Attention: Starting immediately, Graduate Certificates will no longer be available. Enrolled students can either complete their existing certificate programs or consult with their advisor to explore the possibility of transitioning into a master's degree program.
The Graduate Certificate Program in Family Studies is a 24 credit hour program (8 courses). Students who decide to continue their studies in Family Therapy may be able to apply some of these credit hours toward the M.S., Ph.D., or D.M.F.T. in Family Therapy if accepted into the program.
SFTM 5310 - Introduction to Systems Theories (3 credits)
This course provides an overview of theories that use metaphors of system, pattern, interaction, and communication to describe human behavior and relationships as well as the study of the emergence of theories from cybernetics to language studies.
SFTM 5311 - Substance Abuse/Addictions and Critical Issues in Systems Theories (3 credits)
This course addresses the application of modern and postmodern ideas to substance abuse, addictions, and critical issues in the practice of therapy. Emphasis is placed on the application of modern and postmodern ideas to substance abuse, additions, and critical issues based on research, theories, practice, and treatment. Also included are other critical issues of culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, violence and other areas of critical concern in social systems.
SFTM 5320 - Introduction to Marital and Family Therapy (3 credits)
An introduction and review of the history of marital and family therapy and the clinical approaches of interactional therapies are included in this course. The focus is based on basic therapeutic concepts and skills to include joining, listening, and conducting the initial interview through termination.
SFTM 5350 - Research in Marriage and Family Therapy (3 credits)
This course offers a review of quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry, as exemplified in recent marital and family therapy research studies. The course focuses on teaching students to be intelligent, critical consumers of research in the field. Prerequisite: SFTM 5310.
SFTM 6320 - Assessment in Marital and Family Therapy (3 credits)
This course provides an overview of methods and instruments used to define problems and indicate solutions. Diagnosis, appraisals, assessments, and testing appropriate to the practice of marriage and family therapy are addressed. This course also includes a comparative study of interactional approaches and individual and family dysfunction assessments.
SFTM 6331 - Diversity and Psychosocial Issues (3 credits)
Human development in the context of family transitions across the life cycle such as childbirth, childhood, adolescence, courtship, marriage, maturity, aging, and death are reviewed. This course focuses on the diversity of psychosocial development across ethnicity, class, gender, race, age, and culture with discussions and implications for interactional therapies and practices.
SFTM 6332 - Human Sexuality and Gender (3 credits)
This course provides a review of the psychosocial development of sexuality and gender from childhood through aging. Also addressed is a summary of clinical approaches to sexual and gender issues comparing interactional approaches with psychodynamic and behavioral models. Corequisite: SFTM 5310.
In addition to the above coursework, students are required to choose one elective from a selection of courses, including but not limited to:
The required electives may be taken in the term of the student’s choice.
Below is a sample of a degree plan for a full-time student who begins their studies in Fall term. Degree plans will be modified based on a student's enrollment date and pace of study.
Year 1 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall (September) | SFTM 5310 Introduction to Systems Theories |
SFTM 6331 Diversity and Psychosocial Issues |
SFTM 5320 Introduction to Marital & Family Therapy |
Winter (January) | SFTM 5311 Substance Abuse/Addiction and Critical Issues in System Theory |
SFTM 5350 Research in Marital & Family Therapy |
Elective |
Summer (April) | SFTM 6332 Human Sexuality and Gender |
SFTM 6320 Assessment in Marital & Family Therapy |
Graduation & Celebration |