Admissions Suspended 2021-Present
This program is intended for those persons who have completed a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, pastoral counseling or an allied field, and who wish to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy. All students must complete a minimum of 39 credits at Seton Hall University. If students lack any prerequisite, they may be required to complete additional credits beyond the 39 credit minimum. Prerequisite courses are Abnormal Psychology and Couple and Family Dynamics: Systemic Perspectives.
The purpose of this program is to provide students with the theoretical background and experiential training necessary to develop professional qualifications as couple and family therapists. The program must be completed within six years. It meets the educational requirements for licensure within the State of New Jersey and member status in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The Marriage and Family Therapy Ed.S. program has accreditation status with the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) (Renewal Date: May 1, 2021).
Admission
In addition to university admission regulations, candidates for this program are required to submit the following:
- An official transcript reflecting a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, pastoral counseling or an allied field;
- Transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate course work;
- Evidence of relevant experience as a counselor/therapist;
- Recent (within three years) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogy Test (MAT) scores;
- Three letters of recommendation, including at least one from a former professor and one from a counseling/therapy supervisor;
- Personal statement including professional goals; and
- Appear for a personal interview.
The application deadlines are July 1 for Fall admission and December 1 for Spring admission. Requests for applications may be directed to the Office of Graduate Studies, College of Education and Human Services, (973)761-9668. Any information or questions about the program can be directed to the graduate assistant for the program at (973) 761-9451 or e-mail at alan.groveman@shu.edu
Students who are interested in the program, but have missed the application deadline dates can also take up to 3 master’s level courses (a total of 9 credits) as a nonmatriculated student. This option should be discussed with the program director. Taking courses as a nonmatriculated student does not guarantee admission into the program.
Degree Requirements
The curriculum for the Ed.S is as follows:
The prerequisites for the Ed.S. areCPSY 6601 Couple-Fam Dyn-Syst Perspect and CPSY 6103 Abnormal Psychology.
Students must demonstrate clinical readiness and be approved by the clinical coordinator before beginning their supervised clinical hours. Students, who are not able to demonstrate clinical readiness, will be required to take CPSY 8516 Pre-Pract Sem in Mar - Fam The.
A minimum of 500 hours of supervised client contact (at least 50 percent with families and couples) at an appropriate site with program-approved supervisors is required for completion of the program. Up to 100 Hours of prior clinical experience, approved by the clinical coordinator and completed during the year immediately preceding their first semester of study, may be transferred into the program. There must be one of hour of supervision for every five hours of client contact, and, a minimum of 100 hours of supervision are required and must include at least 50 hours of supervision which is live or videotaped cases. Students receive individual and group supervision. Students who have completed all course work but have not completed all the supervised clinical hours for CPSY 9880 Internship-Marr-Family Counsel-CPSY 9881 Internship Marr-Family Counsel will be required to register for CPSY 9886 PreDoctoral Internship (one credit) for one semester, and, if the hours remain unfinished, for CPSY 9880 Internship-Marr-Family Counsel or CPSY 9881 Internship Marr-Family Counsel. Students will work in a diversity of settings which meet licensing and accreditation standards at sites throughout New Jersey and the metropolitan area. The standards for licensing are available from the New Jersey State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners and for accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Successful defense of a written case study and taped clinical interview is the final step toward graduation.