Courses Descriptions

Appraisal and Assessment in MFT (Additional Course - 3 credits)
This doctoral level course introduces students to principles of systemic assessment, from both clinical and measurement perspectives. Students will discuss the comparative reliability and validity of current measures of family interaction and analysis of their suitability for use in MFT clinical practice and research. Students receive training in administration and application of systemic assessment methods. Assumptions and values underlying assessment approaches will be discussed. Attention will be paid to theoretical underpinnings of measures as well as their psychometric properties. This course will also involve a critical evaluation of appraisal and assessment through a social justice lens.

Clinical Practicum
This is an advanced practicum in which students provide systemic individual, couple, and family therapy within the program's clinic. Family social context (privilege and oppression) will be part of the clinical focus. Students demonstrate their theory of therapy and provide a clinical presentation of their work and their self-as-therapist evaluation via a clinical autobiographic case study.

Dissertation Seminar (2 credits)
This course focuses on preparing students for the dissertation process, and working towards the development of a dissertation proposal.

Family Policy and MFT (Family Relations - 3 credits)
This doctoral level course examines American and international public policy and law through a family lens. Economic; social and relationship; health and mental health; barriers and access to mental health; measures of child and family well-being; immigration and migration; and housing policies are few of the key issues examined through a lens of social justice. A full life-span approach will be taken so as to cover several key current family policy trends. Potential opportunities regarding family policy in both clinical practice and clinical research will be examined.

Grant Writing and Professional Writing in MFT (Additional Course - 3 credits)
This course is designed to demystify grant writing and writing for publication. Emphasis on skill development activities, such as writing various sections of a grant or publishable paper, and giving and receiving feedback on works in progress. Particular emphasis will be placed on publishing and funding qualitative and action research.

Outcome Research in MFT (Research - 3 credits)
This course addresses critical issues in MFT research, including theoretical issues and MFT outcome research on major health and relational problems. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the broader goals and context of MFT research. In addition, this course will familiarize students with the content of major outcome studies in MFT, and will include a critical analysis of the state of the research in family therapy through a social justice lens.

Qualitative Research Methods I (Research - 3 credits)
In this advanced seminar students briefly review process issues around doing qualitative research, such as: epistemological stances underlying qualitative inquiry, personal politics surrounding qualitative research methods and uses, ethics, and funding. Students then study several methods, such as: hermeneutics and phenomenology; grounded theory; narrative, and case study. Emphasis will be placed on familial and relational research, and an evaluation of methods and research studies from social justice, feminist, and cultural lenses. This is the first of a two-semester course.

Qualitative Research Methods II (Research - 3 credits)
This is the second of a two-semester course. Study of qualitative methods continues by examining more complex methods, such as: critical theory, social action research, ethnography, participative inquiry, and multiple method clinical research. Emphasis will be placed on familial and relational research, and an evaluation of methods and research studies from social justice, feminist, and cultural lenses. Current computer software for data management and interpretation will be reviewed. Emphasis will be placed on clinical process.

Quantitative Research Methods (Research - 3 credits)
Students in this course learn about the variety of quantitative methods applied to MFT research, including survey methodology and measurement issues, clinical trials research, and process research. Students also learn about various ethical issues in research, especially those related to community-based and clinical research and work with underserved and/or high-risk populations. The focus of this course is on methodology rather than on review of extant research, and emphasize the process of developing a research study, specifying the methods and design involved in the study, putting concepts into operation, choosing appropriate measures, and writing a proposal.

Teaching in MFT (Additional Course - 3 credits)
This doctoral level course examines theories of andragogy as applied to the field of couple/marriage and family therapy as well as the core competencies as outlined by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Topics covered include: theories of adult learning; course construction; self-directed and problem-solving learning exercises; motivational project construction; critical reflection and discussion techniques; and learning assessments. This course also covers methods of infusing issues related to social justice and families.

Theories of Social Justice in MFT (Theory - 3 credits)
This doctoral level course examines several psychological, sociological, legal, and political theories of prejudice and oppression of people and their methods of resiliency and resistance. Theories and research are examined within cultural and historical contexts alongside essays so as to give voice to peoples' experiences and differing perspectives. Opportunities for family systems researchers will be examined.

Trauma, Grief, and Loss in Families (Additional Course - 3 credits)
This course addresses the theoretical framework of human loss and grief from culturally and philosophically diverse perspectives. Attention is focused on life span development and the meaning of death and loss at different ages within families. Various types of loss are discussed from individual, family and sociocultural perspectives. The importance of understanding trauma and its relationship to grief and loss will be addressed. Coping and resiliency in loss are explored, emphasizing the diversity of human responses and focusing on the significance of social groups in integrating loss. The formation and practice of rituals, and diversity of religious and spiritual experiences as a component of coping with loss will be discussed.

Seminar in Current MFT Topics (Additional Course - 3 credits)
This seminar covers a range of topics including substance abuse/addiction and family therapy, eating disorders in the family, intrafamilial violence, and spirituality. Infused throughout these topics will be a focus on social justice implications.

Statistical Methods in MFT (Research - 3 credits)
This doctoral level course covers statistical methods relevant to clinical research in MFT, including basic inferential statistics, univariate and multivariate analyses, regression, power analysis, and factor analysis, as well as issues related to multiple levels of analysis. The focus of this course is applied statistics.

Supervision I (Supervision - 3 credits)
Students learn theories of systemic supervision, structures for supervision, methods of supervision, evaluation process, and legal/ethical issues. Topics include therapist-client-supervisor relationships, potential problems, and contextual issues. Particular emphasis will be placed on feminist theories of supervision and on supervision and training for social justice.

Supervision II (Supervision - 3 credits)
This advanced supervision course covers additional topics of systemic supervision, including supervising in various settings (academic, agency, etc.), and with special populations. Students will be encouraged to develop models of supervision and contribute to the field of systemic supervision.

Supervision Practicum
This course provides structured experience of supervision of marriage and family therapy students, applying material from the Supervision courses.

Systemic Applications of Mind-Body Therapy (Additional Course 3 - credits)
This doctoral level course examines several therapeutic approaches (including Eastern and native peoples' traditions) that can complement traditional psychotherapy. The course begins with a brief review of psychoneuroimmunology and bio-psychological and family systems reactions to stress. It then introduces information about several mind-body approaches, like: meditation, spirituality, focused exercise, yoga, energy work, focused breath, and guided imagery.