Clinical Practicum
EMERGE FTC provides the clinical training portion of Converse University’s COAMFTE-accredited Master in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) program.
Converse’s MMFT program is offered in two locations:
Spartanburg
Students attend classes at Converse University’s main campus in Spartanburg, and receive clinical training at EMERGE’s Spartanburg clinic.
Greenville
Students attend classes and clinical training at Converse University & EMERGE’s University Center of Greenville (UCG) location.
Converse University MMFT Program Details
Converse’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program has two COAMFTE-accredited locations in Upstate South Carolina. Potential students can attend the program at either the Spartanburg location on the campus of Converse University or the Greenville location at the University Center Greenville. Both sites provide students with training dedicated to producing clinically skilled and culturally competent systemic marriage and family therapists who can practice effectively and ethically in various settings.
The program requires 63 credit hours, including a 15-credit hour clinical practicum completed at EMERGE, and combines academic and clinical experiences. The program follows a cohort model, and all students are accepted into the program as full-time students. It takes two years (including two summers) to complete the program.
Near the end of their first year (in the summer), Converse MMFT students begin their clinical training, or “practicum,” at EMERGE, which continues until the end of the 2-year program. During the 15-month practicum experience, students provide individual, couples, and family therapy to clients who present with a wide variety of diagnoses, relational difficulties, and life challenges. The clinical practicum requirements include, but are not limited to:
500 hours of client contact
250 of which must be relational (i.e. more than one member of the client system in the therapy session)
100 hours of supervision
At least 50 hours of group supervision, and 50 hours of individual supervision
For more program details and requirements, please visit the Converse's MMFT program page.
What makes Converse College & EMERGE’s MMFT partnership unique:
EMERGE is a community-based nonprofit operating on a unique sliding scale fee system, offering therapy sessions starting at $6. Our MMFT practicum students help increase access to affordable mental health services, and work with an especially broad range of diverse clients.
Our supervisors have exceptionally diverse research interests, clinical experiences, and specializations. Practicum students rotate to a new AAMFT Approved Supervisor or Supervisor in Training each semester, allowing them to gain valuable insight from multiple established clinicians.
Converse’s MMFT students have the option to specialize in play therapy, a model of therapy that encourages healthy psychosocial development in children. As part of the Play Therapy Track, students complete the coursework necessary to become a Registered Play Therapist following licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist.
In addition to hosting MMFT practicum students, EMERGE also hosts licensed associates (fellows) as part of our Post Degree Institute. Many of our fellows are recent graduates of Converse’s MMFT program, and act as mentors to incoming MMFT students.
The MMFT program allows for flexibility in terms of location. Converse College accepts full-time students at both their Spartanburg and Greenville locations. Also, students enrolled in other MMFT programs can still apply to EMERGE’s clinical practicum.
Converse’s MMFT program is one of the top five most affordable COAMFTE-accredited Marriage and Family Therapy programs in the nation. View the total tuition and practicum cost under the “Tuition and Financial Aid” section of Converse's MMFT program page.
Our clinical practicum is also open to students enrolled in other Marriage and Family Therapy programs.
If you are enrolled in an outside MFT program, and are interested in receiving your clinical training at EMERGE, start our simple practicum application today!
Questions? Please contact our Spartanburg office at (864) 583-1010 and we will be happy to assist!
