Graduate Admissions Requirements

The Marriage and Family Therapy Program utilizes five criteria for the evaluation for admission to the program. The five criteria are as follows:

1. GRE scores - verbal and analytical/writing components
2. Grade Point Average
3. Three letters of reference that can speak to your ability to succeed at graduate school and to your emotional stability and maturity
4. A written essay that identifies your personal statement of goals, and
5. A personal interview with the program director and the clinical faculty.

Students wishing to apply to the Marriage and Family Therapy program are encouraged to turn in their application at any time prior to January 15^th for priority consideration however applications are accepted until program slots are filled. Interviews will begin in February to select the students to be admitted to the program.

Admission into Clinical Component of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program

Clinical readiness is assessed prior to a student having face-to-face client contact. This assessment will include:

• faculty feedback related to the student's readiness to begin the clinical component
• a pen and paper instrument designed to highlight the strengths and challenges of the student's personality in relation to the student's development as a helping professional

Faculty and students develop goals for personal and professional growth. Evaluation of students will occur each semester by the faculty prior to moving to the next level of practicum.

Because Mississippi law currently requires that licensed marriage and family therapists be of good moral character, any prospective student who has been convicted of a felony prior or subsequent to admission is required to immediately inform the MFT Program Director of this conviction in order to determine the best course of actions.

Certain programs require clinical experiences. Clinical experiences generally require a criminal background check. A felony conviction may disqualify a student from the clinical experience, thereby making the student unable to complete the degree. For additional information, contact the academic unit that houses the program.

For information and forms for admission, click below
Southern Miss Graduate School and the Graduate Bulletin.
The graduate handbook can be accessed here.