Master of Science, Marriage and Family Studies (MAFAM.MS)

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Program Objectives

At the end of the master’s program, the graduate should have acquired the necessary advanced skills, knowledge, and experience to:

Administer programs designed to provide support to families in a wide variety of community service settings.
Collect data about individuals, couples and families through the use of interviews, case histories, psychometric instruments, observational techniques and relational methods.
Demonstrate knowledge of human development across the lifespan.
Effectively communicate with diverse cultural groups.
Demonstrate an understanding of special needs populations (e.g., persons in poverty, physical abuse victims, substance abusers, and juvenile offenders).
Interpret and evaluate research data.
Demonstrate a sensitivity to, and an appreciation of, the spiritual needs of individuals, couples, and families.

Program of Study

The program is composed of a minimum of four semesters of approved graduate study. The typical full-time student will complete the program by following a 2-year track. A minimum of 36 semester hours is required. The program core provides educational preparation in human growth and development, human sexuality, systems theory, and research. This program is not intended for those seeking licensure. Rather, this is an ideal program for those wanting to work in administrative roles in family service agencies or in family ministries at a church. This program requires either a final comprehensive exam or a thesis. The thesis option is ideal for students considering doctoral work in family studies. This degree program is offered at both our Cleveland, Tennessee campus as well as on the campus of ETS in Kniebis, Germany.

Specialty

MAFT 511 - Introduction to Family Studies Credit Hours: 3
MAFT 523 - Human Growth and Development Credit Hours: 3
MAFT 531 - Systems Theory Credit Hours: 3
MAFT 533 - Human Sexuality Credit Hours: 3
MAFT 541 - Family Stress and Resilience Credit Hours: 3
MAFT 555 - Research Methods in Relationship Science Credit Hours: 3
COUN 558 - Cultural Contexts in the Helping Professions Credit Hours: 3

Subtotal Required Courses - Total Hours: 21

Electives

(Select at least fifteen hours from the courses listed below or other courses as approved by the director)

COUN 520 - Counseling Theories and Techniques Credit Hours: 3
COUN 521 - Community Interventions Credit Hours: 3
COUN 522 - Non-Profit Project Design and Evaluation Credit Hours: 3
COUN 550 - Group Process and Practice Credit Hours: 3
COUN 554 - Measurement and Appraisal in Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 561 - Counseling Children and Adolescents: Developmental Issues and Interventions Credit Hours: 3
COUN 562 - Lifestyle and Career Development Credit Hours: 3
MAFT 514 - Psychopathology Credit Hours: 3
MAFT 516 - Christian Perspectives in the Helping Professions Credit Hours: 3

Subtotal Electives - Total Hours: 15

Additional Requirements - Total Hours: 0

MAFAM Comprehensive Examination or Thesis

Total Hours in Program: 36

Typical Two-Year Curriculum

Year One

Year Two

Fall

MAFT 516 - Christian Perspectives in the Helping Professions Credit Hours: 3
Elective-Credit Hour: 3
Elective-Credit Hour: 3

Academic Catalog

Master of Science, Marriage and Family Studies (MAFAM.MS)

Program Objectives

Program of Study

Specialty

Subtotal Required Courses - Total Hours: 21

Electives

Subtotal Electives - Total Hours: 15

Additional Requirements - Total Hours: 0

Total Hours in Program: 36

Typical Two-Year Curriculum

Year One

Fall

Spring

Summer

Year Two

Fall