Program Overview

---

Social Work - Couple & Family Therapy (MCFT)

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.

Course Descriptions

MCFT 700. Foundations of Couple and Family Therapy: Theory and Practice

• Units: 3
• Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
• Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Couple and Family Therapy Program.
• Description: This course covers foundational elements of family therapy theory & practice. By the conclusion of the course, students are expected to demonstrate a conceptual competence in basic family therapy theory, as well as knowledge around the history and evolution of the family therapy field.

MCFT 701. Family Therapy Assessment and Treatment in Diverse Populations

• Units: 3
• Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
• Prerequisite(s): Restricted to students enrolled through Kent School of Social Work.
• Description: This course will focus on more in-depth assessments and interventions regarding specific problem populations faced in martial and family therapy practice. Emphasis will be given to a critical review and evaluation of the evidence-based practices as well as interventions or strategies that represent integrative approaches in the field. Special attention will be given to the use of the DSM-IV and pharmacology as it is related to MFT practice.

MCFT 702. Couple Therapy: Theory and Practice

• Units: 3
• Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
• Description: This course provides the student with a framework for managing difficult and controversial issues in the field of couple therapy. The student will become versed in couple assessment and couple interventions. Protocols regarding special issues in the field of couple therapy will be taught including divorce, sexual problems, infidelity, domestic violence, etc. The course will examine pertinent ethical issues and concerns as it relates to the field of couple therapy.

MCFT 703. Contemporary Issues, Community Intersections & Collaborations in CFT

• Units: 3
• Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
• Prerequisite(s): Admission to the CFT Program and SW 700 or MCFT 700.
• Description: This course will review social problems and contemporary issues facing families. Particular emphasis will be placed on social problems such as domestic violence, divorce, child maltreatment, substance abuse, school bullying and health concerns. Contemporary issues such as technology, same-sex marriage, and Immigration will also be addressed. Student development of competencies to practice within defined contexts, such as healthcare settings, schools and military settings, and with colleagues from other disciplines will be facilitated. The tools for learning will include lecture, discussion, role-playing, case reviews and teamwork on projects designed to develop and enhance specific skills.

MCFT 704. Integrating Family Therapy: Theory and Practice

• Units: 3
• Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
• Prerequisite(s): Admission to the CFT Program.
• Description: This is the capstone course in the MSCFT Program designed for each student to refine their own theory of change. Utilizing critical thinking skills, students will work to integrate MFT intervention models and skill sets in the areas of assessment, treatment /intervention planning, and outcome evaluation. Students will be assisted in integrating the clinical theory, practice, and research coursework with their study of change in larger social systems. This course also provides an opportunity for individual students to tailor and deepen their learning about areas of personal clinical interest previously covered in the curriculum.

MCFT 705. Professional Issues & Ethics in Couple & Family Therapy

• Units: 3
• Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
• Prerequisite(s): Admission to the CFT Program and SW 702.
• Description: This is a capstone seminar in professional issues taken in the last semester of the MSSW/MFT Specialization Program. This course reviews and integrates the graduating student's learning experiences in SW 721-725 and SW 703 in the area of professional issues and ethics. The course is designed to assist the graduating student in their professional development, legal responsibilities, current professional ethics, the role of professional associations, licensure legislation, independent practice considerations, and inter-professional cooperation. The students using variable credit option must have permission of instructor and a course of proposed study outlined prior to registrations.

MCFT 706. Foundations of Couple and Family Therapy: Theory and Practice II

• Units: 3
• Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
• Prerequisite(s): MCFT 700 or SW 700.
• Description: This course covers family theory and practice, including the development of the relational/systemic perspective, early and contemporary models of M/CFT, evidence-based practice, and the biopsychosocial perspective. By the conclusion of the course, students are expected to demonstrate conceptual competence in family therapy theory and epistemological issues, as well as knowledge of the history and evolution of the family therapy field.

MCFT 707. Human and Family Development Across the Lifespan

• Units: 3
• Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
• Prerequisite(s): MCFT 700 and MSSW 601
• Description: This course surveys human development across the individual's lifespan, from birth to death, emphasizing the clinical relevance for family therapists.

MCFT 708. Independent Study

• Units: 1-4
• Prerequisite(s): Admission to CFT Program, consent of Program director, and permission of the instructor.
• Description: The student will be required to submit a proposal for investigating some area or problem in social work not ordinarily offered in the social work program or the marital and family therapy program. The report of the student's study will be presented in a written report.

MCFT 710. Couple and Family Therapy Practicum I

• Units: 1
• Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
• Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
• Description: Students will conduct assessment and therapy with individuals, couples, families, and other systems under the supervision of an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor or AAMFT Supervisor.

MCFT 711. Couple and Family Therapy Practicum II

• Units: 1
• Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
• Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
• Prerequisite(s): SW 710.
• Description: Students will conduct assessment and therapy with individuals, couples, families, and other systems under the supervision of an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor or AAMFT Supervisor.

MCFT 712. Couple and Family Therapy Practicum III

• Units: 2
• Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
• Term Typically Offered: Summer Only
• Description: Students will conduct assessment and therapy with individuals, couples, families, and other systems under the supervision of an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor or AAMFT Supervisor Candidate.

MCFT 713. Couple and Family Therapy Practicum IV

• Units: 1
• Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
• Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
• Description: Students will conduct assessment and therapy with individuals, couples, families, and other systems under the supervision of an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor or AAMFT Supervisor Candidate.

MCFT 714. Couple and Family Therapy Practicum V

• Units: 1
• Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
• Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
• Description: Students will conduct assessment and therapy with individuals, couples, families, and other systems under the supervision of an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor or AAMFT Supervisor Candidate.

MCFT 721. Family Therapy Supervision I

• Units: 3
• Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
• Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
• Prerequisite(s): Admission to CFT program.
• Corequisite(s): MSSW 610, or MCFT 710.
• Description: Supervision of student work with a variety of families and family problems in community agency settings.

MCFT 722. Family Therapy Supervision II

• Units: 3
• Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
• Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
• Prerequisite(s): MCFT 721.
• Corequisite(s): MSSW 611, or MCFT 711.
• Description: Supervision of student work with a variety of families and family problems in community agency settings.

MCFT 723. Family Therapy Supervision III

• Units: 3
• Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
• Term Typically Offered: Summer Only
• Prerequisite(s): MCFT 722.
• Description: Supervision of student work with a variety of families and family problems in community agency settings. Significant field experience conducting therapy and assessment with individuals, couples, families, and other systems is a requirement of this course.

MCFT 724. Family Therapy Supervision IV

• Units: 3
• Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
• Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
• Prerequisite(s): MCFT 723.
• Corequisite(s): MSSW 612, or MCFT 713.
• Description: Supervision of student work with a variety of families and family problems in community agency settings.

MCFT 725. Family Therapy Supervision V

• Units: 3
• Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
• Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
• Prerequisite(s): MCFT 724.
• Corequisite(s): MSSW 613.
• Description: Supervision of student work with a variety of families and family problems in community agency settings.

MCFT 726. Post-Master's Practicum/Supervision

• Units: 0
• Prerequisite(s): Completion of all program course requirements.
• Description: Supervision of student work with a variety of families and family problems in a community agency setting.