CAHSS Graduate Catalog 2018 - 2019

87 diversity/inclusion values, and publicizing both our licensure exam pass rates and our postgraduate employment statistics. Retention Policy The NSU MS in the MFT program demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and prepares students for the clinical practice of family therapy, maintaining a high level of graduation and postgraduate success in the field. Our retention policy balances our commitment to the best outcome for individual students, with the need to maintain a positive reputation for our graduates to ensure success in the field. The program director attends closely to the progress of individual students during their first semester. Most of our attrition occurs during this first semester, when students are not able to succeed academically or have underestimated the commitment required for a graduate program. In this event, the program director meets with the student and the faculty teaching the student that semester. Every effort is made to work towards a mutually agreeable outcome, as for example a transfer to a less academically rigorous, nonclinical program. At the end of the first three semesters, when the students transition to their external practicums, the program director again consults with faculty as to the progress of individual students. Students having academic difficulties or low grades would have been noted before this point, but if students have performed well academically but the faculty has concerns about their clinical ability, Students may be asked to take additional internal practicums above and beyond the minimum requirement. The program director and the faculty work with individual students to maintain their progress towards graduation. If at any time, however, it becomes clear a student is interpersonally, ethically, or academically unqualified for the practice of marriage and family therapy, that student will be dismissed from the program. Our goal is a high level of retention, but balanced at all times with the need to maintain the integrity of the program and the profession. Grievances/Student Complaints The M.S. Program in Family Therapy encourages feedback from all of its faculty, supervisors, and students. If students have concerns, they initially discuss the issue with the faculty instructor, supervisor, or their faculty advisor. If the concern is not resolved, the student may consult with the Program Director. If the concern is then not resolved, the student may consult with the Department Chair. The department currently has a complaint/concern/grievance form students may fill out and give to the Program Director. Official grievances are required in writing if other methods have not resulted in the resolution of an issue. Governance of the Program The M.S. Program in Family Therapy employs a Program Director who is academically, professionally and experientially qualified and is vested with the authority necessary to accomplish the the program goals. The program values highly input from its communities of interest which include faculty, supervisors, and students. Faculty and supervisors participate in the governance of the program through their involvement in teaching and supervising students as well as through faculty meetings, faculty retreats, committee participation, and various other evaluative mechanisms. Faculty and supervisors are encouraged to offer feedback regarding the program throughout the year. Students are involved in the governance of the program through the feedback they provide via the course evaluations, Annual Reviews, Student Government Association (SGA), Doctoral Seminars, Doctoral Town Hall meetings, and various other evaluative mechanisms. Faculty and students are also represented on the Advisory Board as well as the Ph.D. Curriculum Committee. Feedback from all communities of interest is collected and reviewed at faculty meetings for possible program changes and improvement. Any major changes to the program, such as curricular