This course will focus on the history of marriage and families, including the changing forms and demographics of modern couples and families in Western societies, especially the United States. State and national policy issues impacting the health and well-being of couples and families will also be addressed. Particular attention will be given to understanding the goals of each policy, and current research will be presented on both their intended and unintended consequences since implementation.

Prerequisites:

• Completion of core courses or admission to the graduate certificate program.

This course focuses on the study of culturally diverse couples and families with special emphasis on understanding the significance of cultural contexts in working with people of different cultures. Issues of racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, and other isms are explored. Dynamics of power and privilege are explored. Strategies to prevent their clinical biases from interfering with therapeutic relationships with diverse populations are developed. Included is an exploration of various types of couples and families.

• MFT613 Couples and Families in Society

This course introduces historical, contextual, and clinical applications to relationships including couples, families, and systems. Relationships between spouses and partners are explored and analyzed in order to create an understanding of the dynamics that enhance relationships from a therapeutic context. Issues regarding communication, conflict resolution, and interactions are included.

• MFT613 Couples and Families in Society

This course provides an opportunity for students to develop skills conducting therapy with couples and families. Awareness of the influence of race, culture and gender in couple and family therapy is developed. Experiential and didactic approaches are used.

• MFT613 Couples and Families in Society

This 1-credit course is part one of a 3-credit triad of courses which include the concurrent courses, MFT643 and 644. This course covers professional issues in the Marriage and Family Therapy field, including information about the licensure process, state and national professional associations, regulatory boards, post-degree supervision requirements and opportunities, possible employment contexts.

This course should be taken in the first semester of the program whenever possible.

This course examines the strengths and limitations of different assessment strategies with couples and families, including assessment based on observation, therapist/rater, family report, and interactional methods. It includes an overview of various measures and instruments used, including parent-child, family, and couple inventories.

• MFT613 Couples and Families in Society

This course is for students who need to complete the 300 hours of clinical Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) practicum required for licensure by the Minnesota Board of MFT. At least 150 of these 300 hours must be with two or more members of a family present. The practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy is for students enrolled in the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Marriage and Family Therapy or in the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Program. Students work under the on-campus supervision of a Minnesota Board of MFT Approved Supervisor for a minimum of 30 hours per semester, as well as the off-campus supervision of a licensed mental health professional with documented clinical experience with families. All practicum hours must be completed at an approved practicum site. The on-campus practicum seminar must be taken concurrently as part of the practicum requirements. The practicum seminar provides an environment for observation of taped clinical work, discussion of case material, and discussion of problems and concerns that arise in the practicum setting, under the supervision of a Minnesota Board of MFT Approved Supervisor. Personal and professional issues relevant to the practicum experience are also explored.

Students unable to complete the required 300 hours of client contact, including 150 relational hours, in two semesters of practicum may register for additional practicum courses. Students continue to take the practicum supervision seminar for each semester needed to complete the hours. This course is P/NC.

• All other requirements of the program

This course is for students who need to complete the 300 hours of clinical Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) practicum required for licensure by the Minnesota Board of MFT. At least 150 of these 300 hours must be with two or more members of a family present. The practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy is for students enrolled in the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Marriage and Family Therapy or in the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Program. Students work under the on-campus supervision of a Minnesota Board of MFT Approved Supervisor for a minimum of 30 hours per semester, as well as the off-campus supervision of a licensed mental health professional with documented clinical experience with families. All practicum hours must be completed at an approved practicum site. The on-campus practicum seminar must be taken concurrently as part of the practicum requirements. The practicum seminar provides an environment for observation of taped clinical work, discussion of case material, and discussion of problems and concerns that arise in the practicum setting, under the supervision of a Minnesota Board of MFT Approved Supervisor. Personal and professional issues relevant to the practicum experience are also explored.

Students unable to complete the required 300 hours of client contact, including 150 relational hours, in two semesters of practicum may register for additional practicum courses. Students continue to take the practicum supervision seminar for each semester needed to complete the hours. This course is P/NC.

• MFT670 Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum I

This course is for students who need to complete the 300 hours of clinical Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) practicum required for licensure by the Minnesota Board of MFT. At least 150 of these 300 hours must be with two or more members of a family present. The practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy is for students enrolled in the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Marriage and Family Therapy or in the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Program. Students work under the on-campus supervision of a Minnesota Board of MFT Approved Supervisor for a minimum of 30 hours per semester, as well as the off-campus supervision of a licensed mental health professional with documented clinical experience with families. All practicum hours must be completed at an approved practicum site. The on-campus practicum seminar must be taken concurrently as part of the practicum requirements. The practicum seminar provides an environment for observation of taped clinical work, discussion of case material, and discussion of problems and concerns that arise in the practicum setting, under the supervision of a Minnesota Board of MFT Approved Supervisor. Personal and professional issues relevant to the practicum experience are also explored.

Students unable to complete the required 300 hours of client contact, including 150 relational hours, in two semesters of practicum may register for additional practicum courses. Students continue to take the practicum supervision seminar for each semester needed to complete the hours. This course is P/NC.

