Couple and Family Therapy (MS)
Master of Science in Social Work
Unit: Kent School of Social Work (GK)
Department: Social Work
Program Website
Academic Plan Code(s): CFT_MS; CFT_MS_ADC
Program Information
The purpose of the Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy (MS CFT) program within the Kent School of Social Work (Kent School) is to develop professionals in couple/marriage and family therapy to work with couples, families, and other systems within their community contexts and through the lens of
social justice.
Marriage/couple and family therapy is a distinct discipline from social work with its own state licensure board, national professional organization, and national accrediting body. The MS CFT degree program is the first COAMFTE‐accredited master’s degree program in the nation housed in a school of social work.
The MS CFT program offers a rigorous educational program that takes a social justice approach to working with individuals, couples, families, and other systems. Students take 59 credit hours and meet coursework requirements for Kentucky state licensure as a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). MS CFT coursework focuses on family systems theoretical foundations, systemic assessment, social justice and diversity, family systems interventions, research‐informed practice, and ethics.
Students also have the option of completing a concentration in Alcohol & Drug Counseling.
The CFT Program has established the following six Program Goals, in accordance with our purpose of training a social‐justice minded workforce of couple and family therapy professionals and our accreditation standards:
- Educate students with regard to the major models of marriage and family therapy
- Train students to effectively assess and conceptualize individual and family problems
- Train students to effectively implement marital and family therapy techniques and interventions
- Prepare students to practice professionally as ethical marriage/couple and family therapists
- Prepare students to become social‐justice oriented marriage/couple and family therapists
- Train students to become research‐informed clinicians
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MS CFT Core Coursework | 59 | |
| Alcohol and Drug Counseling concentration (optional) | 12 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 59-71 | |
MS-MSSW Dual Degree
Students may also choose to complete a dual master's degree program in CFT (MS) and Social Work (MSSW), allowing completion of a master's degree in two distinct professions in 2-3 years. The dual degree program exposes students to philosophical and legal distinctions of both degrees, creating a unique opportunity for MSW students to deepen their clinical training with couples and families, and introduce CFT students to a broader rang of social work and social welfare course offerings and clinical diagnoses. Students in the dual degree program take 84 credit hours.
Admission Requirements
Applications to the Master of Science in CFT program must include the following:
- Completed Graduate School application and application fee
- Earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Three recommendations from former instructors or supervisors
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Family of Origin paper (a description of formative experiences in one’s family)
- Letter of Intent
- Overall GPA of 3.0 recommended; applicants with incoming GPAs under 2.75 must submit either GRE or MAT scores from within the last 5 years, and would require an addendum discussing gaps or deficiencies in applicant’s academic record.
Program Requirements
Standards set by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
To graduate with the MS in CFT, students must complete all required coursework and meet the following standards:
- Complete the program within 4 years of beginning coursework
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 at program completion
- Minimum of 500 client contact hours
- Minimum of 200 relational hours
- Minimum 60 raw (video or live) supervision hours
- No more than two C grades in the MS CFT program
Credit from a maximum of 2 courses may be transferred in from other master's degree programs upon approval by Director.
Program Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SW 601 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SW 603 | Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice Practice | 3 |
| SW 619 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SW 626 | Research Methodology and Design | 3 |
| SW 633 | Social Work and Human Sexuality | 3 |
| SW 642 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| SW 700 | Foundations of Couple and Family Therapy: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| SW 701 | Family Therapy Assessment and Treatment in Diverse Populations | 3 |
| SW 702 | Couple Therapy: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| SW 703 | Contemporary Issues, Community Intersections & Collaborations in CFT | 3 |
| SW 704 | Integrating Family Therapy: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| SW 705 | Professional Issues & Ethics in Couple & Family Therapy | 3 |
| SW 706 | 3 | |
| SW 710 | 1 | |
| SW 711 | 1 | |
| SW 712 | 1 | |
| SW 713 | 1 | |
| SW 714 | 1 | |
| SW 721 | Family Therapy Supervision I | 3 |
| SW 722 | Family Therapy Supervision II | 3 |
| SW 723 | Family Therapy Supervision III | 3 |
| SW 724 | Family Therapy Supervision IV | 3 |
| SW 725 | Family Therapy Supervision V | 3 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 59 | |
Concentration Coursework
Students interested in pursuing an optional concentration in Alcohol and Drug Counseling complete 12 credit hours of coursework in addition to the 59 hours of core program coursework.
Alcohol and Drug Counseling Concentration Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SW 660 | Motivation and Change: The Process of Change and Strategies to Elicit Intrinsic Motivation. | 3 |
| SW 661 | Special Issues in Alcohol and Drug Counseling | 3 |
| SW 662 | Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders | 3 |
| SW 678 | Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counseling Specialization Practicum Seminar | 1.5 |
| SW 679 | Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counseling Specialization Practicum Seminar-Spring Semester | 1.5 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 12 | |
MS CFT students completing a concentration in Alcohol and Drug Counseling will complete their advanced-year CFT practicum in a specialized setting working with populations affected by substance abuse.
