Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization, Plan A and Plan B

Aug 26, 2026

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Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a Marriage and Family Therapy specialization prepares students to apply advanced knowledge, creativity, and research skills to assessment and treatment across diverse clinical settings. The curriculum combines advanced coursework in MFT and family/development theories, research methods, and applied training through on-campus Centers for Counseling, Mentoring, and Assessment, including three clinical rotations. Graduates provide ethical, evidence-based, systemically oriented services for individuals, couples, and families. Plan A and Plan B differ in the research culminating requirements, each supervised by faculty.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Learning Objectives

Competencies in Marriage and Family Therapy

Competency for diverse and underserved communities

Engagement with Marriage and Family Therapy literature

Communication and professional behavior

Plan A research pathway

Plan B research pathway

Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization, Plan A and Plan B 1 MASTER OF SCIENCE INHUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY SPECIALIZATION, PLAN A AND PLAN B The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) will produce professionals capable of applying in-depth knowledge, creativity, and research experience to the assessment and treatment of clients in a variety of contexts. All MFT master's students will gain new knowledge and clinical experience through completion of advanced level coursework in MFT theories and practice, family and developmental theories, research methods and statistics; and applied clinical training in our on-campus Centers for Counseling, Mentoring, and Assessment (CCAM) ([https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/hdfs/programs-and-degrees/m-s](https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/hdfs/programs-and-degrees/m-s)in-human-development-and-family-studies/marriage-and-family-therapyspecialization/) operated by the MFT Program. Students complete three clinical rotations as part of degree completion. Students will be prepared to provide ethical, socioculturally-attuned, evidence-based, and systemically-oriented therapeutic services for a diverse population of individuals, couples, and families within a variety of professional contexts, including community, academic, and policy-making settings. human-development-and-family-studies/marriage-and-family-therapyspecialization/) . Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin. Learning Objectives Upon successful completion of this specialization, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate competency in the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy. 2. Demonstrate competency in providing therapeutic services to diverse, marginalized, and underserved communities. 3. Demonstrate critical consumption of and contributions to Marriage and Family Therapy literature. 4. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication to convey evidence-based and systemic family therapy concepts to both clinical and nonclinical populations. 5. Demonstrate professional behavior and understand the ethical, economic, environmental, and societal impacts of their work. • Students pursuing the Plan A degree will conduct research under the supervision of a faculty adviser culminating in a capstone and thesis project. • Students pursuing the Plan B degree will conduct research under the supervision of a faculty advisor culminating in a capstone project. Learn more about the Master's in Human Development and Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization, Plan A and Plan B, on the Department of Human Development and Family Studies website ([https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/hdfs/programs-and-degrees/m-s-in-](https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/hdfs/programs-and-degrees/m-s-in-)

FAQs

What knowledge and skills does this M.S. specialization develop for Marriage and Family Therapy?

Students build advanced knowledge through coursework in MFT theories and practice, family and developmental theories, and research methods and statistics, supported by clinical training in on-campus counseling and assessment centers.

What clinical training requirements are included in degree completion?

Students complete three clinical rotations as part of degree completion, gaining clinical experience alongside advanced coursework.

How do Plan A and Plan B requirements differ?

Plan A includes research under faculty supervision culminating in both a capstone and thesis project, while Plan B culminates in a capstone project only.

Aug 26, 2026

Upload by Mason