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Table of Contents
| Table of Contents | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Program Description
The Department of Marriage and Family Therapy is one of five academic units in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. The other units are the Departments of Child and Family Studies, Public Health, Food Studies and Nutrition, Sport Management, and the School of Social Work. The Department of Marriage and Family Therapy offers an M.A. and a Ph.D. program. Both programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (C.O.A.M.F.T.E.).
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Marriage and family therapy (M.F.T.) students gain hands-on experience in the Couple and Family Therapy Center. The in-house clinic is located at Peck Hall, 601 East Genesee Street in the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy. Established in 1989, it serves as a teaching and research center for M.F.T. master’s and doctoral students. All M.F.T. students are required to see clients at the in-house clinic and may not choose their client caseload based on race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, age, or other difference/diversity category. Students utilize the center to gain clinical experience. Individual, group, couples and family therapy is offered to members of the Syracuse community under the supervision of the clinical faculty who operate from a family systems perspective. The Center is equipped for live and digitally recorded supervision.
Program Mission Statement
The Syracuse University M.F.T. program’s mission is to educate and train clinicians, scholars, and researchers in the ethical and systemic practice of M.F.T. with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
History of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program
It has been over forty years since the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy was conceived by Bernice M. Wright, Dean of the College for Home Economics, Robert Pickett, Chair of the Department of Family Relations and Child Development, and Harvey Noordsy, Executive Director of the Onondaga Pastoral Counseling Center. The first students entered in 1969, and in 1970 the New York State Department of Education officially granted the Department the right to award an M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling. The M.A. was initially a program within the Department of Child and Family Studies. Since that date, the Marriage and Family Therapy Program has graduated over 400 M.A. students. In December 1994, the department graduated its first doctoral student; 23 doctoral students have completed their degree programs in the last 5 years.
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Lisa Tedeschi served as the Internship Coordinator from 2011 to 2022. Daran Shipman served as part-time clinical supervisor from 2016- 2019. Tyler Sliker joined the department as part-time clinical supervisor in 2019, became an Internship coordinator in 2021, and Clinic Director in 2022. Rebecca Berard joined the program in 2022 as an Internship Coordinator. Beth Ciciarelli joined the department as the administrative assistant in 2008 and Anne Metzger-Wormuth joined as the office coordinator for the Couple and Family Therapy Center in 2013.
Master’s Program Educational Outcomes
The S.U. M.A. M.F.T. program goals are informed by our mission, requirements for licensure for Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of New York the C.O.A.M.F.T.E. Developmental Competency Components, which include:
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Benchmark 5.2: At least 70% of students will receive a 3 or higher rating on the Evaluation Form of Student completed by Supervisor (specifically 1a and 4a), assessed at the end of each semester that the student is clinically active.
Doctoral Program Educational Outcomes
The S.U. Ph.D. M.F.T. program goals are informed by our mission and the COAMFTE Developmental Competency Components, which include:
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Benchmark 6.2: At least 80% of students will receive a B or better in the Cultural Diversity assignment (Special Topic) for MFT 875.
Policies and Procedures, and Educational Outcomes Review
Syracuse University Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy Statement
Syracuse University's Marriage and Family Therapy department follows the Syracuse University Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy Statement. Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The M.F.T. department prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, health, socioeconomic status, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers recruitment, admissions, codes of conduct, hiring, retention or dismissal of faculty, students, and supervisors, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Additionally, M.F.T. faculty and staff adhere to and prepare students to value the creation of socially-just, anti-racist, L.G.B.T.Q.-Affirmative and anti-discriminatory environments. Students are expected to engage in cultural humility, awareness of self in relation to others, and an understanding of psychosocial and cultural contexts of issues presented in clinical practice and research. We believe that valuing each other's similarities and differences helps us to deepen our understanding of relationships in systems. Students are required to see clients with diverse backgrounds/experiences and may not choose their caseloads based on race, class, gender/gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, culture, age, health, socio-economic status, or other diversity category.
Syracuse University’s Center for Disability Resources
Syracuse University and the Marriage and Family Therapy department are committed to student success and to supporting Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This means that in general no individual who is otherwise qualified shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity, solely by reason of having a disability. If a student believes that they need accommodations for a disability, they should contact The Center for Disability Resources, located at 804 University Avenue Suite 303, or call (315) 443-4498 for an appointment to discuss their needs and the process for requesting accommodations. Center for Disability Resources is responsible for coordinating disability-related accommodations and will issue students with documented Disabilities Accommodation Authorization Letters, as appropriate. Since accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact The Center for Disability Resources as soon as possible.
If a student has an authorized disability-related accommodations students should provide their instructors with a current Accommodation Authorization Letter from Center for Disability Resources and review those accommodations with them at the beginning of each semester.
Recruitment Policy
Syracuse University M.F.T. adheres to the university anti-discrimination policy regarding recruitment and admissions. As described in the Syracuse University Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy Statement: "Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution". The M.F.T. department prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, health, socioeconomic status, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers recruitment, admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Students are recruited from across the United States and the world. University and program websites provide information to potential applicants. The Falk College Admissions Department travels throughout the US and attends annual conferences, such as AAMFT and NCFR, to promote the program. Faculty also attend professional conferences and events for the program to meet with potential scholars. Lastly, staff, students, and alumni informally refer others to the program.
Admission Procedures
Applicants to graduate programs in the Falk College must hold or expect to receive a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, prior to the start of the intended enrollment term. Admission decisions are determined by a committee of M.F.T. faculty evaluating applications carefully, considering all materials submitted, and then selecting the best-qualified candidates. (How to Apply). Please note: criminal background checks are required by certain internship sites. Further, having a criminal background may create an additional barrier for students in securing an internship site and pursuing licensure. The student is expected to discuss any potential issues with program staff upon admission to ensure appropriate planning for the student.
Online Masters Admissions Policy
Enrollment in the online M.F.T. master’s program is limited. The priority deadline for Summer and Fall admission is February 15th. The priority deadline for the Spring is November 15th. Applications received after priority deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis and may be deferred to the next available semester. All students should submit the complete M.F.T. Application which includes, official transcripts showing certification of a bachelor’s degree, 3 letters of recommendation, resume, and a personal statement. There is no minimum G.P.A. required for admission, although the M.F.T. Department uses a benchmark of 3.4 as a standard. (See How to Apply for a list and description of required application materials).
Residential Masters Admissions Policy
Enrollment in the M.F.T. master’s program is limited, and admission decisions are made in March of each year for the following Fall. Spring and Summer admissions will be accepted as space is available. All applicants should submit the following to the Graduate School by March 15th. M.F.T. application requirements include a completed bachelor’s degree, recent G.R.E. scores, 3 letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. There is no minimum G.P.A. required for admission, although the M.F.T. Department uses a benchmark of 3.4 as a standard. (See How to Apply for a list and description of required application materials).
PhD Admissions Policy
The deadline for all applications will be December 15th for the following fall semester.
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Persons interested in more information about the Department should contact Dr. Dyane Watson, Department Chair, Peck Hall, 601 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, New York 13202, email: dkwatson@syr.edu, or Beth Ciciarelli, Administrative Assistant, 315-443-9329, email: bdbagozz@syr.edu. Those interested in the doctoral program should contact Dr. Dyane Watson, Chair and Doctoral Graduate Director, email: dkwatson@syr.edu. All potential applicants who wish to speak with a representative of the Department or to visit the Department prior to their application are invited to call Beth Ciciarelli at 315-443-9329 or email: bdbagozz@syr.edu.
Grading and Assessment
The M.F.T. program follows Syracuse University Policy on grades.
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See also Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Student (Appendix F).
Codes of Conduct and Criteria for Good Standing
The Marriage and Family Therapy program has high expectations for student performance, both academically and clinically. The program adheres to expectations set forth by Syracuse University with regard to student conduct.
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Students who must leave the University for personal or health reasons before completing degree requirements should file an Official Leave of Absence form, whether or not they intend to return. Students who are suspended from the University for academic or disciplinary reasons will be officially withdrawn by the Graduate School at the recommendation of the Program faculty. Refer to the Syracuse University Academic Rules and Regulations for further details about procedures and implications.
Authenticity of Student Work
Syracuse University sets high standards for academic integrity and authenticity of student work. Those standards are supported and enforced by students, including those who serve as academic integrity hearing panel members and hearing officers. The presumptive sanction for a first offense is course failure, accompanied by the transcript notation “Violation of the Academic Integrity Policy.” The standard sanction for a first offense by graduate students is suspension or expulsion. Students should review academic integrity expectations online at and confer with instructors about course-specific citation methods, permitted collaboration (if any), and rules for examinations. The Syracuse University Academic Integrity Policy also governs the veracity of signatures on attendance sheets and other verification of participation in class activities. Plagiarism or cheating on any assignment or inaccurately reporting clinical hours will result in an F in the course. Instructors may elect to use Turnitin to screen student work for authenticity.
Retention
The M.A. in M.F.T. program at Syracuse University advances the success and retention of students in ways that are consistent with the program’s mission, goals, student learning outcomes, and anti-discrimination policy. Retention efforts are structured into the program as supports for student success and include but are not limited to orientation, regular advising opportunities, field liaising, clinical/supervision documentation, feedback opportunities (both to and from students), forums, student support meetings, and remediation plans.
The following areas outline our retention efforts:
Orientation
Orientation is a mandatory event undertaken at the beginning of a student’s program that provides an opportunity to meet with faculty and other students of the program and gain information about expectation, policies and processes.
Student Academic Advising and Program of Study
Academic advisors work with students to provide academic guidance throughout the program. Students are encouraged to meet each semester to review their Program of Study and address any concerns that may affect their ability to complete the program. Students needing additional support may meet with their academic advisor more frequently, have their Program of Study revised and/or be given referrals for additional resources to assist with their success in the program.
Field Liaising
Master’s student engagement with field placement is supported through pre-placement meetings and site visit meetings. Site visits are scheduled for each semester that a student is in placement. Students needing additional support are provided opportunities for additional meetings and additional supports. PhD students work with their advisor to identify field placement opportunities depending on their clinical and research goals. Students are responsible for making sure sites meet state requirements for licensure.
Clinical and Supervision Documentation
Students are required to log and turn in their clinical and supervision hours monthly. The department tracks hours and assists students in monitoring their progress toward completion of the clinical requirements for graduation. The Internship Placement Coordinator and advisors assist MA students in using this feedback to modify plans as necessary.
Doctoral Mentoring
Doctoral students begin working with an assigned faculty mentor when they start their PhD program. Mentors meet regularly with students to identify their areas of interest, connect them to scholarly tasks and activities, and support their professional development. At the end of their course work, students are encouraged to identify an advisor to guide their internship and dissertation research. Students may choose to work with their initially assigned mentor or request to work with another faculty member.
Doctoral Annual Review
Doctoral students meet annually with program faculty to review and discuss their progress in and potential challenges of their program. The meeting focuses on student goals and provides an opportunity for feedback. Annual review forms are distributed by the program director.
