MMFT 500 Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy

This course provides an in-depth introduction to the profession of marriage and family therapy (MFT), including its historical development, professional identity, systemic theoretical foundations, and ethical standards. Students will explore licensure pathways and core competencies required for the MFT profession. The course emphasizes systemic relational practice, the biopsychosocial model, and evidence-based MFT interventions.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

This foundational course equips the student with a comprehensive understanding of the marriage and family therapy profession, emphasizing its systemic approach to mental health and relational wellness. By exploring historical developments, professional identity, licensure requirements, and core competencies, the student will gain essential knowledge that informs his/her clinical training. This course aligns with university aims and the program’s learning outcomes by integrating ethical considerations, evidence-based practices, and a faith-based perspective into the systemic treatment of individuals, couples, and families.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Video Discussions (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, video discussions provide the student with the opportunity to articulate and present course concepts and respond to peer contributions. Each video must be 3-5 minutes and must demonstrate a clear and coherent flow of thought. The student must also submit a 2-3-minute video reply to at least 1 classmate’s video. Each video should note the sources incorporated verbally, posted in APA format and include 1 additional source than provided. There are slightly different requirements for the Video Discussion: Self-Care, Wellness and Wrap-Up; the student should review the assignment instructions in Canvas for these discussions for more details. (CLO: A, C, D, E, F; PLO: 2, 3, 4, 5)

MFT Program Scavenger Hunt Assignment

The student will use the MFT Counseling Handbook and Liberty online resources to complete a scavenger hunt in order to become familiar with the policies, procedures and services applicable to the student and Liberty University’s Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies. (CLO: D; PLO: 1)

Professional Identity Paper Assignment

The student will write a 2-4-page paper that focuses on MFT identity, compares and contrasts with other mental health professions, and includes 4 citations in current APA format. State regulations are reviewed for scope of practice, license type, education and post graduate requirements. (CLO: A, D, E; PLO: 2, 3, 5)

The student will record a 5-8 minute video role-playing therapy skills with a mock family and submit a final recording.

Systemic Thinking Paper Assignment

The student will write a 2-4-page paper on the basic tenets of Systemic thinking including application to diverse populations and compatibility with a Christian Worldview. The paper will include citations to 4 sources in current APA format. (CLO: A, B, C, E; PLO: 2, 3, 4, 5)

Quizzes: Criminal Background Check (CBC) (4)

Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain file-upload and/or true/false questions, and have no time limit. (CLO: D; PLO: 1)

Quiz: Criminal Background Check (CBC) Purchase

The student will submit proof of purchase to Canvas: CBC Purchase.

Quiz: Criminal Background Check (CBC) Account Creation/Activation

The student will complete a true/false quiz confirming the creation and activation of account.

Quiz: Criminal Background Check (CBC) Fingerprint Acknowledgement

The student will complete a true/false quiz confirming the fingerprints have been collected or scheduled.

Quiz: Criminal Background Check (CBC) Fingerprint Mailing

The student will complete a true/false quiz confirming the fingerprints have been mailed.

Quizzes (17)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the Module: Week in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice questions and have a 20-minute time limit. Exception: Quiz: The History of Family Therapy and Quiz: Theoretical Context of Family Therapy will each have 5 multiple-choice questions and have a time limit of 10 minutes. (CLO: A, B, C, D; E; PLO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

The student will rate him/herself on the nine dispositions required for this program. The quiz will contain 9 multiple-choice questions and 1 essay question and is limited to 60 minutes. The student is allowed 1 attempt to complete the quiz.