Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate
The certificate program in marriage and family therapy offers an innovative and creative approach to graduate education. It is open to current students seeking an MSW and to students who have completed a master’s degree in social work, mental health counseling, or psychology. Completion of this certificate and supervised clinical practice meets the state requirements for licensure.
For students who have completed some specific course work in the areas of concentration, credit toward the certification can be given on a case by case basis. No more than nine semester hours are transferable from another university or college.
In order to apply to the MFT Certificate Program, you must submit an online graduate school application (specify MFT). In order to contact the graduate school, please call 501-569-3206.
The certificate requires 21 hours of Social Work course work. Course work is not necessarily sequential, so students may enroll at any point.
- Current MSW students may take electives in this area and apply those hours toward the certificate (Certificate Option A).
- Graduates of accredited programs in social work, psychology, or counseling may enroll in the program (Certificate Option B).
Certificate Option A
This option is for students who enter the MSW program and wish to complete the certificate program in Marriage and Family Therapy. The present MSW requires six hours of electives. For students wishing to complete the certificate program, electives should be chosen from the elective courses (which are 3 hours per elective instead of 2 hours) in the marriage and family area. These electives would fulfill the requirements for the MSW and at the same time be applied towards the certificate of marriage and family therapy program.
Diversity & Oppression and ADP II also count towards the 21 hours. The student then takes an additional 6 hours of course work in the marriage and family therapy program during the MSW program or after completing the MSW outlined in Option B.
Certificate Option B
This option is for those interested in the certificate who are mental health professionals or already have an MSW whether from UALR or another institution, but no background in marriage and family therapy.