A Comparison of AAMFT Approved Supervisors with Master’s and Doctoral Degrees

Given the importance of American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Approved Supervisors to education, training, and regulation of marital and family therapists (MFTs), this study used 2001 national survey data to compare masters prepared AAMFT Approved Supervisors with those who possessed a doctorate. There has been a consistent increase from 1976 when 33% of Approved Supervisors were masters practitioners until today where they comprise approximately half of the Approved Supervisors respondents. We found modest differences with some overlap between masters and doctoral supervisors. More doctoral AAMFT Approved Supervisors provided supervision in private practice settings, were involved in professional organizations, had a pluralistic theoretical orientation, and were involved in ongoing MFT scholarship.