Feedback Opportunities
Opportunities to receive feedback regarding academic and clinic progress and development are implemented throughout a student’s program. Formal feedback regarding clinical performance occurs in practicum meetings and annual review meetings. Meetings with assigned advisors are also opportunities to provide and receive feedback. Master’s students participate in the Clinical Readiness Interview at the end of the first semester of Practicum and continue to receive feedback through supervisor evaluations each semester that they are clinically active. The PhD program, including faculty and students, also meet regularly (1-2 times a semester) to identify challenges and opportunities for program growth. Additionally, students are encouraged to provide feedback to the department regarding expectations, sufficiency and climate through formal (surveys) and informal (focus groups and forums) means.
Student Support Meeting and Remediation Plans
We strive to provide students with a clear indication of their development and competence in all areas of the program. In the event that a student does not pass the clinical readiness interview or is at risk of not meeting criteria for good standing in the department (See Criteria for Good Standing in the Department Section), a meeting will be conducted as needed based on faculty and/or supervisor evaluation and recommendation. In this meeting, an assessment of the student’s academic and clinical functioning will be made. An individualized remediation plan will be developed with the student to assist with passing the required program milestones and successfully completing the program. A follow-up meeting may also be scheduled to monitor the student’s growth in these areas and progress in the program. Where students are unable to resolve the problematic issue, they may be counseled out or dismissed from the program. (See Remediation Policy and Dismissal policy for further details). Students who are in need of additional support to address other issues related to completion of program requirements will be offered a meeting to explore additional supports.
Remediation
The Syracuse University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program has high expectations for student performance. (See Criteria for Good Standing). In addition, the program works in many ways to support student success. (See Retention Efforts).
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A record of unacceptable academic and/or clinical performance will be maintained in the student’s record in the department office.
Dismissal
A student may be dismissed from the program and the University for reasons of academic or clinical performance, clinical or personal misconduct, or violation(s) of the Syracuse University Academic Integrity Policy or the Student Code of Conduct.
Examples of misconduct that may warrant dismissal include, but are not limited to, hostile actions, actions that are harmful, and unethical or unsafe behavior.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Syracuse University is committed to the protection and confidentiality of student educational records, adhering closely to the guidelines established by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (F.E.R.P.A.) a federal legislation established to regulate access and maintenance of student educational records. F.E.R.P.A. affords student certain rights with respect to their education records, including the right to inspect their education records, request an amendment of the records that the student believes are inaccurate, and the right to control disclosures of their records except to the extent that F.E.R.P.A. authorizes disclosure without consent. (It is important to note that all rights to access move to the student when that student is in a post-secondary education institution; parents, spouses, and significant others have no inherent right to access to student educational records.) Educational records for the most part include, with certain exceptions, all records maintained in any medium, which can identify the student.
Complaints and Grievances
The Syracuse University Marriage and Family Therapy program encourages student feedback and works with students to resolve program related concerns. Students may communicate with appropriate faculty, staff, and/or the Department Chair to address any concerns.
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For information about Falk College policies and procedures around student grievances.
Distance Learning Complaint Process for Out-of-State Students (Online Students)
Syracuse University’s degree and certificate programs delivered through distance education are registered with the New York State Education Department (N.Y.S.E.D.).
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If a complaint is not resolved satisfactorily within the University, then students may also file a complaint with the New York State Education Department (N.Y.S.E.D.) which oversees higher education in New York State and/or with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the University’s accrediting agency. See “Student Grievance Process” for additional information.
Research Opportunities
The M.F.T. Department has ongoing data collection at the Couple and Family Therapy Center that informs clinical practice and research. M.F.T. masters and doctoral students may contact their advisors for further information on gaining research experience using this dataset.
Use of Clinical Data
Students from the M.F.T. Department are welcome to use clinical data for purposes of publications, conference presentations, thesis, or other research projects. A faculty member will serve as a mentor on every student project using clinic data and must be included in any resulting publications and presentations.
Students who have graduated from the program and wish to continue to work on their thesis or research using this dataset may do so under the advisement of M.F.T. faculty.
Student Participation in Department Governance
Students have the opportunity to provide direct feedback to the department regarding the needs of their cohort through participation on department committees and through representation at M.F.T. Faculty/Department meetings. Student representatives may sit on the M.F.T. Research Committee, the M.F.T. Curriculum Committee, the M.F.T. Clinic Committee and the M.F.T. Website Committee. M.F.T. Department meetings will include all faculty and staff, and one student representative from each cohort (first-year and second-year classes). A student representative will be appointed to the Promotion and Tenure Committee at the discretion of the committee chair. Student representatives to M.F.T. Department committees may be from any cohort and may include part-time students. Department meetings are held monthly throughout the academic year (August, September, October, November, December (if necessary) and January, February, March, and April. Department meetings during the summer sessions are held on an ad hoc basis.
Additionally, the department surveys first-year students in the fall semester, in regards to the admissions and orientation process, and surveys second-year students in the spring semester to determine overall satisfaction with the M.F.T. department. This is supplemented by the Program Director meeting with all students in the department, in small groups, for an informal lunch discussion about their issues and concerns about the department. These meetings take place on an annual basis. Students can contact the Department Chair to indicate interest in serving on a committee or as representatives to department meetings. The PhD program, including faculty and students, also meet regularly (1-2 times a semester) to identify challenges and opportunities for program growth.
Program Evaluation Policy
As a part of our program evaluation, improvement plan and accreditation processes, the Syracuse University Marriage and Family Therapy Department engages in a continuous and ongoing cycle of assessment. As part of this cycle, our educational outcomes, and policies and procedures are formally reviewed during biannual faculty meetings (April and December) (see Appendices C and D for Masters and Doctoral Evaluation Timelines). These reviews are used to: (a) evaluate the professional marriage and family therapy principles on which the outcomes and policies are based, (b) review feedback/data related to the educational outcomes and policies and procedures from the programs’ communities of interest (e.g., faculty, students, graduates, employers), and (c) make decisions leading to program improvement.
Student Information Policy
The Syracuse University Marriage and Family Therapy program collects data on each Student Learning Outcome and Graduate Achievement annually. Graduating students are asked to provide contact information (email, phone, etc.) when they graduate so they and/or their employers can be contacted post-graduation.
Graduated students are asked to participate in an alumni survey which will be mailed or emailed to them one year after graduation. The purpose of the survey is to gather information about alumni professional activities and employment post-graduation. As part of the alumni survey, graduates are asked to provide their current employer’s contact information and consent for their employer to be contacted to participate in a confidential employer evaluation survey. The purpose of the employer evaluation survey is to gather information about how well our graduates are doing, and how satisfied they are with the graduate’s performance to help us improve our program. Information about graduate achievement. Faculty members or supervisors may talk about individual students in order to enhance student learning and assist in their clinical training. Our hope is to be as supportive as possible and utilize the multiple resources that could benefit a student’s development during their time in the program. If faculty or supervisors have serious concerns about a student’s performance, they will address those issues directly with the student.
Portability of Degree
The M.F.T. program pays attention to national trends for marriage and family therapy credentialing and reviews program standards to maximize potential for degree portability. Students will graduate meeting core standards that prepare them for next steps toward licensure in their desired post-graduate states and territories. The M.F.T. Master of Arts degree from Syracuse University is designed to provide a minimum 60 credits of M.F.T. education, 500 clinical hours of face to face experience with clients based on C.O.A.M.F.T.E. Developmental Competency Components and 100 hours of M.F.T. supervision that will prepare graduates to apply for a post-graduate limited permit in the state of New York as a first step toward New York licensure. The PhD degree requires 72 credits of education, 1000 hours of face to face client experience, and 200 hours of supervision. Applicants who are interested in becoming licensed in other states must review the state requirements for licensure from the M.F.T. state licensing boards in that state. International students will need to review requirements set by their territorial credentialing bodies. Students are encouraged to review these standards early in their education process.
Technology Requirements
Students will need to have access to a computer and printer, as well as internet access to log in to their Syracuse University email, and Blackboard accounts. To access assistance for any technical issues logging into or navigating Blackboard, contact the I.T.S. Service Centers at: email I.T. or 315.443.2677. For Available Hours.
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See Code of Conduct section of Program Handbook.
Technical Training.
The M.F.T. program and Syracuse University have the following training and resources in place for students, faculty, staff and supervisors:
Titanium Manual – guides students, faculty, staff and supervisors in the use of the Titanium client record-keeping and research database system.
Office Coordinator – serves as a training and technical assistance resource for students, faculty, staff and supervisors using the Titanium client record-keeping and research database system.
Falk College and University trainings and technical assistance guide teaching faculty and program staff concerning the creation and use of A.D.A. compliant materials.
Falk College M.F.T. has a designated librarian who can help students locate materials and design research.
The Writing Center supports the quality of student academic work.
Falk College Career Services provides support and training for student career preparation, including resume writing and job search.
The Center for International Services supports international students in navigating VISA requirements and transition to and from the U.S.
Syracuse University Information Technology Services (I.T.S.) provides a broad range of tech support to students and university employees Includes self-help and live support for devices, instructional platforms like Blackboard and Google, and course development strategies.
Syracuse University Academic Resources and Student Support Services.
As part of the broader Syracuse University community, our students have access to the abundant academic and student support services Syracuse University has to offer. Following is a list of some of the services Syracuse University makes available to students:
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Light Work Labprovides direct support through residencies, publications, exhibitions, a community-access digital lab facility, and other related projects to emerging and under-represented artists working in the media of photography and digital imaging.
Department of Marriage & Family Therapy Student Support Services.
The SU MFT department also offers student supports. The M.F.T. program at Syracuse University advances the success and retention of students in ways that are consistent with the program’s mission, goals, student learning outcomes, and anti-discrimination policy. Retention efforts are structured into the program as supports for student success and include but are not limited to orientation, regular advising opportunities, field liaising, clinical/supervision documentation, feedback opportunities (both to and from students), forums, student support meetings, and remediation plans. The following areas outline our retention efforts:
Orientation:
Orientation is a mandatory event undertaken at the beginning of a student’s program that provides an opportunity to meet with faculty and other students of the program and gain information about expectation, policies and processes.
Student Academic Advising and Program of Study:
Academic advisors work with students to provide academic guidance throughout the program. Students are encouraged to meet each semester to review their Program of Study and address any concerns that may affect their ability to complete the program. Students needing additional support may meet with their academic advisor more frequently, have their Program of Study revised and/or be given referrals for additional resources to assist with their success in the program.
Field Liaising:
Master’s student engagement with field placement is supported through pre-placement meetings and site visit meetings. Site visits are scheduled for each semester that a student is in placement. Students needing additional support are provided opportunities for additional meetings and additional supports. PhD students work with their advisor to identify field placement opportunities depending on their clinical and research goals. Students are responsible for making sure sites meet state requirements for licensure.
Clinical and Supervision Documentation:
Students are required to log and turn in their clinical and supervision hours monthly. The department tracks hours and assists students in monitoring their progress toward completion of the clinical requirements for graduation. The Internship Placement Coordinator and advisors assist MA students in using this feedback to modify plans as necessary.
Doctoral Mentoring:
Doctoral students begin working with an assigned faculty mentor when they start their PhD program. Mentors meet regularly with students to identify their areas of interest, connect them to scholarly tasks and activities, and support their professional development. At the end of their course work, students are encouraged to identify an advisor to guide their internship and dissertation research. Students may choose to work with their initially assigned mentor or request to work with another faculty member.
