The Department of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) in Syracuse University's College of
Human Ecology was recently awarded reaccreditation by the American Association for
Marriage and Family Therapy's (AAMFT) Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and
Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
The COAMFTE is a specialized accrediting body that accredits master's degree, doctoral degree
and postgraduate degree clinical training programs in marriage and family therapy. The
accreditation process is voluntary and requires self-study by the program, an on-site review by
a selected group of peers, and a review and decision by the COAMFTE to determine
compliance with accreditation standards. Once a program has become accredited, it is required
to submit annual reports demonstrating continued standards compliance. Accredited programs
are reviewed at least every six years.
The marriage and family therapy program is one of the longest-standing and most
distinguished programs of its kind in the country. This past fall, the program welcomed its
largest-ever master's class. Thom deLara (pictured), chair of the Department of Marriage and Family
Therapy and professor of practice in the program, states, "Our vision for the future is to
maintain our national standing while adapting to the changing and expanding needs of the
populations we serve."
About the College of Human Ecology at Syracuse University
The College of Human Ecology is dedicated to excellence in professional academic education
and integrates Scholarship in Action as a philosophy and method in all of its degree programs.
The college brings together a rich history of academic programs whose signatures of social
responsibility and justice join new and evolving majors reflective of educating global citizens
whose leadership can-and does-change the places and peoples where they live and work.
Previously known as the College of Human Services and Health Professions until it was
renamed in 2007, the College of Human Ecology hosts seven departments with strong roots in
SU history: Child and Family Studies; Health and Wellness; Hospitality Management;
Marriage and Family Therapy; Nutrition Science and Dietetics; Sport Management; and the
School of Social Work.
