Courses

Advanced MFT Supervision prepares students in analyzing and applying relational, systemic, and ethical principles of supervision. This course addresses core competencies for new supervisors and supports students in developing their supervision philosophy. Current multicultural supervision scholarship, and cultural and contextual variables will be addressed. This course prepares MFT students in the mastery of supervision through the California BBS standards. (0 Units)

This course prepares students to teach in higher education and clinical education settings through a systemic, inclusive, and relational lens. Emphasizing the integration of Marriage and Family Therapy values with contemporary pedagogical frameworks. Students will engage both the theory and practice of inclusive pedagogy as they develop a personal teaching philosophy, course proposal, syllabus, and create sample teaching modules. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to articulate a coherent educator identity and apply systemic principles to the design of transformative, student-centered learning. (0 Units)

This course prepares doctoral students to competently select, and apply assessment methods in clinical, research, and community settings. Students will analyze the strengths and limitations of instruments and determine appropriate applications within Marriage and Family Therapy. (4 Units)

Advanced systemic theory I is an advanced doctoral course that examines Structural and Strategic Family Therapy as core systemic models of change within the family system. Students will gain advanced understanding, and application of both structural and strategic family therapy as it pertains to individuals, family systems, and organizations. Students will analyze and critique supporting evidence for structural and strategic family therapy deepening their conceptualization of the theories. Students will examine the cultural, contextual, and ethical dimensions of both systemic models. (4 Units)

Program development prepares students to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based programs that address the needs of individuals, couples, families, and communities. Students will learn to conduct comprehensive needs assessments, integrate current research into program design, incorporate cultural and contextual responsiveness, build program infrastructure, and create evaluation structures. An emphasis is placed on systemic thinking, evidence-based program planning and leadership competencies for program development within clinical, community, and MFT organizational settings. (4 Units)

Advanced systemic theory II examines Bowen Family Systems Theory as an applied framework for leadership, supervision, consultation, and organizational functioning. Students learn to conceptualize Bowen Family Theory principles within professional systems, manage their own functioning in supervisory and leadership roles, and apply systemic thinking to organizational challenges. Through integrated readings, case analysis, and reflective leadership practice, the course emphasizes developing a differentiated leadership role in the field of MFT capable of navigating complexity, triangles, regression, among clients, teams, and organizations. (4 Units)

This course examines organizations as complex, relational systems and prepares MFT professionals to function as organizational consultants capable of leading and facilitating systemic change. Grounded in organizational development theory, students learn to conduct systemic assessments, design interventions, mobilize stakeholders, and navigate the relational, emotional, cultural, and structural dimensions of change within an organization. The course emphasizes systemic diagnosis, feedback loops, consultant use of self within organizational contexts. Through case analysis, applied exercises, and consultation, students will develop the advanced skills to work effectively with diverse organizations. (4 Units)

Advanced systemic theory III explores postmodern theories as an applied framework for advanced leadership, among clinical practice, supervision, consultation, and organizational systems. Students will engage critically with narrative, solution-focused, and other postmodern models to analyze their implications for systemic transformation across advanced leadership applications. Through case consultation, applied leadership exercises, and scholarship students will deepen their ability to integrate postmodern approaches into complex clinical work and broader leadership contexts. (4 Units)

This course is designed to cultivate advanced clinicians with the tools and skills to intervene effectively in complex relational systems. Building on prior training in systemic theory, assessment, and clinical practice, this course focuses on elevating therapeutic competence through skill development, clinical decision making, and the application of evidence-based interventions. (4 Units)

The Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) is the culminating scholarly experience of the Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT) program. This course guides students through a three-phase sequence in which they conceptualize, research, develop, and present a doctoral-level applied project grounded in systemic and Marriage and Family Therapy principles. Following the practitioner-scholar model, the ADP emphasizes applied research rather than traditional empirical dissertation work. Projects do not involve IRB-regulated human subjects research; instead, they focus on creating practical, scholarly products that contribute to the field of MFT. The course will be taken a minimum of 4 times, and students will work through 3 phases of the Applied Doctoral Project. Students will work closely with an assigned Chair throughout the entire sequence. The Chair provides mentorship, substantive feedback, and formal approval at each phase transition. (2 Units)

The purpose of this course is to introduce the principles and methods for descriptive and inferential statistics. The course will focus on understanding how descriptive and inferential statistics can be applied to effectively interpret data. Students will be required to utilize statistical software to select basic statistical tests and interpret results. Prerequisite: RSCH7050 (4 Units)

The purpose of this course is to present an examination of quantitative methods and designs that are utilized in social science research. Areas of focus include measurement, sampling, and design issues in generating and testing research questions. Students will be required to utilize statistical software to select complex statistical tests and interpret results. Prerequisite: RSCH7100 (4 Units)

This course examines the theoretical foundations of qualitative research methods and techniques applied in social science research. Students will be exposed to a wide array of research methods, design, measurement, analysis, and interpretation techniques that are crucial in descriptive research. Students will learn how to analyze human behavior, perceptions, and reactions as well as the meanings people give to their experiences. Prerequisite: RSCH7150 (4 Units)