Feedback to students:
Opportunities to receive feedback regarding academic and clinic progress and development are implemented throughout a student’s program. Formal feedback regarding clinical performance occurs in practicum meetings and annual review meetings. Meetings with assigned advisors are also opportunities to provide and receive feedback. Master’s students participate in the Clinical Readiness Interview (see appropriate Clinical Readiness Process below) and continue to receive feedback through supervisor evaluations each semester that they are clinically active.
Clinical Readiness Process for Residential M.F.T M.A. Students
Residential Master’s students participate in the Clinical Readiness Interview at the end of the first semester of Practicum (MFT 750) and continue to receive feedback through supervisor evaluations each semester that they are clinically active. Each student will meet with the Clinical Readiness Committee consisting of faculty, staff, and supervisors. The interviewers will explore with the student the clinical readiness categories (Appendix B) and provide a rating based on the rubric. If there are any categories that the student earns less than a 3 a remediation plan would be discussed or, in some cases, a student may be dismissed from the program. For students on a remediation plan, a follow up meeting will be held in the middle of the following semester to assess for growth and readiness to enter a field placement for those student on a remediation plan.
Clinical Readiness Process for Online M.F.T. M.A. Students
Online Master’s students who started the program between Fall 2020 and Fall 2022 participate in the Clinical Readiness Interview during MFT 750 and continue to receive feedback through supervisor evaluations each semester that they are clinically active.
Online Master’s students who started the program Spring 2023 participate in a three part clinical readiness process. During MFT 661, the professor and the student will complete the clinical readiness rubric (Appendix B) at the end of this course. The professor will note any category the student earned less than 3 as an area to monitor with the student in the upcoming semesters. During MFT 662, the professor and the student will complete the clinical readiness rubric (Appendix B), incorporate peer feedback and review how the student has grown from MFT 661 to MFT 662. Any student continuing to earn less than 3 on the rubric will develop an action plan to remediate the deficient area. During MFT 750, the professor will review the feedback from colleagues, peers and instructors to determine if progress was made throughout the program. If there are any categories that the student continues to earn less than a 3, a meeting will be called with appropriate program faculty and staff. It may be that another remediation plan is developed, in some cases, a student may be dismissed from the program.
Registration for Degree in Progress
Students must maintain registration from time of matriculation until graduation. In those semesters when you are not registered for specific course or dissertation credits, you must register for G.R.D. 998, Degree in Progress, 0 credit. This allows you to maintain an active student status without tuition cost and entitles you to use all campus resources, including libraries and computers. Please be aware that masters students can be awarded full time student status while completing clinical requirements through the summer of their second year, for issues related to student loans.
When a student is working to fulfill the requirements for two or more distinct masters degrees at S.U., the minimum number of credits needed must be at least 80 percent of the combined total of Syracuse credits normally required for each of the separate degrees. When a student is planning to pursue a M.A. in M.F.T. and a doctoral degree in another field, the student should consult with the Chair as early as possible about appropriate protocol.
Graduation
Graduation Policy
The Syracuse University M.F.T. program follows the university policy regarding graduation and commencement. All academic and clinical requirements must be met before a student will receive their degree and graduate. If a student will have completed all requirements for graduation by December of that same year, they may be allowed to participate in the commencement processional in May. Students must also meet all required university requirements for graduation.
Procedure for Graduation
In the term in which you wish to receive a degree, you must (a) register for 0 or actual credit, (b) file a Diploma Request card by the due date (usually within the first few weeks of the term within which one is to graduate), (c) ensure that your Program of Study has been approved and filed with the Graduate School, (d) check that your transcript matches your Program of Study and that all necessary petitions for exceptions to published requirements have been approved and filed with the Graduate School, and (e) check that the Department has informed the Graduate School of the completion of any additional requirements (e.g., comprehensive examination or Masters project, practicum requirements, internship, qualifying examination, and dissertation oral examination). Additionally, students must have completed the required clinical and supervision hours and submit signed paperwork confirming these requirements have been met.
A.A.M.F.T. Membership
Students should maintain membership in A.A.M.F.T. throughout their enrollment in the M.A. and doctoral programs. M.A. students should apply for Student Membership in A.A.M.F.T. their first term in the core program and maintain registration until receiving their degree. Doctoral students should apply for Student, Associate, or Professional Membership, depending upon their credentials. See the A.A.M.F.T. Membership webpage for more information (https://aamft.org/join).
Financial Aid and Other Awards
Need-Based Financial Aid (Student Loans)
Syracuse University offers federally funded student financial aid to qualified graduate students. The Financial Aid Office administers financially funded loans and Federal Work Study. To be eligible for federally funded student financial aid, you must be accepted into a program leading to a degree, not be in default or owe a refund on any previous student loan, be enrolled at least half time (6 credits per semester), maintain satisfactory academic progress, have financial aid transcripts from the colleges and universities you have attended sent to the S.U. Financial Aid Office, and be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. To apply for such aid, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A.), which is available from most college or university financial aid offices and high school guidance offices. When you complete your F.A.F.S.A., you must list Syracuse University as one of the schools to which you want the information sent. Within four weeks of submission, you should receive a Student Aid Report (S.A.R.) from the Department of Education. Syracuse University will receive this information approximately two weeks after you receive your SAR. You should apply for financial aid as far as possible before the beginning of the semester in which you enroll. Though you will not be notified about financial aid eligibility until you are admitted, you should not wait until you are admitted to file your F.A.F.S.A. Contact the S.U. Financial Aid Office for more information.
There are a number of Graduate Work Study opportunities on campus for persons who meet the eligibility requirements and who are willing to spend the time to ferret them out. The responsibilities and benefits vary greatly from position to position.
Graduate Assistantships
Outside of the M.F.T. department, assistantships come in various forms and sizes. The most common are teaching assistantships and research assistantships, either full-time (20 hours of work a week from the beginning of Fall term until the completion of Spring term) for 24 tuition credits plus a stipend or part time (10 hours of work a week) for 12 tuition credits and a stipend. Search and see what you can find, and then apply, apply, apply. Be sure to inform yourself of the benefits available to students on assistantship (e.g., health benefits, tuition benefits for spouse, and discounts at the bookstore).
University Fellowships
These are coveted and highly competitive awards for which Ph.D. students are nominated by their program or department. The deadline to be nominated is in early February. University Fellowships come in two forms -- the multiple year package (which generally consists of two years of fellowship interspersed by a year of assistantship) and the one-year award. Generally, the multiple year awards go to new applicants (in an effort to recruit outstanding students to the University), but students who are completing the M.A. degree at S.U. and who have been admitted to a doctoral program will be considered as new applicants. The one-year awards are for continuing students completing their doctoral program, and hence are given to students about to be enrolled in their final full year of study (e.g., completed all coursework and qualifying examination). A fellowship usually provides for 30 tuition credits and a stipend.
The Department of African American Studies also awards one-year African American Fellowships, either to new students or currently enrolled students. Students are expected to take one course each term in that Department and to have a strong interest in the field. The Graduate School also has listings of external awards for which students may be eligible.
College Scholarship
The David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics provides a limited number of scholarships consisting of tuition hours for outstanding students who have been recommended by their departments. These are awarded once a year for the following year. Students who receive College Scholarships must be sure to use their tuition by the end of Spring term.
Travel Grants
Both the department and the college award monies to help defray cost of attendance at professional meetings to present a paper or serve as invited presenter. Both grant periods are in the fall and applications are typically due the first part of October. The application and award processes for the college and department are run separately. The chair of the department will have applications for both sets of awards. The awards are small, typically around $300; the department goal is to fund as many students as possible.
Teaching Fellowships and Outstanding T.A. Award
Each January, faculty are asked to nominate outstanding teaching assistants to compete for the 24 Teaching Fellow positions. Teaching Fellows serve as the core instructional staff during the summer T.A. Program orientation, serving as small group leaders and mentors to the University’s 300+ new T.A.s and contributing to the Program’s activities throughout the year. Fellows receive a stipend plus board. Applicants must submit an application, vita, and teaching portfolio containing evidence of teaching experience and competence. To be appointed a Teaching Fellow is a significant academic honor. If you are interested in competing, be sure your faculty know to nominate you. The Outstanding T.A. Award, one of the top honors bestowed upon graduate students by the University, is granted to about 4% of all T.A.s campus-wide and, again, is dependent upon nomination by faculty. Students who wish to be considered for any of these awards should begin early to develop the necessary teaching portfolio.
Redistribution of Credits
Students on fellowship or full-time assistantship who do not plan to take 9 credits each term (12 if you are a Fellow or College Scholar) must arrange with the Graduate School to have their credits “redistributed” or they will lose their allotted remitted tuition. This usually means petitioning to have some tuition credits transferred to the summer. This is best done the semester before the credits are to be redistributed.
If you are a first or second year M.F.T. M.A. student on a full-time assistantship, you must petition to have your credits “redistributed”. This is because, whereas you are given 9 credits of tuition a term (12 if on a fellowship) plus 6 in the summer, you usually register for 10 credits the first Fall, 8 credits the first spring, and 7 credits the first summer.
Residency Dates and Requirements for Online Program
Residency will be offered once a year in the Spring. The residency is a non-mandatory 3-day experience (plus travel days) that takes place on the Syracuse University campus where all online students may attend. This structure is meant to facilitate engagement across cohorts and provide networking and mentoring opportunities. The residencies are intense learning opportunities combining seminars, workshops, guest lectures, and peer discussions, and are designed to build life-long learning communities and professional relationships. Students will be responsible for and should consider the following residency costs: transportation, lodging, and meals. Details will be provided in each Fall semester prior to the semester the residency will be held.
Legal Disclaimer for M.F.T. Practicum and Supervision (Online Program)
If the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University has, in good faith, approved clinical hours at a site in which hours counted by the student and signed by the supervisor are subsequently denied by a state board due to misrepresentation of qualifications on the part of the supervisor and/or agency director, or the trainee, the M.F.T. Department cannot be held liable for loss of hours or income or for expenses incurred by the student or in any other way held liable. This makes it especially important that you consult with the internship coordinator if you have any questions about your site, your supervision, or issues regarding the earning of hours.
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Decisions to terminate or change a placement must be approved by the Internship Placement Coordinator. Failure to include the IPC may impact one's standing in the program. (See Criteria for Good Standing).
Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy
(Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education - C.O.A.M.F.T.E.)
Goals and Objectives
The M.A. Program in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 60-credit hour curriculum accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (C.O.A.M.F.T.E). It is designed to meet the core requirements for post-graduate M.F.T. licensure and is intended for mature individuals who have a strong commitment to the family therapy profession. All M.F.T. core courses are open only to matriculated students.
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All online students are expected to take the basic clinical courses in marriage and family therapy theory and techniques during the first five semesters in the Program. During MFT 750, students complete clinical activities (clinical simulations, roleplays, video case presentations) to further prepare them for clinical placement. Beginning with MFT 760, if clinically ready, students have direct client contact in internship sites in their geographic location, which continues until the completion of 500 hours of supervised clinical practice with individuals, couples, and families. At the conclusion of their program of study, students will present either a Capstone Masters project or a Masters thesis.
