Ariz. Admin. Code § R4-6-601 - Curriculum

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.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R4-6-601

New Section made by exempt rulemaking at 10 A.A.R. 2700, effective July 1, 2004 (Supp. 04-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 11 A.A.R. 2713, effective June 27, 2005 (Supp. 05-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 21 A.A.R. 2630, effective 11/1/2015. Amended by exempt rulemaking at 22 A.A.R. 3238, effective 11/1/2016. Amended by final rulemaking at 26 A.A.R. 2881, effective 1/3/2021.