Overview

The Valdosta State University Marriage and Family Therapy program curriculum and faculty members place a strong emphasis and value on diversity. We feel that mere tolerance of difference is not sufficient—we set a higher standard for our students. We believe that the differences that make up the rainbow of humanity must be embraced and cherished. As Mary Catherine Bateson reminds us, it is contrast—the relationship to “otherness”—that makes learning possible.

We believe that to be successful, MFT’s must have a genuine interest in their clients, possess therapeutic curiosity, be aware of ethical and therapeutic limitations, and be willing to talk openly about anything a client might wish to discuss regardless of age, sex, sexual practices and preferences, religion, race, sexual orientation, physical disadvantage, political leanings, and level of education.

Students learn that problems and attempts to solve problems make sense when relevant contexts such as age, culture, environment, ethnicity, gender, health, physical ability, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, spirituality, and socioeconomic status are taken into account. These give shape and meaning to clients’ lives. That these contexts are embedded in more encompassing cultural contexts of privilege, power, subjugation, and susceptibility is a notion that is infused throughout the entire curriculum. Through coursework, practica, and internships, we emphasize the way these contexts inform human experience and meaning systems, giving rise to multiple perspectives.

Embedding diversity in the curriculum

The intersectionality between diversity and the variety of dominant cultural discourses such as ageism, classism, racism, sexism, heterosexism, and gender are woven throughout the fabric of our curriculum. MFT faculty members strive to explore with our students the ways that cultural and institutionalized discrimination are embedded in culture and language, exacerbating the treatment issues that clients present. We also examine the ways that issues of diversity and discrimination shape the context of therapy. By the time students graduate from our program, they are able to situate themselves in the relational web of issues—class, privilege, and disenfranchisement—that are always at work in the therapy room.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Child Psychology

Family Psychology

Clinical Therapy

Marriage and Family Therapy
School Counseling

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-15 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

60 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Valdosta, United States

Disciplines

Counselling Psychology View 771 other Masters in Counselling Psychology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.7

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
An official copy of all college/university transcripts.
Previous coursework in social science, human-service, or mental health related areas.
A cumulative minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better
Three references submitted on the VSU MFT recommendation form. In addition to the required Recommendation form, letters from recommenders are strongly encouraged.
An essay describing self, professional goals, and discussing the candidate’s reasons for choosing the MFT field and VSU’s MFT program.
A personal interview with an MFT faculty member
All MFT students must have a criminal background check that includes a sexual predator search

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

9072 USD / year

≈ 9072 USD / year
Out-of-State

8820 USD / year

≈ 8820 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

2340 USD / year

≈ 2340 USD / year

Living costs

Valdosta

United States

900 - 1400 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

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Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

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Scholarships Information

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