Ackerman Core Admissions Policies

a. Program Philosophy

The Training Program embraces diversity and believes in the inherent value and dignity of every human being. We affirm socially just treatment of individuals, families, and communities through a focus on social context, trauma, and oppression. We value strong conceptual and clinical knowledge and the highest standards of professional conduct, including record keeping.

b. Program Goals

Training Program goals are standards of achievement that derive from and are congruent with the Ackerman Institute’s mission and diversity statements along with educational and professional requirements pertaining to the field of couple and family therapy.

Program goals relate to achievements in the areas of knowledge, practice, multiculturalism, and professionalism toward which trainees are expected to demonstrate competence. These goals are as follows:

1. Promote relational/systemic thinking and therapy, including the Ackerman Relational Approach (ARA).
2. Attend to self of the therapist and social location/identities.
3. Prepare trainees for couple and family therapy practice.
4. Foster trainees’ commitment to upholding professional integrity and high ethical standards, especially as it relates to record keeping and adherence to legal regulations and requirements.
5. Create an inclusive environment that supports a diverse body of trainees, faculty, supervisors, and clients.
6. Support an understanding of how research informs clinical practice.

a. Program Diversity Statement

The Training Program is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for trainees, faculty, supervisors, and the clients we serve. We strongly believe that such an environment promotes trust and strengthens our ability to live and work in a diverse society. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is fundamental to the educational and clinical experiences in the program. Acts of discrimination, harassment, and bias in any form are unacceptable. Disagreements, rigorous debate, and different points of view should be conducted in an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect.

b. Ackerman Institute Diversity Statement

The Ackerman Institute values diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to have these values reflected in all operations of the Institute. We are committed to the recruitment, enrichment, and retention of clinicians and families who embody many perspectives and points of view. We strive to create and foster an atmosphere of openness where all dimensions of diversity, beliefs, and values can be explored and discussed. Our focus on providing high quality culturally sensitive services affirm the value and humanity of all people. The Ackerman Institute is committed to social justice.

c. Non-Discrimination Policy

The Ackerman Institute for the Family provides equal opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. It does not discriminate based on any status protected by law. This policy applies to all employment, education, volunteer, and clinical care related activities or in any other aspect of the institute’s operation. Black, Indigenous, and people of color; trans, non-binary, and intersex people, especially transwomen; those from poor and working-class backgrounds, immigrants, people with disabilities; as well as people at the intersections of these experiences are highly encouraged to apply.

The Training Program does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, social class, socioeconomic status, religious and spiritual beliefs and/or affiliation, national origin, age, gender, health status and disability with regard to the recruitment, admission, codes of conduct, hiring, retention, or dismissal of students, faculty, and supervisors or other relevant educators and/or staff.

d. American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Ackerman’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination for Individuals with Disabilities

The Ackerman Institute is committed to complying with the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its related Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as applicable. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines “disability” as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual.

The Ackerman Institute does not discriminate based on disability in administration of its programs and any other services. The Institute is committed to providing qualified trainees with disabilities an equal opportunity to access the benefits, rights, and privileges of its services, programs, and activities in an accessible setting.

e. Accommodations for People with Disabilities

A reasonable accommodation that does not cause the organization “undue hardship” as defined by law would be provided to a trainee with a disability upon request. Any trainee requiring consideration for accommodation must make the request in writing and send supporting documentation to Ackerman Director of Student Life. Such a request should be made voluntarily prior to the start of classes. All information shared in the request for accommodation will be confidential unless with the expressed permission of the trainee. Only the faculty or supervisor for which the trainee is being accommodated will be notified of the specific accommodation granted. Please note that the essential requirements of courses or supervision will not be altered.

f. Religious Observance and Accommodations

Ackerman Institute for the Family and the Training Program support an environment that respects the religious observances of others. Trainees who feel that they will need accommodation for academic or clinical work due to a religious observance are required to contact faculty, supervisors, or clinic personnel in advance to make mutually agreed-upon arrangements. Trainees will continue to be responsible for any assignments due.

a. Admissions Criteria

All applications for The Ackerman Core are thoroughly screened by the Ackerman Admissions Committee. Admission decisions are based on a review of all materials submitted with the program application and consider all applicant criteria, including their goals. Live Clinical Supervision applicants are required to attend a group interview conducted by the admissions committee.

The Ackerman Core has been designed to address issues of social justice, which are essential to family therapy training, practice, and research. Ackerman’s faculty emphasize a systems/relational approach in preparing trainees to work with diverse families, including those from marginalized and oppressed communities. Self of the therapist work is crucial to therapeutic effectiveness. Trainees must be open to self-interrogation, engage in discussions of power and privilege, consider social locations/identities, and adhere to the code of ethics of the profession.

