Kansas State University's marriage and family therapy program ranks sixth in the nation
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016
Faculty, staff and students with Kansas State University's marriage and family therapy program, which has been ranked sixth in the nation. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — The marriage and family therapy program at Kansas State University has earned a high national recognition for its reputation among students, faculty and associates in the field.
The program, which is offered through the School of Family Studies and Human Services in the College of Human Ecology, is ranked sixth in the nation by Online-psychology-degrees.org, an online website for finding the best academic programs in the field of psychology.
To be considered for ranking by the website, programs must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education through the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Point values were assigned to such criteria as cost of graduate program(s), university ranking, number of degrees or specializations and additional accreditations.
Kansas State University's marriage and family therapy program edged out the competition by being affordable, well-ranked nationally, offering two degree options — both master's and doctoral degrees in marriage and family therapy — and having accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
"What truly sets K-State's marriage and family therapy program apart is that our graduate programs produce leaders in the field," said Glade Topham, marriage and family therapy program director. "Our graduates become integral clinical practitioners at community mental health centers, nonprofit agencies, K-12 school districts and private group practices. They go into nonclinical positions in university administration. And, after completing their doctoral degrees, our graduates receive top postdoctoral fellowships and obtain faculty positions in the top academic programs in the field."
Topham also said the university's marriage and family therapy program is often selected by students because of the high quality of its personalized instruction, mentoring and supervision that both master's and doctoral students receive.
"We offer our students opportunities to participate in a wide range of research and clinical experiences that afford them the opportunity to develop the skills and expertise to compete for the top jobs in their areas of interest," he said.
Another program strength, Topham said, is that students have access to clinical sites such as the Family Center, an on-campus clinic, as well as to external school placement sites, medical facilities, military installations, community mental health centers and more.
"In addition, our students have opportunities to participate on faculty research teams on the topics of interest to them," Topham said. "Through these opportunities, students develop knowledge and skills relative to all phases of research and have opportunities to present their research at national conferences and to publish their work in top journals in the field."
Graduates of the university master's program in marriage and family therapy choose from one of two paths: practicing marriage and family therapy in a variety of mental health settings, or entering some of the most challenging doctoral programs — including at Kansas State University.
Many graduates of the university's doctoral program in marriage and family therapy go on to postdoctoral fellowships or to faculty positions at other institutions.
"It comes as no surprise that our marriage and family therapy program would be so highly ranked," said Dorothy Durband, director of the School of Family Studies and Human Services. "Our students are consistently recognized for their achievements locally and nationally. Students have the opportunity to work closely with our esteemed faculty in a challenging and supportive learning environment. We see that this approach prepares successful practitioners and academics."
