Bethel Seminary San Diego. Master of Arts In Marital and Family Therapy Program Manual

Bethel Seminary San Diego Master of Arts In Marital and Family Therapy Program Manual 1 Table of Contents Section One: Introduction…………………………………………...
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Bethel Seminary San Diego Master of Arts In Marital and Family Therapy Program Manual

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Table of Contents Section One: Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Marriage & Family Therapy Program…………………………………………………………………………………….5 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5 Mission Statement……………………………………………………………………………………………………5 MFT Program Philosophy…………………………………………………………………………………………5-6 MFT Program Overview……………………………………………………………………………………………6 MFT Program Outcomes…………………………………………………………………………………………..7 MFT Student Learning Outcomes………………………………………………………………………………8 MFT Faculty Outcomes……………………………………………………………………………………………..8-9

Section Two: MFT Program Information……………………………………………………………………………………………10 Academic Advising…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………11 Academic Appeals Committee (AAC) …………………………………………………………………………………….11 Academic Integrity………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11 Academic Probation/Satisfactory Progress…………………………………………………………………………….12 Admission/Student Recruitment ……………………………………………………………….............................13-14 Anti-discrimination………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15 Class Attendance…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...16 Communication within the Program……………………………………………………………………………………….17 FERPA……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18 Graduation……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..19 Grievance/Appeal Process……………………………………………………………………………………………………...20 Incomplete & In-Progress Grades…………………………………………………………………………………………...20 MFT Committee Structure……………………………………………………………………………………………………...21 Personal Therapy…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….22

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Policies & Procedures for Collecting Data…………………………………………………………………………………23 Prerequisites/Application checklist …………………………………………………………………………………………24-25 Registration……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………26 Retention……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….27 Sequence of Courses……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...28-29 Time Limit for Degree……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..30 Section Three: Outline of MFT Licensing Requirements………………………………………………………………..31 BSSD Courses for California LMFT Requirements………………………………………………………………32 Licensing and Certification……………………………………………………………………………………………………...33-35 Section Four: Clinical Training…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….36 Practicum Placement……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….37 Practicum Requirements/Paperwork……………………………………………………………………………………….38-40 Practicum Continuation……………………………………………………………………………………………………….....41 Practicum Evaluations……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..42 Student Progress……………………………………………………………………......................................42 Trainee Evaluation of Practicum Site…………………………………………………………………...........42 Off-site Supervisor’s Evaluation of Trainee…………………………………………………………..........42

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Section One: Introduction

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Marriage and Family Therapy Program Introduction This handbook is to be a practical resource of information for the faculty, staff, and students involved in the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Program. It offers an overview of the M.A. in MFT program at Bethel Seminary San Diego (BSSD), including the philosophy and educational outcomes, course of study, outline of clinical training, evaluation samples, program policies and procedures, grievance procedure, and guidelines for pursuing licensure. Please note that the MFT program undertakes reviews of its coursework, procedures, and policies periodically. When changes are deemed appropriate, based on collective professional judgment of faculty, administration, and placement site supervisors, with input from students and alumni, such changes will be communicated in a timely fashion to all communities of interest. Many forms are referred to throughout this manual and can be found outside of the MFT administrative assistant’s office.

Mission Statement Bethel University (Mission): Boldly informed and motivated by the Christian faith, Bethel University educates and energizes men and women for excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service. We prepare graduates to serve in strategic capacities to renew minds, live out biblical truth, transform culture, and advance the Gospel. (2014-2015 Catalog, p. 9) Bethel Seminary (Vision): The passion of Bethel Seminary is to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ among all people in culturally sensitive ways. As a Spirit-empowered, biblically grounded community of learning, Bethel strives to develop and equip whole and holy persons to serve and lead so that churches and ministry agencies can become all they are called to be and do all they are called to do in the world for the glory of God. (2014-2015 Catalog, p. 9)

MFT Program Philosophy 1. Truth does exist, is able to be found, is knowable, yet not completely knowable. Truth is both revealed and discovered and because all truth is from God and consistent with God, there is a unity of all truth. People can tenaciously believe in the existence of truth, while humbly holding and presenting their perceptions of that truth. 2. The forgoing proposition forms the basis for meaningful integration of the studies of theology, spirituality, clinical theory and clinical practice which are the broad domains which form the knowledge base upon which our teaching and training is built. 3. The biopsychosocial-spiritual framework forms the domains and boundaries of our anthropology. From this framework, we seek to understand humankind’s developmental processes, relational patterns (especially in coupling and living in

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families), and great diversities, including systemic expressions of power, poverty and marginalization. 4. BSSD’s MFT department has adopted Bethel Seminary’s three centers philosophy. Bethel must offer those preparing for ministry: 1) a strong grounding in Bible, history, and theology; 2) time within the curriculum for credit devoted to character formation; and 3) more effective ways to learn the skills and wisdom of doing transformational leadership (2007-2008 Catalog, p. 20; Appendix F). Our specific adaptation focuses on teaching and training MFT students in: 1) knowing theology and theory; 2) being or becoming more whole and mature; and 3) doing the applied practices of professional marriage and family therapy.

