M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy

Degree Requirements

1. Completion of all coursework with G.P.A. of 3.0 or better
2. Passing the comprehensive examination
3. Demonstration of interpersonal competencies and emotional maturity associated with effective counseling outcomes.

Course Descriptions

All courses are three credits unless noted.

CPT 503 Adult Psychopathology

Students will understand the major diagnostic categories of psychopathology affecting young adults, adults and older individuals. Case studies will be used to illustrate disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders and personality disorders. Consideration will be given to cultural and social factors in the areas of diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Psychopharmacology and the use of the DSM IV will be discussed. Prerequisite: Undergraduate or graduate course in Personality.

CPT 504 Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling

This course, designed as an orientation to the counseling profession, includes a history of professional counseling; social, economic, philosophical, and economic bases of the profession: major legal and ethical issues facing counseling; and current and future trends such as the use of technology in counseling, licensure reciprocity, training standards, etc.

CPT 600 Clinical Methods in Counseling

This course will focus on assessment, case conceptualization, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. Students will be taught about the practical application of counseling techniques including the process of conducting intake interviews, obtaining a mental status, taking biopsychosocial histories, and the use of diagnostic tools such as the DSM-IV. Students will engage in role-playing, practice interviewing skills and prepare sample clinical reports.

CPT 601Group Counseling Theory and Practice

Contemporary theories and historical perspectives pertaining to group counseling will be presented. Students will identify factors in group processes which promote growth and development in multicultural school and family environments. Students will also examine and practice techniques appropriate for the resolution of personal, social and academic conflicts. A portion of the class time will involve participation in a group and analyzing its dynamics.

CPT 700C Counseling Internship Practicum I (Mental Health Counseling) / CPT 700F Counseling Internship Practicum I (Marriage and Family Therapy)

The internship requirement is equivalent to 600 client contact hours during the year in an agency setting under the dual guidance of an on-site clinician and a university-based clinical supervisor; 300 hours will be completed each semester of the internship course. Participation in the intake and screening process, individual evaluations, interdisciplinary staff conferences, and professional meetings is required. Students will evaluate individuals, write reports and practice short-term counseling and consultation under the supervision of the clinician. Students will also attend weekly meetings with the university clinical supervisor in which professional and ethical issues related to the practice of counseling will be discussed. Students must apply for the internship in the semester prior to registration. Prerequisites: satisfactory completion of first two years of coursework and departmental approval.

CPT 701C Counseling Internship Practicum II/ CPT 701F

Continuation of internship in CPT 701C/CPT 701F in either the same or another university-approved setting.

SPC 504 Approaches to Human Sexuality

This course will provide an overview of the significant ethical and legal issues which present in the counseling profession. Topics to be covered include confidentiality, scope of practice, competence, and professional relationships. In addition, legal and legislative issues such as family law, educational law and recent cases involving counselors and other mental health professionals will be explored.

SPC 519 Dynamics of Marital Interaction

This course offers an examination of current issues and approaches concerning marriage, which includes a study of marital interaction and approaches to treatment of marital disorders.

SPC 633 Developmental Psychology I

The focus of this course will be on children from birth to age 6. Students will study the cognitive, social, emotional and physical aspects of development and their interrelationships within biological and cultural contexts. Historical and contemporary theories of development will be considered. Implications for teaching and curriculum will be addressed.

SPC 634 Developmental Psychology II

The focus of this course will be on children from age 6 to young adulthood. Students will study the cognitive, social, emotional and physical aspects of development and their interrelationships within biological and cultural contexts. Historical and contemporary theories of development will be considered. Issues stemming from the individual's expanding relationships and the emergence of adult roles and demands as well as implications for learning and curriculum will be addressed. Prerequisite: SPC 633.

SPC 650 Developmental Psychopathology

Students will understand the major diagnostic categories of psychopathology in children and adolescents. Case studies will be used to illustrate disorders such as pervasive developmental disorders, depression, anxiety, conduct disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Consideration will be given to cultural and social factors in the areas of diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Psychopharmacology and the use of the DSM IV will be discussed. Prerequisite: Undergraduate or graduate course in Personality.

SPC 657A Family Counseling in Urban Settings

Overview of theories of family therapy and study of patterns of family interaction. Techniques for improving family functioning are discussed as well as techniques for dealing with the family in group counseling. Marital counseling and parent counseling are studied. Attention is given to government and private agencies that deal with the emotional problems faced by urban families. Offered on occasion.

SPC 732 Research Methods

Students will learn to analyze research in psychology and education. Major statistical and measurement concepts will be applied in order to understand how research problems are systematically investigated using experimental and quasi-experimental designs. Surveys and qualitative research will also be discussed. Students will evaluate professional literature, discuss its implications for the practice of school psychology and design research proposals.

SPC 745A The Family of the Substance Abuser

This course will deal with the issues for family members, significant others and friends of substance abusers. Identification of these individuals as “hidden victims”; is important for the educator to understand the impact this has on the school environment. Students will be expected to gain a theoretical and practical understanding of the resulting behavior(s) and how to deal with this through lectures, independent research and special events.

SPC 745M Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Counseling

This course will explore issues in multicultural counseling. There will be a review of the theory and research necessary to work more effectively with culturally diverse people. Students will develop cultural awareness and apply new insights in multicultural situations. The course will increase students’ multicultural counseling and development knowledge, with a focus on communication problems when contact is made with persons from differing cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds and how these factors impact on the counseling relationship.

SPC 745O Dealing with Loss and Grief

This course will utilize a variety of teaching methods including lectures, therapeutic art and writing activities, creative games, role-playing, group discussion and other interactive exercises designed for students experiencing loss and grief. Session topics will include grief affecting educators and students; age appropriate classroom curricula, school based grief support groups; crisis intervention plans and community resources. The sessions will attempt to help the participants understand their personal response to loss and grief, as well as understand and respond to the grief that follows all kinds of losses in students' lives.

Plan of Study

This program leads to eligibility for New York State licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Courses (48 credits)

All courses are three credits unless noted.

Required Courses (39 credits)

• SPC 633 Developmental Psychology I
• SPC 634 Developmental Psychology II
• SPC 745M Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Counseling
• SPC 657A Family Counseling in Urban Settings
• SPC 650 Developmental Psychopathology
• CPT 503 Adult Psychopathology
• CPT 601 Group Counseling Theory and Practice
• CPT 519 Dynamics of Marital Interaction SPC 732 Research Methods
• CPT 504 Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling
• CPT 600 Clinical Methods in Counseling
• CPT 700 and CPT 701 Counseling Internship Practicum I and II

Elective Courses (9 credits)

• SPC 745O Dealing with Loss and Grief
• SPC 745A The Family of the Substance Abuser
• SPC 504 Approaches to Human Sexuality