M.A. in Communication
The M.A. in Communication at Purdue University Northwest is a 36-credit hour program th...
M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy
Hammond, Indiana
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy at PNW is a comprehensive 63-credit hour program typically completed over approximately 2.5 years (7 semesters). It is designed to train students as successful clinicians, researchers, and scholars in the field of marriage and family therapy. A key component of the program is extensive practical experience, requiring 500 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of approved supervision, along with a required written thesis and oral defense. The program maintains small cohort sizes, fostering a close-knit and supportive learning environment where students develop strong bonds with classmates and faculty.
COAMFTE Accreditation: A significant hallmark of PNW's Couple and Family Therapy program is its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). This prestigious accreditation, held by the program since 1994, ensures that the curriculum and training meet rigorous national standards for the education of marriage and family therapists. COAMFTE accreditation is crucial for graduates seeking licensure in many states and signifies a commitment to quality and excellence in the field. The program's most recent re-accreditation was on November 8, 2024, extending its accredited status.
Curriculum: The 63-credit curriculum is meticulously designed to provide a deep understanding of systemic family therapy. Sample courses include "Structural and Strategic Family Therapies," "Trauma and Recovery in Family Therapy," "Advanced Child Development," "Research Methods in Child and Family Study," "Classic Theories in Couple & Family Therapy," "Contemporary Theories in Couple & Family Therapy," "Couple Therapy," and "Sexuality and Sex Therapy." The curriculum integrates various theoretical approaches and emphasizes the practical application of therapeutic techniques. The substantial clinical practicum experience, beginning in the university's on-site Couple and Family Therapy Center (CFTC) and extending to community externship sites, is a cornerstone of the training.
Research Focus: Purdue University Northwest's Couple and Family Therapy program embraces a scholar-practitioner model, which inherently includes a strong research focus. Students are required to complete a thesis project, with options for discovery, engagement, or learning tracks, encouraging them to engage in scholarly inquiry. The program's mission explicitly includes advancing the science and practice of Couple and Family Therapy through innovative research and evidence-based, research-informed practice. Faculty members are active in publishing research, often collaborating with students in leading MFT journals, preparing graduates to critically evaluate contemporary research and contribute to the field's knowledge base.
Industry Engagement: PNW's Couple and Family Therapy program maintains robust industry engagement through its direct training clinic, the Couple and Family Therapy Center (CFTC), and its extensive network of community partners. The CFTC serves as a state-of-the-art training facility where students gain hands-on clinical experience under direct supervision. After training at the CFTC, students are placed at externship sites within the community, providing them with diverse client experiences and networking opportunities with established mental health facilities in Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago area. The program also benefits from a dedicated Program Advisory Board, comprising alumni, practitioners, site supervisors, and foundational experts, ensuring the curriculum remains relevant to current professional demands.
Global Perspective: While primarily focused on preparing therapists for practice within the United States, Purdue University Northwest's Couple and Family Therapy program is committed to fostering cultural competence and working with diverse populations. The program explicitly states its strong commitment to the promotion of diversity and ensures that diversity issues are infused in all courses and practicum experiences. Students are challenged to examine their own identities and how they impact their work with clients from various backgrounds, including those related to sex, gender identity and expression, age, race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability status, and religious/spiritual beliefs. This emphasis on cultural sensitivity and social justice implicitly cultivates a global perspective, preparing graduates to serve a broad spectrum of clients in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.
Location
Hammond, Indiana
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 14470
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $75
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 80 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 115.
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is dedicated to supporting international students through various scholarship opportunities that recognize academic excellence, leadership, and diverse talents. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden and make quality education more accessible.
Merit-Based Scholarships: PNW offers several merit-based scholarships for international students based on academic achievement, standardized test scores, and other criteria. These scholarships can significantly offset tuition costs and are awarded automatically during the admissions process or through a separate application.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at Purdue University Northwest provide scholarships specific to their fields of study. These awards reward outstanding students pursuing degrees in areas such as engineering, business, health sciences, and more. International students are encouraged to contact their department of interest for detailed scholarship opportunities.
Renewable Scholarships: Some scholarships at PNW are renewable annually, provided students maintain a satisfactory GPA and meet specific academic requirements. This offers ongoing financial support throughout the duration of their degree programs.
Graduates of Purdue University Northwest's Master of Science (M.S.) in Couple and Family Therapy are exceptionally well-prepared for diverse and impactful careers within the mental health field. The program's COAMFTE accreditation, combined with its rigorous scholar-practitioner model and extensive clinical experience, ensures that alumni possess the expertise and credentials necessary to provide relational mental health services to a wide range of clients.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): This is the primary career path, where graduates provide systemic therapy to individuals, couples, and families in various settings, addressing relational issues, communication breakdowns, and complex family dynamics.
Couple and Family Therapist in Private Practice: Many graduates choose to open or join private practices, offering specialized therapy services to clients seeking support for marital challenges, family conflicts, parenting issues, or individual concerns within a relational context.
Family Therapist in Community Mental Health Centers: These professionals work in agency settings, often serving diverse and underserved populations, providing accessible and affordable therapy to families and couples facing various mental health conditions, crises, and life stressors.
Therapist in Inpatient or Residential Treatment Centers: Graduates can work in facilities that provide intensive, structured therapy for individuals and families dealing with severe mental health issues, substance abuse, or behavioral disorders, often incorporating family involvement in the treatment process.
Behavioral Health Specialist in Hospitals: In healthcare settings, couple and family therapists help patients and their families cope with the emotional and relational impact of illness, injury, or chronic conditions, facilitating communication and fostering family support.
Substance Abuse Counselor (Family-Focused): With their systemic training, MFTs are uniquely qualified to work in addiction treatment, addressing how substance abuse impacts family systems and involving family members in the recovery process to improve outcomes.
Counselor in School Systems (with family focus): While dedicated school counseling programs exist, MFTs can be employed by school districts to provide counseling to students and their families, addressing academic, behavioral, or emotional issues that are often rooted in family dynamics.
Military Family Life Consultant/Therapist: Given the unique challenges faced by military families, MFTs can provide crucial support in military settings, addressing issues related to deployment, reintegration, trauma, and the overall well-being of service members and their loved ones.
Doctoral Programs and Academia: Many graduates, particularly those who engage deeply with the program's research component and complete a thesis, choose to pursue doctoral degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy or related fields, aiming for careers in research, teaching, or advanced clinical supervision.
Clinical Supervisor or Program Director: With experience and further training, MFT graduates can advance into leadership roles, supervising other therapists, developing and managing therapy programs, or overseeing clinical operations within mental health agencies.
