5 Absences: The student will automatically be awarded a Grade of “F”.
Course Cancellation
The School of Medicine reserves the right to cancel a scheduled course due to unforeseen circumstances or if an insufficient number of students enroll for the course. Faculty advisors will assist students in the selection of alternative courses when a course is cancelled.
Course Changes
Adding and/or dropping courses must be accomplished on or before the dates specified in the academic calendar. Required forms must be obtained and processed in the Registrar’s Office. Courses dropped during this period will not appear on the student’s grade report or permanent record.
Course Numbering System
The numbering system for graduate course work in the MFT/MFS program is 601-797. Each course appears in the Handbook with the prefix MFST or MFSS.
Course Syllabi
MFT/MFS students are provided a course syllabus at the beginning of each course. The syllabus is to outline the required texts, expectations of the course, required papers and projects, exams and all expectations of the course, including attendance and grading. The professor(s) of the course will assign the student a grade in the course based upon the student’s performance as outlined in the syllabus.
Course Withdrawals
A student may withdraw from a course with a grade of “W” after the course change period and on or before the last day for withdrawals as shown in the current academic calendar. Withdrawals are not used when computing grade point averages. Students should also read the Financial Information section within MUSM’s website regarding possible loss of financial aid. To make an official withdrawal from a course, a student must obtain and submit a completed Course Withdrawal Form to the MUSM Registrar. If the student elects to discontinue class attendance and academic performance and does not complete an official Course Withdrawal Form within the time limits described, a grade of “F” will be recorded on the student’s official record.
Changes in Program or Major
If a student enters under one MFT/MFS Program and then decides to change to another MFT/MFS program, he/she must meet the following requirements:
1. Have a GPA of at least 3.0 in all courses taken in the Program at that time.
2. Have demonstrated a record of academic, professional, and personal integrity.
3. Have completed all pre-requisite requirements of the Program being sought admission
4. Complete a comprehensive interview with faculty advisor.
Comprehensive Exam
When a student has completed all required academic coursework in the MFT/MFS Program, he/she must request to take the Comprehensive Exam. This Exam consists of approximately 100 multiple-choice questions and is modeled after the Georgia Composite Board MFT Licensure Exam. Ten questions are presented from the following areas:
Introduction to Family Studies
Family Systems I & II
Family Therapy with Major Psychopathology
Marriage & Family Therapy Methods
Family Treatment of Addiction
Human Sexual Dysfunction
Child Development
Adolescent Development
Adult Development
Ethics & Professional Practice
Family Methodology Research
MFS students take the same exam without the sections involving Family Therapy with Major Psychopathology and Marriage & Family Therapy Methods, and including two sections involving Services Management I and II.
The Exam is available three times per year – in May, August, and in December. Students must achieve a grade of 65 or higher to successfully pass the Exam. Students not receiving a passing grade on the first attempt will be permitted to retake the exam. Students who are unable to successfully pass the exam on the second attempt will be required to engage in additional study in the areas experiencing the most deficiencies and will then be required to take an oral exam.
Post Masters Certificate students are not required to take the comprehensive exam.
Credit Units
The MFT/MFS Program at MUSM uses the semester hour as the basic unit of credit. The individual course descriptions indicate the number of credit hours awarded for each course.
Credit, Extra-Collegiate Learning Programs
No credit will be awarded for courses taken by correspondence or through other forms of life experiences. Courses taken in other graduate programs in which a degree was earned cannot be used for credit in the MFT/MFS Program.
Credit, Graduate Transfer
Because of the specialized nature of the MFT/MFS Program offered through MUSM, the amount of graduate course credits awarded by transfer will be evaluated by the Program Director on a case-by-case basis. The Program Director will make the final determination on the type and amount of transfer credits to be accepted. The maximum number of transfer credits for Masters students will be limited to six semester hours and for Post Masters students will be limited to three semester yours. Such transfer credits are further restricted to courses in which a grade of “B” or better was achieved. Transfer work will be calculated as part of the stated time limitations for the completion of the programs.
Credit, Transient Status Mercer Student
Students who wish to earn transient credit from another college while currently enrolled in a MUSM graduate program must have prior approval from the Program Director for such credit to be accepted as part of the degree program. The maximum number of credits from transient and/or transfer course work that may be accepted for Masters students is a total of six semester hours and for Post Masters students is a total of three semester hours. Such credits are further restricted to courses in which a grade of “B” or better was achieved. Transient work will be calculated as part of the stated time limitations for the completion of the programs.