Master’s Academic Program
M.F.T. Course Requirements 60 Credits Total
Marriage and Family Therapy Required Courses (51 credits)
M.F.T. 661Introduction to M.F.T. Practice (3 credits)
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M.F.T. 997 Master’s Project or Thesis (0 credits)
M.F.T. Elective Courses (3 courses - 9 credits total)
M.F.T. 603 Introduction to Trauma Studies (3 credits)
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M.F.T. 689 Migration and Mental Health (3 credits)
M.F.T. 764** Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy V (1-3 credits)
*Students who are planning to apply to the doctoral program are encouraged to take HFS 621
** Students may not register for more than one practicum course in one semester.
Master’s Program of Study
All students must file a typed Program of Study with the Chair before the beginning of their final semester of study.
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Students wishing to transfer in credits should file their Program of Study by the end of their first semester of study and file a petition if they wish to substitute transfer credits for a required course. Students, who wish to use coursework taken prior to seven years before their degree date, must file a petition providing evidence that the student has maintained current knowledge in the field to do so.
Master’s Academic Advisor
Faculty members serve as academic advisors for students enrolled in the master’s degree program. The academic advisor is responsible for overseeing the program of study process as well as ensuring that all requirements have been completed satisfactorily for graduation. Students are responsible for scheduling appointments with their academic advisor at least once a year to review progress and make changes if needed.
Master’s Project or Thesis
Students decide whether they wish to complete an M.F.T. Capstone Project or Thesis. Students planning to enter the M.F.T. doctoral program are encouraged to use the Master’s Project or Thesis as an opportunity to gain research experience.
Master’s Capstone Project
Students who are not engaging in thesis research must complete an MFT-related capstone project and be at Peck Hall (for residential students) or attend the Zoom Capstone meeting (for online students) one day at the end of spring semester (date and time to be announced). Students who are completing a thesis are invited (but not required) to participate as well in the research poster sessions.
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Research proposal: Closely following guidelines for final research proposal MFT 663 (if you have not taken this course, please contact Dr. Watson for research proposal guidelines), students may choose to present a proposal for research on any topic of interest relevant to M.F.T. If a student is using the research proposal from M.F.T. 663, there must be additional components (i.e. additional literature review, add information regarding methodology, include measurement tools, etc.).
Clinical case studies: Students may choose to present a clinical case including - detailed description of theoretical conceptualization, intervention planning and implementation, outcome, cultural competence, and role of self of therapist. Please remove all identifying information about the case so that clients' privacy is completely and absolutely protected. To insure complete confidentiality, meet with the supervisor of the case you are presenting and review methods for de-identification. Supervisor and student must sign Form A: Capstone De-identification Authorization Form and the Form must be submitted to Beth Ciciarelli one week prior to presentation.
Special topics related to MFT practice and/or research: Students may also choose to present information that advances MFT training. Topics may include and are not limited to - presenting problems, issues of diversity, cultural humility, specialized treatment approaches, working with special communities or groups, etc.
Presentation format:
Research poster sessions: Research proposals will be presented in the form of an academic poster summarizing research question, review of literature, proposed methodology and implications. Students will be ready to answer questions from faculty, staff, students, and guests.
Symposia: Clinical case studies and Special topics will be presented in symposia. Groups of 3-4 presenters will present their topics for about 10 minutes each. Groups will consist of topics around a similar idea or theme. A member of the faculty will serve as moderator for each session. Presentations will be followed by Q & A for about 15 minutes.
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Students must complete a Master's Project Proposal Form and have it approved by their mentor by early spring (date to be announced). A Presentation Approval Form must also be submitted to and signed by the mentor prior to the final presentation.
M.F.T. Thesis Policy and Procedure
Students interested in conducting master’s theses must meet with an M.F.T. advisor to begin the process. Once an advisor has approved of the thesis idea, the student asks at least one additional M.F.T. faculty member(s) to be on their committee. Once a meeting occurs with the student, advisor and additional family member(s), the Masters Thesis Proposal Form is signed by the student, advisor, additional M.F.T. faculty member(s), and Chair of the Research Committee (who may be the advisor or the additional M.F.T. faculty member).
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Students planning to complete a Masters Project or Thesis should register for M.F.T. 997 (Masters Project/Thesis) for 0 credits.
Master’s Clinical Requirements
500 Supervised Clinical Hours
Students must complete 500 supervised clinical hours of direct (i.e., face-to-face) client contact with individuals, couples, families, or other systems at approved practica sites prior to graduation. They must be enrolled in M.F.T. Practicum, for at least five semesters and should maintain a minimum of 5-8 direct client contact hours per week each semester they are enrolled. Students may not register for more than one practicum course in one semester. Students may register for an additional practicum course (M.F.T. 764) should they need additional time to complete the clinical requirements of the program. M.F.T. 764 may be chosen as an elective if the student needs additional time to complete clinical hours.
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Additionally, students must keep a record of hours spent at their practicum site, including client appointments, supervision, meetings, and time spent working on-site to complete case notes. These hours may be used to fulfill licensure requirements in some states.
Requirements for Supervision
Students must receive 1 hour of supervision for every 5 client hours and accumulate a minimum of 100 hours of group and individual supervision during the required 500 client hours. Students must experience both individual and group supervision during the course of their practica, and individual supervision must occur at least once every other week during the time that students are seeing clients. Individual supervision is counted when 1-2 students are receiving supervision together or one student is receiving live supervision. Group supervision may include no more than six students in a supervisory group. When more than two students are in the supervision group, students behind the one-way mirror receive credit for group supervision if (a) at least one supervisor is present behind the mirror, (b) there are no more than 5 students behind the mirror, and (c) the supervision experience involves an interactive process among the supervisor and the treatment team. The student therapist(s) working directly with the client may count the time as individual supervision.
At least 50 hours of the total supervision of a student's clinical work must involve the use of raw data (i.e., either direct observation, videotapes, or audiotapes). At least 25 hours of this supervision will be based on direct observation or videotapes. When students are involved in the direct or videotape supervision of a group member and a supervisor is present, all of the students may count this as direct or videotape supervision. Co-therapy counts as clinical hours if both student therapists are students and share in the responsibility for the case such as making interventions in therapy, making the appointments, writing the notes, and being the contact to manage crisis situations. When the student's supervisor is the co-student therapist the hour is counted only as supervision, unless the student also has primary responsibility for the case.
Requirements for M.F.T. Supervisor
All official supervision of M.F.T. students must be conducted by experienced marital and family therapists who are either A.A.M.F.T. Approved Supervisors, Supervisor Candidates, or the equivalent (* see below). When students receive occasional supervision from persons without the necessary credentials or by persons who are doctoral students in our Program, they may not count these supervision hours on their monthly records and their client hours must be signed for by their official supervisor. All supervisors must be actively involved in clinical practice and students should have some opportunity to observe their supervisor engaged in clinical work.
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A graduate course in M.F.T. relational/systemic supervision equivalent to three semester-credit hours
Postgraduate professional education in M.F.T. relational/systemic supervision of at least 30 clock hours
A state established M.F.T. supervisor designation that includes relational/systemic supervision training
Designation as an A.A.M.F.T. Approved Supervisor or A.A.M.F.T. Approved Supervisor Candidate
Registration for Clinical Practicum (Online)
Practicum is the course associated with clinical placement, it involves a clinical placement in the community/region in which the student resides. Students may not take multiple practicum courses in the same semester. The MFT Department at SU is not responsible for finding the Practicum site or clinical supervisor for students. Each student is required to find their own clinical placement, but the MFT Department (Online Internship Coordinator) will assist with developing each clinical placement site. The student is responsible to identify the Practicum site and connect the Internship Coordinator with the site to arrange the steps and requirements to formalize the internship placement. Placement sites must provide couple and family therapy services and offer opportunities for direct contact with clients, including relational sessions. In addition, there must be a supervisor at the site who is licensed and meets standards for supervisors. The Practicum courses can not be taken unless a student has a placement site that has been vetted through the above process and an agreement has been signed between the site and Syracuse University.
Registration for Clinical Practicum (Residential)
Students must satisfactorily complete M.F.T. 750 (Introduction to M.F.T. Practicum) and at least 12 credits of M.F.T. Practicum before graduation, Students register for M.F.T. 750 in their first semester and in a Practicum section for each of the next four semesters of their coursework. A student must take one additional term of Practicum for each term they receives a grade of less than B-. If after two full years, students require additional time to complete the clinical requirements, they will register for one additional Practicum section (M.F.T. 764) for each additional semester required. Students must stay at the placement site in which they are assigned until they complete their 500 hours (unless they begin doctoral work in another C.O.A.M.F.T.E.- accredited program and make arrangements with the program and S.U.’s Director of Clinical Services). Grades for M.F.T. Practicum will be determined by the supervisor or, in the case of students who have an outside placement and a placement at the Couple and Family Therapy Center, by the Center supervisor who will average the grade they would give the student with the grade given by the outside supervisor.
Student Membership in A.A.M.F.T.
All students must become student members of A.A.M.F.T. before beginning to see clients. Although professional professional liability insurance is provided to all students through a group insurance contract arranged by the university, we also require students to obtain liability insurance through A.A.M.F.T. A.A.M.F.T. provides the department with a discount code for students to use. The department provides this code to students when we receive it from A.A.M.F.T.
Regulations Regarding Private Practice
The 500 client hours required for M.F.T. 760 cannot be done in private practice owned by the student (i.e., fees paid to the student therapist by the client for services rendered outside of a University-approved agency), even if under the supervision of an Approved Supervisor. The policy of A.A.M.F.T. is that the M.A. degree is the qualifying degree for the field and, therefore, a person should not hold themselves out as a marriage and family student therapist before having received a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy or having completed an equivalent program of study.
Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage & Family Therapy
(Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education - C.O.A.M.F.T.E.)
Goals and Objectives
The 72-credit doctoral program in Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University seeks to prepare scholars who will advance research, theory, and teaching in the field of marriage and family therapy. Students are prepared primarily for research, teaching, and supervisory positions in graduate degree-granting institutions, training institutes, and health care settings. The program builds upon a clinical Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is designed to provide students with an understanding of advanced theory in marriage and family therapy with expertise in process and outcome research methodology in marriage and family therapy. Ph.D. students must take all required courses in residence and not on-line.
Academic Program Course Requirements
The doctoral program builds on an M.A. degree in M.F.T. or completion of courses equivalent to the C.O.A.M.F.T.E. Standard M.A. Curriculum. The 72 credit-hour curriculum consists of 33 credit hours from a M.A. in M.F.T. or equivalent; 12 credits of advanced theory and practice; 12 credits of advanced research methodology; 3 credits of elective; 6 credits of advanced practicum; and 6 credits of dissertation. Requirements also include a 9-month internship (advanced practical experience component) and satisfactory completion of the doctoral qualifying examination and the doctoral dissertation and related oral examination.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
Advanced Theory and Practice (12 credits*)
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Total credits required - 72 credits
Academic Advisor/Mentor
Students will be assigned an M.F.T. faculty member as their advisor at the time of admission to the Program. Unless they elect to change advisors and another faculty member agrees to serve as their advisor, this person will remain their advisor, serve as their graduate research advisor, and advise their dissertation.
Program of Study
All students must work with their advisor to file a typed Program of Study with the Graduate Director, before the end of their first semester of doctoral study. Upon approval by the Graduate Director, the student will send two copies to the Graduate School and submit one for their official Program file. It will be necessary to amend this Program of Study if the actual courses taken are different than those originally submitted.