We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, especially underrepresented and underserved communities to apply to the program.

b. Out-of-State and International Applicants

As part of our commitment to diversity and serving families and communities in all regions of the world, we invite applicants from all states and countries. An individual with an international university degree in the mental health field can apply to Seminar and Live Clinical Supervision programs. In compliance with the New York State Office of the Profession and New York state law, the Fellowship program (online and in-person formats) requires a trainee to have a current New York State license in a mental health discipline and be from a country that is covered by Ackerman insurance (North American and Germany) to see clients in the state of New York.

For an application to be complete and ready for review, applicants who have earned their qualifying degree outside of the United States must submit an official WES Course by Course Evaluation with their additional application documents.

The Ackerman Institute does not sponsor trainee visas. International trainees are responsible for arranging their own sponsorship/visa to attend in-person courses.

c. Program Eligibility and Application Requirements

The Ackerman Core is comprised of: Seminar, Live Clinical Supervision, FEAT, and Fellowship. Application and admissions decisions are specific to each component. The Clinical Externship in Family Therapy program (in-person and online formats) requires a trainee to have a current New York State license to see clients. See course descriptions for complete eligibility requirements.

d. Online and In-Person Courses

Clinical Seminar will meet online. Seminar, Live Clinical Supervision, and Fellowship will have an in-person option.

a. Notification of Admission

Notice of admission will be provided within 10 business days of submitting a complete application. If you are applying to Live Clinical Supervision or Fellowship, your application is considered complete following your group interview. You will be notified of admission and financial aid decisions by email. Acceptance letters include the admissions checklist and enrollment agreement. Applicants must confirm their intention to enroll by submitting their deposit within ten (10) business days of receiving their acceptance letter.

Due to a high volume of applications, priority is given to applicants who confirm their enrollment by the deadline. Delayed enrollment confirmations may result in cancelled enrollment.

b. Denial of Admission

The admissions committee conducts a holistic review of all applicants and their materials. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept all qualified trainees, as competition is great for the limited number of spots in our program each year. Applicants may be denied admission for any reason, including not meeting the Ackerman Core’s competitive admissions criteria.

c. De-Enrollment

Failure to complete the enrollment process including, accepting admission, and completing financial and clinic enrollment requirements before the deadline will result in de-enrollment. If you encounter an issue completing enrollment requirements defined in the above policy, please notify the Admissions Office.

a. Enrollment Deadline

The deadline to enroll is August 1st of the enrollment year, after which applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

b. Enrollment Checklist: What You Need to Enroll

Foundations of Family Therapy

• Emergency Contact Information

Live Clinical Supervision

• Emergency Contact Information
• Clinic Manual Attestation
• Clinic Non-Discrimination Policy Attestation
• Protection of People Special Needs Act – Code of Conduct by New York Justice Center
• Completion of HIPAA Training (If completed within 2 years, proof of training is required.)
• Proof of COVID-19 Immunization for trainees selecting an in-person program.

Fellowship

• Emergency Contact Information
• Clinic Manual Attestation
• Clinic Non-Discrimination Policy Attestation
• NPI Number
• Justice Center Fingerprinting
• Child Abuse Screening
• Medicaid (for LCSW and Psychologist Only)
• Protection of People Special Needs Act – Code of Conduct by New York Justice Center
• Intake Questionnaire and Scheduling Availability
• Completion of HIPAA Training (If completed within 2 years, proof of training is required.)
• Proof of COVID-19 Immunization for trainees selecting an in-person program.

c. Enrollment Status

An applicant will be considered an enrolled trainee at Ackerman Institute for the Family after meeting the enrollment requirements. For questions about enrollment status, contact the Admissions Office.

d. Enrollment Deferral

Accepted applicants may defer enrollment for one year only. Requests for deferral must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Admissions & Student Life prior to the specified tuition deadline.

Deferred applicants must notify the Dean of Admissions & Student Life in writing of their intent to enroll during the following enrollment cycle. Applicants who do not enroll during the year immediately following deferral will be required to submit a new application.

Please note that financial aid awards cannot be deferred. A new financial aid application must be submitted each year to be considered for aid.

a. Trainee Welcome Packet

Trainees will be emailed an informational welcome packet after completing enrollment. The welcome packet includes vital information to help trainees begin their academic experience at the Ackerman Institute.

b. Trainee Orientation

All trainees are required to attend an online orientation session, as posted in the academic calendar. Orientation day is an introduction to our Ackerman community and the training program. More information about the orientation session will be sent after the enrollment process is complete.

c. Clinic Orientation

Trainees enrolled in Live Clinical Supervision and Fellowship will attend a mandatory clinic orientation. Please refer to the academic calendar for dates. The clinic orientation is an introduction to the Clinic Department, clinical processes, and the trainee’s clinical responsibilities in compliance with New York State Office of Mental Health.

