Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy (M.S.)

Program Overview

Nova Southeastern University's Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy program equips students with the knowledge and skills to work with individuals, groups, couples, and families using a systemic, relational perspective. The 60-credit program includes core courses, practicum experiences, and elective options in specialized areas such as medical family therapy and equine-assisted family therapy. Graduates are prepared for professional positions in various clinical and organizational settings, with a 100% job placement rate.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy (M.S.) program at Nova Southeastern University's College of Osteopathic Medicine provides students with the skills and knowledge to work with individuals, groups, couples, and families using a systemic, relational perspective. Graduates are prepared for professional positions in private practice, employee assistance programs, managed care and health care organizations, childcare and child development systems, family service agents, and other clinical and organizational settings.

Objectives:

• Hone perspective and practice in a time-sensitive, cost-effective manner by mastering interactional models of family therapy.
• Fulfill course requirements for licensure in Florida and other states, practice in real clinics, and build a professional support network.
• Explore specialties like medical family therapy, solution-focused coaching, and equine-assisted family therapy.

Program Description:

The M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy program is a 60-credit program that involves a practicum project. Students complete coursework in core areas such as systems theories, substance abuse/addictions, marital and family therapy, human development, research, assessment, diversity and psychosocial issues, human sexuality and gender, theories of personality and psychopathology, legal, ethical, and professional issues, and individual and group psychotherapy. They also complete practicum experiences in on-campus and off-campus settings.

Outline:

Core Courses (42 credits):

• Introduction to Systems Theories (3 credits)
• Substance Abuse/Addictions and Critical Issues in Systems Theories (3 credits)
• Introduction to Marital and Family Therapy: Counseling Theories and Techniques (3 credits)
• Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy (3 credits)
• Clinical Practice in Marriage and Family Therapy (3 credits)
• Human Development Across the Life Cycle (3 credits)
• Research in Marriage and Family Therapy (3 credits)
• Assessment in Marital and Family Therapy (3 credits)
• Diversity and Psychosocial Issues (3 credits)
• Human Sexuality and Gender (3 credits)
• Theories of Personality and Psychopathology (3 credits)
• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy (3 credits)
• Individual and Group Psychotherapy (3 credits)
• Couples Therapy: Theory and Application (3 credits)

Practicum Courses (12 credits):

• Internal Practicum I-II (6 credits)
• External Practicum I-II (6 credits)

Elective Courses (6 credits-choose two from the following):

• Medical Family Therapy I: Introduction to Medical Family Therapy (3 credits)
• Medical Family Therapy II: Grief and Loss (3 credits)
• Infant Mental Health (3 credits)
• Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention (3 credits)
• Military Families (3 credits)
• Collaborative Divorce (3 credits)
• Family Play Therapy (3 credits)
• Introduction to Equine-Assisted Family Therapy (3 credits)
• Developing a Private Practice (3 credits)
• Solution-Focused Coaching (3 credits)
• Advanced Equine Family Therapy (3 credits)
• Advanced Addictions Treatment (3 credits)
• Working with Autism and ADHD: Applied Behavior Analysis and Systemic Thinking (3 credits)
• Systems Application in the Family Life Cycle of Aging (3 credits)
• Relationships in Aging (3 credits)
• Caregiving in the Family (3 credits)
• Grief and Loss in Aging (3 credits)

Teaching:

The program's faculty includes experienced clinicians and researchers who are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality educational experience. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, case studies, role-playing, and practicum experiences. The program also offers a close-knit community of professionals who provide students with support and mentorship.

Careers:

Graduates of the M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy program are prepared for a variety of career opportunities in the field of mental health. Graduates may work in private practice, employee assistance programs, managed care and health care organizations, childcare and child development systems, family service agencies, and other clinical and organizational settings. The program's 100% job placement rate indicates that graduates are in high demand.

Potential Career Paths:

• Couple and Family Counselor, Private Practice
• Agency Clinical Director
• Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor