, will be separated from the program.
A grade of B or better is required in any practicum or internship or the course must be repeated.
Students have a choice of two tracks to complete their culminating experience requirement. Students electing to do the Capstone track,in which students will prepare a portfolio with either a clinical focus or research focus, are required to complete 6 credits of
MFT 750 - Capstone
. Students electing to do the Thesis track are required to complete 6 credits of
MFT 749 - Thesis
Every student will be reviewed each semester to determine adequate progress and retention in the program.
The full time program is sequenced so that students take a certain number or courses or credits each semester, including summer. A student who does not follow the designated course sequence may lack prerequisites for their next courses, and, therefore, may need to wait for a course to be offered again in the next cycle. It is the responsibility of the student to discuss course sequencing and planned timing with their advisor. Not all courses are offered every semester or every year. There are many courses that are offered only once each calendar year. Thus, it is imperative that students take the recommended number of credits and stay in sequence in order for them to graduate in a timely manner.

Note: Non-admitted students may take up to three selected courses (see course listing for prerequisites) prior to formal admission to the program (

MFT 701

MFT 759

and

MFT 763

). If admitted, these courses are eligible to count toward the degree.

Degree Program

MFT 701 - Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy

3 credits

MFT 719 - Sexual Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy

3 credits

MFT 720 - Counseling Across the Lifespan

3 credits