Current Students

MFT COURSEWORK OPEN ONLY TO THOSE ADMITTED INTO THE MFT PROGRAM

MFT courses are only available for students admitted into the MFT Program. Each class was designed and evaluated to meet program and accreditation standards and therefore must be seen as part of a gestalt and accumulation of MFT training. As a result, none of these courses can be used as elective courses for students outside of the program.

REQUIRED COURSE SEQUENCE

As part of the admission to the MFT Department all students agree to adhere to the REQUIRED Course Sequence. Each class is developed and dependent on the prerequisite semester’s knowledge. (See Course Sequence). Failure to take courses in sequence may lead to the delay in the student being allowed to start Fieldwork or the student’s graduation date may be delay. Students, under special circumstances, who must attend part-time, must understand that it will take them longer to graduate.

ADVANTAGES OF COHORT

The CSUDH MFT Program is primarily a cohorted program. The advantage of a cohort program is that it brings students together, at the same level, to learn and practice skills. It allows students to effectively learn from a planned sequence of coursework as well as monitor their personal growth and development.

MENTORING PROGRAM

The CSUDH MFT Program has developed a mentoring program within it, where second and third year students in the program mentor first year students. Students are paired together mostly depending on availability. Once the first year student gets to her or his second, that person then becomes a mentor and hopefully continues the process of “giving back.”

B OR BETTER POLICY

The MFT Department requires that students maintain a level of competence while in the program to achieving a grade of “B or Better” in EACH class, not just as part of a cumulative GPA. That means that in each class a student takes, that student must achieve either an A, A-, B+ or B. Professional and accreditation standards consider B- or below to be suspect of a person working in the field as a competent marital and family therapist. That is why agencies and employers look for grades of B or Better in each course to feel confident in their hiring of an MFT trainee or associate. So, while this has always been an aspirational standard, it will now be an enforceable program requirement. If a student receives a grade of anything LESS THAN a B, (B-, C+, C or lower) the student MUST retake the class. This may cause a delay in the student going into fieldwork and could cause a delay in the student’s graduation.

ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The MFT Department understands that accommodations must be made for students with Disabilities. Students are also advised about resources such as the Writing Center and PEGS Program. But, it is the responsibility of the student to make this need known to the professor and/or department as soon as possible.

STUDENT CONDUCT IN MFT CLASSES

Courses in an MFT class can include very personal, in-depth, experiential, and reflective discussions and exercises. Students are expected to have the level of maturity to respect the professors and fellow students at all time. Students who are disruptive or disrespectful to the sensitive nature of the course, could be demoted in participation points, given a lower grade, or even removed from the class. The department and professor must make sure that the class is a safe place to learn and share feelings about the material.

COMPUTER LITERACY, APA COMPETENCE IN WRITING AND OTHER IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS

Each syllabi in the MFT Department will include the requirement for computer literacy at the graduate level. All papers are expected to pass standards set by the American Psychological Association (APA). Students must be up-to-date, thorough and honest in all paperwork required by the MFT Department. Failure to complete forms and materials needed may cause a delay in the student graduating. Academic dishonesty can not be tolerated. Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of unethical behavior will result in a student either being penalized by the professor, being given a grade of F, or being ask to leave the program.