Students may transfer up to 33 credits of appropriate graduate coursework from other universities if they have received a grade of B or better in the course. Practicum courses may not count as transfer courses. Students who have received an M.A. in M.F.T. from a C.O.A.M.F.T.E.- accredited program will be granted 33 credits automatically. Other students will have their programs evaluated on an individual basis in order to determine the extent to which their prior coursework was equivalent to the required M.F.T. M.A. coursework.
Clinical Requirements
All M.F.T. doctoral students are expected to continue clinical practice throughout their graduate study and to complete, prior to graduation, the 1000 supervised client contact hours with individuals, couples, and families. These 1000 client hours may be accumulated prior to doctoral work and/or during the doctoral practicum and internship experience. Up until they complete their doctoral internship, doctoral students are expected to submit signed monthly statements of client and supervision hours, and these hours must meet the same standards outlined for the Master's Program. At least 50% of their client contact hours must be with couples or families physically present in the therapy room, at least 50% of their supervision must be individual supervision, and at least 50% of their supervision must be based on live, videotaped, or audiotaped session data. Doctoral students must receive 1 hour of supervision for every 5 client contact hours, with the exception of internship students who must have one hour of supervision weekly. All supervision must be by Approved Supervisors, Supervisors Candidates or the equivalent.
M.F.T. 860, Advanced M.F.T. Practicum
All doctoral students must see clients at the Couple and Family Therapy Center under the supervision of the M.F.T. faculty for two years and register for a total of 6 credits of M.F.T. 860. At the end of summer session 2 of their final year in the Center, students will transfer remaining clinic cases to students working in the Center. Because there is a gap in services until new students arrive, please work carefully with the doctoral faculty for on-call emergency coverage of all transfer cases.
It is also expected that second-year doctoral students help train first-year students in the Center procedures and paperwork requirements.
M.F.T. 960, M.F.T. Internship (Advanced Practical Experience Component)
Students cannot begin the internship until all coursework and case notes are up to date and the qualifying examination is passed (unless otherwise negotiated with the doctoral committee).
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The Advanced Practical Experience Component: Programs that teach the advanced curriculum must offer the advanced experience component. Areas include selected experiences consistent with the program's mission, goals, and outcomes in any of the following: advanced research, grant-writing, teaching, supervision, consultation, advanced clinical theory, clinical practice/innovation, program development, leadership, or policy. In addition, programs may offer experiences in presenting and professional writing. The program must demonstrate appropriate and adequate mentoring of students during the experience. The advanced experiences offered by doctoral degree programs must address a minimum of two of the areas noted above and combined be over a minimum of 9 months.
Research experiences may include (not limited to) developing independent research projects, writing up manuscripts for publication and conference presentations, applying for external funding, and assisting in faculty research. Teaching experiences may include (not limited to) assisting or co-teaching with faculty members.
Doctoral Qualifying Examination
Doctoral students may take their qualifying exams once they have begun their last semester of coursework and completed all case notes. All students must have taken and passed their qualifying exams by the end of the first full (fall or spring) semester immediately following the completion of coursework. The examination is in three parts: a) written portion; b) research component; and c) oral examination. The doctoral committee will evaluate the qualifying exam materials.
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If students do not take qualifying examinations within six months of the completion of their last class, they will not be in good standing with the Program and must schedule a meeting with the faculty to plan a course of action.
Written Portion of the Qualifying Examination:
Each student must submit a paper that demonstrates a thorough understanding of their philosophy of family systems-based therapy, grounded in germinal and extant family therapy literature. There is no page limit for the paper. It must demonstrate doctoral level writing skills (correct grammar, proper paragraph and sentence structure, clear and succinct language, correct A.P.A. style and referencing).
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Theory of Therapy: An in-depth delineation of students’ theory of therapy, including a discussion of their assumptions about how change occurs, a description of related intervention strategies, an analysis of self-of-the-therapist reflection and their use of self in therapy, a social justice analysis of their theoretical orientation, and a statement about the definition of health.
Students are expected to use germinal theorists when they reference theory. It is expected that students will have read the most important works that have been written by the theorists they are using. It is also expected that critiques written about theorists will be explored in their papers.
If students are using multiple theoretical orientations, it is expected that they apply an in-depth analysis of ways to integrate the orientations and ways the integration may not be possible.
Concrete examples of how students have used their theoretical orientation should be peppered throughout the theory of therapy paper. These examples may or may not be about the case they are presenting below.
It is expected that use of self concepts involve self-of-the-therapist reflections. These reflections should be given their own section and infused throughout the paper.
Description of Case: An in-depth description of one family or couple case which illustrates the above theory, including description of the clients, overview of the course of treatment, review of any assessment instruments utilized, discussion of related cultural and gender issues, and evaluation of the interventions given the context of the therapy. The role of supervision in the development of the case should be clear. Include at least one example of how supervision informed the work. This section of the paper should conclude with a detailed discussion of how the student’s theory was illustrated in the clinical work with the case.
Research Component:
Students will be given their research articles by 9am the day after they hand in the written portion of the qualifying examination to the faculty. The research article will be chosen by the faculty from the last five years of one of the major journals in family therapy. Students have a week from that day to write an in- depth critique of the article (8-10 pages) along with a research proposal designed to address and expand on the issues raised in the critique (8-10 pages). The research proposal is an elaboration of the ideas on how to re-do the study. The methodological design that is proposed can either be quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods. At the end of the week, students must submit the article critique and proposal to the faculty. Students may not consult faculty, students, family, or friends during this process. After submitting the research component of the qualifying examination, students have one week to prepare for the oral exam in both theory and research.
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If a student hands in their theory of therapy paper on the 17th of January, they will be given a research article that day.
Submit to faculty the article critique and research proposal on the 24th of January by 5:00 PM.
Clinical presentation and orals for theory and research will take place on the 31st of January.
Oral Presentation and Examination:
The oral examination is given two weeks after the student hands in their written portion to the faculty. The student should schedule a three-hour block of time for the oral presentation and defense.
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Students who fail the written and/or research part of the examination may not begin their internships until they resubmit and pass these portions.
Dissertation
Dissertation Proposal
Students may defend their dissertation proposal after all their course work is satisfactorily completed and the qualifying examination has been passed. The preparation of a dissertation proposal will be supervised by a dissertation committee composed of at least three faculty members chosen by the student on the basis of their area of special interest. The committee will be chaired by the student’s advisor and must include at least one other M.F.T. faculty member; the remaining member may come from either inside or outside the College. If the student and advisor deem it advisable and useful, they may add additional members.
After meeting with the dissertation advisor and committee to discuss the proposed research, the student will prepare a written proposal to the committee for their feedback and suggestions. When the advisor and student believe the written proposal to be complete, it will be submitted to the committee for their formal review and a date for oral presentation will be established. Immediately following the oral presentation and discussion, the dissertation committee will vote to approve the proposal. Following approval, the student will seek clearance from the University Institutional Review Board’s Human Subjects Committee to conduct the research.
Dissertation Oral Examination
Prior to the oral defense, two persons (in addition to the dissertation committee) will be recruited by the student and advisor to serve as readers of the completed dissertation and to participate in the oral examination. These persons can be faculty from the Department, the College, another department of the University, or external to the University. The student, with the advisor’s help, must also recruit a Chair for the oral defense, to represent the Graduate School at the defense meeting. At least three weeks before the defense, the student must file forms with the Graduate School designating members of the oral examination committee and submit the “Request for Exam” paperwork. At least two weeks before the defense, the student must provide all six members of the examination committee (advisor and two committee persons, two readers, and chair of the oral exam) with a final copy of the dissertation. The dissertation must meet all requirements as stated in Academic Rules and Regulations.
M.F.T. Faculty and Staff
Faculty
Dyane Watson, Ph.D., Department Chair and Doctoral Graduate Director, Professor of Practice
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Tristan Martin, Ph.D., Assistant Teaching Professor
Clinical Staff
Tyler Sliker, M.A., Director of Clinical Services
Rebecca Berard, M.A., Internship Coordinator
Administrative Staff
Beth Ciciarelli, Administrative Assistant
Anne Metzger-Wormuth, Clinic Office Coordinator
Appendix A: Master’s Project/Thesis Guidelines and Forms - 2022-2023
Master’s Project or Thesis Guidelines
Master’s Project Master’s Project or Thesis
Students decide whether they wish to complete a master’s project/thesis or take the comprehensive examination (must have Advisor and Department Chair approval). Students cannot choose the project/thesis option after failing the comprehensive examination or the comprehensive examination option after failing to have their final project approved. Once a student has indicated in writing a plan to take the comprehensive examination, the only way to fulfill the requirements for graduation is to successfully pass the examination (students are allowed to retake the examination two times). Conversely, once a student has indicated a plan to pursue the Master’s Project/Thesis and the associated proposal has been approved, the student cannot decide to elect to take the comprehensive examination. Students planning to enter the M.F.T. doctoral program are encouraged to use the Master’s Project/Thesis as an opportunity to gain research experience.
Master’s Project/Thesis - Development of project proposal
The Master’s Project/Thesis is designed to allow students an opportunity for a creative [scholarly experience. The student should arrange with the Department Chair to serve as Project Mentor. After the Department Chair has approved the topic, the student will complete the Master's Project/Thesis Proposal Form (see Administrative Assistant for copy). The signature of the Chair indicates that a contract has been established between the mentor and the student. If changes are requested, the student will resubmit the proposal with changes or submit a response letter addressing the concerns. After receiving written approval, the form is submitted to the Administrative Assistant who places the form in the student's permanent file. The student may then proceed with the project or the thesis.
If the project/thesis is a research study, students must receive I.R.B. approval Before conducting any research. This is true for research done outside of Syracuse University, as long as the research is being conducted or presented/published by an S.U. student, I.R.B. approval is needed.
Master’s Project - Approval of completed project
The project/thesis will be considered complete when the Department Chair gives final approval. The Chair may indicate in writing any changes required in order to receive approval. The student and Chair will work together to revise and resubmit the project/thesis. If a student is unable to obtain the necessary approval, they will fail the Master’s Project/Thesis.
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Students planning to complete a Master’s Project/Thesis should register for M.F.T. 997 (Master’s Project/Thesis) for 0 credits.
Master’s Project/Capstone Contract Form
Capstone Day May 2, 2019
Due: February 21, 2019 (Submit with signatures to Tracey Reichert-Schimpff)
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Date of meeting with mentor to discuss capstone presentation (must be before 4/18): add date
Mentor Signature: | Date: |
Student Signature: | Date: |
Master’s Thesis Proposal Form
Student: add name
Date Proposed: add date
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Chair of Research Committee Signature: | Date: |
Student Signature: | Date: |
Electronic Dissertation/Thesis Submittal Checklist
Please read this checklist in its entirety. This checklist will hep you through the submittal process of your Dissertation/Thesis.
Before you begin:
Review the Syracuse University U.M.I. E.T.D. websiteso that you understand what is involved in preparing and submitting an electronic dissertation/thesis. You can establish a login and password at the Proquest submission site, however, submit only your final, approved dissertation/thesis. Important note: When you are selecting your publishing options, you will be presented with information regarding the Proquest Publishing.
Options (P.Q. publishing options) and IR publishing options. IR stands for Institutional Repository. SUrface is the name of Syracuse University's Institutional Repository. It is optional for you to choose to have your work available in SUrface. SUrface allows your work to be available via open access. This means your work will be found via search engines like google. Learn more about SUrface.
