Program Description
Students in the MFT program at the L.A. and Orange County campuses benefit from a solid foundation in the therapeutic, diagnostic, and consultative skills they need to be outstanding MFTs. The program prepares graduates for positions working with couples and families and a variety of emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues. Students at the L.A. and Orange County campuses may apply to fulfill their practicum, traineeship, and internship hours at The Chicago School's Counseling Centers in Westwood and Irvine, where they are exposed to a wide variety of therapeutic approaches and clinical interventions, and work side by side with senior MFT clinicians.
Graduates of the MFT program are prepared to work with individuals, couples, and families coping with problems that include depression anxiety, marital and relationship issues, child-parent conflict, and more. They will be able to assist clients in understanding how their personal behavior patterns may influence the behavior of those around them. MFTs help their clients find new ways of thinking about—and interacting with—others, and ultimately lead more harmonious fulfilling lives.
Graduates are qualified to sit for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) MFT licensure exam, and prepares them to enter a doctoral program that leads to licensure by the California Board of Psychology (BOP).
Department
Marital and Family Therapy
Concentrations
Licensure
Curriculum qualifies graduates to sit for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) MFT licensure exam, and prepares them to enter a doctoral program that leads to licensure by the California Board of Psychology (BOP)
Total Credits
48 credit hours: students entering the program by Spring 2012
60 credit hours: students entering the program in Fall 2012 or later
Fieldwork Requirements
250 face-to-face hours of supervised clinical experience in a mental health environment
Sample Courses
Life Span Development and Long-Term Care
Examines the developmental stages from birth to death focusing on the development of perceptual and cognitive processes, psychosocial crisis, and familial interpersonal relationships. Various theoretical viewpoints are considered along with current research findings. Students are exposed to cultural and individual differences and develop as a diverse and ethical professional capable of meeting the needs of clients in all phases of life.
Couple's Counseling and Domestic Violence
Provides an overview of current trends in couple's therapeutic treatment. The concepts of divorce, remarrying, blended families, domestic partnerships, domestic violence, and non-traditional families are explored with researched based treatment interventions presented.
The Theory and Practice of Marital/Family Therapy
Focuses on various therapeutic modalities in the practice of marriage and family therapy. Additionally, students discuss indirect methods for initiating and sustaining change in family systems. Students also examine research related to theory and practice.
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