North Dakota State University

Program Description
The CFT Program is an option within the Department of Human Development and Family Science at North Dakota State University.   
The program is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). As such, the program meets the rigorous standards of COAMFTE in the areas of theory, research, and clinical training.
Only 6-8 students are accepted into the program each year to allow for a small faculty-student ratio. Students work in state-of-the-art training facilities and complete their clinical and course requirements in 2.5 years.  Graduation varies based on when students complete their theses.  Students are required to take 59 semester credits, which includes course work, practicum, and thesis credits (see the program requirements). 
Students who complete the program are prepared to enter a variety of settings including: work in clinical agencies, private practice, doctoral training, non-profit agencies, and community mental health.

The CFT program at NDSU is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) affirmative training program.

Program Philosophy
The CFT program is committed to centering all aspects of training in a feminist-informed, social justice framework. We are committed to making the cultural effects of racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, etc. visible within the context of therapy. Students are encouraged to reflect on how issues of power, privilege, and oppression influence our personal lives and relationships. We believe it is our responsibility to help student therapists extened their work beyond the therapy room by using their skills to create meaningful social change in the community.

Graduate Assistantships
The department offers graduate assistantships for interested students. Assistantships provide a full tuition waiver and monthly stipend in exchange for 10 hours of work per week with a faculty member.

Faculty
Thomas Stone Carlson, Ph.D. Associate Professor & Program Coordinator
Research Interests Include: influence of homophobia and heterosexism on clinical practice and training, evaluation of LGBT affirmative therapy competence among therapists, evaluation of feminist and social justice training practices and influence of spirituality on clinical practice and training.
Therapy Interests Include: narrative therapy and community work, feminist approaches to therapy with men, LGBT affirmative therapy, and socially just approaches to therapy.

Christi McGeorge, Ph.D. Associate Professor 
Research and Therapy Interests Include: heterosexism and homophobia, gender equity, family play therapy, feminist theories, parenting, women's history, and single parents. 

Kristen Benson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor 
Research and Therapy Interests Include: gender identity and family/partner relationships, diversity issues in family therapy, collaborative approaches to family therapy education and training, and qualitative methodology. 

View Featured Faculty Articles.

Fargo

Fargo and the surrounding communities of West Fargo and Moorhead are a great place to live.  Friendly people, a relatively low cost of living, and a trendy and vibrant downtown... learn more about the Fargo area by visiting our Fun Facts About Fargo page.

Dr. Tom Stone Carlson featured on Prairie Public's Hear It Now

Listen to the interview that aired on March 6th, 2013 - Dr. Stone Carlson visits about LGBT Affirmative Therapy, our recent grants, the NDSU CFT program, and more.

News and Updates

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