The Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization, which is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education, provides a specific professional curriculum that prepares graduates to work as marriage and family therapists. Courses focus on individual and family development, evidence-based clinical practices, social justice frameworks, and research methods. Students also complete a thesis (Plan A) or capstone project (Plan B). Training includes practicum and internship experiences with live supervision in the CSU Center for Family and Couple Therapy, CSU Campus Connections: Therapeutic Youth Mentoring, and the CSU Child Trauma and Resilience Assessment Center, all located on CSU's campus under the direction of faculty in the MFT program. Most graduates of this program go on to work as therapists in private practice or in mental health agencies. Some students enter doctoral programs upon graduation, including CSU's Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Science.
Learn more about the Master's in Human Development and Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization, Plan A and Plan B, on the Department of Human Development and Family Studies website.
Effective Fall 2023
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HDFS 500 | Issues in Human Development & Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 515 | Family Systems and Psychopathology | 3 |
| HDFS 520 | Family Therapy Practice: Treatment Planning | 3 |
| HDFS 521 | Family Therapy Practice: Common Factors | 3 |
| HDFS 524 | Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 534 | Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 549 | Research Methods I | 3 |
| HDFS 550 | Research Methods II | 3 |
| HDFS 620 | Family Therapy Practice: Addictions | 3 |
| HDFS 621 | Family Therapy Practice: Topics in Sexuality | 3 |
| HDFS 624 | Skills and Techniques in Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 644 | Foundations in Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 676 | Professional Skills Development | 3 |
| HDFS 677 | Ethical and Legal Issues | 3 |
| HDFS 687C | Internship: Marriage and Family Therapy | 5 |
| Selected Courses | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Risk and Resilience | ||
| Early Child Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Adult Development and Aging | ||
| Family Issues: Intimacy and Human Sexuality | ||
| Family Issues: Parenting | ||
| Seminar: Lifespan Socioemotional Development | ||
| Seminar: Lifespan Cognitive Development | ||
| Thesis | ||
| HDFS 693 | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| HDFS 699 | Thesis | 3 |
| Program Total Credits: | 56 | |
A minimum of 56 credits are required to complete this program.
Effective Fall 2023
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HDFS 500 | Issues in Human Development & Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 515 | Family Systems and Psychopathology | 3 |
| HDFS 520 | Family Therapy Practice: Treatment Planning | 3 |
| HDFS 521 | Family Therapy Practice: Common Factors | 3 |
| HDFS 524 | Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 534 | Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 549 | Research Methods I | 3 |
| HDFS 550 | Research Methods II | 3 |
| HDFS 620 | Family Therapy Practice: Addictions | 3 |
| HDFS 621 | Family Therapy Practice: Topics in Sexuality | 3 |
| HDFS 624 | Skills and Techniques in Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 644 | Foundations in Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 676 | Professional Skills Development | 3 |
| HDFS 677 | Ethical and Legal Issues | 3 |
| HDFS 687C | Internship: Marriage and Family Therapy | 5 |
| Selected Courses | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Risk and Resilience | ||
| Early Child Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Adult Development and Aging | ||
| Family Issues: Intimacy and Human Sexuality | ||
| Family Issues: Parenting | ||
| Seminar: Lifespan Socioemotional Development | ||
| Seminar: Lifespan Cognitive Development | ||
| Capstone Seminar | ||
| HDFS 693 | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Program Total Credits: | 53 | |
A minimum of 53 credits are required to complete this program.