The Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy (Christian Spirituality) (MACFT) degree provides a professional course of study that equips students for a vocation in the mental health sector, such as private practice and non-profit organizations, while considering how their faith and values relate. Students will learn a systemic and strength-focused perspective on people and their problems. They will also become skilled in engaging in a client-centred, collaborative therapeutic approach and learn how to engage in ethical clinical practice. Students will discover how to adopt a reflective stance in their clinical work. In addition to learning the skills to engage with individuals, MACFT students will acquire the skills needed to work with couples and families to improve their relationship quality. This degree includes everything from the Master of Arts in Clinical Counselling (Christian Spirituality), plus trains students in working with multiple clients on relational dynamics and provides them with additional clinical experience and confidence.
The MACFT program is designed to help students meet the academic course requirements for pursuing RMFT membership within the Canadian Association for Couple and Family Therapy (CACFT). Graduates of the MA Couple and Family Therapy program also have the academic course requirements for the Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists (PACCP) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). It should be noted that recognition in each of these associations is independent of Briercrest's program and that it is the student's responsibility to pursue such recognition after graduation. The Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy degree takes a minimum of three years of full-time studies to complete.
The application deadlines for the Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy are April 30 and November 30 each year. For details about the application process click apply.
Credit Hours: 75
I. Core (12 credit hours)
CM 600 Spiritual Formation for Ministry
BLST 606 New Testament Survey*
BLST 601 Old Testament Survey*
THEO 601 Christian Theology Overview*
II. Couples and Family Therapy (63 credit hours)
MFT Studies
CO 603 Foundations of Systemic Therapy
CO 615 Working with Diverse Populations
CO 714 Counselling Systems and Approaches
CO 722 Trauma Theories and Strategies in Counselling
MFT Skills
CO 703 Counselling Skills and Procedures
CO 707 Procedures in Marriage and Family Therapy
CO 713 Topics in Marriage and Family Therapy: EFT
PSY 716 Systemic Approaches to Psychopathology & Psychopharmocology
Human Development
PSY 607 Child Development
PSY 608 Adolescent Development and Counselling
PSY 706 Adult Development and Family Life Cycle
Ethics
CO 705 Counselling Ethics
Research
PSY 701 Psychological Research Methods
RD 809 Specialty Research Project**
Practicum and Internship
CO 790 Counselling Practicum I
CO 791 Counselling Practicum II
CO 850 Counselling Internship I (300 hrs total, 150 Clinical hours)
CO 851 Counselling Internship II (300 hrs total, 150 Clinical hours)
Counselling Elective
Any CO or PSY course
III. Non-Credit Requirements
GSCR 800 Graduating Student Concluding Reflections
*With permission of the program coordinator, a student with sufficient background in New Testament, Old Testament or Theology may replace the specified course with an elective from the respective discipline.
** In exceptional circumstances a student may replace RD 809 with RD 808 Thesis with Counselling Dept Head approval.
Please note: Course substitutions to the program major are at the discretion of the program coordinator in consultation with the Registrar. Any course substitutions in the major may impact CACFT membership and other professional associations. For more information, please contact the Counselling Student Advisor.