MFT Program Overview Per the 2015-2016 Bethel Seminary Catalog (p. 76-77), “Bethel Seminary San Diego’s Marital and Family Therapy program is designed from the perspective of family systems or persons who would like to work with individuals, couples, and families as a licensed marriage and family therapist. Graduates serve as clinical therapists in a wide range of mental health settings as well as specialists in family ministry within churches, parish-based counseling practices, parachurch ministries, and pastoral counseling agencies. This degree program also prepares students for doctoral studies in marriage and family studies. All students admitted to the Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy (M.A.M.F.T) program must complete the assessment process required of all seminary students during their first year of study. During the last year of the program, students will write a major MFT Senior Integrative Project, which must be approved in order to graduate. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 of higher (C average), and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (B average) in their required marital and family therapy courses are required to graduate with the M.A.M.F.T. degree. Full-time students can complete the degree program within three years or four years for part-time students. After successful completion of the practicum, entrance process (includes GPA of 3.0 or higher of required MFT curses taken at that point), a 500-hour, 12-month practicum is started and completed during the last program year. All students admitted to the M.A.M.F.T. program are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of individual psychotherapy provided by a LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, or psychologist of their own choosing. Each student will be fully responsible for financial arrangements with the therapist. The Martial and Family Therapy master’s program at Bethel Seminary San Diego is Nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), 112 Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-8389808, [email protected]. Coursework meets all the academic requirements for licensure as a marital and family therapist in California as well as most of the requirements in many other states. Following the graduation, additional supervised clinical practice and passing two licensing exam(s) (in California) are required for licensure”.

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Program Educational Outcomes The program Educational Outcomes emanate in part from its mission. They express the goals or anticipated results (outcomes) for its graduates (Program Outcomes), its students (Student Learning Outcomes) and its faculty (Faculty Outcomes). Being mindful of these outcomes informs faculty, supervisors and others how they can best facilitate graduates, students and faculty developing the relevant qualities, skills and competencies required to achieve the relevant outcomes. Each of the three categories of outcomes (program, student learning, and faculty) are stated as five domains or areas of expected outcomes, sometimes with sub-domains for further clarity: 1. MFT clinical competence 2. Personal (including spiritual) wholeness, health and well being 3. Biblical and theological knowledge 4. Intercultural competence 5. Critical thinking, scholarly and integrative activity

Program Outcomes Practicum professors and site supervisors especially need to be aware of these outcomes as they supervise program trainees. It would also be useful for supervisors of program graduate interns to understand the outcomes around which the program has been designed. Program Graduates: 1. Demonstrate the capacity and the skills to provide ethical and efficacious relationally oriented professional MFT services to individual, couple, family and community group clients. a. Demonstrate the professional and personal competence to begin and successfully complete the required post-graduate supervised experience in a wide variety of clinical settings with widely diverse client populations. b.

Successfully acquire adequate knowledge and the competence to integrate that knowledge at a level required to pass the MFT licensing exams following completion of the required postgraduate supervised clinical experience.

2. Continue to grow in emotional, spiritual and relational health resulting in observable love for God and neighbor (including professional colleagues, students and clients). 3. Demonstrate understanding biblical content, interpreting biblical literature, and engaging in thoughtful theological reflection. 4. Demonstrate the intercultural competence necessary to contextualize clinical theory and therapeutic approaches for diverse client populations, especially those struggling with severe mental disorders and/or persistent poverty. 5. Demonstrate familiarity with scholarly research and critical thinking competencies, to intentionally integrate biblical understandings, theological convictions, theoretical formulations, personal experience and clinical practice as interdependent adult learners.

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Student Learning Outcomes Being familiar with and understanding the Student Learning Outcomes are especially important for program faculty. The program curriculum has been designed to help students achieve all of the SLOs as well as the AAMFT Core Competencies. Each course and its syllabus are designed to achieve specific SLOs and core competencies. Professors are to specify for each SLO and competency, which assignment(s) and/or elements of their course(s) are designed for their achievement. Program students: 1. Demonstrate the capacity and the skills to provide ethical and efficacious relationally oriented professional MFT services to individual, couple, family and community group clients. a. Demonstrate knowledge and use of systemic and MFT theories in clinical practice. b.

Understand individual lifespan development and family life cycle dynamics and successfully utilize this understanding in MFT clinical practice.

c. Understand self-of-therapist concepts and effectively use self in relational treatment of individuals, couples and families. d. Demonstrate competence in diagnosing, writing treatment plans and providing relational treatment to clients and their families, including those struggling with severe mental illness and persistent poverty. 2. Grow in emotional, spiritual, and relational health resulting in observable love for God and neighbor (including professional colleagues, program personnel, peers and clients). 3. Demonstrate a strong understanding of biblical content, interpretation of biblical literature, and engage in thoughtful theological reflection. 4. Demonstrate intercultural competence necessary to contextualize theological understanding, clinical theory, and therapeutic practice for diverse client populations, especially those represented in San Diego County. 5. Interact with scholarly research and intentionally integrate biblical understandings, theological convictions, theoretical formulations, personal experience and clinical practice as interdependent critical thinkers and adult learners.

