Couples and Family Therapy (MS)
This two-year program trains students as professional family therapists in preparation for state licensure. This intensive training combines a strong theoretical base in systemic therapy with applied clinical experience. Students learn how to provide culturally sensitive and responsive therapeutic services and collaborate with providers from other disciplines across a variety of health-care settings.
The clinical practicum includes 350 client contact hours with 150 hours in relational systems and 100 hours of individual and group supervision. Supervision at the Center for Healthy Relationships involves live observation, participation in reflecting teams, and feedback on audiovisual recordings of therapy sessions. In addition, students see clients at community agencies, clinics, and therapist practices. The Couples and Family Therapy Program is one of two programs in Oregon to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education and approved by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists. Students with Spanish language proficiency also have the option to complete the Spanish language specialization in addition to the standard program of courses.
Application and Admission
Detailed admission policies and procedures for the couples and family therapy degree are available on the Couples and Family Therapy website: https://education.uoregon.edu/cft/apply. Students are admitted fall term only. Completed applications must be received by the deadline published on the website for the following fall term. Only completed applications are reviewed for admission. Applicants are evaluated on the following:
- Quality of work
- Related work, background, or experience
- Résumé or CV
- Statement of purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- An interview
Notices about disposition of applications are emailed by April 15.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Professionalism and Ethical Conduct: Students will demonstrate an understanding of professional conduct and ethical standards and will demonstrate an ability to effectively apply their knowledge in clinical practice.
- Scientific Inquiry and Critical Evaluation: Students will demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate the research literature and demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between research results and clinical decision-making.
- Theoretical Foundations: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the core theoretical assertions of couples and family therapy and will critically assess their own systems-oriented theory of change.
- Social Context and Diversity: Students will demonstrate attitudes that value human diversity, will practice culturally sensitive analysis and critical self-awareness when counseling diverse populations, and will demonstrate cultural competence in all professional activities.
- Clinical Application: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the unique systemically oriented assessment and intervention competencies, will apply them effectively in practice, and will critically evaluate their own practice.
Applicants must pass a criminal background check before they may enroll.
Couples and Family Therapy Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical foundations | 15 | |
| Introduction to Couples and Family Therapy | ||
| Systems Theory Foundations | ||
| Theories of Counseling | ||
| Counseling Diverse Populations | ||
| Theories of Career Development | ||
| Individual and family development | 28 | |
| Experimental Course: [Topic] (Clinical Foundations) | ||
| Parenting Interventions | ||
| Mental Health and Diagnosis | ||
| Violence, Trauma, and Healing | ||
| Relational Sex Therapy | ||
| Substance Use and Recovery | ||
| Intimate Partner Therapy | ||
| Developmental Psychopathology | ||
| Research competencies | 3 | |
| Survey of Educational Research Methods | ||
or EDUC 612 | Social Science and Education Research Design | |
| Professional ethics | 3 | |
| Professional Ethics | ||
| Clinical practice | 32 | |
| Practicum: [Topic] (Practicum, Advanced) | ||
| Practicum: [Topic] (Practicum, Externship) | ||
| Beginning Practicum | ||
| Counseling Skills | ||
| Group Dynamics and Counseling | ||
| Additional courses (electives) | 9 | |
| Lifespan Developmental Psychology | ||
| Child and Family Interventions | ||
| Psychological Services for Latinos | ||
| Latinx Mental Health: [Topic] | ||
| Health Promotion and Equity | ||
| Total Credits | 90 | |