Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling, Master of Arts - Counseling - U.S.A.
The Master of Art in Counseling (MAC) Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling track (CACREP-accredited), a program for students who want to work as licensed mental health counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists in Washington Sate, examines social justice issues as they relate to the overall mental well-being of people from any background. Race, poverty, social injustices, gender issues, sexuality differences, morality and belief systems are all taken into consideration throughout all course work and are of a particular focus in training courses. To address the overall well-being of individuals, families, and communities, social justice issues must be addressed. This program involves students and faculty in these social justice issues.
Through a practitioner-scholar model, the MAC program trains well-rounded mental health counselors (CMHC), marriage, couple, and family counselors (MCFC), professional school counselors (PSC), and addictions counselors (AC) for the realities of day-to-day practice. In addition to social justice awareness and practice, the MAC program emphasizes practical application of theory, development of case conceptualization skills, ethical awareness, appreciation of diversity, and self-awareness. Students will be introduced to a broad range of clinical issues through a breadth of coursework delivered by practitioner faculty. Supported clinical experiences focus on the delivery of clinical services, and assist students to develop a coherent theoretical and ethical framework for practice.
The Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Master of Arts degree is recognized by CACREP as meeting its standards for Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) requirements. However, it is not associated with nor does it meet state licensing requirements such as Licensed Marriage Family Therapy (LMFT or LMFTA) which requires additional internship hours. Graduates of the MAC program are welcome to seek the additional hours post-graduation to fulfill the requirements for an LMFT license. Interested students should contact the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and the Washington State Department of Health to learn more about specific LMFTA requirements.
Licensing and certification requirements vary by state. Students who relocate to another state during their enrollment may or may not satisfy the eligibility criteria to obtain a professional license or certification in that state. If a student is located outside of the State of Washington, it is highly recommended that you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in your home state before beginning an academic program outside of your state. CityU has provided the following information about requirements for certification or licensure in other select states.
Program Outcomes
This program will prepare students to:
Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice: Demonstrate understanding and apply professional ethical standards including clear and appropriate relationships with clients, colleagues, and the community.
Social and Cultural Diversity: Collaborate with people of diverse ethnicity, culture, gender identity, sexual identity, physical ability, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status through a lens of social justice and advocacy.
Human Growth and Development: Develop understanding and awareness into what impacts personal development through a lens of resiliency and wellness for clients across the lifespan.
Career Development: Demonstrate knowledge and working application of career development in counseling practice.
Counseling and Helping Relationships: Establish and maintain effective counseling relationships, and employs theoretically grounded counseling techniques.
Group Counseling and Group Work: Apply methods, skills, and other group approaches in a multicultural society using theories of group counseling, principles of group dynamics, facilitation styles, and direct experiences.
Assessment and Testing: Gather information to assess needs and next steps in the counseling process, including assessment for suicide/homicide risk and reporting requirements for abuse/ neglect of vulnerable populations.
Research and Program Evaluation: Locate resources and critically evaluate research related to core areas of counseling to incorporate into clinical practice.
Social Justice: Demonstrate systemic understanding of the role of counselors in promoting social justice for the well-being of the greater community.
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling: Apply family systems theory to client(s) presenting problems and diagnoses.
Admission Requirements
In addition to City University of Seattle's graduate admission requirements, found under Admissions in the catalog menu, students in this program must also meet the requirements listed below:
Total Required Credits (93 Credits)
Core CACREP Areas (35 Credits)
Required Courses Outside of Core (36 Credits)
| COUN 512 | Systemic Theory: Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling * | 5 |
| COUN 514 | Research Methods and Statistics * | 5 |
| COUN 537 | Crisis, Grief, & Trauma Counseling | 5 |
| COUN 535 | Introduction to Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology | 5 |
| COUN 532 | Addictions and Co-Occurring Counseling * | 5 |
| COUN 618 | Human Sexuality | 5 |
| COUN 565 | Introduction to the Counseling Practice | 5 |
| COUN 671 | Capstone I | 1 |
Additional Required Depth Coursework (5 credits)
Training Requirements (14 Credits)