How to Pick a "Top" MFT Masters Program

[Mariposa52]

I recieved an undergraduate degree in Anthropology but am looking into Masters programs for Marriage and Family Counseling. I know it may seem like a bit of a jump, but I really think I will love MFT. I am having a hard time deciphering what is and is not a good program and if the cost is worth it. I'm in TN but am very willing to move to another state for a "Top" school or credible program. A few I have liked so far are:

 

Northwestern- Masters in MFT

Allian University- Masters in International Counseling

Antioch University- Masters MFT and Dance Therapy

University of Southern California- Masters MFT

 

Any advice, tips, or questions I should be asking? Any help would be appreciated!!

 

Side question: Has anyone heard of the International Counseling program at Alliant University? It sounds amazing but I am wonderig about its credability.

[psypocalypse]

Start by visiting AAMFT or CACREP respective websites. These are two of the major accrediting bodies that ensure training in this field. You'll find a directory that lists the current schools. Graduating from these programs will also help with employability. Keep in mind that the accreditation is voluntary.

[sackofcrap]

Out of the ones that you have listed, I would trust Northwestern and USC the most, just because those are established, well known universities. That doesn't necessarily mean that their programs will be great, of course, but it does lend it a bit of credibility in my book. 

[Peter - SentioU]

I work as Clinic Director at Sentio and went through Sentio training before that, so I see this from both the trainee and supervisor sides. The framing this thread uses treats a brand name or an accreditor logo as a proxy for whether a program can train you to do therapy, and it is not one.

Reputation and accreditation are easy to see, so applicants anchor on them, but neither measures skill development. Multiple studies have found problems with COAMFTE training; in one, only about a third of students at COAMFTE-accredited programs felt prepared by their training at graduation. Accreditation is a floor, not a predictor of clinical competence, and in California the BBS does not require COAMFTE at all to license.

The questions worth asking any program: how many hours of observed, video-reviewed practice will I get before sitting with a real client, do you track client outcomes and will I see my own outcome data, can I sit in on and observe a class before I enroll, and what is the class size? Those four questions filter the field faster than any reputation ranking.

Detailed walk-through of the accreditation gap: https://sentio.org/blog/study-coamfte-mft-programs-not-preparing-students-for-clinical-practice