Dec 04, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Marriage and Family Therapy, MA


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Assistant Professor Bosley, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-8101

The Master of Arts program in marriage and family therapy provides the skills necessary to function as a marriage and family therapist. Marriage and family therapy is one of the fastest-growing mental health fields and focuses on the emotional life of the family unit rather than the individual client. The program combines classroom instruction with intensive field experience and includes supervision in a field setting. This program is registered by the New York State Education Department as licensure-qualifying, which means that all supervised client contact hours gained on the program can be counted toward the total required for licensure as a marriage and family therapist in the state of New York.

The program may be completed on a part- or full-time basis with courses offered during the fall, January, spring, and summer sessions. The program is designed to be completed in three years.

Admission Requirements


  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with GPA of B (3.0) or better.
  2. Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, human development, family studies, behavioral sciences, human services, or similar discipline preferred (but not required).
  3. Three (3) letters of recommendation.
  4. Personal statement (approx. 1.5-2 pages) describing professional intent and pertinent information relating to one’s ability to be successful in the field of marriage and family therapy.
  5. Personal interview by the director and, if possible, a member of the program faculty.
  6. Personal experience in human services is highly desirable, but not required.

Note: The preferred application deadline for fall semester is August 15 and for spring semester is January 15.  All others will be reviewed based on available space.

Prerequisite Requirements


Students may satisfy any or all of the prerequisites listed below by having completed courses in these areas as part of their undergraduate program at an accredited institution or by completing them at Hofstra. Prerequisite courses do not carry graduate degree credit toward this program.

Prerequisites: one course from each of the following areas, 9 s.h.

  • psychology
  • abnormal psychology
  • sociology or anthropology

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 54


C. Supervised Clinical Practice - Semester Hours: 12


D. Research Methodology - Semester Hours: 3


E. Family Law and Ethics - Semester Hours: 3


F. Electives - Semester Hours: 3


One 3 s.h. course or two mini-courses (1.5 s.h. each) chosen under advisement.

Note: If you plan on practicing outside New York state, you may need to have completed 60 semester hours of coursework in MFT. In this case, two additional 3 s.h. electives are recommended.

Professional Behavior


Students must behave in an ethical and professional manner, as outlined in the guidelines for student conduct and academic honesty of Hofstra University, and as specified in the Code of Ethics of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Students must display emotional maturity, satisfactory interpersonal behavior, and professional demeanor in classes and meetings, and during practicum and internship. If a report of an ethics violation, or of interpersonal behavior that may be impeding professional growth and/or the adequate delivery of clinical services, is received regarding a student, the program director will convene a meeting of the core faculty of the program to discuss the report. After a faculty investigation, a finding will be issued that may clear the student of any wrongdoing or problem, place the student on probation with a plan for remediation, or dismiss the student from the program. A letter reporting the finding of the core faculty will be generated by the program director, and a copy will be sent to the student. If the decision is to dismiss the student, the Policy for Dismissal and Appeal of Dismissal from a Graduate/Post-Graduate Program  will be followed.

Graduation Requirements


  1. Completion of the 54 semester hours in the Master of Arts Program in addition to the prerequisites.
  2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.
  3. A passing grade on the comprehensive examination (the examination can be taken twice only).
  4. Completion of 300 direct client contact hours.

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