Department: Graduate School of Health Sciences

This major focuses on the principles and practices of family counseling to support emotional, psychological, and relational well-being. Students gain skills in family systems theory, therapeutic interventions, communication techniques, conflict resolution, cultural competence, and prepare for careers in family therapy, counseling, social work, and related fields.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand family systems theory and dynamics.
• Develop skills in therapeutic interventions and counseling techniques.
• Learn effective communication strategies and conflict resolution.
• Explore cultural competence and diversity in family counseling.
• Analyze ethical considerations and professional standards in family counseling.
• Develop critical thinking, empathy, and interpersonal skills.

Main Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Family Counseling - Overview of family counseling principles, family systems theory, and industry trends.
2. Family Systems Theory - Understand family dynamics, roles, and interactions within the family system.
3. Therapeutic Interventions - Techniques for conducting individual, couples, and family therapy sessions.
4. Communication Techniques - Effective communication strategies to enhance family relationships and resolve conflicts.
5. Conflict Resolution - Approaches to managing and resolving conflicts within families and relationships.
6. Cultural Competence in Family Counseling - Understanding and addressing cultural diversity and competence in family counseling practices.
7. Ethical Considerations in Family Counseling - Professional ethics, confidentiality, and legal considerations in family counseling practice.
8. Counseling Children and Adolescents - Specialized techniques for counseling children and adolescents in a family context.
9. Marriage and Couple Counseling - Strategies to support and enhance marital and couple relationships.
10. Practical/Applied Training - Real-world experiences in family counseling environments, such as counseling centers, social service agencies, or community organizations.
11. Capstone Project - A comprehensive project applying family counseling skills, such as conducting a family therapy session, designing a conflict resolution plan, or creating a cultural competence training program.

Evaluation Methods:

• Analyses of family systems theory, therapeutic intervention plans, communication technique demonstrations, conflict resolution case studies, cultural competence projects, ethical considerations essays, strategies for counseling children and adolescents, marital and couple counseling plans, practical training reports, capstone projects, group projects, and presentations.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Introduction to Family Counseling" by various authors.
• "Family Systems Theory" by various authors.
• "Therapeutic Interventions" by various authors.
• "Communication Techniques" by various authors.
• "Conflict Resolution" by various authors.
• "Cultural Competence in Family Counseling" by various authors.
• "Ethical Considerations in Family Counseling" by various authors.
• "Counseling Children and Adolescents" by various authors.
• "Marriage and Couple Counseling" by various authors.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of psychology and human development, and an interest in family dynamics and counseling.

Duration:

Typically 4 years for a Bachelor's degree or 2 years for a Master's degree in family counseling.

Certification:

Graduates may obtain certifications from professional organizations such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), or the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), or equivalent family counseling certifications.

Target Audience:

Aspiring family therapists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family counselors, professionals seeking to work in counseling centers, social service agencies, community organizations, schools, and related fields. This major equips students with therapeutic and interactive skills necessary to excel in family counseling and supports careers in various counseling, social work, and related fields.