Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy Curriculum

SFTM 5310 - Introduction to Systems Theory (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 Theory (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. Prerequisites: SFTM 5400-I; 5321; Corequisite: SFTM 6300.

SFTM 5320 - Introduction to Marital and Family Therapy: Counseling Theories and Techniques (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 5321 - Theories of Marital and Family Therapy (3 credits)

This course offers a comparative study of theories of marital and family therapy, including systemic, structural, strategic, intergenerational, contextual, behavioral, experiential therapies, and others, and provides a survey of differences in clinical practices. Prerequisite: SFTM 5310.

SFTM 5322 - Clinical Practice in Marital & Family Therapy (3 credits)

This course examines applications of family therapy methods and counseling theories and techniques in specific situations including divorce, child rearing, school issues, and others and incorporates case study reviews. Prerequisite: SFTM 5400 II; Must be taken with SFTM 6300.

SFTM 5330 - Group Psychotherapy (3 credits)

This class is designed to provide an opportunity students and professionals to develop a set of core competencies in general group work from a systemic perspective. These core competencies include knowledge of group theories, common group dynamics, common group types, and legal and ethical issues. During the course students will also be introduced to various specialty/advanced competency areas in group work. The development of core skills will occur through a combination of didactic lecture in group theory, classroom discussion, and an experiential group (during the second part of each class meeting).

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 5400 - Internal Practicum I-II (3 credits)

These two supervised clinical courses consist of the application of systemic therapy ideas and practices at the Department of Family Therapy in house Family Therapy Clinic. Prerequisites: SFTM 5310; 5320; 6340.

SFTM 5700 - Course Comprehensive Exam (3 credits)

The Course Comprehensive Exam is a written exam that assesses the student's ability to apply the theoretical knowledge gained across cases and topics based on their coursework and clinical experiences.

SFTM 6300 - External Practicum I-II (3 credits)

Advanced clinical training and supervision is provided to enhance the practice of systemic therapy from strength based, solution oriented models of therapy that can be incorporated in a wide variety of community settings. Prerequisite: SFTM 5400 II.

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. Prerequisite: SFTM 5310; 5321; 5400-I.

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. Prerequisite: SFTD 6200 I & SFTM 6340 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues.

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.

SFTM 6333 - Theories of Personality and Psychopathology (3 credits)

A review of major theories of personality and psychopathology are the focus of this course, emphasizing psychiatric diagnostic classification systems. The study of implications for treatment and comparisons with interactional approaches are included. Co-requisite: SFTM 5310.

SFTM 6340 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy (3 credits)

This course offers an in depth explanation of accreditation and licensure organizations, along with the ethical codes they promote in family therapy and related fields. This includes a review of the therapist's legal responsibilities and liabilities in mental health and family law, insurance claims, and private practice management with inclusion of an overview of professional opportunities in public service and training programs.

SFTM 6550 - International Perspectives in Counseling and Therapy (3 credits)

This course is designed to review issues relevant to the practice of counseling, therapy, and human services work in an international context. Issues explored include: the adaptation of western models of therapy for practice in other countries; immigrant family experiences ad the relevance to clinical practice in the U.S.; and global ethical issues in counseling and therapy. Specific cultures reviewed include Mexico, China, Cambodia, South America, and India, and others; designed to appeal to a wide variety of students from various backgrounds. Students will learn to become more sophisticated with regard to their understanding of family functioning and the role of counseling and therapy in an international context. Prerequisites: SFTM 5310; 5320; 5321; 6340; 5400-I.

SFTM 6558 - Couples Therapy: Theory and Application (3 credits)

In this course, students will examine their own experiences, biases and values about couples and working with couples as well as the historical development of couples' therapy. Students will learn current clinical approaches to couples therapy and evidenced-based models for working with couples. Students will examine current couple and marital research as well as assessment instruments used for working with couples. Students will examine specific professional, ethical, and legal issues associated with couples work. Issues of diversity and a commitment to multicultural exploration are demonstrated and interwoven throughout all discussions as students explore specific areas of work with couples such as extra-marital affairs, intimate partner violence, divorce, step-parenting, and health and illness. Prerequisite or corequisite: SFTM 5310.

The program offers three concentrations. Students are welcome to contact the Academic Program Coordinator to request any of the following concentrations to be added to their degree plans. The elective courses in each concentration count toward the required elective(s) for the program.

