Further Your Education in Counseling with a Post-Master of Science Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate
Marriage and family therapy can be a personally fulfilling specialization for working professionals in the counseling and behavioral health fields. You can enhance your professional skillsets and focus your career on this specialization by earning your marriage and family therapy certificate. Grand Canyon University’s Post-Master of Science in Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate program is designed to further the professional growth of individuals who hold a master’s degree or doctorate in a related field.
The marriage counseling certificate is offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. It provides an intensive survey of marriage and family-related issues, including premarital counseling, domestic violence, divorce, family reunification and the integration of returning veterans. Students will think critically about the evolving perspectives of family over time, and about the biopsychosocial perspectives of family and family systems.
Engage in Couple Relationships and Family Systems Theory
Emerge from this Post-Master of Science in counseling: marriage and family certificate program with a deep understanding of family systems, family roles and the many issues that can affect couples and families. As a modern university, GCU is pleased to make higher education accessible to working professionals. You can earn your marriage and family therapy certificate via our online platform, which fully supports a collaborative and interactive learning environment. Benefit from lively discussions with peers who present a diverse range of perspectives, and connect with fully qualified instructors who are experts in their fields. A total of 15 credits are required for completion. Online courses are eight weeks in length.
Students will complete the following courses:
- Specialization in Professional Counseling
- Advanced Family Systems Theory
- Couples and Family Dynamics: Systematic Perspectives
- Diversity in Family Systems
- Family Systems and Addictive Disorders
Students begin their studies with an immersive look at the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). They explore childhood development, study how counseling theories are applied to families and explore the psychological effects of trauma.
Students then explore the dynamic processes of traditional and nontraditional families. Specific treatment methodologies are examined, including cognitive behavioral and solutions-focused therapies. Other core topic areas include the following:
- The development of problems within the family of origin, including the dynamics of the parent/child relationship
- The evolution of the nontraditional family, including blended, single-parent, same-sex, adoptive and foster families
- The impact of substance use and addictive disorders on family systems, including the treatment roles and responsibilities of addicted individuals and their families
Enhance Your Career in Marriage and Family Therapy with a Post-MS Certificate in Counseling
Family is everything, yet many families have dysfunctions or are affected by individuals with mental or behavioral health issues. As a working professional who has a background in counseling or behavioral health, you could sharpen your focus with this Post-Master of Science in counseling: marriage and family therapy certificate. Marriage and family therapy professionals are typically compassionate and empathetic individuals who are skilled at nurturing the lines of communication among family members, enabling problems to be explored in a judgment-free environment.
Marriage and family therapy specialists may work in a variety of settings. These may include private offices, community-based organizations, social service agencies and Christian organizations.
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This survey course provides an introduction to the graduate certificate programs in childhood and adolescence disorders, marriage and family therapy, substance use disorders and addiction, and trauma. Students are introduced to the University policies and procedures, the learning management system, the library, and proper APA formatting for academic writing. In addition, students are introduced to the current DSM and how the information relates to the field of counseling. Students also learn about researching and utilizing community resources, and becoming certified in specializations.
Course Description
This course examines the dynamic processes of traditional and nontraditional family and couple relationships and the role, value, and benefits of family systems therapy. The biopsychosocial perspectives of family and family systems are evaluated along with the foundational development of marriage and family therapy. Assessment and treatment of couples and families are also addressed.
Course Description
This course examines the development of problems within the family of origin, and the historical and theoretical perspectives of couples and family system dynamics. It addresses the dynamics of the parent/child relationship, family of origin influences, partner selection, and premarital therapy. Family roles and interactional patterns are examined, as are parenting and changes in the parental relationships across the lifespan, resilience, and divorce. Skills and techniques relevant to couples, premarital counseling, family therapy, parenting, and lifestyle transitions are explored.
Course Description
This course examines the dynamic processes of diverse family systems, including multicultural families, blended families, same-sex parents, grandparents as primary caregivers, single-parent families, adoptive, foster, transitional families, and separated families.
Course Description
This course examines the impact of substance use and addictive disorders on family systems. Various treatment interventions are discussed. The treatment roles and responsibilities of addicted individuals and their families are also examined.
Program Locations
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
Online and Evening program disclosures (0.917 years)
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.