Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024
A. An applicant for
licensure as an associate marriage and family therapist or a marriage and
family therapist shall have a master's or higher degree from a regionally
accredited college or university in a behavioral health science program that:
1. Is accredited by COAMFTE;
2. Was previously approved by the Board under
A.R.S. §
32-3253(A)(14);
or
3. Includes at least three
semester or four quarter credit hours in each of the number of courses
specified in the six core content areas listed in subsection (B).
B. A program under subsection
(A)(3) shall include:
1. Marriage and family
studies: Three courses from a family systems theory orientation that
collectively contain at minimum the following elements:
a. Introductory family systems
theory;
b. Family
development;
c. Family systems,
including marital, sibling, and individual subsystems; and
d. Gender and cultural issues;
2. Marriage and family therapy:
Three courses that collectively contain at minimum the following elements:
a. Advanced family systems theory and
interventions;
b. Major systemic
marriage and family therapy treatment approaches;
c. Communications; and
d. Sex therapy;
3. Human development: Three courses that may integrate
family systems theory that collectively contain at minimum the following
elements:
a. Normal and abnormal human
development;
b. Human sexuality;
and
c. Psychopathology and abnormal
behavior;
4.
Professional studies: One course including at minimum:
a. Professional ethics as a therapist,
including legal and ethical responsibilities and liabilities; and
b. Family law;
5. Research: One course in research design,
methodology, and statistics in behavioral health science; and
6. Supervised practicum: Two courses that
supplement the practical experience gained under subsection (D).
C. In evaluating the curriculum
required under subsection (B), the Board shall assess whether a core content
area is embedded or contained in more than one course. The applicant shall
provide information the Board requires to determine whether a core content area
is embedded in multiple courses. The Board shall not accept a core content area
embedded in more than two courses unless the courses are succession courses.
The Board shall allow subject matter in a course to qualify in only one core
content area.
D. A program's
supervised practicum shall meet the following standards:
1. Provides an opportunity for the enrolled
student to provide marriage and family therapy services to individuals,
couples, and families in an educational or professional setting under the
direction of a faculty member or supervisor designated by the college or
university;
2. Includes at least
300 client-contact hours provided under direct supervision;
3. Has supervision provided by a designated
licensed marriage and family therapist.
E. An applicant may submit a written request
to the ARC for an exemption from the requirement specified in subsection
(D)(3). The request shall include the name of the behavioral health
professional proposed by the applicant to act as supervisor of the practicum, a
copy of the proposed supervisor's transcript and curriculum vitae, and any
additional documentation requested by the ARC. The ARC shall grant the
exemption if the ARC determines the proposed supervisor is qualified by
education, experience, and training to provide supervision.
F. The Board shall deem an applicant to meet
the curriculum requirements for marriage and family therapist licensure if the
applicant:
1. Holds an active and in good
standing associate marriage and family therapist license issued by the Board;
and
2. Met the curriculum
requirements with a master's degree in a behavioral health field from a
regionally accredited university when the associate marriage and family
therapist license was issued.