Equine Assisted Family Therapy: Students may choose to pursue a concentration in Equine Assisted Family Therapy. The concentration provides students an opportunity for hands-on experience working with horses on-site at a barn. While learning various equine-assisted therapy models, students are engaged in Equine Assisted Relational Learning through reflective practices and self-of-the-therapist work. Our unique combination of couple and family therapy and equine-assisted therapy prepares students to work in a variety of settings including outpatient and residential programs for substance abuse and dual diagnosis, and treatment programs for trauma and PTSD. The required campus-based (residential) courses for this concentration are:

• Equine Assisted Family Therapy I, and
• Equine Assisted Family Therapy II

Medical Family Therapy: Students may choose to pursue a concentration in Medical Family Therapy. The concentration provides students an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of biopsychosocial-spiritual theory, stages of illness, grief and loss, and practice and collaboration with healthcare professionals. The concentration prepares students to offer clinical services in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, private medical practices, community clinics, primary care/specialists' offices, etc. The required online courses for this concentration are:

• Medical Family Therapy I: Introduction to Medical Family Therapy, and
• Medical Family Therapy II: Grief and Loss

Solution Focused Coaching: Students may choose to pursue a concentration in Solution Focused Coaching. Nationwide, coaching is a growing profession, and increasingly, coaching services are being requested in a variety of settings including workplaces and clinical and community sites. The faculty at NSU-KPCOM’s Couple and Family Therapy Department is nationally and internationally known for their expertise in solution-focused therapy, which is an excellent fit with the brief, goal-oriented nature of coaching. In this concentration, students learn skills in coaching and setting up coaching practices. The required online courses for this concentration are:

• Developing a Private Practice in Coaching and
• Therapy, and Solution Focused Coaching

Sample M.S. in Family Therapy Degree Plan: 60 credit hours (Summer Start)

Sample M.S. in Family Therapy Degree Plan: 60 credit hours (Fall Start)

*In addition to the above coursework, students are required to choose two electives from a selection of courses, including but not limited to:

• SFTM 5036: Infant Mental Health
• SFTM 5037: Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention
• SFTM 5038: Military Families
• SFTM 5039: Collaborative Divorce
• SFTM 5050: Family Play Therapy
• SFTM 5355: Introduction to Equine-Assisted Family Therapy
• SFTM 5359: Medical Family Therapy I
• SFTM 5361: Developing a Private Practice in Coaching and Therapy
• SFTM 5362: Solution-Focused Coaching
• SFTM 5363: Advanced Equine Family Therapy
• SFTM 5366: Advanced Addictions Treatment in Counseling and Therapy
• SFTM 5367: Working with Autism and ADHD: Applied Behavior Analysis and Systemic Thinking
• SFTM 5369: Medical Family Therapy II
• SFTM 6550: International Perspectives in Counseling and Therapy
• SFTM 6140: Grief and Loss in Aging
• SFTM 6110: Systems Application in the Family Life Cycle of Aging
• SFTM 6120: Relationships in Aging
• SFTM 6130: Caregiving in the Family

The required electives may be taken the term of the student’s choice.

In addition to successfully completing the coursework, students must pass the Comprehensive Exam and complete the required clinical and supervision hours to be eligible for graduation.

M.S. Program Goals (PGs)

• PG1: The M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy program demonstrates a commitment to issues of cultural and sexual diversity and inclusion.
• PG2: The M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy program demonstrates a commitment to ethical and professional practice.
  PG3: The M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy program trains students in clinically applied research and systemic/relational clinical theory and practice.
• PG4: The M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy program demonstrates a commitment to serving the community.
• PG5: The M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy program demonstrates a commitment to graduating students in a timely manner, monitoring graduate employment, and passing the licensure exam.

M.S. Program Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

• SLO1: M.S. students demonstrate respect for issues of cultural and sexual diversity and inclusion.
• SLO2: M.S. students will demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors as practitioners.
• SLO3: M.S. students will demonstrate knowledge of clinically applied research.
• SLO4: M.S. students will demonstrate competency in clinical theory.
• SLO5: M.S. students demonstrate competency in practice.
• SLO6: M.S. students will demonstrate service to the community by seeing clients from the community.
• SLO7: M.S. students will graduate within the maximum allotted time frame of five years.
• SLO8: M.S. graduates will be employed.
• SLO9: M.S. graduates will pass the AMFTRB licensure exam.