Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling, Master of Arts - U.S.
The M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling (MCFC) program is for students who want to work as licensed mental health counselors or as marriage and family therapists in Washington State and counsel families and couples. The CACREP-accredited program trains well-rounded clinicians for the realities of daily practice. It emphasizes application of theory to practice. Students are introduced to a broad range of clinical issues through a breadth of course work, delivered by practitioner faculty. Supported internships focus on the delivery of clinical services, and assist students to develop a coherent theoretical and ethical framework for practice.
The Master of Arts in Counseling will prepare students to:
- Recognize and apply professional ethical standards including clear and appropriate relationships with clients/students, colleagues, and the community.
- Collaborate with people of diverse ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, religious beliefs, and socio-economic status.
- Develop self-awareness into beliefs about what impacts personal development.
- Formulate a personal philosophy of counseling grounded in these beliefs.
- Appraise the impact of work-related issues on the mental health and wellness.
- Establish and maintain effective counseling relationships.
- Employ counseling techniques that are consistent with the selected theoretical approach.
- Recognize and positively influence intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics when leading and co-leading groups.
- Gather information to assess needs and next steps in the counseling process, including assessment for suicide/homicide risk and report requirements for abuse/neglect.
- Locate community resources and critically evaluate research related to core areas of counseling practice.
- Produce written communication that meets professional standards.
- Develop multicultural and social justice counseling competencies through gaining a systemic understanding for the influence of cultural background in presenting problems and the role of counselors in promoting social justice and the well-being of the greater community.
Total Required Credits (90 Credits)
Core CACREP Areas (49 Credits)
Other Required Courses (28 Credits)
| COUN 519 | Foundations of Mental Health Services | 1 |
| COUN 520 | Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology I | 5 |
| COUN 521 | Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology II | 5 |
| COUN 522 | Systemic Theory: Crisis, Disaster and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 529 | Addictions and Co-Occurring Perspectives | 3 |
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| COUN 600 | Systemic Theory: Child and Adolescent Counseling | 2 |
| (or) | |
| COUN 604 | Counseling Older Adults | 2 |
| | |
| COUN 605 | Systemic Theory in Couples Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 609 | Systemic Theory: Human Sexuality | 3 |
| COUN 690 | Integrative Portfolio Project | 3 |
| COUN 550 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
Internships/Practica (13 Credits)