Southern Miss Marriage and Family Therapy Students Achieve Perfect Pass Rate on National Exam
Tue, 06/09/2026 - 02:06pm
Graduate students pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at 91少女集中营 have earned a 100% pass rate on a national licensure test of their ability to serve effectively in the profession.
The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards鈥� () Marital and Family Therapy National Examination determines attainment of the knowledge and experience considered essential for entry-level professional practice in the field. MFTs trained under AAMFT standards provide brief, solution-focused and systemic therapy addressing a range of issues to include depression, anxiety, marital conflict, child-parent problems and chronic illnesses.
Southern Miss鈥檚 MFT program is housed in its College of Education and Human Sciences鈥� School of Human Development and Family Science. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy () and meets requirements for licensure in Mississippi. Students in the program engage in focused clinical training, including 300 hours of direct therapy services through the Southern Miss Center for Family Therapy and community placements.
MFT program coordinator Dr. Ben Jones said the need for high-quality therapists has never been higher because of continuing increases in anxiety, depression and related conditions.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so proud of the work our students have been doing over the past two years to gain the skills necessary to be effective clinicians, and this 100% pass rate is just one of many testaments to their readiness to serve others in meaningful ways,鈥� Jones further noted. 鈥淎fter graduation, these students will go on to help individuals, couples and families navigate some of their darkest, most difficult moments.鈥�
Dr. Heath Grames, director of the School of Human Development and Family Science, concurred with Jones that achieving a 100% passing rate signifies its MFT students are ready to enter the field 鈥渨ith confidence, competence and integrity.鈥�
鈥淭his milestone ensures that our graduates are not only prepared for licensure after graduation and post-grad supervision, but that they are fully ready for life as practicing clinicians who can make a meaningful impact in their communities,鈥� Grames said. 鈥淚t also exemplifies the dedication and perseverance of our students, as well as the expertise, mentorship and unwavering support of our faculty.鈥�
College of Education and Human Sciences Dean Dr. Trent Gould praised the students鈥� achievement on the exam and the faculty who guided them.
鈥淚t shows the hard work and dedication our students bring to their studies and training daily, along with the remarkable preparation they received throughout the program at Southern Miss,鈥� Gould said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to celebrate this next generation of MFT professionals.鈥�
Lexi Nelson, an MFT student from Bozeman, Mont., graduated from the program in May and was selected as its Outstanding Marriage and Family Therapy Student for the 2025-26 academic year. Nelson credited program faculty and coursework content for helping her and fellow students ace the exam.
Nelson also noted that her clinical training through the Southern Miss Center for Family Therapy was 鈥渁n incredible resource for hands-on experience and guidance when treating more difficult cases鈥� and key to preparing for her return to Montana to begin her career.
鈥淚 was originally drawn to the field because of the dynamics I observed within my own family and a desire to help other families navigate difficult times,鈥� Nelson said in explaining her interest in the profession. 鈥淚 admire the authenticity and empathy required for therapists to walk alongside people as they reauthor their stories, and with the training I received at Southern Miss, I can play a role in helping them turn the page to a new beginning.鈥�
Learn more about the Southern Miss MFT master鈥檚 program.