The following is a list of all graduate courses offered in the Department of Family Science, including those required for the Ph.D. program in Family Science.
SPHL 600 Foundations of Public Health (3)
An overview of the goals, functions, and methods of public health. After an introduction to the core concepts and tools used in public health research and practice, applications of these methodologies are considered in the context of current controversies/problems in public health. Students work together to develop strategies for prevention and control that taken into consideration different points of view, outside research, and impacts on individuals and communities.
FMSC 610 Research Methods in Family Science (3)
Prerequisite: EDMS 645 or equivalent.
Research methods in family science. The role of theory, design, use of qualitative and quantitative measurement techniques, data collection and data analysis. Development of research proposals.
FMSC 640 Family Therapy: Theory and Techniques (3)
Fundamental theoretical concepts and clinical procedures in marital and family therapy. Emphasis on those therapies which operate from a family systems perspective.
FMSC 641 Couples Therapy: Theory and Techniques (3)
Prerequisite: FMSC 640.
Exploration of the dynamics of the couple relationship and methods of facilitating growth and interaction within that relationship. Emphasis on couples with conflicting needs and expectations, dysfunctional communication and conflict-negotiation skills. Alternative theoretical approaches and methods of marital therapy.
FMSC 642 Normal and Abnormal Individual and Family Development (3)
Prerequisite: FMSC 640.
Normal development and psychopathology and their effects on the family system: implications for assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions. Emphasis on families with school-age children, parent-child relationships, and the application of current DSM within the family context.
FMSC 645 Sexuality: Issues in Family Therapy and Service Delivery (3)
Prerequisite: a basic course in human sexuality and permission of instructor.
Typical, dysfunctional, and pathological sexual functioning: effects on individuals, couples, and family systems. Sensitizes students to sexual issues, explores how perceptions of such issues affect work with people, and emphasizes implications for marriage and family therapy.
FMSC 647 Theory and Techniques of Family Mediation (3)
An introduction to family mediation as an approach to helping families deal effectively with the issues associated with separation and divorce. Theory, practice and techniques of negotiation, with an emphasis on custody, property division and constructive restructuring of the family relationship.
FMSC 650 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Principles in Marriage and Family Therapy (3)
Prerequisite: Permission of department. Limited to students admitted to the family therapy program.
An introduction to the basic principles and practices of family therapy. Emphasis on basic therapy skills applied to a family context and on professional ethics of the family practitioner. Addresses therapist's legal responsibilities and liabilities, certification, and licensure issues.
FMSC 651 FMSC 651 Treatment of Emotional and Mental Disorders in the Family Context* (3)
*Formerly, Psychopathology in the Family Context
Prerequisite: FMSC 650. Limited to students admitted to the family therapy program.
Initial application of family therapy skills and theoretical models to the practice of marriage and family therapy. Didactic focus on assessment and diagnosis of family process. Emphasis on treatment plans from different therapeutic models demonstrated in case presentations and supervision of therapy.
FMSC 652 Psychopathology and Diagnosis in the Family System* (3)
*Formerly, Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental and Emotional Disorders in Family Systems
Prerequisite: FMSC 651. Limited to students admitted into the family therapy program.
Integration of systematic assessment and intervention procedures with couples and families, within the context of the various family therapy models. Didactic emphasis is given to procedural issues, critique and utilization of current DSM, and specific problems encountered in family therapy work. Advanced professional responsibility as demonstrated in case presentations and supervision.
FMSC 653 Advanced Application of Marriage and Family Therapy Models and Techniques (3)
Prerequisite: FMSC 652. Limited to students admitted to the family therapy program.
Concluding course in the clinical therapy, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment series. Didactic focus on personal theory building, continued professional development, and extension of systematic intervention to community consultation with other mental health professionals. Emphasis on personal values and professional ethics as applied in case presentations and supervision.
FMSC 654 Clinical Marriage and Family Therapy Practice (3)
Prerequisite: FMSC 651.
Application of theory and technique to the clinical practice of marriage and family therapy. Emphasis on case management and clinic administration. Includes completion of 12 successive months and 500 hours of supervised, direct client contact with couples, families, and individuals from an integrative family systems perspective.