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Faculty Outcomes The program commits to assist its faculty in developing and achieving the qualities, skills and competencies specified in the faculty outcomes. Achieving the program outcomes and student learning outcomes is also partially dependent on faculty members achieving the faculty outcomes. Program faculty: 1. Provide ethical and efficacious relationally oriented professional MFT services to individual, couple, family and community group clients, including individuals and families struggling with severe mental health disorders and/or persistent poverty. 2. Invest in emotional, spiritual, and relational health resulting in observable love for God and neighbor (including professional colleagues, supervisees, students, and clients). 3. Demonstrate a strong understanding of biblical content, interpretation of biblical literature, and engage in thoughtful theological reflection. 4. Demonstrate intercultural competence necessary to contextualize theological understanding, clinical theory, and therapeutic practice for diverse client and student populations, especially those represented in San Diego County. 5. Intentionally engage scholarly research and integrate biblical understandings, theological convictions, theoretical formulations, personal experience and clinical practice as interdependent critical thinkers and adult learners. a. Nurture, mentor, teach and supervise younger therapists, assisting their personal growth and professional development as marriage and family therapists. b.

Participate and take leadership roles in various professional, religious and service communities in ways that demonstrate integration of theology, theory and spirituality.

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Section Two: MFT Program Information

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Academic Advising Per the 2015-2016 Bethel Seminary Catalog (p. 43), “Each incoming degree program student is assigned an advisor who seeks to understand the academic and vocational goals of the student, as well as his or her personal needs. At some campuses, returning students are assigned advisors according to their concentrations and are encouraged to attend all of the group advisee/advisor meetings during the year”.

Academic Appeals Committee (AAC) Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 42), “Students who have concern about any academic policy matter (e.g. grades, supervised ministry, etc.) should first confer with the instructor. If a satisfactory solution is not reached, an appeal may be made to the Academic Appeals Committee (AAC). Students should submit their appeals to the Seminary Registrar’s Office. The appeal must be submitted by the student using the appropriate online form within six months of the date the problem arose. The AAC will advise the student in writing of its decision. AAC decisions may be appealed to the Vice President and Dean”.

Academic Integrity Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 43), “Written material submitted must be the original work of the student. Academic dishonesty constitutes a serious violation of scholarship standards at Bethel and can result in denial of credit and possible dismissal from the school. Any act that involves misrepresentation regarding the student’s academic work is forbidden. Academic dishonesty includes cheating on assignments or exams, plagiarism, fabrication of research, multiple submissions of work in different courses, misrepresentation of academic records, the facilitation of academic dishonesty, and depriving others of necessary academic resources”. “Students are expected to be good stewards of the learning resources available to them. Misuse of library or technological resources will not be tolerated. This includes destroying, hiding, removing, or keeping library materials and damaging or modifying computer programs without permission. Engaging in software piracy, hacking, constructing viruses, and knowingly introducing viruses into a system will be considered breaches of integrity”. “Students charged with academic dishonesty have the right to appeal any disciplinary action. Contact the chair of the appropriate academic appeals committee on each campus for details on the appeal process. For more information, consult the Academic Integrity brochure available in the associate registrar’s office”. 11

Academic Probation/Satisfactory Progress Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 76-77), “A cumulative GPA of 2.0 of higher (C average), and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (B average) in their required marital and family therapy courses are required to graduate with the M.A.M.F.T. degree. Full-time students can complete the degree program within three years or four years for part-time students”. Under the “graduations requirements” section of the Bethel Seminary Catalog, it states that "Students must complete all degree requirements in the academic year in which they plan to graduate” (p. 58). The academic year is defined as Fall-Summer, so all requirements for graduation must be met no later than the last day of the Summer quarter in order to be considered a graduate for the current academic year. In order to ensure that our practicum students meet these requirements, we have set up two points during your time in practicum where we will review your progress of accruing hours and the proposed timeline for you to finish at your current rate. If you begin practicum in the Summer, the first review is in the middle of the Fall semester. This first review is meant to serve as a heads up for those of you who are not quite on track with the expected number of hours – be it relational hours, supervision units, or total required hours. For those who have significantly fewer hours than the number expected at this point in practicum, the first review will serve as a more serious warning – these students are expected to speak with Laura Simpson, practicum coordinator, about their site progress and discuss any potential problems hindering their accrual of hours. They are also expected to make the changes necessary to start gaining hours more rapidly. The second review will be in the middle of the Spring semester. At this point, if students are still behind on their rate of hours and no significant progress has been made, further action will be taken. If a student is unable to completely finish all practicum requirements the end of the MF717 (Spring term for Summer-starters and Summer term for Fall-starters), he or she will be expected to enroll in practicum continuation.