Trainees will receive an invitation to attend the orientation from the Clinic Department in their Ackerman email after the enrollment process is completed. Trainees are expected to read Ackerman’s Guide to Clinic prior to orientation.

d. Change of Contact Information

The Admissions Office communicates with applicants primarily through email. Applicants are responsible for updating their contact information with the Admissions Office to ensure they receive essential information about their application status.

e. Course Section Change Request

Due to the nature of our courses and the intimate class format, following the first week of instruction, the Training Department will not be able to honor requests for section changes. Prior to that point, requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis but are not guaranteed for approval.

Requests for section changes must be simultaneously submitted in writing to the Instructor, the Director of Training and The Director of Admissions for review. The approval process should be expected to take at least a week.

a. Leave of Absence

Trainees may request a leave of absence for medical or personal reasons. Without exception, trainees requesting a leave of absence from Seminar Courses or Live Clinical Training will resume training at the beginning of the course upon return. Courses begin each September.

Trainees who do not return during the academic year immediately following a leave of absence will be considered withdrawn and must reapply for future admission. Any leave of absence remains subject to the tuition policy regardless of the reason for the request.

b. Withdrawal

To be considered for a potential partial tuition refund, withdrawal requests must be submitted to both the Admissions Office and Training Department no later than July 31 of the enrollment year.
Withdrawal requests submitted after the first day of instruction must be made in writing to both the Director of Admissions and the Director of Training. Trainees enrolled in clinical programs must also complete all required clinic exit procedures.

Withdrawal requests made after the first day of instruction must be submitted in writing to both the Director of Admissions and Director of Training. Trainees enrolled in a clinical program must complete exit requirements with the Clinic.

c. Withdrawal Refund Schedule

Refunds based on the schedule below may either be returned to the applicant or retained as a credit on the trainee’s account upon withdrawal request. To be eligible for a partial refund, requests must be submitted no later than July 31.

• Through June 30: Full refund (minus $1,000 deposit)
• July 1 – July 31: 50% refund (minus deposit)
• August 1 onward: No refund

The number of hours accrued in Live Clinical may vary according to the needs of the case. Trainees in Fellowship must obtain a minimum of 125 clinical hours. Continuing Education Contact Hours are not provided for the Ackerman Core courses.

Certificates of completion are granted upon completion of Seminar, Live Clinical, and the Fellowship. Only graduates of the Fellowship Program are offered the title “Ackerman Alumni,” and are eligible for Ackerman alumni network benefits.

A graduation is hosted in July for graduates of the Fellowship Program.

• Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable
• Trainees are financially responsible for tuition once enrolled
• Unpaid balances may be subject to collection, and trainees may be withdrawn from classes
• In the event of a leave of absence, full tuition remains due

Ackerman Institute Core Curriculum trainings are non-refundable and non-transferable. All trainees are subject to this tuition policy and will be held responsible for tuition owed to the Ackerman Institute.

Unpaid balances may be subject to collection, and trainees may be withdrawn from classes.

If a trainee plans to defer admission or resume studies at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, the trainee must pay full tuition consistent with the year of attendance. In the case of a leave of absence, a trainee must also pay full tuition for the year in which the leave of absence is used.

Tuition is due in full six weeks after receiving an admissions decision or by August 15 of the enrollment year, whichever occurs first. Late payment may result in de-enrollment.

Deposits are due within 10 business days of receiving an admissions decision or by August 15 of the enrollment year, whichever occurs first. Applicants will not be enrolled if the deposit amount is less than required or if the deposit is delayed.

The financial aid application will remain open until June 30 of the enrollment year. A limited amount of need-based financial aid is available for Ackerman Core programs. Financial aid applicants are required to submit supporting financial documentation, including tax returns, W-2s, and Form 1099s.

Financial aid is not guaranteed and does not automatically carry forward for trainees granted a leave of absence. Aid determinations are made during each admissions cycle. Trainees who have previously received financial aid awards are not guaranteed future assistance.

Financial aid awards are capped at 50% of total tuition.

The Ackerman Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donor support and earned revenue to advance its mission. The full expense of training an Ackerman therapist is subsidized by the generosity of our donors. Tuition fees cover only a portion of the overall cost of training. We thank you for investing in your professional future and for supporting the Ackerman Institute for the Family.

a. Seminar Courses and Live Clinical Training

• 500 deposit required to enroll
• $50 non-refundable payment plan fee
• Remaining tuition balance split into two equal payments
• Invoices processed on August 15 and October 15
• Payments due December 15 and March 15
• Payments not completed within 5 business days of the invoice date are subject to a $25 late fee

b. Fellowship

• $1,000 deposit required to enroll
• $100 non-refundable payment plan enrollment fee
• Remaining tuition balance split into four equal payments
• Invoices processed on August 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15
• Payments not completed within 5 business days of the invoice date are subject to a $25 late fee

The policies and program information (including schedules, tuition, etc.,) set forth on this website are subject to change anytime without notice. Payment of enrollment deposits, tuition or attendance at any classes shall constitute a student’s acceptance of the Ackerman Institute for the Family’s rights set forth in this paragraph.