M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy

 

About Program   |    Admission Requirements   |    Courses

Course Outline   |    MAMFT Student Program Guide   |    MAMFT Supervised Practice Handbook   |    MAMFT Program Inventory MC to MAMFT   |    MC to MAMFT Transition Requirements   |    Program Transfer Record

The Mission:

The mission of the program is to produce graduates with effective Marriage and Family therapy (MFT) skills, committed to responding to spiritual and emotional needs by developing a biblically oriented, theoretical and practical understanding of human nature and the helping process. It is the perspective of the program that Marriage and Family therapy, as a vocational calling, is grounded in the compassion of Jesus for those in need, and the teaching of the New Testament that offers healing for the whole person in Christ.

Learning Objectives:

The program will develop in the graduate:

  • A strong evidence based theoretical and conceptual base;
  • A solid knowledge of systems theory and its application to clinical practice;
  • Critical perceptual and clinical skills;
  • The ability to integrate faith perspectives;
  • The ability to grow emotionally and spiritually through personal awareness and reflection;
  • Awareness of, and sensitivity to, cultural diversity;
  • Preparation for professional certification

ACTS Counselling Centre:

Graduate counsellors provide counselling for the community. For more details, see ACTS Counselling Centre.

Heather Currie

 

 

 

"I am confident that my studies at ACTS will provide a solid foundation for my future as a counselor. This program as well as being academically sound, has impacted me holistically, shaping me as a person as much as a future therapist."

-Heather Currie, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Student

 

 

Graduation Requirements:

  • Give evidence of consistent Christian character, conduct and biblical faith.
  • Be accepted for degree candidacy based on a review.
  • Receive a minimal grade of B for all MFT courses.
  • Complete at least 48 semester hours at ACTS towards MAMFT degree.
  • Completion of required 68 semester hours of study (non-thesis program) or 74 semester hours (thesis program).
  • Personal Theory of Counselling Graduate Essay.
  • Completion of a comprehensive examination.

Program Recognition and Credentialing:

The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program is recognized both in and outside the Christian Community. Many of our counselling graduates are working in settings such as in mental health, school counselling, Ministry for Children and Families, church based counselling, private practice and not-for-profit organizations.

The MAMFT degree has followed both CACREP and AAMFT standards for education. All courses are taught from a systemic (MFT) perspective and all faculty supervisors are AAMFT Approved Supervisors or Supervisors in Training.

The MAMFT program exceeds the criteria to be a Registered Clinical Counselor in B.C. Along with the MAMFT degree, graduates only need signatures from their faculty supervisors to qualify. Course work is especially designed to fit the criteria for membership in the American Association of Marital and Family Therapists (AAMFT) which will allow you to be a Registered Marital and Family therapist in Canada. There are some post-master’s supervision and clinical hours that are required to complete this status.

Provincial Approval for the MAMFT:

This program is offered under the written consent of the B.C. Minister of Advanced Education effective March 14, 2008, having undergone a quality assessment process and been found to meet the criteria established by the Minister. Nevertheless, prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (for example, acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies, or other educational institutions). This program will commence in September 2009.

Sample Program Courses:

  • Marriage and Family Core Studies (43 sem. hrs.) include courses such as Marriage and Family Therapy Theories; Advanced Skills in Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychopathology, Ethics and Professional issues, Statistics, and Counselling Internships.
  • Marriage and Family Electives (5 sem. hrs.) include courses aught by internationally known therapists such as Emotionally-Focused Therapy for Couples, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Addictions Counselling, SATIR Family Therapy and Research design.
  • Biblical Studies (7 sem. hrs.) include Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics, and various book studies that focus on relationships and living well, such as Expositions of Wisdom Literature.
  • Theological Studies (13 sem. hrs.) include Spiritual Formation and Personal Development, Spiritual Resources in Counselling, and Theological Issues in Counselling.
  • A Thesis Option (6 sem. hrs.) is available.

Program Committee Chair:

IanVersaveldt

 

 

 

Johan (Ian) P. Verserveldt Ph.D., R.Psych., RMFT,
Program Chair and Associate Professor of Counselling
versevel@twu.ca