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 for licensure as a marriage and family therapist. Courses focus on individual and family development, evidence-based clinical practices, social justice frameworks, and research methods. Students also complete a thesis. Training includes practica and internships with live supervision in the CSU Center for Family and Couple Therapy as well as Campus Connections: Therapeutic Mentoring At-Risk Youth, the Child Trauma and Resilience Assessment Center, and other clinical programs. Graduates of this program go on to work as therapists in private practice or in for-profit and non-profit 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, Plan A, Marriage and Family Therapy specialization on the Department of Human Development and Family Studies website.
Effective Fall 2020
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HDFS 500 | Issues in Human Development & Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 501 | Readings in the Discipline | 1 |
| 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 Theory | 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 | Var. |
| Selected Courses | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Early Child Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Adult Development and Aging | ||
| Seminar: Lifespan Socioemotional Development | ||
| Seminar: Lifespan Cognitive Development | ||
| Select at least one from the following: | 3 | |
| Risk and Resilience | ||
| Family Issues: Intimacy and Human Sexuality | ||
| Family Issues: Parenting | ||
| Thesis | ||
| HDFS 699 | Thesis | 6 |
| Program Total Credits: | 60 | |
A minimum of 60 credits are required to complete this program.