Review the format Guidelines for Doctoral Dissertations & Master’s Thesis:
Title Pages: An unsigned title page must be included in your final dissertation/thesis pdf. An original signed title page is to be signed and dated by your advisor and delivered to the Graduate School, 304 Lyman Hall. When signing your title page, your advisor is confirming that you have completed all of the revisions and/or requirements that were requested at the time of your defense. It is very important that the completion date on your title page appear as the month and year that you will graduate; e.g. June 2013, August 2013, December 2013 or May 2014.
Copyright Page: Acopyright page must be included in your dissertation/thesis immediately following your Title Page.
Convert your dissertation/thesis to pdf: Once your advisor has approved your final dissertation/thesis you will need to convert your dissertation/thesis to an Adobe pdf file (or possibly multiple files). If you do not already know a method for doing so, there is an easy to use converter at the E.T.D. Administrator site that you can use once you log in.
Carefully review your converted pdf document to ensure there were no errors in the conversion (i.e. missing pages).
Submit the final, approved copy of the dissertation/thesis:Go to the Syracuse University U.M.I. E.T.D. websiteand follow the instructions there for submitting a dissertation/thesis. You should have your credit card handy so that you can pay Proquest online. You can start the process, logout, and login again later; your work will be saved. If you have any questions or encounter problems, contact Proquest electronically or by phone: 1.877.408.5027 (9am-6 pm E.S.T.). You may also check the Best Practices or FAQs pages on this website.
After you have submitted: You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of the dissertation/thesis.
The document will then be reviewed by the E.T.D. administrator in the Graduate School before it is approved and transmitted to Proquest/U.M.I. If there is something wrong with the file(s), someone will email you.
Appendix B: Clinical Readiness Rubric
1. Self-Awareness
1. Self awareness | Definition | 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A. Knowledge of self | Aware of thoughts, feelings, beliefs; Open to exploring self, family of origin as they relate to clinician development. | Student displays exceptional skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays advancing skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays target-level competencies with early skill development. | Student displays beginning recognition of target-level competencies with readiness for skill development. | Student displays difficulty engaging this area that may jeopardize future skill development. |
B. Awareness of reactivity | Observes and manages self in interaction with other; sustains response flexibility in emotionally charged interaction; Self-regulates affective arousal; reflects on self emotion during arousal & interactively following arousal; | Student displays exceptional skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays advancing skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays target-level competencies with early skill development. | Student displays beginning recognition of target-level competencies with readiness for skill development. | Student displays difficulty engaging this area that may jeopardize future skill development. |
C. Ability to use voice | Can articulate beliefs and position while recognizing contextual factors of those showing difference from self; responds to diversity with positive professional regard. | Student displays exceptional skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays advancing skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays target-level competencies with early skill development. | Student displays beginning recognition of target-level competencies with readiness for skill development. | Student displays difficulty engaging this area that may jeopardize future skill development |
2. Interpersonal Skills
2. Interpersonal Skills | Definition | 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A. Ability to stay present. | Uses self-presence and influence to promote strengths; balances effective listening and therapeutic system purpose; promotes process responsive to need. | Student displays exceptional skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays advancing skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays target-level competencies with early skill development. | Student displays beginning recognition of target-level competencies with readiness for skill development. | Student displays difficulty engaging this area that may jeopardize future skill development. |
B. Ability to convey empathy and respect. | Generates trust and confidence in relationships; notes and addresses relationship breeches with effective repair; Demonstrates ability to connect deeply with others. | Student displays exceptional skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays advancing skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays target-level competencies with early skill development. | Student displays beginning recognition of target-level competencies with readiness for skill development. | Student displays difficulty engaging this area that may jeopardize future skill development. |
C. Response to feedback. | Responds positively to feedback; open to learning and growth opportunities, integrates suggestions into work. | Student displays exceptional skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays advancing skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays beginning recognition of target-level competencies with early skill development. | Student displays beginning recognition of target-level competencies with readiness for skill development. | Student displays difficulty engaging this area that may jeopardize future skill development. |
3. Academic Skills
3 Academic Skills | Definition | 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A. Understanding of M.F.T. theory and concepts. | Integrates concepts/theories into clear working model of therapy; engages and understands abstract concepts; accurate grasp of theoretical models and constructs; uses knowledge as resource for supervision and practice. | Student displays exceptional skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays advancing skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays target-level competencies with early skill development. | Student displays beginning recognition of target-level competencies with readiness for skill development. | Student displays difficulty engaging this area that may jeopardize future skill development. |
B. Writing skills | Writes clearly and produces quality graduate level work; | Student displays exceptional skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays advancing skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays target-level competencies with early skill development. | Student displays beginning recognition of target-level competencies with readiness for skill development. | Student displays difficulty engaging this area that may jeopardize future skill development. |
C. Organizational skills | Demonstrates ability to be organized, manage time and responsibilities; responsive to requests for action. | Student displays exceptional skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays advancing skill in multiple areas of target-level competencies. | Student displays target-level competencies with early skill development. | Student displays beginning recognition of target-level competencies with readiness for skill development. | Student displays difficulty engaging this area that may jeopardize future skill development. |
Appendix C: S.U. M.F.T. Masters Evaluation Timeline
Program Outcomes
Program Outcome | Variable | Benchmark | How often | Analyzed by: (Title) | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1. Student progress: Students will successfully complete the S.U.M.F.T. program requirements and graduate. | Graduation Rates | 1. At least 80% of admitted students will graduate within five years of registering for their first M.F.T. course. | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | S.U.M.F.T. Student Tracking Sheet |
#2 Alumni Achievement: Graduated students will be successful in pursuing either a career in Marriage and Family Therapy or doctoral education. | National Exam Rates | 1. At least 80% of responders who sit for the national M.F.T. licensure examination will pass. | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | S.U.M.F.T. Alumni Survey/ S.U.M.F.T. Student Tracking Sheet |
#2 Alumni Achievement: Graduated students will be successful in pursuing either a career in Marriage and Family Therapy or doctoral education. | M.F.T. Licensure Rates | 2. At least 80% of responders who are interested in obtaining an M.F.T. license are successful in obtaining preliminary and or full licensure (appropriate to their state and location). | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | S.U.M.F.T. Alumni Survey/ S.U.M.F.T. Student Tracking Sheet |
#2 Alumni Achievement: Graduated students will be successful in pursuing either a career in Marriage and Family Therapy or doctoral education. | M.F.T. Employment Rates | 3. At least 80% of responders, who are interested in M.F.T. or a related mental health position or in continued education, will successfully find employment in an M.F.T. or related position, or acceptance into a program for continuing education (i.e., Ph.D. Program). | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | S.U.M.F.T. Alumni Survey/ S.U.M.F.T. Student Tracking Sheet |
#3 Commitment to Diversity: The S.U. M.F.T. program will show clear commitment to diversity through curriculum content and student composition. | Curriculum Diversity Content | 1. At least 75% of our courses will have at least one diversity-oriented assignment. | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | P.D. | S.U.M.F.T. Diversity in Curriculum Tracking Sheet. |
#3 Commitment to Diversity: The S.U. M.F.T. program will show clear commitment to diversity through curriculum content and student composition. | Program Demographic Diversity | 2.At least 40% of students and faculty in the department will self-identify with program-identified characteristics of a diverse population (gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, culture, environment, health/ability, nationality, religion, spirituality, and socio economic status) as reported on the Demographic Questionnaire, assessed yearly. | Yearly/ Dec Faculty Meet | Eval Faculty | S.U.M.F.T. Demographic Survey |
Program Goals
Goal | Outcome | Variable | Benchmark | How often | Analyzed by: (Title) | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Program Goal #1 (Self-in-Systems) To train family systems professionals who are informed by a Self in Systems perspective. | S.L.O.#1: Students will demonstrate awareness and regulation of self in system. | Self in context | 1. At least 70% of students will receive a 3 or higher rating on the Clinical Readiness Interview Rubric (specifically 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, and 2c), assessed at the end of student’s first fall semester of clinical practice (M.F.T. 750-Introduction to M.F.T. Practice (first class of the Practicum course series)) (assessed annually. | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | Clinical Readiness Interview Rubric |
Program Goal #1 (Self-in-Systems) To train family systems professionals who are informed by a Self in Systems perspective. | S.L.O.#1: Students will demonstrate awareness and regulation of self in system. | Self in context | 2.At least 70% of students will receive a 3 or higher rating on the Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Students (specifically 4a, 4b, 4g, 4i, 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d), assessed at the end of each semester that the student is clinically active (Practicum course series). | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Students |
Program Goal #2 (Diversity) To prepare family systems professionals who are sensitive to, and engaged with social justice issues. | S.L.O.#2: Students will demonstrate engagement with cultural and contextual differences. | Engagement with differences | 1: At least 70% of students will receive a B or better on the final project inM.F.T. 684. | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | M.F.T. 684 Final Project Rubric |
Program Goal #2 (Diversity) To prepare family systems professionals who are sensitive to, and engaged with social justice issues. | S.L.O.#2: Students will demonstrate engagement with cultural and contextual differences. | Clinical Diversity Competency | 2. At least 70% of students will receive a 3 or higher rating on the Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Students (specifically questions 4b, 4g, 6b and 6d which are associated with cultural and contextual engagement). | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Students |
Program Goal #3 (Practice) To prepare family systems professionals who are competent systems clinicians able to provide services across a variety of contexts. | S.L.O.#3: Students will demonstrate M.F.T. clinical competency skills across a variety of contexts. | Clinical Competency | 1.At least 70% of students will receive a 3 or higher rating on the Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Students (specifically 1a-f, 2a-e, 3a-d, 4c-f, and 4h), assessed at the end of each semester that the student is clinically active (Practicum course series). | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Students |
