Educational Outcomes with Benchmarks: MS Program
Program Outcomes
1. The MFT program provides students with an educational foundation grounded in family systems
theory.
Measured by: internship evaluations, practicum evaluation (IPSE), course evaluations for systems
and theory courses, passing grades in all courses that utilize family systems theory (all but stats),
comps, employer survey
a. Benchmark: Items on internship evaluation systems subscale (items 1 - 4) , on average,
will be 4.0 or higher (in current instrument scale is 1 – 5, with 5 being highest)
b. Benchmark: IPSE item 1 on average, will be 2.0 or higher (in current instrument scale is 1
– 3, with 1 being highest, 2 is considered “commensurate with level”).
c. Benchmark: Course evaluations for MFT 620, MFT 621, and MFT 671 will all rate
instructors as satisfactory.
d. Benchmark: 90% or more of students will incorporate systems theory in answers to
theory questions in comprehensive examinations
e. Benchmark: 90% of students will pass assignments incorporating systems theory. See
Matrix 1 for identified assignments.
f. Benchmark: 75% or higher of employers will identify that alumni are able to think
systemically.
2. The MFT program prepares graduates to become licensed in the state of Minnesota as marriage
and family therapists.
Measured by: licensure rates, alumni survey, current accreditation standing with MN MFT Board
a. Benchmark: The MN board of Marriage and Family Therapy will report that over 70% of
alumni pass the written national licensure exam
b. Benchmark: The MN board of Marriage and Family Therapy will report that over 70% of
alumni pass the oral national licensure exam
c. Benchmark: SCSU MFT curriculum will remain in good standing with the MN board of
Marriage and Family Therapy
3. The MFT program maintains an inclusive and global perspective, emphasizing educational
equity, access, and support.
Measured by: availability of assistantships, diversity of faculty and students
a. Benchmark: The MFT will offer 3 or more assistantships to graduate students, allowing
for students of diverse economic backgrounds educational opportunities
b. Benchmark: Maintain at least 20% minority students (i.e., racial/ethnic, and sex) within
the MFT program
4. The MFT program prepares students to engage in reflective, ethical, and legal clinical practice.
Measured by: passing ethics course (MFT 619), passing oral exam, comps
a. Benchmark: All students will pass the ethics course with a B- or higher (see matrix 1 for
course assignments)
b. Benchmark: All students will pass the ethics portion of the comprehensive exam,
including articulation of ethical decision making
c. Benchmark: The MN board of Marriage and Family Therapy will report that over 70% of
alumni pass the oral national licensure exam
5. The MFT program demonstrates a commitment to academic scholarship and research in order
to prepare students to think critically about research, including multicultural research, in the
MFT field.
Measured by: passing research methods course MFT 675, comps
a. Benchmark: All students will pass the research methods course with a B- or higher (see
matrix 1 for course assignments)
b. Benchmark: All students will pass the research methods portion of the comprehensive
exam, including articulation of a research design
6. The MFT program provides students with a variety of field-based partnerships.
Measured by: successful internship placements
a. Benchmark: 100% of students will find internship placements during the semester they
intend to enroll
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Graduates of the program will demonstrate a readiness for employment in a clinical position
working with children and families.
Measured by: internship evaluations, passing internship class, clinical logs, passing clinical
assignments (will be identified after matrix complete)
a. Benchmark: Items on internship evaluation forms (items 12 - 13) will indicate readiness
for employment by a rating of, on average, 3 or higher.
b. Benchmark: All students will earn passing grades on assignments related to clinical
application and/or conceptualization (see matrix 1 for course assignments)
c. Benchmark: All students will successfully pass both semesters of internship, including
600 hours of field experience, and 300 hours of clinical experience, half of which will be
couples or family hours
d. Benchmark: All students will earn a grade not below a B- in each required clinical course,
including clinical application assignments
2. Students will explore their own family of origin and cultural heritage as it relates to their clinical
practice.
Measured by: exam in MFT 671 and completion of genogram in 669
a. Benchmark: All students will earn passing grades on final examination in MFT 671 (see
Matrix of EOs and Coursework for more information)
b. Benchmark: All students will complete a genogram of their own family and present to
instructor and classmates in MFT 669
3. Students will be able to communicate effectively through oral and written work.
Measured by: internship evaluations, course assignments
a. Benchmark: Items on internship evaluation assessing oral and written work (items 16 18) will indicate, on average, a rating of 3.0 or higher.
b. Benchmark: By the second year of their program, all students will be able to write a APA
paper effectively. This will be assessed in MFT 630 (see matrix 1)
c. Benchmark: All students will present a minimum of two case conceptualizations in the
on campus portion of internship class, and earn a passing grade
4. Students and graduates will demonstrate empathic and respectful interpersonal skills when
working with families and individuals from all backgrounds, including cross-cultural.
Measured by: scores on IPSE during practicum (MFT 669), internship evaluation, employer
evaluation
a. Benchmark: Items on the practicum evaluation (IPSE) rating interpersonal skills on
subscale interpersonal skills items (items 5 - 9) will indicate, on average, a rating of 2.0
or higher
b. Benchmark: Live, video, and case supervision during practicum and internship will
indicate improvement in any deficits in interpersonal skills.
c. Benchmark: Items on the internship evaluation evaluating interpersonal skills (items 19 22) will indicate, on average, a rating of 3.0 or higher
d. Benchmark: Employers will indicate no issues in our graduates’ abilities to demonstrate
empathic and respectful interpersonal skills.
5. Students and graduates will skillfully assess and evaluate individuals and families of diverse
backgrounds in order to build relevant treatment plans.
Measured by: internship evaluations, completion of MFT 659 coursework, completion of MFT
624 coursework, comps
a. Benchmark: Items on the internship evaluation evaluating assessment and diagnostic
skills (items 23 - 30) will indicate, on average, a rating of 3.0 or higher
b. Benchmark: 90% of students will earn passing grades, a B- or higher, on examinations in
MFT 659
c. Benchmark: 90% of students will earn passing grades, a B- or higher, on examinations in
MFT 624
d. Benchmark: All students will pass the assessment and diagnostic question on the
comprehensive examination
Faculty Outcomes
1. Faculty members will remain current on clinical practices, trends, and policies in the field of
marriage and family therapy
a. Benchmark: Faculty members will maintain their state licensure, including completion of
required CEUs
b. Benchmark: Faculty members will maintain AAMFT/MAMFT and/or MN LMFT
supervision status, including completion of required CEUs
c. Benchmark: Faculty members will maintain AAMFT membership, including the
subscription to JMFT
d. Benchmark: Program director will participate in collaborative meetings with other
Marriage and Family Therapy leaders in MN by attending at least 2 collaborative
meetings per year. She/he will report back to other faculty points of discussion
e. Benchmark: Students will, on average, report in course evaluations that faculty are
knowledgeable on topics relevant to MFT course material
2. Faculty members will provide a diverse and organized curriculum.
Measured by: alumni survey, exit exam, course evaluations
a. Benchmark: Alumni will report, on average, an overall satisfactory rating of the MFT
curriculum, as indicated on items (item 11)
b. Benchmark: Students will report during the exit interview, on average, an overall
satisfactory rating of the MFT curriculum, including sequencing of courses and content of
courses
c. Benchmark: Students will report in course evaluations, on average, an overall
satisfactory rating of courses taken during the MFT program
3. Faculty members will pursue scholarly activities.
Measured by: publications, grants, presentations
a. Benchmark: a minimum of one publication submitted and/or one professional
presentation/grant writing activity per year, including areas of multicultural scholarship