Credit, Transient Status Non-Mercer Student
Students enrolled in another institution and/or individuals not enrolled in a degree seeking program who wish to obtain graduate credit for a course taken at Mercer University must complete the MUSM graduate program application, pay the appropriate application fee, and submit a letter setting forth the reasons for requesting the transient status. Transient status requests will be evaluated by the Program Director on a case-by-case basis. Transcripts and admission test scores are waived.
Curriculum Changes
From time to time the Program may elect to change the curriculums for the MFT/MFS Programs.
A student must fulfill the educational requirements in effect during the academic year in which that student entered the program at MUSM unless he or she is not enrolled for two or more consecutive semesters. If a student is not enrolled for two or more semesters including summer, he or she must fulfill the education requirements in effect at the time he or she re-enrolls.
Enrollment Status
Full-time enrollment will be considered six (6) semester hours; half time will be considered three (3) semester hours. A graduate student may not register for more than nine (9) credit hours per semester unless the overload has been approved by the Program Director.
Evaluation of Courses
Each semester students are asked to complete a Course Evaluation form in each course. The process for conducting course evaluations is as follows:
- Faculty bring the course evaluation forms to the last class of the semester before the final exam.
- At the end of the class session, the Faculty provides the evaluation forms to the students for completion and leaves the classroom.
- Students anonymously complete the evaluation forms and do not indicate any identifying data on the forms.
- A student is selected to collect the course evaluation forms, reinsert them into the brown envelope provided, seal the envelope, and deliver it to the MFT/MFS Administrative Assistant.
- The MFT/MFS Administrative Assistant delivers the sealed envelope to the Office of Student Evaluation for scoring.
- Results of the evaluations are provided to the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Program Director.
- The Director reviews the Evaluation scores with the faculty to provide feedback and guidance concerning the course content, teaching style and success in the classroom.
Evaluation of MFT Practicum Experience
Each semester a MFT student is engaged in practicum, he/she is required to complete two Evaluations of Supervision Sessions to provide feedback to the Practicum Supervisor. The practicum student is required to complete an Agency Evaluation Form each semester for each site the student is engaged in the practicum experience. See MFT Practicum Experience in this student handbook for additional details concerning the Masters and Post Masters Certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy Practicum Experience.
Evaluation of Program
Following the successful completion of all academic and clinical requirements and successfully passing the Comprehensive Exam, each MFT/MFS student is asked to complete an Exit Interview. This is accomplished by either the student writing out his/her responses to the questions or by a faculty member calling the student and documenting the student’s responses.
Grading System
Letter grades are reported and recorded for all courses in which a student is enrolled after the end of the published course change period. The grading of “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory” are not options for MFT/MFS graduate students. Letter grades used in the MFT/MFS Program are as follows:
Grade Interpretation Quality Points per Credit Hour
A Excellent 4.00
B+ Good 3.50
B Average 3.00
C+ Below Average 2.50
C Below Average 2.00
D Poor 1.00
F Failure 0.00
ABX Absence from Final Exam Excused
AU Audit
IC Incomplete
IP In Progress
W Withdrawal
Z Grade Not Reported
The grade of “IP” is awarded only in graduate practicum or research project courses, which may extend beyond the end of a semester. A student is expected to finish “In Progress” work based on the timetable established by the professor issuing the “IP” grade, and at least by the last date to withdraw deadline of the following semester after the “IP” course work. If the student does not complete the required work within the time specified, the grade automatically converts to an “F”.
The grade of “ABX” denotes that the student was absent from the examination because of illness or another valid and compelling reason deemed satisfactory to the professor. A makeup exam must be completed by the last date to withdraw deadline of the following semester after the “ABX” course work. If the student does not complete the required work within the time specified, the grade automatically converts to an “F”.
The grade of “IC” indicates that a relatively small part of the semester’s course work remains incomplete because of sickness or reasons satisfactory to the professor. The work must be completed by the last date to withdraw deadline of the following semester after the “IC” course work. If the student does not complete the required work within the time specified, the grade automatically converts to an “F”.
The grade of “W” (Withdrawal) indicates that a student officially withdrew from the course on or before the last day for withdrawals as designated in the current Academic Calendar. Withdrawals are not used when computing grade point averages. Students should also read the Financial Information section regarding possible loss of financial aid. To make an official withdrawal from a course, a student must obtain and submit a completed Course Withdrawal Form to the MUSM Registrar. If the student elects to discontinue class attendance and academic performance and does not complete an official Course Withdrawal Form within the time limits described, a grade of “F” (Failure) will be recorded on the student’s official record. A grade of “W” may not be awarded if a student does not complete the official Course Withdrawal Form on or before the date designated for each semester in the current Academic Calendar.
