Counseling and
Educational Development
Couple and Family Counseling
Statement of purpose
This area of study prepares counseling professionals who want to provide specialized support to couples and families. Common areas of focus include family life cycle transitions, parenting concerns, couple counseling, and family violence. Students complete the CACREP-accredited courses and clinical training necessary to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Students who also desire licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) can work with their advisors to develop plans of study that are consistent with the requirements of that credential as well.
Program overview
In addition to the core CACREP courses and the courses in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track, coursework for the Couple and Family Counseling track includes Counselors Working with Families, Couples Counseling, Family Violence, and Sexuality Counseling. Students complete both the M.S. and Ed.S. degrees, and therefore they require one additional semester of study as compared to students completing only the M.S. in other tracks. Throughout the program, emphasis is placed on the application of family systems theories and relevant research to clinical practice with diverse client populations.
Potential career areas
Students in this track are working toward careers in a variety of settings (including community mental health agencies, family service organizations, and private practice) where they can provide counseling services to children, couples, and families. Internship and practicum experiences help tailor the program for each student's interest areas.
Core courses for Couple and Family Counseling (M.S./Ed.S.)
Core Courses
- CED 605 Counseling Diverse Populations
- CED 610 Helping Relationships
- CED 611 The Counselor as Scientist-Practitioner
- CED 612 Developmental Counseling
- CED 620 Counseling Theories and Practice
- CED 642 Substance Abuse Counseling
- CED 650 Group Counseling Theory and Practice
- CED 669 Career Development and Career Counseling
- CED 678 Professional Orientation
- CED 682 Application of Measurement and Clinical Appraisal Techniques
Specialized Courses
- CED 644 Counseling in Community Settings
- CED 687 Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Counseling
- CED 690 Counselors Working with Families
- CED 691 Advanced Clinical Topics: Couples Counseling
- CED 691 Advanced Clinical Topics: Family Violence
- CED 691 Advanced Clinical Topics: Sexuality Counseling
Supervised Practica and Internships
- CED 653 Practicum in Counseling (throughout program)
- CED 675 Counseling Field Practicum
- CED 679 Advanced School Practicum
- CED 680A Counseling Internship
- CED 680B Counseling Internship
Electives (3-6 hours as advised)
FALL 1 |
SPRING 1 |
SUMMER 1 |
FALL 2 |
SPRING 2 |
FALL 3 |
CED 605 (3) Counseling Diverse Populations |
CED 650 (3) Group Counseling Theory and Practice |
Elective (3) (or Fall 3) |
CED 669 (3) Career Development and Career Counseling (or Fall 3) |
CED 611 (3) The Counselor as Scientist-Practitioner |
CED 691 (3) Sexuality Counseling |
CED 610 (3) Helping Relationships |
CED 679 (3) Advanced Counseling Practicum |
|
CED 682 (3) Application of Measurement and Clinical Appraisal Techniques |
CED 612 (3) Developmental Counseling |
CED 642 (3) Substance Abuse Counseling (or Fall 2) |
CED 620 (3) Counseling Theories and Practice |
CED 687 (3) Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Counseling |
|
CED 691 (3) Family Violence |
CED 691 (3) Couple Counseling |
Elective (6) |
CED 678 (3) Professional Orientation |
CED 690 (3) Counselors Working with Families |
|
CED 680A (6) Counseling Internship |
CED 680B (6) Counseling Internship |
|
CED 644 (3) Counseling in Community Settings |
|
|
|
|
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18 credits |
12 credits |
3 credits (optional) |
15 credits |
15 credits |
12 credits |