Program Goal #4 (Ethics) To prepare family systems professionals with knowledge and skills for M.F.T. legal and ethical analysis and decision-making. | S.L.O.#4: Students will demonstrate an applied knowledge of M.F.T. legal and ethical guidelines and professional standards. | Ethical Competency | 1. At least 70% of students will receive a B or better on the final project in M.F.T. 681 (Ethics- Personal and Professional Integration Paper). | Yearly/ Dec Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | Ethics Integration Rubric |
Program Goal #4 (Ethics) To prepare family systems professionals with knowledge and skills for M.F.T. legal and ethical analysis and decision-making. | S.L.O.#4: Students will demonstrate an applied knowledge of M.F.T. legal and ethical guidelines and professional standards. | Ethical Competency | 2. At least 70% of students will receive a 3 or higher rating on the Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Students (specifically 5a-d), assessed at the end of each semester that the student is clinically active (Practicum course series). | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Students |
Program Goal #5 (Knowledge and Research) To prepare family systems professionals with an educational foundation grounded in family systems theory and research informed practice. | S.L.O.#5: Students will demonstrate an applied knowledge of M.F.T. historical, current, and research-informed theoretical information. | M.F.T. Theory Knowledge | 1. At least 70% of students will receive a B or higher rating two family systems theory course exams (M.F.T. 671 and M.F.T. 682). | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | Theory Exams |
Program Goal #5 (Knowledge and Research) To prepare family systems professionals with an educational foundation grounded in family systems theory and research informed practice. | S.L.O.#5: Students will demonstrate an applied knowledge of M.F.T. historical, current, and research-informed theoretical information. | M.F.T. Theory Application | 1. At least 70% of students will receive a 3 or higher rating on the Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Students (specifically 1a and 4a), assessed at the end of each semester that the student is clinically active (Practicum course series). | Yearly/ April Faculty Meet | Evaluation Faculty | Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Students |
Appendix D: S.U. M.F.T. Ph.D. Evaluation Timeline
Ph.D. Program Outcomes
Program Outcomes (PO) | Variable | Benchmark | When | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|
P.O. #1. Student Achievement: Students will successfully complete the S.U. M.F.T. program requirements and graduate. | Graduation Rates | 1. At least 60% of admitted students will graduate within five years of completing their qualifying exam. | Summer | S.U. M.F.T. Student Tracking Sheet |
P.O. #2. Alumni Achievement: Graduated students will be successful in pursuing a career advancing Marriage and Family Therapy or related fields. | M.F.T. Employment Rates | 1. At least 80% of responders will successfully find employment advancing M.F.T. or related field within 2 years of graduation. | Summer | S.U. M.F.T. Alumni Survey/ S.U. M.F.T. Student Tracking Sheet |
P.O. #3. Commitment to Diversity: The S.U. M.F.T. program will show clear commitment to diversity through curriculum content and student composition. | Curriculum Diversity Content | 1. At least 75% of our courses will have at least one diversity-oriented assignment or have diversity topics integrated throughout the semester. | Summer | S.U. M.F.T. Diversity in Curriculum Tracking Sheet. |
P.O. #3. Commitment to Diversity: The S.U. M.F.T. program will show clear commitment to diversity through curriculum content and student composition. | Program Demographic Diversity | 2. At least 40% of students and faculty in the department will self-identify with program-identified characteristics of a diverse population (gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, culture, environment, health/ability, nationality, religion, spirituality, and socio economic status). | Fall | S.U. M.F.T. Demographic Survey |
P.O. #3. Commitment to Diversity: The S.U. M.F.T. program will show clear commitment to diversity through curriculum content and student composition. | Research on Diversity | 3. At least 40% of dissertation research will focus on a diversity topic or a diversity related population. | Summer | S.U. M.F.T. Student Tracking Sheet |
Ph.D. Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes (S.L.O.) | Variable | Benchmark | When | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|
S.L.O.#1: Students will demonstrate competence in advanced theory and theory building. | Theory Building | 1. At least 80% of students will pass their qualifying examination which articulates their theory of therapy. | Summer | Assessed by Qual Theory component. Tracked on S.U. M.F.T. D Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#1: Students will demonstrate competence in advanced theory and theory building. | Philosophy of Supervision | 2. At least 80% of students will receive a B or higher on the M.F.T. 861 assignment in which they articulate their philosophy of supervision. | Summer | M.F.T. 861 Phil of Sup Assignment Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#1: Students will demonstrate competence in advanced theory and theory building. | Theory Building | 3. At least 80% of students will receive a B or higher on the M.F.T. 865 assignment related to theory development including but not limited to Systems Theory, Family Development, and/or M.F.T. Clinical theory. | Fall | M.F.T. 865 Theory Dev Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#2: Students will demonstrate research competence. | Research Competence | 1. At least 80% of students will pass the research portion of the qualifying examination. | Summer | Assessed by Qual Res component. Tracked on S.U. M.F.T.-D. Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#2: Students will demonstrate research competence. | Ethical Competence | 2. At least 80% of students will demonstrate skills of ethical research and cultural sensitivity consistent with the Code of Ethics of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy as evident by completion of the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (C.I.T.I.) training before dissertation proposal approval. | Summer | C.I.T.I. Certificate. Tracked on S.U. M.F.T.-D. Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#2: Students will demonstrate research competence. | Research Dissemination | 3. At least 80% of students will receive a B or higher on the M.F.T. 882 Evaluative Assignment in which they write a publishable paper regarding Marriage and Family Therapy outcome or process research. | Summer | M.F.T. 882 Evaluative Assignment. Traced on S.U. M.F.T.-D. Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#2: Students will demonstrate research competence. | Research Competence | 4. At least 80% of students will attend at least one research seminar and/or training workshop while in residence. | Summer | Attendance Confirmation. Tracked on S.U. M.F.T.-D. Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#3 Students will demonstrate supervisory competence. | Supervisor Competence | 1. At least 80% of students will receive a B or better in M.F.T. 861 (Supervision of Therapy) course. | Fall | M.F.T. 861 Phil of Sup Course Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#3 Students will demonstrate supervisory competence. | Supervisor Competence | 2. At least 80% of students will provide 18 hours of supervision to master level M.F.T. students. | Summer | S.U. M.F.T. D Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#3 Students will demonstrate supervisory competence. | Supervisor Competence | 3. At least 80% of students will maintain an A.A.M.F.T. membership. | Summer | S.U. M.F.T. D Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#4: Students will demonstrate professional teaching competence. | Teaching Effectiveness | 1. At least 80% of students will pass the oral examination of their qualifying exam which assesses their ability to teach theoretical constructs. | Summer | Assessed by Qual Teach component. Tracked on S.U. M.F.T.-D. Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#4: Students will demonstrate professional teaching competence. | Teaching Effectiveness | 2. At least 80% of students will receive a B or better in the teaching assignment for M.F.T. 865. | Summer | S.U. M.F.T. D. Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#4: Students will demonstrate professional teaching competence. | Teaching Effectiveness | 3. At least 80% of students will be the presenter for at least one poster, paper, and/or workshop at a professional meeting while in residence. | Summer | S.U. M.F.T. D. Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#5: Students will demonstrate clinical competence. | Clinical Competence | 1. At least 80% of students will complete 1,000 clinical hours with 200 hours of supervision by an A.A.M.F.T. Approved Supervisor or equivalent by graduation. | Summer | Clinical Hours Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#5: Students will demonstrate clinical competence. | Clinical Competence | 2. At least 80% of students will receive a 3 or higher rating on the Evaluation Form of Student completed by supervisor | Each Semester | Eval Form of Student |
S.L.O.#5: Students will demonstrate clinical competence. | Ethical Competence | 3. Students will demonstrate skills of ethical practice and cultural sensitivity consistent with the Code of Ethics of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy as evidenced by at least 80% of students will receive a 3 or higher rating on the Evaluation Form of Student completed by Supervisor (See Appendix F: Evaluation Form of Student completed by Supervisor) (specifically 4a, 4b, 4g, 4i, 5a-d 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d), assessed each semester. | Each Semester | Eval Form of Student (Ethics) |
S.L.O.#6: Students will demonstrate awareness and engagement with cultural and contextual differences. | Quals Cultural Engagement | 1. At least 80% of students will pass the cultural awareness portion of the qualifying examination. | Summer | Assessed by Qual Cultural component. Tracked on S.U. M.F.T.-D Student Tracking Sheet |
S.L.O.#6: Students will demonstrate awareness and engagement with cultural and contextual differences. | Cultural Competence | 2. At least 80% of students will receive a B or better in the Cultural Diversity assignment for M.F.T. 865. | Summer | M.F.T. 875 Cultural Diversity Assignment Tracking Sheet |
Faculty Outcomes
Faculty Outcomes (F.O.) | Variables | Benchmarks | When | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|
F.O.#1. Faculty will meet Syracuse University expectations for research, teaching, scholarship, and service. | S.U. Faculty Expectations | 1. Completion of yearly Curriculum Vitae Update Form and successful review by the Dean’s office. | Spring | Curriculum Vitea Update Form |
F.O.#2. Faculty will contribute to students’ successful completion of program requirements through effective teaching, advising/mentoring and supervision. | Teaching Effectiveness | 1. At least 80% of instructors will receive an average score of 3 or higher on the Evaluation Form of Instructor completed by Students (See Appendix I: Evaluation Form of Instructor completed by Students), assessed each semester. | Summer | Evaluation Form of Instructor |
F.O.#2. Faculty will contribute to students’ successful completion of program requirements through effective teaching, advising/mentoring and supervision. | Supervisory Effectiveness | 2.At least 80% of supervisors will receive an average score of 3 or higher on the Evaluation Form of Supervisor completed by Supervisee, assessed each semester. | Summer | Evaluation Form of Supervisor |
F.O.#2. Faculty will contribute to students’ successful completion of program requirements through effective teaching, advising/mentoring and supervision. | Mentoring Effectiveness | 3.At least 80% of advisor mentors will advise dissertation research to completion. | Summer | S.U. M.F.T. Student Tracking Sheet |
Appendix E: Master’s Degree Plan Information
Master's Degree Plan Template
Name: add name
Date: add date
...
add transfer courses and credits
Sample Full-time Master's Degree Plan
Semester | 2019-20 | Credits | 2020-2021 | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | M.F.T. 671 Theory (3 credits) M.F.T. 661 Practice I (3 credits) M.F.T. 681 Ethics (3 credits) M.F.T. 750 Practicum (3 credits) | 12 | M.F.T. 724 Psychopathology (3 credits) M.F.T. 663 Research Methods (3 credits) M.F.T. 762 Practicum 3 (3 credits) | 9 |
Spring | M.F.T. 682 Theory (3 credits) M.F.T. 662 Practice II (3 credits) M.F.T. 684 Diversity (3 credits) M.F.T. 760 Practicum 1 (3 credits) | 12 | M.F.T. 781 Alcohol and Drugs (AOD) (3 credits) M.F.T. 668 Family Life Cycle (3 credits) Master’s Project M.F.T. 763 Practicum 4 (3 credits) | 9 |
Summer MM | Elective 1 | 3 | no classes | no credits |
Summer S-I | M.F.T. 567 Sexual Issues (3 credits) Elective 2 (3 credits) M.F.T. 761 Practicum 2 (3 credits) | 9 | no classes | no credits |
Summer S- II | M.F.T. 672 Couples Therapy (3 credits) Elective 3 (3 credits) | 6 | no classes | no credits |
Sub Total | - | 42 | - | 18 |
Total | - | 42 | - | 60 |
M.F.T. Master's Degree Plan with Trauma C.A.S.
