The following includes a list of division options:

• Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Post-Graduate Academic Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy

Students must be admitted to the Master of Arts in Counseling or the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy or a Post-Masters Certificate Program and meet course prerequisites in order to enroll in courses with the MCPY or MFT prefix. Course work for both degree and certificate programs are offered on the Regis University Interprofessional Health Campus (Thornton) in a variety of evening and weekend formats.

Regis University New Student Recruitment

Through a centralized Office of Admissions, new student recruitment is conducted by trained admissions counselors. Interested prospective students are contacted via phone and/or email by an admissions counselor and provided information about Regis University’s programs, curriculum, faculty, campus locations, accreditation, and cost of attendance. At times, individual in person appointments at one of our campus locations are also conducted per a prospective student’s request.

Information sessions are hosted by Admissions on a monthly basis via Zoom. These session dates are listed on our website at http://events.regis.edu/infosession.

Admission to DCFT Master's Degree Programs

Admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) and the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) is open to all individuals who have earned a baccalaureate degree in any field of study from a regionally accredited college or university. An academic background in Psychology or Family Studies is preferred but not required for applicants seeking program admission. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to achieve graduate-level writing and critical analysis abilities before admission to the MAC or MAMFT Program. 

The DCFT faculty admit students who have demonstrated a readiness for the programs both academically and psychologically. Admission is competitive and limited by the program’s need to maintain appropriate clinical faculty/student ratios in each of the programs.

A faculty admissions committee carefully assesses each applicant’s appropriateness for each degree program through evaluation of application materials and assessments of the applicant during the admission process and admission interview.

Viable candidates for admission often have a background in psychology or family studies demonstrated by several or all of the following:

• An undergraduate degree in psychology or family studies,
• Work experience related to psychology or helping relationships,
• Participation in personal psychotherapy,
• Personal life experiences that would indicate an ability for introspection, empathy for others, and psychological maturity.

The Office of Admissions must receive the following documentation from each applicant before an admission decision can be rendered for the MAC or MAMFT degrees:

• A completed application form, which includes a nonrefundable application fee.
• Official transcript(s) reflecting a baccalaureate degree awarded from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Completed admission essays.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Current resume.
• Criminal background check.

After the application file is complete, other MAC/MAMFT degree program requirements for admission include the following:

• Attendance at an on-campus admission interview with program faculty.
• Minimum levels of technological competence and computer literacy including the following: knowledge of common computing terms; thorough knowledge of word processing, including attachments, spell check, copy and paste, etc.; proficiency with sending/receiving e-mail, including e-mail with attached files; students must have an e-mail address; proficiency with web browser software; and familiarity with navigating the internet.
• Once all documentation has been received and the prospective student has attended a MAC/MAMFT Program admission interview, an Admission Committee reviews the application and makes an admission decision. 

Admission applications and requirements can be found on the Regis web pages at www.regis.edu.

The MAC/MAMFT programs offer prospective students opportunities to apply for admission three times a year. Interviews are held for all program campuses each fall, spring, and summer semester at the Denver campus.

MAC/MAMFT program applicants must submit all admission materials prior to the admission deadline and attend an on-campus admission interview in order to be considered for admission. All admitted students must also attend a new student orientation prior to enrolling in course work. Admission deadlines, applicant interview dates, and new student orientation dates are published on the Regis Division of Counseling and Family Therapy site at www.regis.edu.

Course Overload

MAC students who register for more than twelve semester hours over a 14-week semester may do so only with the approval of the program. The MFT program only requires approval if students take more than 16 credit hours over a 14-week semester.

DCFT Clinical Coursework

Students in the MAC/MAMFT program are required to enroll in at least one semester of Supervised Practicum and two semesters of internship after completing prerequisite coursework for clinical placement. The practicum and internship courses are required for the degree and should be taken sequentially over a minimum of three semesters. Student clinical placement in practicum and internship courses must be approved by the Practicum and Clinical Coordinators for the MAC/MAMFT Programs.

MAC/MAMFT Degree Requirements

Each MAC/MAMFT Student:

• Must complete the appropriate degree requirements as specified in this Catalog.
• Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or better in courses required for the degree. In addition, a student who receives a grade of “C+” or less in two courses will be subject to academic review and may be suspended from the program. No grades in courses less than a “B-” will be counted toward degree requirements (e.g., “C+” or less). In courses that are graded with “P” (Pass) or “N” (No Pass), only grades of “P” will count towards graduation of master’s degree requirements. MAC students must also maintain acceptable ratings on the MAC Student Performance Evaluation (SPE) throughout the program. MFT students must maintain acceptable ratings on the MFT Professional Performance Evaluation (PPE). Students who are rated below minimum program requirements on the SPE or PPE may be subject to a remediation plan to address professional competency deficiencies. In cases of academic non-compliance for grades or referral to remediation, probation, suspension, and dismissal from the MAC/MAMFT program may be determined.
• Is expected to attend MAC/MAMFT program orientations and seminars. Attendance standards are established by the MAC/MAMFT program faculty.
• Is expected to share in the responsibilities of their own learning in partnership with faculty advisors and instructors.

Academic Probation

The policies of the Division of Counseling and Family Therapy (DCFT) differ from the RHCHP Masters policies, and this policy applies to all students attending in the MAC or MAMFT degree programs and certificates.

Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 to graduate. If a GPA falls below 3.000 in the program, the student will be notified and placed on academic probation. Students placed on academic probation have one term to raise their GPA to 3.000. Any student who believes they have exceptional reason to request an extension to the one term rule must seek approval through the department chair (see the decision and appeals process below). Courses with a grade of C+ or below may be repeated one time and students must earn a grade of B- or greater to continue progression in the program. Students who receive a No Pass/Fail in clinical courses will be either placed on probation or may be suspended (see below) and must also repeat the course. Students will be notified of probationary status by the department chair and must complete and submit an Academic Success Plan for review and signature by their academic advisor prior to the stated deadline or face suspension.

Academic Suspension

Students who fail to raise the cumulative grade point average to 3.000 within one term or the stated deadline are suspended. Students who earn a grade of C+ or below in two courses (including repeated courses) may be suspended from the program for up to one academic year. Students who are suspended and then return to the program are placed on probation for the term(s) required to raise their GPA to 3.000. Students who are notified of academic suspension (without remediation-see below) may complete any regular and required courses for which they are currently enrolled. Any additional registrations will be dropped for the suspension period. Students are not allowed to register for further courses during the suspension period.

Any student who earns a grade of No Pass/Fail (NP/F) during clinical courses (techniques, practicum, internship) will have a Student Performance Evaluation (SPE) or MFT Professional Performance Evaluation (PPE) review with the course instructor and will be referred to remediation. Students may be required to immediately discontinue client contact in practicum and internship. Additionally, suspension may be immediate for all academic classes and/or clinical courses if continuation would result in the inability to effectively participate in courses or to provide client services. Additional remediation requirements apply and failure to successfully complete a remediation plan will result in further suspension or dismissal.

Students who are suspended will be notified by the department chair and must complete an Academic Success Plan, including a meeting with their advisor to review and discuss the plan in depth, prior to the stated deadline and return to the program. In order to return to the program students must petition for readmission by contacting the chair in writing, requesting a return and submitting the reviewed and signed Academic Success Plan. Failure to reapply by contacting the chair and complete and review the plan with their academic advisor by the stated deadline may result in academic dismissal. The Academic Success Plan and readmittance will be reviewed with the advisor and the department faculty committee for readmittance decisions.

Academic Dismissal

Following suspension and reenrollment in the program, any student who fails to raise their GPA to 3.000 or earns a grade of C+ or below or No Pass/Fail in any additional course may be dismissed from the program. Students who earn a grade of C+ or below in three courses at any time during the program may be dismissed from the program. Any student who receives a No Pass/Fail in any two clinical courses (techniques, groups, practicum, or internship), or upon failing a repeated clinical course will be dismissed.

Academic Review, Decisions and Appeals Process

The department chair receives notification of non-compliance of students with academic expectations to maintain a 3.000 or greater GPA and multiple course grade below C- per student, or No Pass/Fail in clinical courses. When a student is identified as out of compliance, an academic review is conducted to determine the level of probation, suspension, or dismissal. Students are notified of the policies and decision by the chair in writing, and the decision for probation, suspension, or dismissal and must confirm receipt of the decision notification. Students may request an extension from the department chair to increase the numbers of terms to increase their GPA. If a student is unable to raise their GPA within a semester, in addition to submitting an Academic Success Plan, the student may petition the department chair at any time during probation and suspension to modify the plan and request additional time to raise their GPA above 3.000.

Appeals to the decision for probation and suspension may be made with the Division of Counseling and Family Therapy Associate Dean and must be made within 10 business days of the decision date provided by the Department Chair. Appeals for probation and suspension decisions made by the DCFT Associate Dean are final. Dismissal requires the completion and review of the Student Dismissal Form (see MAC or MAMFT Student Handbook) by the Department Chair, DCFT Associate Dean, RHCHP Dean, and University Provost. Appeals for dismissal are brought first to the Associate Dean and reviewed with the RHCHP Dean and University Provost in conjunction with department faculty.

Cross Registration

Master of Arts in Counseling and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy students may cross register for courses in other programs. However, due to the requirements of the MAC/MAMFT degree plans, outside courses cannot be applied toward the MAC/MAMFT degree plans or certificate plans.

Only Master of Arts in Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy or students enrolled in post-graduate certificate programs are eligible to register for courses with the MCPY/MFT prefix.

MAC/MAMFT Student Competencies and Remediation

As a student progresses in the MAC program, faculty may evaluate student performance using the Student Performance Evaluation (SPE) at developmental points throughout the program. Students will receive feedback on the SPE regarding their professional strengths as well as areas for growth. For MFT students, faculty will evaluate student performance using the Professional Performance Evaluation (PPE). Students exhibiting unsatisfactory performance in any area will be referred by faculty to the Remediation Coordinator who will appoint a Remediation and Support Committee to address the needs of the student. A specific remediation plan and/or a recommendation on progression or dismissal from the program will be made to the appropriate degree chair by the Remediation and Support Committee. Once approved, the recommendation of the committee will be monitored and proof of compliance must be demonstrated by the student prior to further progression in the program. For detailed description of remediation and appeal procedures, see the MAC/MAMFT student manuals.