Adler School of Professional Psychology – Chicago
About the Program
In 2010, US News and World Report ranked marriage and family therapy as one of the best 50 careers. According to the report, an increased acceptance of marriage and family therapy will result in a projected industry growth of 14% between 2008 and 2018. The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling (MAF) program will prepare you to join this relevant field.
In the program, you'll complete coursework and practicums focused on understanding and integrating individual lifestyle dynamics within marital and family systems. You'll also obtain assessment skills in major models of marital and family therapy. All experiences will emphasize the application of skills in advocacy, consultation, systems change, and leadership.
Program Overview
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Address & Contact Information
Graduate Program
Year One:
- Professional Development Seminar
- Community Service Seminar I
- Community Service Seminar II
- Basic Skills for Psychotherapy
- Community Service Practicum I
- Community Service Practicum II
- Community Psychology
- Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology
- Professional Development, Issues and Ethics
- Assessment and Treatment from a Systemic Perspective
- Individual Life Span and Family Life Cycle
- Biopsychosocial Bases of Health & Dysfunction for Counselors
- Overview of Marriage and Family Therapy Models
- Issues of Culture and Diversity in Couple and Family Counseling
Year Two:
- Parenting Education: Adlerian Theory and Intervention
- Group Psychotherapy
- Introduction to Addictive Disorders
- Adlerian Approaches to Individual and Family Therapy
- Lifestyle & Career Development
- Research Methods
- Effective Marriage and Family Counseling
- Advanced Assessment and Counseling with Couples
- Appraisal with Individuals
- M.A.F. Practicum I
- M.A.F. Practicum II
- Master's Clinical Qualifying Exam
- M.A.F. Practicum Seminar I
- M.A.F. Practicum Seminar II
Master's Level
- Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling (MAF)

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An integral part of all master's programs at the Adler School is supervised field placements. Ongoing involvement in clinical activities at professional training sites, including Adler Community Health Services, provides an opportunity to apply and further develop the knowledge, skills, values, and competencies gained in coursework.
In your first year, the Community Service Practicum focuses on developing skills for community-based interventions, advocacy, social justice, and systemic interventions that benefit human welfare and well-being. You'll spend eight to ten hours per week over the course of six months at an approved Community Service Practicum site while concurrently enrolled in required coursework. A minimum of 200 clock hours of practicums is required.
In your second year, the practicum focuses on developing competencies required for entry-level practice upon graduation. Expect to spend at least two days per week over the course of at least nine months at an approved site and while concurrently enrolled in two semesters of practicum seminars. You must complete a minimum of 700 hours of Clinical Practicums; 200 of those hours must be direct clinical service, and at least one-third of those hours should be in conjoint therapy with couples or families.
The Director of Clinical Training and Community Service will work with you to identify and approve clinical experiences. Because the focus is on integrating master's-level education with master's-level clinical training, the Adler School does not grant transfer credit for practicum credits earned elsewhere. Please refer to the Practicum Handbook for detailed information.