Saint Marys University of Minnesota

Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs

Twin Cities Minneapolis Campus
Summer 2016
Professional Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy
MFT 642 A and B
Section A Friday and Saturday 5/13 and 5/14 9:30am to 5pm
Section B Friday and Saturday 5/20 and 5/21 9:30am to 5pm
*Please note: students must be present for the entire course to earn a passing grade.
Prerequisite or Concurrent Courses
Admission to the MFT program; course required first semester of admission
Instructor Name, Contact Information, and Availability
Samantha J. Zaid, PhD LMFT
Brother Louis Hall (BLH), Room 23
612.728.5140
szaid@smumn.edu
Sara L. Heinzen MA, LMFT
Brother Louis Hall (BLH), Room 24
612.728.5117
sheinzen@smumn.edu
Office hours by appointment.
Course Description
This course provides an orientation to the profession of marriage and family therapy. The history
of the profession is covered as well as the roles and settings of marriage and family therapists.
Additionally, the developmental process involved with acquiring an identity as a marriage and
family therapist is addressed.
Student Learning Objectives (SLOs)
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
1 Identify and evaluate the function and role of marriage and family therapists from a historical
perspective.
2 Describe a process, including the stages, by which marriage and family therapists develop
professional identity, then apply this understanding to analyze and assess their own current level
of development.
3 Apply knowledge of the field to creating personal business and professional development plans.
Blackboard Access
Blackboard may be accessed from the SMU external website at

www.smumn.edu or from our Inside Pages at www2.smumn.edu or by entering the following

URL in your browser: http://courses.smumn.edu
Textbook(s)
There is no required textbook for this course. Suggested resources include the Family Therapy
Magazine (put out by the AAMFT) and the AAMFT website: www.aamft.org.
Online Resources
Blackboard > MFT Student Page > MFT Program Handbook
Blackboard > MFT Student Page > Practicum
Smumn.edu > Current Students > SGPP Students > SGPP Student Handbook and Catalog
Technical Support
For technical support, contact our help desk at
tchelpdesk@smumn.edu
http://www2.smumn.edu/helpdesk/
612-728-5100; option 65
800-372-8176 x7800
x7800 on campus

Topical Course Outline:

~ Friday ~

Marriage and Family Therapy Field and Program Overview

Introductions
Defining the profession and its position in the Mental Health field
Conceptual basis for program
Structures that sustain the profession
o Professional Associations (AAMFT/MAMFT; AFTA; IFTA; NCFR)
o Regulatory Boards
Practicum
Personal and professional preparation, expectations, isomorphism, dual roles
Overview, Clinical Practicum Experience
o Panel of SMU students currently in practicum
2

~ Saturday ~

Life after Graduation

License process in perspective
Professional Development
Advocacy
Wheres the top? To PhD or not to PhD?
What happens after you graduate?
o Panel of graduates in various stages of professional life

Experiential Focus on Self of the Therapist

Mindfulness and the MFT Student

Self Care and the MFT Student

In-class genogram exercise. Students should come prepared with basic relational
information about three generations of their own families, beginning with themselves and going
back to their parents and grandparents generations.
Teaching Methods
Lecture, small group activities, presentations, papers, experiential writing assignments, and
group discussions will all be used to facilitate learning in this course.
Synopsis of Assignments
APA Formatting APA formatting is to be used for all assignments including double-spaced,
Times New Roman, font size 12, one inch margins unless otherwise noted. A template is
available online from the SMU Writing Center website. Click on Counseling/Psychology/MFT
for a 5-page sample that will provide formatting details. Please note: adjusting margins, fonts,
extra spaces between paragraphs, and completing less than a minimum page requirement will be
considered an infringement of the instructions and will not earn full points.
In class activities 40% of grade, SLOs 1-3
Each week students will be engaged in experiential learning activities (e.g., discussions, writing,
role plays, etc.) individually, in small groups, and large groups. Students will be graded on
active participation and demonstrated critical thinking and engagement with each learning
opportunity (a total of ten points can be earned per class period across various activities).
10 points: demonstrated creative and critical thinking, successful application of course concepts,
enriched the activity with contributions of additional information, perspectives, or resources;
9 points: demonstrated creative and critical thinking, successful application of course concepts;
8 points: successful application of course concepts;
7 points: attempted application of course concepts;
6 or fewer points: present for activity with no attempt at application of course concepts;
0 points: absent from course activity.
Final Critical Reflection Paper 40% of grade, SLOs 1-3
3

