Abilene Christian University
About the Program
The mission of the Department of Marriage and Family Studies is to equip students to strengthen family relationships and solve personal and relational problems through child and family services or therapeutic intervention while cultivating Christian leadership and character in each student.
The undergraduate program in Family Studies accomplishes this mission through:
- emphasizing the formation of healthy relationships and the promotion of optimal human development;
- examining current research and theory regarding the normal issues with which individuals and families must contend as they grow and evolve;
- creating opportunities for students to design, implement, and evaluate family life education programs; and
- providing diverse practicum experiences that prepare students for future employment.
The graduate program in Marriage and Family Therapy accomplishes this mission through:
- Emphasizing a Christocentric view of human nature and personal/relational problems within a context of diversity;
- Providing a diverse clinical training experience;
- Encouraging development of a professional identity by fostering involvement in the profession of marriage and family therapy; and
- Creating a culture of research.
Program Overview
| Area | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Family Studies (undergraduate only) | 90% | |
| Marriage and Family Therapy (graduate only) | 10% |
Address & Contact Information
Undergraduate Program
- Introduction to Family Studies
- Child Development
- Family Finances
- Human Sexuality and Intimacy
- Parenting and Family Skills
- Family Crisis
- Family Life Education Methodology
- Family Studies Practicum
- Adult Development and Aging
- Ministry to Fathers
The B.S. in Family Studies is designed for those with a strong desire to help improve people’s lives. The program equips students to provide social services and educational programs designed to improve the functioning of children and their families, to help strengthen family relationships, and to solve personal and family problems. Taught from a Christian perspective, the program prepares students for a variety of careers serving children and families such as social service providers, family service workers, child life specialists, child and adult protective services, youth services and programs, child development center directors, and family life educators. The undergraduate Family Studies program enjoys academic program approval from NCFR.
Graduate Program
- Family Theory
- Couples Therapy
- Family Therapy I
- Family Therapy II
- Pre-Internship
- Internship I
- Internship II
- Internship III
- Internship IV
- Marital and Family Assessment
- Family Life Cycle
- Advanced Psychopathology
- Family Therapy across the Life Cycle
- Professional Ethics and the Law
- Cultural Diversity in MFT
- Social Research Methods
- Addictive Disorders
- Sexual Therapy
- Theological Perspectives on Human Behavior
Master's Level
CFLE Information
NCFR recognizes schools offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs with course work that follows the Standards and Criteria required for approval as a Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). NCFR approval allows the school to offer their graduates the opportunity to apply for Provisional Certification using the Abbreviated Application process. The CFLE Checklist represents the courses that meet the CFLE criteria at that school. Students must complete all the courses on a checklist in order to qualify to apply for the CFLE designation through the Abbreviated Application process.
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Graduate study in marriage and family therapy at Abilene Christian University combines a systems/relational understanding of client’s lives with theory, clinical training, and the integration of faith and learning. The two-year, 60-credit-hour program of study accompanied by the 500-hour clinical internship prepares graduates for licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Professional Counselor.