Courses MS in Marriage & Family Therapy

This course provides an introduction to the profession of marriage and family therapy and its underlying systemic theoretical framework. Learners evaluate systems theories from a historical perspective and distinguish them from those of other individual-based mental health disciplines. Learners also analyze the history, philosophy, and clinical practice theories of marital and family therapy and examine the fundamental therapeutic concepts and skills needed to work with couples and families. Must be taken during the first quarter by learners who have been admitted to the MS in Marriage and Family Therapy degree program and the Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course examine the assessment process and how to use tests and measures in systemic clinical practice. Learners also analyze the development of assessment methods, testing strategies and interpretation, and fundamental measurement constructs.

Learners in this course apply psychopathology principles and current issues associated with assessing mental disorders within a systemic, relational context. Learners critically evaluate diagnostic models, methods, and approaches used in diagnosing and treating individuals, couples, and families. Learners also assess psychopharmacological considerations and examine the current DSM classifications and diagnostic issues associated with multicultural populations.

This course provides learners with fundamental knowledge of addiction from its historical roots through contemporary issues. Learners examine and apply systemic theory and research that guides treatment for substance use disorders and related addictive behaviors, including the diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring mental health issues. In addition, learners analyze empirically supported interventions for individuals, families, groups, and diverse populations from systemic perspectives and assess emerging issues in the field based upon current research. Prerequisite(s): MFT-R5821.

Learners in this course examine the ethical and legal responsibilities framing marriage and family therapy and apply the criteria for state licensure. Learners also analyze the impact of a therapist’s values, culture, and ethnicity on clinical practice; identify approaches to protecting clients from one’s own potential biases; and assess the role of advocacy in marriage and family therapy. Prerequisite(s): BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling learners require special permission for registration and must have completed PSYC4700 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

This course presents historical and contemporary perspectives of gender and sexuality and their cultural influences. Learners develop a systemic view of gender and sexuality and apply it to the assessment and intervention process with individuals, couples, and families. Learners also examine and challenge their personal beliefs, attitudes, and values associated with gender and sexuality and the ways they may impact the therapeutic process. Prerequisite(s): MFT5008, MFT5222, MFT5270, MFT-R5821.

This course is a comparative study of the prominent schools of thought within the field of marriage and family therapy. Learners demonstrate knowledge of the tenets, therapeutic strategies, and techniques used within the field. Learners also evaluate therapy and counseling approaches to structural, strategic, transgenerational, behavioral, communication, and analytical models in working with couples and families. Prerequisite(s): BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling learners require special permission for registration and must have completed PSYC4700 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

In this course, learners build an understanding of families as systems, in particular family development, transitions, assessment, and intervention across the lifespan. Learners also integrate diversity and sociocultural factors in the application of systemic assessment and intervention strategies. Prerequisite(s): BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling learners require special permission for registration and must have completed PSYC4700 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

In this course, learners investigate systemic couples therapy theories, methods, and practices in terms of assessment, treatment planning, and intervention. Learners analyze issues related to diversity and ethical considerations pertaining to systemic couples therapy. Learners also examine contemporary issues in couples therapy as they apply to clinical practice. Prerequisite(s): MFT5270.

This course is a comprehensive overview of systemic approaches used to diagnose, assess, and treat children and adolescents experiencing a variety of symptoms. Learners demonstrate an understanding of standard and systemic best practices, design interventions based on relevant research, and apply an ethical framework that is developmentally informed and culturally sensitive. Prerequisite(s): MFT5008.

This course introduces theory, research, and models that inform ethical, culturally competent clinical work, and social justice advocacy in a variety of settings. Learners use strategies to address the influence of heritage, attitudes, beliefs, and acculturative experiences on the therapeutic process. In addition, learners gain knowledge of effective systemic therapy and advocacy strategies with diverse individuals, couples, families, and groups and determine ways to advocate and promote social justice at multiple levels.