Students will complete a 3-4 page critical reflection paper describing how they plan to personally
and professionally develop over the course of their MFT program and beyond.
Step 1: Please identify six domains: strengths, growth areas, coping skills and self-care,
available supportive resources, goals, and anticipated lifespan transitions.
Step 2: Special attention should be given to how this course, its activities and
experiences, and your learning have shaped these aspects of your professional
development (in all six domains). Please identify specific components of the course in
your response.
Step 3: Remember to focus on the so what aspect of your thinking (in all six domains):
how does this affect you, your work as a therapist, your clients, the significant
relationships in your life, your goals, etc. What will you do with this information? What
comes next?
Email paper to Professor Zaid (szaid@smumn.edu) within one week after the last day of class.
(SLOs 1-3)
The grade for this paper will be based on the following:
25% writing mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation)
25% following directions (all components present, APA format, etc.)
50% quality of paper (thoroughness and insight; precision in the use of course materials;
attention given to changes over time; application and critical thinking related to use of
course content; apparent effort and insight; creativity, etc.)
Open Book, Open Note Exam on MFT Program Handbook and SGPP Student Handbook
and Catalog 20% of grade, SLOs 1-3
Students will complete an open book, open note, online exam at any time in the course
before the final class date (due one week after the end of class). Answers to all exam
questions will be found in the published materials. The purpose of this assignment is to
demonstrate learning of program details and to familiarize students with available
program resources. The exam cannot be repeated, made up, or replaced. Students can
take the exam anytime during the course before the final class meeting time.
Assessment of Student Performance/Grading Policies
In Class Activities
40
Final Critical Reflection Paper
40
Open Book, Open Note Exam
20
Total points
100
Graduate Grading Scale
A = 90-100%
(90-100 points)
B = 80-89%
(80-89 points)
C = 70-79%
(70-79 points)
NC = below 70%
(fewer than 70 points)
4

Student Ratings of Teaching and Learning

Students are expected to provide feedback about teaching and learning in the course. Please
check your SMU email near the end of the course for a link to an online rating form that records
responses anonymously.
University Conduct and Academic Policies
See the course Blackboard site for a direct link to all University policies.
Writing Center and Library Services
See the course Blackboard site for direct links.
MFT Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Marriage and Family Therapy programs are expected to be able to do the
following:
1. Reflect an understanding of and respect for cultural diversity through professional
relationships and communication with diverse clients, peers, and organizations.
2. Integrate basic knowledge of marriage and family theory to clinical practice.
3. Integrate knowledge of marriage and family therapy models to clinical practice.
4. Develop a systemic perspective to diagnose and treat mental health issues of individuals,
couples, and families.
5. Evaluate professional practice issues to act in an ethical manner based on the marriage
and family therapy codes of ethics, legal requirements, sound judgment, and professional
compassion.
6. Analyze research for use in couple and family therapy.
7. Demonstrate written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills with clients and
professionals.
8. Create effective interventions to promote well-being in clients through preventative,
developmental, systemic, and/or remedial services.
9. Articulate plans for future professional development.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Cell Phones: Be sure to turn off cell phones or set them on a ringing level that will not interfere
with the class. Exceptions may be made as needed (e.g., a sick family member, an emergency
situation with a client, etc.)
Laptops and other technology: Technology to improve learning is welcome, while your presence
and participation is required. Please refrain from distracting websites, email or other
communications, or other work that brings your attention (and your neighbors attention) away
from class, etc.
Emergency Weather: As many of you may do, I commute to Saint Marys. If there is inclement
weather and the University has not yet decided to close, but a safe commute is not possible, I will
notify you via email by 8:00am the day of class if I decide to cancel our session. University
policy is that the class must be made up. We may do that via online assignments and reflections,
or by rescheduling a class date. Watch email and the Blackboard site for updates.
5

Class Breaks: As a 15 hour class there are breaks allowed during class. Id like to decide the
structure of these organized breaks as a group. This might be some small breaks or one midsized break and ending class early, etc. There are several options and we can create this together.
In addition, there is a standing invitation to listen to your bodys needs during class. If you need
to stand up and stretch, or excuse yourself to go the bathroom outside of the scheduled breaks,
please listen to those needs and attend to them as needed. You are also welcome to bring food
and drinks (provided we keep the room clean), or other (non-distracting) items for your comfort.
Academic Dishonesty: All forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and selfplagiarism will not be tolerated.