A Pilot Study on Program Leadership Styles and Student Perceptions of Competency in Marriage and Family Therapy Programs

Abstract

Graduate level marriage and family therapy programs prepare practitioners to provide family therapy. Research is lacking on the role program leadership plays in student professional development. This pilot study explored differences in program leadership styles and student perceptions of competency. It used survey data from the Perception of Competency Scale (PCS), a self-rating competency assessment, and the Vannsimpco Leadership Survey (VLS), which determines leadership styles among nine modes of practice. Results determined that students had varying perceptions of leadership style, preferred transformational leaders, and that they perceived themselves as having adequate knowledge and skill to practice.

Keywords:

• Leadership
• competency
• therapist
• marriage and family therapy
• students
• perceptions