Program Goals, Student Learning Outcomes, Targets & Benchmarks

The Program Goals are informed by the Professional Marriage and Family Therapy Principles (PMFTPs), which include:

Consistent with our Mission Statement, our program goals, student learning outcomes (SLOs), and associated targets and benchmarks are as follow:

Program Goal #1: To prepare MFT scholars to advance systemic theory knowledge

SO#1: Students will demonstrate competence in advanced theory and theory building as evidenced by:

  • Benchmark 1.1: At least 80% of students will pass their qualifying examination which articulates their theory of therapy.
  • Benchmark 1.2: At least 80% of students will receive a B or higher on the MFT 861 assignment in which they articulate their philosophy of supervision.
  • Benchmark 1.3: At least 80% of students will receive a B or higher on the MFT 865 assignment related to theory development.

Program Goal #2: To train MFT scholars prepared to advance systemic and relational research

SLO#2: Students will demonstrate research competence as evidenced by:

  • Benchmark 2.1: At least 80% of students will pass the research portion of the qualifying examination.
  • Benchmark 2.2: 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 (CITI) training before dissertation proposal approval.
  • Benchmark 2.3: At least 80% of students will receive a B or higher on the MFT 882 Evaluative Assignment.

Program Goal #3: To provide students the foundation for becoming an AAMFT Approved Supervisor

SLO#3: Students will demonstrate supervisory competence as evidenced by:

  • Benchmark 3.1: At least 80% of students will receive a B or better in MFT 861 (Supervision of Therapy) course.
  • Benchmark 3.2: At least 80% of students will maintain an AAMFT membership.

Program Goal #4: To train MFT scholars prepared to teach systemic and relational curricula

SLO#4: Students will demonstrate professional teaching competence as evidenced by at least one of the following:

  • Benchmark 4.1: At least 80% of students will pass the oral examination of their qualifying exam which assesses their ability to teach theoretical constructs.
  • Benchmark 4.2: At least 80% of students will receive a B or better in the teaching assignment for MFT 865.
  • Benchmark 4.3: 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.

Program Goal #5: To train ethical therapists with advanced relational and systemic clinical skills

SLO#5: Students will demonstrate clinical competence as evidenced by:

  • Benchmark 5.1: At least 80% of students will complete 1,000 clinical hours with 200 hours of supervision by an AAMFT Approved Supervisor or equivalent by graduation.
  • Benchmark 5.2: At least 80% of students will receive a 3 or higher rating on the Evaluation Form of Student completed by supervisor.
  • Benchmark 5.3: 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 (specifically 4a, 4b, 4g, 4i, 5a-d 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d).

Program Goal #6: To prepare systemic scholars who are sensitive to social justice and diversity

SLO#6: Students will demonstrate awareness and engagement with cultural and contextual difference:

  • Benchmark 6.1: At least 80% of students will pass the cultural awareness portion of the qualifying examination.
  • Benchmark 6.2: At least 80% of students will receive a B or better in the Cultural Diversity assignment (Special Topic) for MFT 875.