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Admission/Student Recruitment All faculty members are expected to be actively involved in student recruitment throughout the year. Bethel Seminary San Diego Marital and Family Therapy (BSSD-MFT) program actively recruits students from all over Southern California and the United States to ensure its longevity and sustainability. Given Bethel’s and MFT’s commitment to integration of marriage and family therapy practices with Christian theology, student recruitment is particularly geared to attracting applicants from diverse backgrounds and faith-based orientations. Bethel does not discriminate against any student on grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnic or national origin, or on the basis of physical disability. Bethel values diversity in its student body. “Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 41-42), “For admission, the seminary requires a four-year degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants holding professional baccalaureate degrees from these schools are urged to have at least 75 semester hours of credit in liberal arts. Prospective students with such degrees are advised to have their college transcripts evaluated by the Office of Admissions and Recruitment to determine whether deficiencies in liberal arts work are significant enough to demand further study in these areas”. “Prospective students with baccalaureate degrees from colleges not regionally accredited, including Bible colleges, may be admitted upon evidence of ability to pursue graduate studies. In such cases, the applicant’s scholastic record in college and his or her score on the Graduate Record Examination may be considered. The transcripts of such graduates will be evaluated for weaknesses in liberal arts and, if such weaknesses exist, further work will be required”. “Bethel Seminary invites applications from persons who are deeply committed to Christ and His kingdom, and whose gifts and call to ministry have been affirmed by a local body of Christian believers. Students applying to all masters’ programs must hold a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate that they are capable of graduate-level work. Since the Admissions Committee is interested in all information that will assist in the evaluation of an applicant’s ability, achievement, commitment to Christ, and promise, the seminary requires that each applicant supply the following materials: 1. A formal application for admission, which should be on file by the stated application deadline for the desired enrollment term. 2. Official transcripts of college work from all schools attended. If the applicant has not completed his or her college degree at the time of application, a partial transcript should be sent. (Copies will not be accepted.) A complete transcript then should be requested after the student has earned his or her degree. 3. An official transcript from any other seminary or graduate school the student has attended. 4. All required recommendations as delineated on the application for an applicant’s particular degree program. 5. A record of satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for students from 13

Colleges not regionally accredited. 6. A group interview or additional materials may be required upon the request of the Admissions Committee. Applicants will be notified in writing of acceptance to the seminary. Prospective students are encouraged to visit either of Bethel’s locations. San Diego, call 619-325-5200. More information on the BSSD MFT application process is available (via this manual) under the heading “Prerequisites/Application checklist”.

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Anti-discrimination Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 49), “Bethel Seminary is committed to providing a Christ-centered community where students, faculty, and staff can work together in an atmosphere free from all forms of harassment, sexploitation, or intimidation, including racial and sexual harassment. All members of the Bethel community are expected to educate themselves about sexual and racial harassment. Copies of the harassment policies are available in the Office of the University Provost in St. Paul and the Office of the Dean and Executive Officer in San Diego, as well as in the libraries and the St. Paul Office of Student Development and Support. To file an informal or formal complaint, please contact the compliance office in St. Paul or the dean at San Diego.”

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Class Attendance Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 44), “Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Those who find themselves unable to do so should drop the course completely. Students participating in a course with a week-long intensive cannot pass the course if they miss more than one day of the intensive. Since the chapel experience and the Community Life Gatherings are both symbolic and expressive of our corporate life as a Christian community, students are expected to attend when they are on campus. Set within the context of various traditions, the primary emphasis of the chapel service is the worship of God expressed in a variety of ways, including the proclamation of the Word, prayer, music, and meditation. Time is also set aside for focusing on other aspects of our corporate life, such as fellowship, growth in mind and spirit, small group experiences, the sharing of concerns, lectureships, and forums”. At the beginning of each academic term, a course syllabus is will be provided to the students by the professors. Upon review of the syllabus, if any questions/concerns should arise, such inquiries should be brought directly to the professor for final determination. Once the MFT student has reached practicum, and is therefore attending MF715, MF716 and MF717, regular attendance is a must. Per the Board of Behavioral Sciences, “An MFT student must be enrolled in a practicum course while counseling clients except as specified in Section 4980.42, which states that trainees may counsel clients while not enrolled in a practicum course if the period of lapsed enrollment is less than 90 calendar days, and if that period is immediately preceded and immediately followed by enrollment in a practicum Course ”.

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Communication within the Program Communication between the MFT department and students is available within the following amenities: 1. BLINK. All Bethel information is accessible through Blink, Bethel’s internal web hub with features and information customized for each individual, depending upon his or her role at the university. Once a Bethel community account has been created, students, faculty, and staff have access to a variety of online services, including registration, course schedules, grades, degree evaluations, Moodle, student accounts, and payroll information. 2. EMAIL. Once they have created their Bethel community account and have enrolled, all students are assigned a Bethel email address. Bethel Seminary uses the Bethel community email account for all official correspondence. Therefore, it is essential for students to check their Bethel email for pertinent communication from faculty and administration on a regular basis, and to use their Bethel email for official correspondence. Bethel email may be redirected to a home or business email address, if necessary. 3. MAILBOXES. Students, full-time faculty, current-term adjuncts, and some staff members are assigned mail boxes for intercampus mail, such as returned papers and departmental correspondence. 4. THE MFT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISSTANT. The administrative assistant is the gateway between the students and the faculty within the MFT program.

