Curriculum
Specialized coursework
and hands-on practica.
Curriculum
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling (MAF) program includes coursework and a training practicum.
Course Sequence
Students should take courses in the proper sequence to satisfy prerequisites for advanced courses and to prepare for practicum placements. Courses marked with an asterik (*) must be complete before beginning the practicum.
| YEAR ONE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term Term Credits = 9 |
Spring Term Term Credits = 11 |
Summer Term Term Credits = 11 |
| * 210 Professional Development Seminar 0 credits |
* 211 Community Service Seminar I 1 credit |
* 212 Community Service Seminar II 1 credit |
| * 472 Basic Skills for Psychotherapy 3 credits |
* 213 Community Service Practicum I 1 credit |
* 214 Community Service Practicum II 1 credit |
| * 350 Community Psychology 3 credits |
* 402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 credits |
* 505 Professional Development, Issues and Ethics 3 credits |
| * 651 Assessment and Treatment from a Systemic Perspective 3 credits |
* 654 Individual Life Span and Family Life Cycle 3 credits |
* 647 Biopsychosocial Bases of Health & Dysfunction for Counselors 3 credits |
| * 662 Overview of Marriage and Family Therapy Models 3 credits |
* 660 Issues of Culture and Diversity in Couple and Family Counseling 3 credits |
|
| YEAR TWO | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term Term Credits = 11 |
Spring Term Term Credits = 12 |
Summer Term Term Credits = 9 |
| 433 Parenting Education: Adlerian Theory and Intervention 2 credits |
337 Group Psychotherapy 3 credits |
438 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3 credits |
| 523 Adlerian Approaches to Individual and Family Therapy 3 credits |
569 Lifestyle & Career Development 3 credits |
497 Research Methods 3 credits |
| 663 Effective Marriage and Family Counseling 3 credits |
655 Advanced Assessment and Counseling with Couples 3 credits |
516 Appraisal with Individuals 3 credits |
| 664 M.A.F. Practicum I 1 credit |
665 M.A.F. Practicum II 1 credit |
995 Master’s Clinical Qualifying Exam 0 credits |
| 667 M.A.F. Practicum Seminar I 2 credits |
668 M.A.F. Practicum Seminar II 2 credits |
|
Practicum
An integral part of all master's programs at the Adler School is supervised field placements. Ongoing involvement in clinical activities at professional training sites, including Adler Community Health Services, provides an opportunity to apply and further develop the knowledge, skills, values, and competencies gained in coursework.
In your first year, the Community Service Practicum focuses on developing skills for community-based interventions, advocacy, social justice, and systemic interventions that benefit human welfare and well-being. You’ll spend eight to ten hours per week over the course of six months at an approved Community Service Practicum site while concurrently enrolled in required coursework. A minimum of 200 clock hours of practicums is required.
In your second year, the practicum focuses on developing competencies required for entry-level practice upon graduation. Expect to spend at least two days per week over the course of at least nine months at an approved site and while concurrently enrolled in two semesters of practicum seminars. You must complete a minimum of 700 hours of Clinical Practicums; 200 of those hours must be direct clinical service, and at least one-third of those hours should be in conjoint therapy with couples or families.
The Director of Clinical Training and Community Service will work with you to identify and approve clinical experiences. Because the focus is on integrating master's-level education with master's-level clinical training, the Adler School does not grant transfer credit for practicum credits earned elsewhere. Please refer to the Practicum Handbook for detailed information.