MFT5600 provides a focused, intensive exploration of a specific topic in marriage and family therapy clinical practice. As a 1-credit elective, the course allows students to deepen their expertise in a particular area of MFT — whether that is a specific clinical population, a particular therapeutic modality, an emerging area of practice, or a topic that intersects with the student's professional development goals. The specific topic may vary by term, giving students the opportunity to select the offering most relevant to their interests and career direction.
Theory, application, and research integration
Course structure
- Theoretical foundation: Students examine the theoretical underpinnings of the selected topic — what systemic, developmental, or clinical theories inform understanding of this area, and how existing theoretical frameworks apply to or need modification for this specific domain of practice
- Clinical application: The course develops practical competencies for applying theoretical knowledge to clinical situations — case conceptualization, assessment considerations, intervention strategies, and clinical decision-making specific to the topic area
- Research integration: Students engage with the current research literature on the topic — evaluating evidence for different approaches, identifying gaps in the research base, and developing the capacity to integrate research findings into clinical practice (evidence-based practice)
Value of focused elective study
The MS in MFT core curriculum provides broad foundational competence across the full scope of marriage and family therapy practice. MFT5600 complements this breadth with focused depth — allowing students to develop specialized expertise in an area that aligns with their professional interests. This mirrors the reality of clinical practice, where generalist training provides the foundation but practitioners typically develop areas of specialization over the course of their careers. The 1-credit format makes it feasible to explore a topic in meaningful depth without the commitment of a full 4-credit course, and the variable-topic format means students can choose the most relevant offering.
MFT5600 assignments include focused research papers, case applications, and topic-specific clinical analyses
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Frequently asked questions
MFT5600 is a variable-topic course, meaning the specific subject matter changes between offerings. Topics may include (but are not limited to) specific clinical populations (military families, families affected by addiction, families navigating chronic illness), specific therapeutic modalities or techniques (play therapy within a systemic framework, mindfulness-based approaches in MFT, trauma-informed family therapy), emerging areas of practice (teletherapy and technology in MFT, MFT in integrated healthcare settings, working with families affected by social media and technology use), or specialized clinical issues (domestic violence and family therapy, grief and loss in family systems, spirituality and religion in clinical practice). The specific topic for each offering is typically announced in advance, allowing students to select the offering most relevant to their professional development needs. Students may take MFT5600 more than once if different topics are offered, accumulating specialized expertise across multiple clinical areas.