COURSE CURRICULUM

The Marital and Family Therapy program at California Lutheran University is a rigorous 60-credit curriculum designed to prepare students with the academic foundation and clinical skills necessary for professional counseling practice. Admission to the program requires at least 3 credit hours of statistics and an additional 9 credit hours of undergraduate or graduate psychology courses, ensuring that students enter with a strong baseline in research and psychological theory. The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with applied training through a diverse range of courses. Students begin with foundational studies such as Psychopathology, Systems of Counseling and Psychotherapy, and Lifespan Human Development, which provide essential insights into mental health, therapeutic approaches, and human growth across the lifespan. Specialized courses in areas like Gender and Sexuality, Cultural Diversity, Substance Abuse and Dependency, and Domestic Violence and Abuse equip students with the ability to address complex and sensitive issues that clients face. Practical skills are emphasized through training in Counseling Skills, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Interviewing, and various therapeutic techniques focused on children, adolescents, couples, and families. Courses like Group Therapy, Psychopharmacology, and Psychological Testing further broaden the scope of professional competence. The program also places importance on ethics and law in counseling practice, ensuring students are well-prepared to navigate professional standards. In addition, research is integrated into the curriculum with a course in Research Synthesis and Evaluation, supporting the program’s emphasis on evidence-based practice. A critical component of the training includes three sequential Counseling Practicum experiences, where students apply their classroom learning in supervised clinical settings, developing their professional identity and gaining direct experience with clients. Through this comprehensive and carefully structured curriculum, the program prepares graduates to provide effective, ethical, and culturally competent counseling services to individuals, couples, and families in diverse contexts.