THE VOICES OF AFRICAN‐AMERICAN MFT STUDENTS: SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

Abstract

This study examined the issue of African‐American participation in MFT academic programs. Data for the study came from surveys completed by 25 of the 29 program directors of AAMFT accredited MFT programs and from 90‐minute telephone interviews with 15 of the 20 African‐American students identified by the participating directors. Results indicate that African‐American students and faculty are glaringly underrepresented in MFT master's and doctoral degree programs. For example, although African‐Americans constitute 12.2% of the United States population and 5% of all master's degree recipients in the United States, less than 1% of all MFT master's degree recipients are African‐American. Specific suggestions are offered by students and faculty for improving recruitment and retention of African‐American students and improving program sensitivity to cultural and racial issues which may impede the full integration of the African‐American student into the academic program and the profession.