• MFT670 Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum I
• MFT671 Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum II

This course is for students who need to complete the 300 hours of clinical Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) practicum required for licensure by the Minnesota Board of MFT. At least 150 of these 300 hours must be with two or more members of a family present. The practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy is for students enrolled in the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Marriage and Family Therapy or in the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Program. Students work under the on-campus supervision of a Minnesota Board of MFT Approved Supervisor for a minimum of 30 hours per semester, as well as the off-campus supervision of a licensed mental health professional with documented clinical experience with families. All practicum hours must be completed at an approved practicum site. The on-campus practicum seminar must be taken concurrently as part of the practicum requirements. The practicum seminar provides an environment for observation of taped clinical work, discussion of case material, and discussion of problems and concerns that arise in the practicum setting, under the supervision of a Minnesota Board of MFT Approved Supervisor. Personal and professional issues relevant to the practicum experience are also explored.

Students unable to complete the required 300 hours of client contact, including 150 relational hours, in two semesters of practicum may register for additional practicum courses. Students continue to take the practicum supervision seminar for each semester needed to complete the hours. This course is P/NC.

• MFT670 Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum I
• MFT671 Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum II
• MFT672 Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum III

This course examines the assessment and diagnostic process for working with children and adolescents in a behavioral health setting utilizing a developmental-systems approach and the criteria from the DSM IV. This course focuses on assessment and diagnostic methods and tools (DSA and others}) and the development of appropriate treatment plans for clients based on diagnostic and problem formulation.

• MFT613 Couples and Families in Society
• MFT650 Assessment of Couples and Families

This course examines professional, legal, and ethical issues in the practice of couples and family therapy. The code of ethics of the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy and AAMFT, selected Minnesota laws pertaining to children and families, and ethical and professional problems of confidentiality, dual relationship, and other potentially problematic areas are studied.

• MFT613 Couples and Families in Society
• 3 additional MFT credits completed

This course examines the occurrence and causes of violence and physical and sexual abuse in family relationships. Emphasis is on the therapeutic and corrective strategies for treating victims and perpetrators of violence and abuse in intimate relationships.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

Systemic issues related to counseling the families of addiction are explored in this course. It provides a preliminary overview of some of the current effects experienced by adults who have been raised in such a setting. The course considers system strategies for fostering a path of recovery for those who find themselves suffering the effects of an addiction-based childhood.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course provides instruction in the use of spiritual resources in the theory and practice of family therapy.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course examines the diagnostic criteria and categories for children and adolescents. It also explores and examines diagnostic methods, tools, and approaches applicable to this age and population.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course examines the unique stressors and relationship issues experienced by immigrant individuals and families. Historical and cultural contexts, highlighting the need to understand pre-immigration as well as post-immigration factors in assessing and treating immigrants are emphasized.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course examines the nature and philosophy of in-home therapy services. We will focus on the pragmatic issues of delivering home based services to families. This course is designed to give students a realistic view and understanding of current in-home therapy as presented in the State Statutes and HMO contracts. Diagnosis, treatment planning, effective models of therapy, and ethical dilemmas will be reviewed.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course introduces the principals and practices of art therapy as it may be used in a marriage and family therapy perspective with individuals, couples and families. Various theoretical approaches and hands-on techniques are introduced. The emphasis in this course is placed on experiential techniques and processes of art therapy.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course examines the common goals/process as well as differentiated goals/process in marriage/family therapy and law enforcement. It is designed to facilitate greater understanding of the alternate discipline and to develop a basis for teamwork between law enforcement officers/departments and marriage and family therapists. This team work helps both communities work toward the good of the greater community.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course provides an introduction to understanding the complexities of grief and loss as clinical issues in family therapy. It examines what we know about grief and loss as well as exploring the beliefs and myths we hold around the topic of loss and change. It is designed to facilitate a deeper understanding of grief, unresolved mourning, the impact of loss and unexpressed grief and implications for the therapeutic process.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course presents an overview of disabilities, defines how a disability can impact the overall family system, typical family functioning, and the family life cycle. Family and professional partnerships that are more effective, strength-focused, and empowering to the families are introduced.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course introduces the student to the interface between family therapy and the health care delivery system. A wide variety of settings in which family therapists and health care providers interact are explored. The benefits and challenges of such collaborations are discussed in terms of patient care. Specific tools for successful collaboration are presented.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course explores how and where the interface of the self of the therapist impacts therapeutic work with individuals, couples and families. The personal and professional development of the therapist is the focus. Issues that addressed include self awareness, self-care, transference/counter transference, and integration of self into the theory and practice of marriage and family therapy.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

Families often identify one member and one member only who requires assessment, treatment and therapy for substance abuse/dependency. This course will address the recovery process as a family system collaborative.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course provides an opportunity to develop expertise in conducting couple and family therapy with Gay, Bi-sexual, Lesbian, and Transgender couples and families. It examines how couple and family therapy can address issues of sexual orientation and gender preference and the special needs of these populations.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course focuses on the current issues, values, and family dynamics in African American families. Redefining the genesis of the African American family as well as providing a context in which African Americans thrive today is addressed.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy

This course examines the therapeutic issues and skills that are needed to work with returning military personnel from the Middle East. The unique aspects of the reentry process for military personnel and their families are addressed. Emphasis is placed on the relationship issues that soldiers and their families face when re-integrating into their communities. Best educational and therapeutic practice models and current literature and research are reviewed and discussed.

• MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy