The purpose of the Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy (MSCFT) program within the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science (Kent School) is to develop professionals in couple/marriage and family therapy to work with couples, families, and other systems within their community contexts and through the lens of social justice.
Marriage/couple and family therapy is a distinct discipline from social work with its own state licensure board, national professional organization, and national accrediting body. The MSCFT degree program is the first COAMFTE"accredited master's degree program in the nation housed in a school of social work.
The MSCFT program offers a rigorous educational program that takes a social justice approach to working with individuals, couples, families, and other systems. Students take 60 credit hours and meet coursework requirements for Kentucky state licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). MSCFT coursework focuses on family systems theoretical foundations, systemic assessment, social justice and diversity, family systems interventions, research"informed practice, and ethics.
Students also have the option of completing a concentration in Alcohol & Drug Counseling.
The CFT Program has established the following six Program Goals, in accordance with our purpose of training a social"justice minded workforce of couple and family therapy professionals and our accreditation standards:
- Educate students with regard to the major models of marriage and family therapy
- Train students to effectively assess and conceptualize individual and family problems
- Train students to effectively implement marital and family therapy techniques and interventions
- Prepare students to practice professionally as ethical marriage/couple and family therapists
- Prepare students to become social"justice oriented marriage/couple and family therapists
- Train students to become research"informed clinicians

