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The Hiebert Institute

The Hiebert Institute is housed within Marriage and Family Counseling Service, a community sponsored resource for counseling and education.

There are two professional education programs and one degree program in the HIebert Institute: the Certificate for Excellence in Marriage and Family Therapy and the Leadership Development Certificate.

Certificate for Excellence in Marriage and Family Therapy

- Licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy
All 50 states now have licensure of marriage and family therapists, including Illinois and Iowa. Most states require the following for licensure:
• Masters degree in marriage and family therapy or its equivalent
• 1,000 hours of clinical practice following the master’s degree • 200 hours of supervision of a candidate’s therapy
• Passage of the National MFT Examination

Degree equivalence: Post-degree institute courses or certificates may be counted as equivalent to academic courses/degrees for the purpose of completing the MFT course of study for licensure.

- Certificate Requirements
Through the Hiebert Institute, a post-degree institute, the following individuals may meet the academic requirements for licensure:
• Those with a master’s degree in a behavioral science may apply for the Certificate program to complete the master degree equivalent of a degree in MFT and meet the first requirement for licensure.
• Individuals who have met most of the course requirements but are short a few courses, may also enroll in courses to complete their course of study for the academic requirement for licensure.
• In Illinois, the Associate License in Marriage and Family Therapy can be awarded after the completion of the academic requirements.

Two courses are usually offered each semester although courses may be taken online or from other post-degree institutes. Fall and spring semester course announcements are mailed semiannually. Check the Events Calendar to find a listing of upcoming courses or contact the office to be added to the mailing list (309/786-4491).

Professional Degree Programs in Marriage and Family Therapy

The marriage and family therapy program offers both non-degree graduate courses in marriage and family therapy and Doctor of Psychology and Doctor of Ministry degrees through the Graduate Theological Foundation.

- Doctor of Psychology Degree: The Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy. D.) through the Graduate Theological Foundation requires a master's degree for admission. The program requires eight 3-credit courses in marriage and family therapy (which may include practica), 8 scholarly response papers and a professional project or thesis.

- Doctor of Ministry Degree: The Doctor of Ministry degree (D. Min.) through the Graduate Theological Foundation requires a master's degree for admission. The participant complete four 3-credit courses, four response papers and a professional project or thesis.

As indicated above, two courses are usually offered each semester. Although other arrangements can be made. Fall and spring semester course announcements are mailed semiannually. Check the Events Calendar to find a listing of upcoming courses or contact the office to be added to the mailing list (309/786-4491).

** Courses completed in the degree programs can be assigned simultaneously to the Certificate program and a degree program.

Leadership Development Program

The Leadership Development includes workshops and coaching as part of the training. The program usually involves a full calendar year and the specific outline of the current program is listed in the latest course bulletin. See the home page for further information.

Faculty
Marriage and Family Therapy Program: Full-time faculty include William J. Hiebert, D. Min. and Derek A. Ball, Ph.D., both licensed family therapists and Approved Supervisors in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Ball completed the marriage and family therapy doctoral program at Purdue University. Dr. Hiebert is the co-author of Pre- and Re-Marital Counseling and Dynamic Assessment in Couple Therapy (see Resources on home page). Dr. Ball also serves as the Executive Director of the Illinois Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and Dr. Hiebert serves as the General Secretary of the International Family Therapy Association.

Leadership Development Program: Michael Pater, Psy.D., coordinator of the pastoral and executive excellence programs, completed graduate and doctoral studies focused on a development of a systems psychodynamic perspective, with an emphasis on pastoral psychotherapy (specializing in personality disorders), change & conflict management, and supervision & staff development. Dr. Ball also teaches in the Leadership Development Program.

Further Information: Contact Dr. Derek Ball (Institute director), drballmft@aol.com