MFT is a goal-oriented treatment that assists in helping patients realize personal or family/system change and is one of the five federally recognized mental health disciplines.
Licensure and Accreditation
Graduates of the program meet academic requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist in Oklahoma as well as Professional Membership of AAMFT and MFT licensure in other states.
Our program is in the process of pursuing accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and is three steps into a four-step process. We are glad to help you learn more about what this means for our program and why we believe it is important.
COAMFTE's mission is to promote best practices for MFT educational programs through the establishment, review and revision of accreditation standards and policies, and the accreditation of graduate and post-graduate educational programs. The OC MFT program provides a higher learning community that transforms lives for Christian faith, scholarship and service.
OC's curriculum is developed responsively to MFT best practice training models in order to achieve this accreditation. Our OC MFT students will receive exposure in treating a broad range of populations, reflective and representative of the general public at large.
FAQs & Notes
Q: Can I complete a Master’s Thesis or gain a comprehensive research experience?
A: Students who wish to complete a Master’s Thesis or gain a comprehensive research experience will need to take an additional minimum six hours.
Q: Is this program online or in-person?
A: This program is currently being offered in a 25% online and 75% in-person learning format. The current structure precludes international students from applying for a residential student status. We may redress this structure in the future, but currently, the faculty believes an in-person, face-to-face clinical skills training is best experienced on-site where direct and timely feedback can be provided to graduate level therapists-in-training.
Q: Is this program available to international students?
A: Yes, however those applying must score in the topmost level of English language proficiency and English writing proficiency.
Q: I need more information
A: Please contact the Dr. Jessica Colls at jessica.colls@oc.edu
OC MFT Program Handbook
The handbook contains the program mission, goals and student learning outcomes as well as other program information and policies.
Degree Plan: 49 Hours
A graduate with the M.S.H.S. degree with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy will:
- Graduates will demonstrate systemic/relational knowledge essential to the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy.
- Graduates will be culturally responsive in their work with people from diverse backgrounds, communities, and identities.
- Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of relevant ethical codes and legal principles as well as competence in relational/systemic ethical decision-making skills.
- Graduates will demonstrate competence in synthesizing and applying research to clinical practice and incorporating feedback measures to improve client outcomes.
- Graduates will demonstrate ability to assess and monitor “self of the therapist” (including biopsychosocial/spiritual beliefs) with respect to clients and treatment process and its impact on clinical outcomes.
18 HOURS HUMAN SCIENCES FOUNDATION
- HMSC-5013 Systems Theory
- HMSC-5023 Family Trauma and Resilience
- HMSC-5033 Development and Diversity Across the Lifespan
- HMSC-5043 Sexuality and the Family
- HMSC-5053 Ethical and Legal Issues in the Human Sciences
- HMSC-5063 Research Methods in Human Sciences
31 HOURS MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY
- MFTH-5013 Theoretical Models of the Family
- MFTH-5023 Basic Therapy Skills
- MFTH-5033 Family and Individual Assessment
- MFTH-5043 Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology
- MFTH-5053 Child and Adolescent Therapy
- MFTH-5063 Couples Treatment and Contemporary Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy
- MFTH-5713 Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum I
- MFTH-5723 Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum II
- MFTH-5733 Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum III
- MFTH-5794 Marriage and Family Therapy Capstone
A thesis option is available for the MFT degree. An independent research track leading to the completion of a thesis project will require six additional hours to accommodate for your research time and consistent research advising meetings.