Semester | 2019-20 | Credits | 2020-2021 | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | M.F.T. 671 Theory (3 credits) M.F.T. 661 Practice (3 credits) M.F.T. 681 Ethics (3 credits) M.F.T. 750 Practicum (3 credits) | 12 | M.F.T. 603 Intro to Trauma 3 (Elective 2) * M.F.T. 724 Psychopathology (3 credits) * M.F.T. 663 Research Methods (3 credits) M.F.T. 762 Practicum 3 (3 credits) | 12 |
Spring | M.F.T. 682 Theory (3 credits) M.F.T. 662 Practice (3 credits) M.F.T. 684 Diversity (3 credits) M.F.T. 760 Practicum 1 (3 credits) | 12 | M.F.T. 781 A.O.D. (3 credits) M.F.T. 688 Family Life Cycles (3 credits) * S.W.K. 740 Ind treatment of trauma (3 credits) (Elective 3) * M.F.T. 763 Practicum 4 (3 credits) | 12 |
Summer MM | M.F.T. 643 Trauma with children/families (1 elective) * | 3 | no classes | no credits |
Summer S-I | M.F.T. 567 Sexual Issues (3 credits) M.F.T. 761 Practicum 2 (3 credits) | 6 | no classes | no credits |
Summer S- II | M.F.T. 672 Couples therapy | 3 | no classes | no credits |
Sub Total | - | 36 | - | 24 |
Total | - | 36 | - | 60 |
*C.A.S. Courses
Required (3 of 4 from M.F.T. 603, M.F.T. 643, S.W.K. 704, S.W.K. 700), Plus 2 approved electives
Transfer 3 credits from M.F.T. for H.T.W. 607
M.F.T. Master's Degree Plan with Early Start (Spring Admit)
Semester | 2019-20 | Credits | 2020-2021 | Credits | 2021-2022 | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | no classes | no credits | M.F.T. 671 Theory (3 credits) M.F.T. 661 Practice 1 (3 credits) M.F.T. 750 Practicum (3 credits) | 9 | M.F.T. 681 Ethics (3 credits) Elective 3 (3 credits) M.F.T. 762 Practicum 3 (3 credits) | 9 |
Spring | M.F.T. 724 Psychopathology (3 credits) M.F.T. 781 A.O.D. (3 credits) M.F.T. 663 Research (3 credits) | 9 | M.F.T. 682 Theory (3 credits) M.F.T. 662 Practice 2 (3 credits) M.F.T. 760 Practicum 1 (3 credits) | 9 | M.F.T. 684 Diversity (3 credits) M.F.T. 688 Family Life Cycle (3 credits) M.F.T. 763 Practicum 4 (3 credits) | 9 |
Summer MM | no classes | no credits | no classes | no credits | no classes | no credits |
Summer S-I | M.F.T. 567 Sexual Issues | 3 | Elective 1 (3 credits) M.F.T. 761 Practicum 2 (3 credits) | 6 | no classes | no credits |
Summer S- II | M.F.T. 672 Couples Therapy | 3 | Elective 2 | 3 | no classes | no credits |
Sub Total | - | 15 | - | 27 | - | 18 |
Total | - | 15 | - | 42 | - | 60 |
Part-time Master's Degree Plan (Sample)
Semester | 2019-20 | Credits | 2020-2021 | Credits | 2021-2022 | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | M.F.T. 671 Theory (3 Credits) M.F.T. 681 Ethics (3 credits) | 6 | M.F.T. 661 Practice 1 (3 credits) M.F.T. 724 Psychopathology (3 credits) M.F.T. 750 Practicum (3 credits) | 9 | M.F.T. 663 Research (3 credits) M.F.T. 762 Practicum 3 (3 credits) | 6 |
Spring | M.F.T. 682 Theory (3 credits) M.F.T. 684 Diversity (3 credits) | 6 | M.F.T. 662 Practice 2(3 credits) M.F.T. 781 Alcohol and Drugs (AOD) (3 credits) M.F.T. 760 Practicum 1 (3 credits) | 9 | M.F.T. 688 Family Life Cycle (3 credits) M.F.T. 763 Practicum 4 (3 credits) | 6 |
Summer MM | Elective 1 | 3 | Elective 2 | 3 | no classes | no credits |
Summer S-I | no classes | no credits | M.F.T. 567 Sexual Issues (3 credits) M.F.T. 761 2 Practicum (3 credits) | 6 | no classes | no credits |
Summer S- II | no classes | no credits | M.F.T. 672 Couples Therapy (3 credits) Elective 3 (3 credits) | 6 | no classes | no credits |
Sub Total | - | 15 | - | 33 | - | 12 |
Total | - | 15 | - | 48 | - | 60 |
M.F.T. Master's Degree Plan Checklist
Record Semester Took | Required Courses | Credits |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 671 Theory | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 661 Practice I | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 681 Ethics | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 750 Intro to Clinical Practice | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 682 Theory | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 662 Practice II | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 684 Diversity | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 567 Sexual Issues | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 672 Couples Therapy | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 724 Psychopathology | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 663 Research Methods | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 781 Alcohol and Drugs | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 668 Family Life Cycle | 3 |
add a semester here | Master’s Project | 0 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 760 – Practicum 1 | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 761 Practicum 2 | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 762 Practicum 3 | 3 |
add a semester here | M.F.T. 763 Practicum 4 | 3 |
add a semester here | Elective 1 * | 3 |
add a semester here | Elective 2 * | 3 |
add a semester here | Elective 3 * | 3 |
- | Total | 60 |
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Other Issues Related to the Degree Plan: add comments
Appendix F: Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Student
Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum
Competency Based Clinical Evaluation of Student completed by Supervisor
Please complete this form on the student listed
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Demonstrates skills far below expected for a student at this developmental level
Demonstrates skills below expected for a student at this developmental level
Demonstrates skills at the level expected for a student at this developmental level
Demonstrates skills above expected for student at this developmental level
Demonstrates skills far above expected for a student at this developmental level
Domain 1: Admission to Treatment
Domain Number | Competency | Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
1.1.2 | Understand theories and techniques of individual, marital, couple, family, and group psychotherapy. | Can the student discuss theory, articulate which theory they might apply to a case? Do they use systemic questions? | add rating here |
1.3.5 | Obtain consent to treatment from all responsible persons. | Has all the Intake paperwork and appropriate consents been signed? Does the student ensure there is a release before talking with others? | add rating here |
1.3.6 | Establish and maintain appropriate and productive therapeutic alliances with the clients. | Has the therapist been able to engage with clients? Do they come back? | add rating here |
1.3.7 | Solicit and use client feedback throughout the therapeutic process. | Does the therapist ask the client about goals, session progress, specific feedback? | add rating here |
1.3.9 | Manage session interactions with individuals, couples, families, and groups. | Does the therapist start and end on time? Have clients talk with each other? Facilitate discussion, manage conflict? | add rating here |
1.5.2 | Complete case documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with relevant laws and policies. | Session notes done within 48 hours. Treatment plans within 4 sessions, updated as needed. | add rating here |
Comments:
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Domain 2: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
Domain Number | Competency | Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
2.3.3 | Apply effective and systemic interviewing techniques and strategies | Included all members attending? Use circular questions? Focus on systemic concerns & use systemic interventions? | add rating here |
2.3.5 | Screen and develop adequate safety plans for substance abuse, child and elder maltreatment, domestic violence, physical violence, suicide potential, and dangerousness to self and other. | Does the student recognize areas of risk? Do they seek assistance? Develop plan with the client? | add rating here |
2.3.6 | Assess family history and dynamics using a genogram or other assessment instruments. | Are they assessing the system/family/relationship? Do they use genogram, observation, tasks, other tools? Do they review the client assessment? | add rating here |
2.3.8 | Identify clients' strengths, resilience, and resources. | Do they include strengths when discussing case, build on them in session? | add rating here |
2.5.1 | Utilize consultation and supervision effectively. | Do they come to supervision regularly? Do they ask for assistance with cases? Show their work openly? | add rating here |
Comments:
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Domain 3: Treatment Planning and Case Management
Domain Number | Competency | Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
3.3.5 | Manage progression of therapy toward treatment goals. | Are they focused on goals? Can they articulate what they are working on? Do they note progress? | add rating here |
3.3.6 | Manage risks, crises, and emergencies. | Do they identify areas of risk? Are they calm when sessions are intense, client are in crises? Do they seek appropriate assistance in emergencies? | add rating here |
3.5.3 | Write plans and complete other case documentation in accordance with practice setting policies, professional standards, and state/provincial laws. | Have they completed a treatment plan? Are notes done on time? | add rating here |
3.5.4 | Utilize time management skills in therapy sessions and other professional meetings. | Are they on time for sessions? Do they end sessions on time? Are they on time for supervision? | add rating here |
Comments:
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Domain 4: Therapeutic Interventions
Domain Number | Competency | Criteria | Rating |
4.1.1 | Comprehend a variety of individual and systemic therapeutic models and their application, including evidence-based therapies and culturally sensitive approaches. | Does theory inform their practice, conceptualization, interventions? Can they articulate what they do in session and why? | add rating here |
4.3.2 | Deliver interventions in a way that is sensitive to special needs of clients (e.g., gender, age, socioeconomic status, culture/race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, health/ ability, personal history, SES, larger systems issues of the client). | Do they tend to issues of diversity, account for it in the room, in the therapeutic relationship? | add rating here |
4.3.5 | Engage each family member in the treatment process as appropriate. | Do they utilize family members/ partners? Do they conduct relational sessions and develop systemic goals? | add rating here |
4.3.6 | Facilitate clients developing and integrating solutions to problems. | Do they ask clients about goals, what they want to see changed, what is working? | add rating here |
4.3.7 | Defuse intense and chaotic situations to enhance the safety of all participants. | Are they able to contain chaos & stay calm? Can they interrupt escalations effectively? | add rating here |
4.3.12 | Integrate supervisor/team communications into treatment. | Are suggestions and requests acted upon? | add rating here |
4.5.1 | Respect multiple perspectives (e.g., clients, team, supervisor, practitioners from other disciplines who are involved in the case). | Can they listen to other perspectives and be open to new ideas? Are such discussions productive? | add rating here |
4.5.2 | Set appropriate boundaries, manage issues of triangulation, and develop collaborative working relationships. | Does the therapist maintain professional boundaries (ex. refrain from using personal numbers, emails). Are they able to work with all members of the system (client and larger system) collaboratively and professionally? | add rating here |
4.5.3 | Articulate rationales for interventions related to treatment goals and plan, assessment information, and systemic understanding of clients’ context and dynamics. | Can they explain what they do and why? Does the therapist follow a plan? | add rating here |
Comments:
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Domain 5: Legal Issues, Ethics, and Standards
Domain Number | Competency | Criteria | Rating |
5.3.1 | Monitor issues related to ethics, laws, regulations, and professional standards. | Do they follow policy of Center (ex. paperwork deadlines, response to messages, maintaining appointments)? Do they obtain consent? Seek consultation for cases that are challenging or beyond the scope of the Center? | add rating here |
5.3.3 | Inform clients and legal guardian of limitations to confidentiality and parameters of mandatory reporting. | Is this reviewed thoroughly at the beginning of the case? With all new members that join the therapy? | add rating here |
5.3.4 | Develop safety plans for clients who present with potential self-harm, suicide, abuse, or violence. | Does the student create a safety plan when risk is noted? | add rating here |
5.5.1 | Maintain client records with timely and accurate notes. | Are notes complete? On time? Accurately reflect the session? | add rating here |
Comments:
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Awareness of Self
Domain Number | Awareness of Self | Criteria | Rating |
3.4.5 | Monitor personal reactions to clients and treatment process, especially in terms of therapeutic behavior, relationship with clients, process for explaining procedures, and outcomes. | Does the student process reactions in supervision? Are they open to discussing the way the self impacts their therapeutic relationships & clinical work? | add rating here |
5.2.4 | Recognize when clinical supervision or consultation is necessary. | Does the student present cases that are challenging? Are they open to feedback? Are they able to ask for assistance? | add rating here |
5.4.2 | Monitor attitudes, personal well-being, personal issues, and personal problems to insure they do not impact the therapy process adversely or create vulnerability for misconduct. | Can the student discuss their personal issues, beliefs & attitudes as they relate to clinical work? Are they open to & incorporate feedback? | add rating here |
5.5.2 | Consult with peers and/or supervisors if personal issues, attitudes, or beliefs threaten to adversely impact clinical work. | Does the student share relevant issues in supervision? Are they open to getting assistance and working on areas of concern? | add rating here |
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