COAMFTE ACCREDITATION
Program accreditation is a voluntary process that defines a program as meeting national standards for a professional discipline. A commission that is affiliated with the national professional organization for the discipline oversees the setting of the national standards and the application and review process for accreditation. The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) is the national program accrediting body for the MFT field and is under the oversight of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Program accreditation brings national recognition and opportunities to a program, the faculty, and the students. A primary value to graduates of a COAMFTE accredited program is increased portability of education and experience across state lines in terms of practice opportunity and licensure.
The SDSU MFT program achieved Candidacy status accreditation from COAMFTE in April 2004. As of May 2004, all graduates of the program are considered graduates of a COAMFTE candidacy program, and may receive all the rights and privileges of COAMFTE accreditation, e.g. portability of education for licensure in all states with MFT licensure.
To summarize, licensure is a state level credential granted to an individual. MFT graduates apply for licensure after completing graduate education and additional post-graduate clinical experience requirements. Program accreditation is a nationally awarded status to a program.
Currently five MFT programs in California hold COAMFTE accreditation.
