Minnesota Administrative Rules

5300.0140 EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS; DETERMINATION OF EQUIVALENT DEGREE.

Subpart 1.

Evaluation by board.

In determining whether an applicant holds a master's or doctoral degree that is equivalent to degrees described in Minnesota Statutes, section 148B.33, subdivision 1, clause (5)(i), the board shall evaluate the applicant's transcripts, documentation from the educational institution that describes the substance and purpose of the applicant's academic training, accreditation and other professional recognition of the educational institution by regional accrediting bodies, and other necessary information as determined by the board. All requested documentation must be sent directly from the educational institution to the board.

Subp. 2.

Degrees; course work requirements.

A master's or doctoral degree, or postdegree graduate certificate or coursework, is equivalent to a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy if the degree or graduate coursework is from a regionally accredited institution, if the degree or graduate coursework is in a related subject field including mental health, family studies, or human development, and if the degree contains the following coursework:

A.

nine semester hours in human development covering human development over the life span, child and adolescent or adult development, human behavior, personality theory, human sexuality, psychopathology including the assessment and diagnosis of child, adolescent, and adult mental illness, and behavioral disorders;

B.

nine semester hours in marital and family studies covering theories of family development, theories of family functioning, the family life cycle, sociology of the family, including gender, race, ethnicity, class, and religion, families under stress, contemporary family forms, family subsystems, and theories of marital and family interaction;

C.

nine semester hours in marital and family therapy covering marital and family communication, family psychology, couples or family therapy, methods of intervention, couples or family assessment, treatment planning, and sex therapy, all informed by current research and professional standards of practice. Foundational theories of marriage and family therapy and other emerging models of therapy are included in these hours;

D.

three semester hours in research covering current research design, methods, statistics, and special issues research in marital and family studies or a related mental health field;

E.

three semester hours in ethical and professional studies covering professional ethics, family law, professional socialization, professional organizations, legal issues, and interprofessional cooperation; and

F.

a clinical practicum in marriage and family therapy of at least 300 hours of clinical client contact including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals, couples, and families. Of the 300 hours, at least 150 hours must be with couples, families, or similar relational groups. This clinical experience must be supervised on site or at the academic institution by a licensed marriage and family therapist or an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy approved supervisor.

Four quarter credit hours shall be equivalent to three semester hours in meeting the requirements in items A to E. This curriculum may be completed during the qualifying master's or doctoral degree programs; or additional course work may be taken at a college or university accredited by a regionally accredited educational institution after receiving the graduate degree in order to fulfill the requirements for each of the areas described in items A to F. An applicant may not use a course for more than one area described in items A to F.

Subp. 3.

Proof of equivalency.

The burden is on the applicant to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the coursework is equivalent to the requirements in subpart 2.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 148B.31; 148B.37; 214.06

History:

15 SR 1782; 23 SR 1540; 41 SR 87

Published Electronically:

August 4, 2016