FMSC 658 Supervised Clinical Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy (1-3)
Prerequisite: FMSC 650
The supervision of marriage and family therapy client contact. Various family systems models of supervision applied via extant methods, including live, videotaped and audiotaped.
FMSC 689 Research Internship (1-3)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and department.
Research experience resulting in a scholarly article suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
FMSC 698A Trauma and Addictions in the Context of the Family (3)
Introductory course in Trauma and Addictions. Addictions will be viewed through a trauma lens with attention paid to the family context. Special attention will be paid to the importance of therapist self-care when working with traumatized individuals, families, and addictions, along with the overall ethical implications involved in this work.
FMSC 698P Play Therapy (3)
This course emphasizes the varied models which are practiced as “Play Therapy,” including child-centered, filial therapy, Theraplay®, and Circle of Security® models. Other expressive arts therapies will also be explored including art and sand therapies. Through didactic instruction and experiential activities, students will implement what they are learning in their work with children and their families.
FMSC 698T Testing and Assessment in Couple and Family Therapy (3)
This is a graduate course in family, couple, and individual testing and assessment. The course will cover typical procedures and instruments for assessing qualities of individual functioning and relationship functioning, in work with families and couples. Study of the assessment process will include the use of standardized tests, clinical interviews, and behavior rating scales. The use of assessment in treatment plans and treatment outcome evaluation, ethical considerations, and the dissemination of information to clients and others are covered.
FMSC 699 Independent Study (1-6)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and department. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 credits.
FMSC 700 Applications of Advanced Quantitative Methods to Family Research (3)
Prerequisite: FMSC 610 or equivalent; EDMS 651
Optimal use of various designs, statistical methods and procedures in behavioral research in families. Development of a research study, including theory selection, hypothesis development, data analysis and preparation of findings for publication.
FMSC 710 Maternal and Child Health from a Life Course Perspective (3)
Survey of current science in maternal and child health informed by a life course perspective. The surveyed topics include inutero exposure to toxins, feeding and growth, and effects of chronic stress, maternal and child health.
FMSC 720 Perinatal, Child, and Adolescent Health (3)
Examination of major problems and issues associated with the health status of women of reproductive age, infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents. Analysis of biological, environmental, psychosocial, and cultural determinants of health for the target populations. Overview of prevention and intervention programs for children and youth.
FMSC 745 Gender and Ethnicity in Family Therapy and Service Delivery (3)
Major critiques of sources of racial, cultural, and gender bias in marital and family therapy and family service delivery. Addresses these issues in program development, clinical practice, and policy.
FMSC 750 Family and Health Policy (3)
Development and analysis of public policies affecting the health and well-being of children, youth, and families, with an emphasis on low-income and ethnic minority populations. Examination of social, economic, and political dynamics that influence family and health policies and the delivery of health care. Introduction to health advocacy within the US public health system.
FMSC 760 Legal Issues & Families (3)
Analysis of marriage and family issues from a legal perspective. Review of legal decisions affecting families, including procreative rights, marriage, termination of marriage, parental and child rights, adoption, child custody, and child/family medical treatment. Relationship between family law and family policy.
FMSC 780 Qualitative Methods in Family and Health Research (3)
Theoretical perspectives and methodological tools to conduct research with individuals and families across the life span. Review of research designs, participant fieldwork, observation and interview projects, data collection, computer-assisted data analysis, and development of grounded theory.
FMSC 789 Non-thesis Research (1-3)
Non-thesis research papers.
FMSC 799 Master's Thesis Research (1-6)
FMSC879 Preparing Future Faculty and Professionals (1/semester-up to 4)
Development of skills necessary to obtain and succeed in academic and non-academic positions in family science and public health. Topics include: career mapping, networking, teaching/teaching portfolios, independent research, publishing, grant writing, program and policy evaluation, consulting, job search, interviewing and negotiation, mentoring, diversity, work-family balance, and ethical issues in the workplace. Periodic visits to universities and government/nonprofit employers.
FMSC 899 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-12)