In this course, learners gain clinical marriage and family therapy skills needed for the first residency. Learners build and maintain therapeutic relationships, conceptualize cases from a systemic perspective, conduct couple and family sessions, perform therapeutic assessments, apply ethical and legal standards of practice when working with couples and families from diverse backgrounds. MFT-R5821 must be taken the quarter immediately following MFT5820. Prerequisite(s): MFT5008, MFT5222, MFT5270. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners continue to develop therapy skills using group and systemic interventions as they apply to grief, loss, and trauma. Learners assess group dynamics, group process, and multicultural issues in relationship to grief, loss, and trauma. Prerequisite(s): MFT5107, MFT5270, MFT5271, MFT5273, MFT5820, MFT-R5821. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course evaluate the measurement of family variables and the complexities of family research design, data collection, and analysis. Learners demonstrate an understanding of scales of measurement, validity and reliability, experimental and non-experimental designs, and approaches to integrating clinical research with practice.

The first residency includes an online courseroom and a residency. Learners engage in online courseroom activities to prepare themselves for the face-to-face residency experience, which provides them with the opportunity to practically apply knowledge gained in prior coursework. During the course, learners apply the foundational systemic theories of marriage and family therapy and the application of clinical skills, including building therapeutic relationships, conceptualizing cases from a systemic perspective, conducting couple and family sessions. Learners also demonstrate knowledge of assessment, crisis intervention, professional clinical disposition and identity, diversity, and ethics. In the face-to-face residency experience, learners integrate marriage and family therapy theory with clinical practice. For MS in Marriage and Family Therapy learners only. This course requires travel. Prerequisite(s): MFT5008, MFT5222, MFT5270. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

The second residency includes an online courseroom and a residency experience. Learners engage in online courseroom activities to prepare for residency and assess and reflect on knowledge gained during previous coursework. Throughout the course, learners practice developing advanced clinical marriage and family therapy skills, including building and maintaining a therapeutic systemic relationship, and assessing ethical principles used when working with individuals, couples, and families. Learners then engage in a face-to-face residency experience that guides them as they integrate systemic marriage and family therapy theories and methods with clinical practice. For MS in Marriage and Family Therapy learners only. This course requires travel. Prerequisite(s): MFT-R5821. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

The clinical internship is an online-directed course and a supervised site-based learning experience during which learners practice specific clinical skills, including interviewing, assessment, intervention, documentation, and consultation in a marriage and family therapy setting. Learners use fundamental communication and interviewing principles to perform initial assessments and conduct clinical sessions with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Learners in the internship courses complete weekly face-to-face contact with site supervisors and weekly synchronous (live) group supervision with faculty supervisors using secure web conferencing solutions. Grading for this course is S/NS. It is the learner’s responsibility to research and comply with the specific clinical experience requirements of their states. Prerequisite(s): MFT-R5823 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

The clinical internship is an online-directed course and a supervised site-based learning experience during which learners practice specific and intermediate clinical skills, including interviewing, assessment, intervention, documentation, and consultation in a marriage and family therapy setting. Learners in this course continue to use fundamental communication and interviewing principles to perform initial assessments and conduct clinical sessions with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Learners in the internship courses complete weekly face-to-face contact with site supervisors and weekly synchronous (live) group supervision with faculty supervisors using secure web conferencing solutions. Grading for this course is S/NS. It is the learner’s responsibility to research and comply with the specific clinical experience requirements of their states. Prerequisite(s): MFT6231 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

The clinical internship is an online-directed course and a supervised site-based learning experience during which learners practice specific and advanced clinical skills, including interviewing, assessment, intervention, documentation, and consultation in a marriage and family therapy setting. Learners continue to build their knowledge and use fundamental communication and interviewing principles to perform initial assessments and conduct clinical sessions with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Learners in the internship courses complete weekly face-to-face contact with site supervisors and weekly synchronous (live) group supervision with faculty supervisors using secure web conferencing solutions. Grading for this course is S/NS. It is the learner’s responsibility to research and comply with the specific clinical experience requirements of their states. Prerequisite(s): MFT6232 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

The clinical internship is an online-directed course and a supervised site-based learning experience during which learners practice specific and advanced clinical skills, including interviewing, assessment, intervention, documentation, and consultation in a marriage and family therapy setting. Learners continue to apply the knowledge gained in the previous internships and use fundamental communication and interviewing principles to perform initial assessments and conduct clinical sessions with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Learners in the internship courses complete weekly face-to-face contact with site supervisors and weekly synchronous (live) group supervision with faculty supervisors using secure web conferencing solutions. Grading for this course is S/NS. It is the learner’s responsibility to research and comply with the specific clinical experience licensure requirements of their states. Prerequisite(s): MFT6233 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.