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Program Overview
M.A. Marriage and Family Counseling Program
The M.A. Marriage and Family Counseling program at Gonzaga University is a two-year master's program that develops students' individualized theory of counseling and provides professional training to practice as a professional counselor specializing in marital, couple, and family counseling.
Program Overview
The program is designed to address a wide variety of issues in the context of relationships and families, applying research and theory to practical experiences. Students build professional skills through supervised internships in the community, engage in self-discovery, personal growth, and development, and develop insight and awareness, including a clear understanding of the boundaries between personal and client issues.
Program Objectives
The program objectives include:
- Practicing as a professional counselor who specializes in marital, couple, and family counseling
- Addressing a wide variety of issues in the context of relationships and families
- Applying research and theory to practical experiences
- Building professional skills through supervised internships in the community
- Engaging in self-discovery, personal growth, and development
- Developing insight and awareness, including a clear understanding of the boundaries between personal and client issues
Accreditation
The Department of Counselor Education at Gonzaga University has earned specialized accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accreditation provides assurance that a program has been thoroughly evaluated to meet the standards necessary to produce competent counselors.
Program Outline
The program is completed in two years, with 60 credits required for completion. The program outline includes:
- First Year (41 credits):
- Fall Semester:
- EDCE 561: Ethics and Law in Marriage and Family Counseling (3 credits)
- EDCE 583: Introduction to Marriage and Family Counseling (2 credits)
- EDCE 639: Counseling Theories (3 credits)
- EDCE 695: Counseling Pre-Practicum (MFC) (3 credits)
- EDCE 698: Research and Statistics (4 credits)
- Spring Semester:
- EDCE 549: Introduction to Multicultural Counseling (1 credit)
- EDCE 568: Issues in Family Counseling (3 credits)
- EDCE 588: Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
- EDCE 616: Psychopathology & Psychopharmacology (4 credits)
- EDCE 650: Group Process and Facilitation (3 credits)
- EDCE 696: Counseling Practicum (3 credits)
- Summer Semester:
- EDCE 565: Assessment in Counseling (3 credits)
- EDCE 592: Advanced Family Systems (3 credits)
- EDCE 605: Career Counseling (2 credits)
- EDCE 697: Counseling Internship (MFC) (1 credit)
- Fall Semester:
- Second Year (19 credits):
- Fall Semester:
- EDCE 571: Trauma, Crisis, and Grief in MFC (3 credits)
- EDCE 603: Human Sexuality (2 credits)
- EDCE 687: Advanced Theories & Professional Seminar I (1 credit)
- EDCE 697: Counseling Internship (MFC) (4 credits)
- Spring Semester:
- EDCE 550: Advanced Multicultural Counseling (2 credits)
- EDCE 638: Theories of Couples Counseling (2 credits)
- EDCE 688: Advanced Theories & Professional Seminar II (1 credit)
- EDCE 697: Counseling Internship (MFC) (4 credits)
- EDCE 699: Comprehensive Oral Examination (0 credits)
- Fall Semester:
Tuition and Financing
The tuition for the program is $1,190 per credit, with a total of 60 credits required for completion. Financing options include graduate assistantships, scholarships, loans, and payment plans.
Student Learning Outcomes
The program is designed to produce competent counselors who can:
- Practice as a professional counselor who specializes in marital, couple, and family counseling
- Address a wide variety of issues in the context of relationships and families
- Apply research and theory to practical experiences
- Build professional skills through supervised internships in the community
- Engage in self-discovery, personal growth, and development
- Develop insight and awareness, including a clear understanding of the boundaries between personal and client issues
Faculty
The program is taught by faculty who have a PhD or a Master's degree with extensive experience in the field. Most faculty members continue to practice in the field as licensed clinical professional counselors.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the program pursue counseling positions in various private, public, and non-profit agencies, including private practice, family counseling, hospitals, social services agencies, colleges, and human resources. Some graduates also go on to pursue a PhD.