Family Therapy, M.A.

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The Family Therapy Program provides academic coursework, clinical training, and supervision to prepare students for careers as creative, caring, and competent professional therapists for couples, families, individuals, and groups. The program has been accredited by the Commission of Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (AAMFT.org) since 1982 and prepares students for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Texas. Completion of the degree also fulfills the coursework requirements needed to take the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Exam in Texas. The UHCL Family Therapy Program prepares students to provide effective systemic and/or relationally oriented therapies with couples, families, individuals, and groups.

Admissions

The Family Therapy Selection Committee accepts a limited number of students into the program based on review and evaluation of the criteria required for application. These criteria include: Complete application (application form, vita, GRE scores, essay, and three professional letters of reference-academic references from professor are preferred); official transcripts of all previous course work; GPA of 3.20 or above; GRE of 297 (1000 for older versions of GRE) or above preferred (Verbal & Quantitative); and six hours of undergraduate Behavioral Sciences coursework which must include Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. The GRE is waived for applicants who already hold a master’s degree.

Degree Requirements

Foundation Courses (6 hours)

Six hours of undergraduate Behavioral Sciences coursework in Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. Similar courses may be substituted for these classes, and coursework from various classes may meet these content requirements as well. All such substitutions must be approved by the student’s faculty adviser.

Required Courses (60 hours)

PSYC 5738 must be taken for 2 semesters. PSYC 6636 must be taken for 3 semesters. In addition to the courses below, students must choose an elective, preferably PSYC 5231 or PSYC 5335 .

PSYC 5233 - Introduction to Family Therapy Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5234 - Individual and Family Development Across the Lifespan Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5236 - Family Assessment Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5239 - Group Psychotherapy Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5433 - Substance Abuse: Causes and Treatments Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5535 - Cross-Cultural Perspectives on the Family Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5731 - Psychotherapy Skills and Professional Orientation Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5737 - Family Therapy Professional Ethics Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5738 - Family Therapy Practicum Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6137 - Family Research Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6233 - Advanced Family Therapy Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6234 - Systems and Symptoms Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6236 - Child and Adolescent Family Therapy Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6531 - Psychopathology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6534 - Couples and Sex Therapy Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6636 - Clinical Internship Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

Clinical internship involves a minimum of 400 hours of direct client contact. Internships are completed at approved sites throughout the Houston area.
Students are expected to join the American Association for Marriage And Family Therapy (AAMFT) while they are in the program.