In addition to specialized coursework in MFT, students in the MFT concentration will acquire and develop practical clinical skills in MFT through specialized field placements. Ongoing involvement in clinical activities at professional training sites gives students the closely supervised opportunity to apply and further develop the knowledge, skills, values, and competencies they gain in course work. Since the MFT practicum is considered an advanced specialty practicum, students must satisfactorily complete a doctoral therapy practicum prior to beginning the MFT practicum.

Students should expect to spend from ten to twenty hours per week at an approved MFT practicum site and must concurrently enroll in two semesters of Practicum Seminars during their field training. A minimum of 400 total clock hours of practica are required, which should include at least 200 hours of direct clinical service, of which one-third or more should be in conjoint therapy with couples or families.

The Director of Training and Community Service and the Director of the Marriage& Family Counseling Program work in collaboration with concentration students to identify clinical experiences which will meet the specialized needs of the MFT concentration and the goals of the student. Additional resources are available in the Practicum Handbook, and the database of practicum sites available from the Training Department.