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Confidentiality of Student Records (FERPA) In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) students have certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights are: 1. The right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of academic department, or other appropriate official a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed. 2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University official responsible for the records, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing. 3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agency); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. 4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Bethel University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, D.C. 20202-4605 18

Graduation Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 48-49), “Students are responsible for meeting the graduation requirements set forth in the catalog at the time of their matriculation. Students who take extended leaves of absence of four or more consecutive terms are subject to the graduation requirements set forth in the catalog at the time of their reinstatement, unless written permission was obtained from the Office of the Registrar before the extended leave. If prior permission was obtained, the student may follow the catalog requirements under which the student was initially admitted. Candidates for a degree in the Master of Arts or the Master of Divinity programs must meet residency requirements for their degree. Commencement is held only in the spring of each year. Students must make written application to graduate during the fall semester of the year in which they anticipate graduation. Any student who fails to do so by February 1 will not be listed for graduation that year. All degrees are voted on by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the faculty. The associate registrar will complete a curriculum check at the end of the fall semester of the year in which the student has applied for graduation. In addition to academic requirements for graduation, students in the Master of Arts or Master of Divinity programs must fulfill the following requirements: 1. Participate in the required assessment and evaluation program; 2. Participate in formation experiences and assessments as indicated in the degree requirements; 3. Complete Supervised Ministry requirements; 4. Achieve a GPA of 2.0 or above (Students in the M.A.M.F.T. programs in St. Paul and San Diego must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their M.F.T. program courses); 5. Present a clearance on financial accounts. Participation in graduation ceremonies is expected. Students must request permission to graduate in absentia in writing to the Office of the Registrar by April 1. Students whose attendance status changes after April 1 must contact the associate registrar’s office to notify it of the change and will be charged a $100 administrative fee. Students must complete all degree requirements in the academic year in which they plan to graduate.

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Grievance/Appeal Process In June 2015, the MFT/MHC Leadership Team published the grievance and appeal process for students and other program personnel. The document is posted on the MFT/MHC bulletin board, outside of the MFT/MHC Administrative Assistant’s office. For reference, the document is shown below.

Incomplete & In-Process Grades Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 49-50), “A grade of Incomplete is granted for emergency situations only. Students are expected to submit all work by the dates set by the course instructors and complete all course requirements on or before the last day of the term. The grade “Incomplete” is temporary and will be granted only in unusual circumstances (such as serious illness or critical emergencies) and will not be considered for a student who is simply behind in the assignments. No Incomplete will be granted automatically, except as noted below. The student must submit the approved Incomplete Contract to the associate registrar’s office no later than the last day of the term. The date for completion of the work will be arranged with the professor involved, but that date cannot extend beyond one semester. If the work is not completed by the specified date, the grade indicated on the contract will be entered on the student’s record. Special problems regarding a student’s eligibility to receive the Incomplete will be referred to the Academic Appeals Committee. The grade of Incompleted will be awarded automatically at the end of the first term for the following courses, to allow two semesters for completion of the course: Independent Studies, M.A. (C.T.) Thesis, M.A. (C.T.) Project, M.A.(T.S.) Thesis, and Clinicial Pastoral Education. The grade of Incomplete will be awarded for Professional Internship to allow one year maximum extension”.

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MFT Committee Structure Our Marital and Family Therapy department has its own leadership team that meets once a month to discuss necessary administrative, supervisory, and evaluative functions within the MFT Program. Members of this committee include the Program Director, full time MFT faculty, the MFT administrative assistant/practicum coordinator, a Bethel MFT alumni representative, and an MFT member of the student body. MFT program meetings are also set up to discuss information provided from stakeholders (e.g., supervisors, alumni, students, faculty, administration, professional organizations) to improve the quality and delivery of the M.A. in MFT program. The following items are discussed and evaluated during the monthly meetings: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Program Evaluation Surveys Faculty Training Academic Scheduling Updates Practicum Report General updates PQE updates Senior Integrative Project Updates MFT/MHC Student Leadership Team Report Alumni Committee Report COAMFTE Update MHC Update Other Business Students of Concern

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Personal Therapy As stated in the 2015/2016 catalog, "All students admitted to the Marital and Family Therapy (MFT) program for the fall 2007 quarter and after are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of individual psychotherapy provided by a licensed MFT, LCSW or psychologist of their own choosing. Each student will work out, and be fully responsible for, the financial arrangements with the therapist" (p. 76).

