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Integrating Gatekeeping Practices into Core Competencies in MFT Training: Development of the Core Competency-Based Assessment Measure

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Abstract

Gatekeeping is an important topic in human-service professions. Faculty members in couple and family therapy programs are responsible for regulating student acceptance into marriage and family therapy (MFT) training, and student graduation from these training programs; thus, regulating entry into the profession. Core competencies in MFT were developed to describe the competencies of MFTs (Nelson et al., Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 33(4):417–438, 2007). The core competencies detail skills that MFTs must master within about 2 years post-master’s degree. We propose that core competencies are useful ways to assess student progress, and therefore, useful gatekeeping tools. In this paper, we present a student assessment measure called the Core Competency Based Student Assessment, which may be useful to faculty members as they take on a gatekeeping role.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 3045, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA

    Carissa D’Aniello & Katherine M. Hertlein

Authors
  1. Carissa D’Aniello
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  2. Katherine M. Hertlein
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carissa D’Aniello.

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There are no known conflicts of interest.

Research Involving Human and Animal Participants

This research does not involve human participants or animals, and therefore does not involve informed consent.

Appendix

Appendix

Core Competency-Based Student Assessment (CCBSA) (Adapted from Northey and Gehart).

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D’Aniello, C., Hertlein, K.M. Integrating Gatekeeping Practices into Core Competencies in MFT Training: Development of the Core Competency-Based Assessment Measure. Contemp Fam Ther 39, 220–229 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-017-9416-z

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