Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy

A Multifaith, Interfaith, Spiritually-Integrated Program

The Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy integrates clinical knowledge, skills, and research with multifaith insight and spiritual formation. Students learn about systems theory, evidence-based approaches to couples and family therapy, development, mental health, and research within clinical practice. The degree requires 500 hours of supervised clinical practice, including group and individual supervision provided by State and AAMFT-approved Supervisors.

This program addresses the need for therapists to work with families and individuals who come from complex worlds, including diverse faith and cultural traditions. Therapists are prepared to treat a wide variety of presenting problems, from difficulties with family transitions to individuals who present with anxiety, depression, and other mental health related concerns. Required courses introduce systemic treatment, psychopathology, assessment, and diagnosis in order to offer clients holistic care. The Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy affords graduates the skills to utilize clients’ own faith and belief practices by incorporating spiritual reflections, rituals, and discussions into the clinical work at the clients’ request, in order to help clients live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Degree Requirements:

I. Clinical Theory and Practice

52 credits:

STMM 5530 - Professional Care Skills 3 credit hours
STMM 5620 - Psychospiritual Development 3 credit hours
STMC 5210 - Couples and Family Therapy in a Multicultural Context 3 credit hours
STMC 5220 - Couples and Family Therapy: Identity and Ethics 3 credit hours
STMC 5230 - Professional Ethics and Law 1 credit hour
STMC 5470 - Human Sexuality 3 credit hours
STMC 5500 - Family Therapy Theory 3 credit hours
STMC 5510 - Advanced Couples and Family Therapy Skills 3 credit hours
STMC 5520 - Counseling Theory and Techniques 3 credit hours
STMC 5530 - Couples Therapy 3 credit hours
STMC 5540 - Group Theory and Techniques 3 credit hours
STMC 5610 - Career and Professional Development 1 credit hour
STMC 5680 - Research Methods 3 credit hours
STMC 5690 - Research Seminar 1 credit hour
STMC 5700 - Systemic Treatment of Addiction and Abuse 3 credit hours
STMC 5710 - Psychopathology 3 credit hours
STMC 5720 - Assessment and Diagnosis 3 credit hours
STMC 5740 - Psychopharmacology 1 credit hour
STMC 5750 - Systems of Trauma Treatment 3 credit hours
STMC 5760 - Systemic Child and Adolescent Treatment 3 credit hours

II. Spiritual Integration

9 credits:

STMM 5700 - Spiritual Discernment 3 credit hours
STMM 5250 - Healing Narratives: Sacred and Personal 3 credit hours

Choose one:

STMM 5000 - Theology of the Human Person 3 credit hours
STMM 5690 - The Human Person and the Discovery of Meaning 3 credit hours
STMM 5750 - Images of the Sacred 3 credit hours

III. Clinical Sequence

18 credits:

STMC 5550 - Clinical I 3 credit hours
STMC 5560 - Clinical II 3 credit hours
STMC 5570 - Clinical III 3 credit hours
STMC 5580 - Clinical IV 3 credit hours
STMC 5590 - Clinical V 3 credit hours
STMC 5600 - Clinical VI 3 credit hours

Minimum credits required for degree: (79)*

NOTE:

*With approval of the department, up to 15 credits may be waived if the applicant has completed a graduate degree in theology and ministry.