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Policies & Procedures for Collecting Data Collection of Student and Graduate Information: In order to comply with accreditation standards, the program is required to gather information from its students and graduates. Data on students (e.g. graduation rates, national exam, employment data) are collected on the graduating senior survey, the seminary experience inventory survey and the alumni survey annually. Employer satisfaction data are collected on the BSSD MFT alumni employer survey. This data is reviewed by the MFT faculty and used for program improvement during discussions in the MFT Leadership Team Meeting. Data from this report is used to complete the COAMFTE Annual Report. See attachments to view the Measurement and Schedule for Data Collection document. See attachments to view our Graduating Senior Survey (GSS). See attachments to view our Seminary Experience Inventory Survey (SEI). See attachments to view our Alumni Survey (AI). See attachments to view our BSSD MFT Alumni Employer Survey.

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Prerequisites/Application Checklist Bethel Seminary M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy Application Checklist Application Prerequisites • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 M.A. in MFT and MHC Application Requirements • Application for Admission • Personal statement • Personal Profile Form • Three general reference forms (Pastoral, Supervisor/Mentor, Colleague/Friend) • Two Professional References • These references should come from those who can attest to your interpersonal skills and have seen you work with individuals, couples, and/or families • Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended post-high school where credit was earned. They can be mailed to admissions office or emailed to: [email protected] • The following link will direct you to the online application: http://apply.bethel.edu **Upon completing these items, you may submit your online application** •

Following submission, we ask you complete the Family of Origin Paper, a 1,500-2,000 word supplemental essay discussing your personal family experience. • This paper should include reflections on strengths and challenges in your family of origin, the impact of family-oforigin experiences on your adult relationships, and strengths and growth areas in your current significant relationships (with spouse, children, siblings, parents, etc.). This should not be a “family history” but rather a summary of themes you have observed in your family experience, past and present. • Once complete, make sure to save the essay as either a Word doc. or PDF file. To submit the essay please login to your submitted online application and navigate back to your MFT application. Once here, you should be directed to the “Recommendations” page. At the bottom of this page you will find an area to upload your essay.

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Important Dates st • Fall Application deadline: August 1 st • Fall semester begins: August 31 st • Spring semester application deadline: January 1 th • Spring semester begins: February 6 • A mandatory interview for selected applicants: on individual basis Helpful Links • To learn more about Bethel Seminary’s M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, visit: https://www.bethel.edu/seminary/academics/marital-family-therapy/ • To find information about and apply for financial aid following formal acceptance into one of Bethel Seminary’s programs: http://seminary.bethel.edu/financial-aid/

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Registration Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 51), “New students on both campuses register for their first term classes during the summer or during an orientation session. Advisors can help to plan and grant approval for course selections. Continuing students may change their registration, or register for the upcoming semester, in October, March, and May-July. Those who register outside the regular registration times will be subject to fines. Students not on the official class list will be asked to leave class to complete registration. In no case will students be permitted to register for two classes that overlap meeting times. Students should consult the associate registrar’s office in their location for information on registration dates and times”. REGISTRATION CHANGES Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 51), “Students wanting to drop or add courses must fill out a Change in Registration form and submit the form to the associate registrar. Mere absence from class sessions will not constitute withdrawal. Courses may not be added or changed from audit to credit after the first week of the semester, but students may change from credit to audit, or withdraw from the course, through the 11th week of the semester”. “After the third week of class, a grade of W will be entered for each dropped course. From the 12th week, a grade of F will be recorded for any dropped course unless the student appeals to the Academic Programs Assessment and Accreditation Committee citing exceptional circumstances. Failure to submit a written petition form will result in an automatic F. Students enrolled in year-long courses will be granted withdrawals on a prorated basis, with three weeks of the year-long course being equivalent to one week of a semester course”. Students are responsible for registering themselves for their classes until they reach MF715 (MFT Practicum I) & MF785A (Sr. MFT Seminar A). The MFT Administrative Assistant is responsible for registering students for MF715, MF716, MF717, MF785A, MF785B and MF785C.

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Retention Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 46), “Because of the seriousness of seminary education, all incoming students, including transfer students, are accepted on a provisional basis. Students are evaluated in a variety of formal and informal ways, including developmental assessments and interpersonal communications both inside and outside the classroom. Students are also given an opportunity to report on their thinking and experience in relation to seminary academic work, participation in community life, supervised ministry, growth in life as servants of God, and progress toward their ultimate ministry goals”. “At Bethel Seminary, we take seriously our goal to prepare whole and holy Christian leaders. Consequently, we are concerned not only with academic preparation, but also with spiritual and personal formation. Students who fail to make adequate progress in areas of development and/or formation may be placed on probation and required to follow a developmental plan to continue in their degree program. Students will be notified if they are being placed on probation or if their continuance in a degree program is in question”.

Specifically, our MFT Program Director, full-time Faculty and Administrative Assistant/Practicum Coordinator conduct annual reviews on each of our students who are currently enrolled in our MFT program. The review will detail academic and clinical progress of the previous academic year. With this review process, we can track a student’s progress in our program as well as allow for comments from the appropriate Faculty Advisor. Faculty advisor will formally meet with students whose academic and clinical performances may begin to fall or actually fall below the minimum standards. Corrective action plan will be proposed by the faculty advisor and negotiated with the involved student to rectify academic & clinical deficiencies and or unprofessional behavior that are interfering with students’ capacity to satisfactory complete the requirements for the MFT program. Each student’s annual review and corrective action plan must be filed in the student’s folder to record academic progress. See attachments to view the Marital & Family Therapy Program Annual Student Evaluation document.

