title: Transforming an MFT program: a model for enhancing diversity.
abstract: Marriage and family therapy programs need to go beyond the typical practices of recruiting and retaining students of color. Marriage and family therapy educators must assume positions of leadership by transforming graduate programs to reflect a deep, active, systemic commitment to both diversity and social justice. In this article, we argue that it is through this type of transformation that programs become truly ready to support students of color and to prepare all therapists to advocate for equity in a diverse, often unfair society. This article offers a model that addresses readiness, recruitment, retention, assessment, and professional development from this perspective.
authors.affiliation: MFT Program, Northern Illinois University, USA. teresamcdowell@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: Shi-Ruei
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Kenya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brownlee
authors.forename: Cecilia Gomez
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Anchal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khanna
mesh_terms: D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005178:Faculty; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008388:Marital Therapy / Q000193:education*; D008611:Mentors; D017145:Models, Educational; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D024382:Professional Role; D016730:Program Development; D012935:Social Justice; D014481:United States