Graduation Audits
Upon a student successfully completing all academic and clinical requirements, including successfully passing the Comprehensive Exam and any clinical presentations required, a student is ready to graduate from the Program. A Graduation Audit Report is prepared by the MFT/MFS Program Coordinator and reviewed by the Program Director. Once the Audit is complete and all academic and clinical information have been verified, the form is signed by the Program Director and forwarded to the Registrar. The Registrar’s Office orders the student’s diploma and the student is included as a Graduate in the Graduation Ceremony held in the spring each year.
A student may be permitted to walk in the Spring Graduation Ceremony prior to completing all academic and clinical requirements or taking the Comprehensive Exam and making any clinical presentations required provided the student demonstrates the ability to successfully complete all remaining Program requirements by the end of the following summer semester in which the student enrolls. In such event, the student will not be awarded the actual diploma until all Program requirements have been satisfied.
Graduation Degree Requirements – Master of Family Services
- Successful completion of all academic course work with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. The student may have no more than two letter grades of “C+” or “C”. A letter grade of “D” or “F” may not be included in course work used for the MFS Program.
- Successful completion of a 6 credit hour practicum in which the student must accrue 480 hours of administrative experience in an agency setting.
- Achievement of a passing score on the MFS comprehensive exam.
Leave of Absence
A student may be granted a Leave of Absence for a variety of reasons. An Approved Leave (s) of Absence (LOA) as defined by the Department of Education does not exceed 180 days during a twelve-month period. The 180 days may be taken at one time or may cover several LOA’s during the 12-month period.
A student who takes an Approved Leave of Absence is considered not to have withdrawn from MUSM. A Leave of Absence is approved if:
1. The student has made a written request for the Leave(s) of Absence.
2. The Leave(s) of Absence does not exceed 180 days.
3. MUSM does not charge the student for the Leave (s) of Absence.
If a student’s Leave(s) of Absence is not approved or the student fails to return to MUSM at the end of an Approved Leave(s) of Absence, the student is considered to have withdrawn from MUSM, and the refund requirements apply.
These Leave of Absence requirements also affect a student’s in-school status for the purposes of deferring Student Financial Assistance (SFA) Loans. A student on an Approved Leave of Absence is considered to be enrolled at MUSM and will be eligible for an in-school deferment for his/her SFA Loans. A student who takes an unapproved Leave of Absence or fails to return to MUSM at the end of an Approved Leave of Absence is no longer enrolled at MUSM and is not eligible for in-school deferment of his/her loans.
Privileges granted during an Approved Leave of Absence include:
1. The student may use the library and other learning resources.
2. A student on Leave of Absence will remain on the distribution list for any student updates, class newsletters, and other communications.
Practicum Experience – Master of Family Services
MFS students spend a minimum of one semester in an appropriate agency setting to enable students to develop advanced problem solving skills in a social service agency which deals primarily with family related issues and problems. Theoretical explanations and justification of intervention processes and outcomes will be submitted. Students will be expected to demonstrate self directed learning skills in addition to interpersonal skills and personal awareness competencies. The practicum consists of 30 hours of agency contact per week for sixteen weeks.
Registration
All students are required to register for courses at the time prescribed in the MUSM calendar or in compliance with official notices issued by the Office of the Registrar at MUSM. Official course enrollment, which includes the completion of satisfactory arrangement for financial payments, is required for admission to classes.
Completing and submitting a registration form in electronic or paper format commits a student for the courses requested and the corresponding fees and charges incurred. A student, who early-registers or registers during an official registration period and is unable to attend classes, must notify the Registrar in writing prior to the first day of class. A student who registers after the official registration period is required to pay a $25.00 late fee.
Right of Appeals
Students may appeal faculty or program decisions regarding evaluations, grades, or decisions on the fulfillment of program and certification requirements. Please refer to the Student’s Right of Appeals Grievance Procedures in this Student Handbook for specifics.
Surveys of Alumni
The Program hosts an Alumni Day each spring. Students are invited to attend the Armour Family Lecture Series and a luncheon hosted in their honor. The purpose of the two events is to provide an educational, networking opportunity for students, alumni, and marriage and family professionals. Alumni are also asked to complete a survey each year that requests information on professional employment status, credentialing status, preparedness to function in the workplace and student satisfaction with their educational experience in the MFT/MFS Program.