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Sequence of Courses

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Time Limit for Degree Per the Bethel Seminary 2015-2016 Catalog (p. 52), “All requirements for the master of arts degree are to be met within eight years of the time of the student’s initial enrollment. Students are encouraged to consider all other commitments, including family, ministry, and work, when planning their course schedules. Approvals for extensions of the time limit in the master’s programs require special action of the faculty upon written student appeal”.

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Section Three: Outline of MFT Licensing Requirements

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BSSD Courses for California LMFT Requirements The following is a list of the current core and degree specific requirements for the Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy. More information can be found at https://www.bethel.edu/seminary/academics/catalog/seminary-catalog-15-16.pdf.

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Licensing and Certification The Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) is the regulatory agency responsible for licensing Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) in the State of California. The navigation process for LMFT is shown in the documents below. It is also available online at http://www.bbs.ca.gov/appreg/mft_presentation.shtml.

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Section Four: Clinical Training

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Practicum Placement Practicum is completed during the student’s final year of the BSSD M.A.M.F.T. degree program. MF715-MF717 practicum courses constitute a three course consecutive semester sequence over 12months. During this time, students are required to complete 500 hours of clinical contact where 200 of which must be with couples and/or families present in the therapy room (relational hour)* and a minimum of 100 units of supervision (a unit of supervision is defined as one hour of individual supervision or two hours of group supervision) by a qualified California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, AAMFT approved supervisor, and/or other approved (ie: CAMFT certified) supervisor. The supervisor must be licensed in the state of California for two years prior to commencing supervision. Supervisors must hold Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Board Certified Psychiatrist licenses. The practicum fulfills the requirements of the BBS for face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families or groups. While enrolled in Practicum, students work in a community agency for one year seeing clients with supervision from the agency. Supervision must include the use of raw supervision data from videotape, live observation, or co-therapy with the supervisor. All of the supervisors must be current with a valid license which is not under suspension. During the practicum class, students present videotapes of their clinical work. All practicum courses meet Wednesdays at 4:15pm.

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Practicum Requirements ⇨ Completion of 7-MFT classes by the end of MF715. • Required courses prior to MF715: MF504/MF625, MF505/MF626, MF560/MF675, and MF564/MF646 ⇨ Because of the nature of the Senior MFT Integrative Project, the following course is highly recommended prior to beginning practicum: TS755/TS520. ⇨ Complete Practicum Readiness Self-Assessment form.

⇨ Complete Practicum Qualifying Exam with a passing grade (at least 70%) in both sections.

⇨ Receive approval letter of MFT Program Administrator and Practicum Coordinator to begin Practicum (to be placed in student’s file). ⇨ Attend Orientation to Practicum meetings. ⇨ Registration for and completion of Supervised Clinical Experience (MF715, 716, 717). • Note: because there are multiple sections/groups for each course, the Practicum Coordinator assigns groups and facilitates enrollment in practicum courses. You will not register for these courses online; it will be done for you. Please note that if you register yourself, you could be charged up to $20 in “section switch” fees. • Supervised Clinical Experience meets on Wednesdays from 4:15-7:00 PM. ⇨ Ability to have sufficient transportation to a practicum site and/or a supervisor’s site.

⇨ Year-long commitment at practicum site – Example: June 2016 - June 2017 OR September 2016 -August 2017: at least 15-25 hours per week commitment at an agency. • Depending on the start date of your practicum site, you may begin MF715 in either Summer 2016 or Fall 2016 with completion of MF717 in either Spring 2017 or Summer 2017.) ⇨ Practicum site must be a counseling agency that is nonprofit, charitable, hospital, educational, or church setting. The agency must supply AAMFT approved or CAMFT certified (or a candidate of one) supervisor. ⇨ 500 hours of direct client contact (200 of those hours must be AAMFT defined relational). • Note: Students may not begin gaining clinical hours until their first semester of practicum class begins as per BBS standards. ⇨ Plus 1 hour of individual supervision OR 2 hours of group supervision for every 5 hours of face to face clinical contact; 100 supervision units minimum in addition to practicum class, workshops you attend/teach. • 1 unit = 1 hour individual or 2 hours group supervision • The 1:5 supervision ratio requirement is cumulative overall, but you must gain at least one unit of supervision for every week that you count clinical contact hours. 38



At least half (50) of your 100 supervision units must be Individual (one-on-one) supervision. You must have one unit of supervision at least every other week.

⇨ A Site Agreement between you, the counseling agency and Bethel must be signed.

