Introduction to the MFT Program at K-State (Adobe Acrobat)

experiences in collaborative relationshipscompliment knowledge and understanding acquiredin coursework. The research team experience canenhance expertise, foster career goals and advanceskills needed for the dissertation. In addition,students may have an opportunity to co‐authorpublications or conference presentations.SUPERVISION AND CLINICAL REQUIREMENTSAll doctoral students are required to be involved inclinical work during their first two years in theprogram. Students provide therapy at the FamilyCenter, the on‐campus MFT clinic. The facilityincludes 5 therapy rooms and a large group room.All rooms have one‐way mirrors and state‐of‐theartaudiovisual equipment. In addition, there areopportunities for practicum placements at a varietyof social service agencies in the area, including aregional medical center and other facilities servingmedically underserved populations.During their second year students are required tosupervise master’s students under the supervisionof the MFT Faculty who are AAMFT ApprovedSupervisors.Students must accrue 1,000 clinical contact hours inorder to graduate from the program (includingequivalent hours obtained during the student’smaster’s degree program).DOCTORAL PORTFOLIODoctoral students have the option of completing apreliminary exam or of developing a portfoliodocumenting their proficiency in research,presentations, teaching and/or outreach, andleadership. Students choosing the portfolio arerequired to include in their portfolio evidence ofsuccess in four areas: 1) publications ‐ one articlewhich they authored or co‐authored which waspublished in a peer‐reviewed journal and one articlesubmitted with positive review; 2) Presentations ‐2‐3 peer –reviewed presentations at professionalconferences; 3) Teaching and/or outreach ‐ twoacademic courses, or 6‐10 presentations for a localsocial service agency, or evidence of ongoing workwith a specialized population; 4) Leadership ‐maintain professional membership, pass nationalLMFT exam, and two additional activities, forexample, review at least one manuscript for aprofessional journal, serve as a proposal reviewerfor a state or national conference, membership onorganizational boards, volunteer work atprofessional conferences, etc.Once the portfolio has been completed, the studentmust complete a defense of the portfolio with thestudent’s committee. The full committee will thendetermine if the student has successfully completedthe KSU doctoral portfolio requirements.Students choosing to complete a written preliminaryexamination, additionally, will need to completeboth teaching practicum and professionaldevelopment.TEACHING PRACTICUMStudents complete the teaching practicum byserving as a GTA, teaching an intersession course orenrolling in and completing Principles of CollegeTeaching. However, these are only guidelines and acontract will be developed with the academicadvisor tailored to the student’s preferences andcareer goals.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTStudents can present a poster / paper at a state,national or international conference, develop andpresent a workshop or get involved in KAMFTpolitics. However, these are only guidelines and acontract will be developed with the academicadvisor tailored to the student’s preferences andcareer goals.A SAMPLE PROGRAM OF STUDYBelow is a sample plan for completing the doctoraldegree in marriage and family therapy. This is not theonly way to complete the program. Variations incourse scheduling, future plans, and previouscoursework should be considered when using thisplan. The core doctoral courses are offered everyother year, so the order of the program of studydepends on when the program is started, an odd oreven year.There are a number of courses within FSHS or otherdepartments on campus that will enhance the Programof Study. Because some of these courses are alsotaught only one semester in each given academic yearor in alternate years, be certain to discuss choices ofthese courses with the advisor.