Degree Requirements

Students will engage in a 60-credit curriculum informed by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) standards of practice and Maryland state licensing requirements.

All students will take a core set of 10 courses (3 credits each, for a total of 30 credits). These courses offer a strong foundation in the models of couple and family therapy, ethical and legal responsibilities, family functioning, research methods and clinical assessment, diagnosis and intervention from a systemic perspective.

In addition, students will earn 6 credits as they complete the 300 required face-to-face clinical hours at mental health and human service organizations in the surrounding community and they will earn a further 9 credits for the supervision of their clinical practice.

The curriculum offers two options for students completing the remaining 15 credits:

  1. complete advanced clinical project (3 credits) and four elective courses that complement their degree (12 credits).
  2. a master’s thesis option (6 credits) and three elective courses that complement their degree (9 credits)

Required Core Courses (30 credits)

  • FMST 615: Applied Research Methods in Family Science (3 credits)
  • FMST 711: Family Therapy: Theory and Techniques (3 credits)
  • FMST 712: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Couple and Family Therapy (3 credits)
  • FMST 713: Culture, Gender, and Ethnicity in Couple and Family Therapy (3 credits)
  • FMST 722: Psychopathology and Family Systems (3 credit)
  • FMST 731: Couples Therapy: Models and Techniques (3 credits)
  • FMST 732: Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental and Emotional Disorders in Family Systems (3 credits)
  • FMST 733: Sexual Issues in Couple and Family Therapy (3 credits)
  • FMST 741: Advanced Application of Couple and Family Therapy Models and Techniques (3 credits)
  • FMST 751: Normative and Non-Normative Individual and Family Development (3 credits)

Required Clinical Practice and Supervision (15 credits)

Students complete 300 face-to-face client contact hours, 100 of which must be relational over a minimum of 12 months. For the duration of client contact, students must be clinically supervised for a minimum of 100 hours of MFT supervision, 50 of which must utilize observable data (e.g., recordings, behind the mirror, in-the room co-therapy). Students earn credit for these efforts. 

  • FMST 781: Clinical Treatment with Individuals, Couples, and Families (6 credits) 
  • FMST 782: Couple and Family Therapy Supervision (9 credits)

Elective Coursework (15 credits)

Students select one of the following options to complete the remaining 15 credits.

Option 1: Advanced Clinical Project 

Students electing option 1 will complete FMST 890: Advanced Clinical Project (3 credits) and conduct an in-depth analysis of a clinical case while applying theoretical models, clinical techniques and ethical considerations.

Students also take four electives (12 credits) that complement their degree, one of which must be an elective specific to models and techniques of couple and family therapy, from an approved course list or with advisor permission.

Option 2: Family Science Master’s Thesis 

Students electing option 2 will complete FMST 896: Family Science Thesis (6 credits)  and conduct original research in family science using proper design and methods.

Students in option 2 also take three electives (9 credits) that complement their degree, one of which must be an elective specific to models and techniques of couple and family therapy, from an approved course list or with advisor permission.

Clinical Field Experience 

Students will practice supervised couple and family therapy in the field. Students complete 300 face-to-face client contact hours, including at-least 100 relational hours, over a minimum of 12 months. The clinical hours are earned via placement at outpatient clinics, community-based organizations, hospital-affiliated programs and private practices. Students will receive at least 100 hours of couple and family therapy supervision with 50 hours using observable data (e.g., session recordings, behind-the-mirror supervision, in-room co-therapy) by clinically experienced faculty. Students earn credit for their time in the field and in supervision.

Time to Completion 

Full-time students will complete the program in two years and part-time students will complete the program in three years. The program is currently only offering the full-time option.