⇨ Videotaping of counseling sessions must be done for supervision. You must also be able to bring your video recordings off-site for use in practicum class presentations. ⇨ Students need to work with a wide variety of presenting problems and with clients who are diverse in terms of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, and socioeconomic status. ⇨ A Supervisor’s Agreement Form from the BBS must be signed if the supervisor is off site.

⇨ Students are required to buy their own liability insurance policy due before 1st day of class. Students will not be admitted to class without professional insurance! ⇨ In addition to course assignments and submission of hours, students are required to submit a Supervisor’s End of Term Evaluation of Trainee (filled out by their supervisor) and a Trainee Evaluation of Site (filled out by you) by the end of every semester. ⇨ Students who have entered under the 2007/2008 catalogue and later are required to complete 15 hours of personal therapy before they graduate. We encourage you to participate in as much individual or group therapy as possible (if you haven’t done so thus far), to benefit from the advantages of therapy both personally and clinically. All hours obtained (up to 100) will be multiplied by 3 for the BBS licensure (equal to 300 hours toward licensure). Please note that as of January 1, 2016, the BBS has streamlined its requirements for the categories of supervised experience. This change has affected the ability to triple count personal psychotherapy hours. For more information, please visit the BBS.ca.gov website.

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Practicum Paperwork •









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Site Agreement (see attachments to view). Students are responsible for submitting a completed Site Agreement form to the MFT Administrative Assistant/Practicum Coordinator on or before the first day of MF715. Supervisor’s Responsibility Statement (see attachments to view). Students are responsible for submitting a completed Supervisor’s Responsibility Statement form to the MFT Administrative Assistant/Practicum Coordinator on or before the first day of MF715 and/or every time they gain a new supervisor. Supervisors’ Qualification Statement (see attachments to view). Students are responsible for submitting a completed Supervisors’ Qualification Statement form to the MFT Administrative Assistant/Practicum Coordinator on or before the first day of MF715 and/or every time they gain a new supervisor. Weekly Summary of hours of Experience (see attachments to view). Students are responsible for submitting their Weekly Summary of hours of Experience form to the MFT Administrative Assistant/Practicum Coordinator by the end of each practicum semester. Experience Verification (see attachments to view). Students are responsible for submitting their Experience Verification form to the MFT Administrative Assistant/Practicum Coordinator by the completion of MF717. Trainee Evaluation of Practicum Site Evaluation (see pg.42 of this manual for more information). Off-site Supervisor's Evaluation of Practicum Trainee Evaluation) (see pg.42 of this manual for more information).

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Practicum Continuation The California Board of Behavioral Sciences Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 4980.42 states that: “Trainees must be enrolled in a practicum course to counsel clients…” Practicum continuation has been set up to allow students to remain enrolled in a practicum course beyond the four required courses if necessary. Any student who has not completed 500 total hours of direct client contact and 200 with couples and/or families by the end of MF717 will be required to apply for practicum continuation. A Practicum Continuation Contract must be completed and submitted before the last day of class of the semester prior to the continuation term, and a new contract must be submitted for every semester of continuation. Students are required to continue in practicum until they have completed all required hours and as long as he/she is actively seeing clients before all other graduation requirements have been met. No continuation will be granted without the approval of the Practicum Coordinator. Upon submission of the Practicum Continuation Contract, the student will be charged a $357 continuation fee and his/her grade for MF717 (or last practicum course taken) will become an “In Progress” until the contract has been completed. Each contract signed adds all course requirements for a semester in practicum to the requirements necessary to receive a “Pass” in MF717 (or last course taken.) Failure to complete the course requirements for each semester continued or failure to submit a new contract by the end of the semester if further continuation is necessary will result in a “Fail” in MF717. If the requirements are not met, and a “Fail” is given, the practicum continuation contract will be voided, and the student will need to re-take MF717 for full credit for a passing grade.

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Practicum Evaluations Student Progress While enrolled in practicum at Bethel Seminary San Diego, students are evaluated for their academic and clinical progress in the following ways: •

Students are evaluated in each course they take by their professors who assess their assignments and assign grades.



Students are evaluated by the MFT faculty prior to being accepted into the practicum program through the use of the Practicum Qualifying Exam, the Readiness Assessment Form and Practicum Interview.



Each month, the MFT faculty meets to review the progress of students in the program. If areas of concern are identified with respect to a particular student, the advisor will contact the student to arrange a meeting. Within the context of the meeting, the advisor will articulate the concerns that have been identified and will work with the student to develop a plan for addressing these concerns. The advisor will keep the MFT faculty updated on the progress of the student.



During practicum, students are evaluated quarterly by their site supervisor. Students submit these evaluations to the MFT department administrative assistant by the last day of class for each quarter of practicum.

Trainee Evaluation of Practicum Site At the end of each practicum course, students are required to submit an evaluation of their practicum site. See attachments to view our Trainee Evaluation of Practicum Site evaluation.

Off-site Supervisor's Evaluation of Practicum Trainee At the end of each practicum course, practicum site supervisors are required to submit an evaluation of their student trainee. See attachments to view our Off-site Supervisor’s Evaluation of Trainee evaluation.

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