Master's Program Curriculum

Master's Program Curriculum

Master's Program Curriculum

Required Courses

The curriculum for each emphasis area requires a minimum of 30 credit hours, comprised of 15 credit hours of core courses, 5 hours of electives, 3 hours of a data analysis or program evaluation course, 1 hour of a professional development seminar, and 6 credit hours for the thesis (Plan A) or scholarly project (Plan B). Couple & Family Therapy (CFT) emphasis requires an additional 15 credit hours of CFT courses.

The master's program requires 5 core courses. 

  • FAM 652: Theories and Frameworks in Family Science (3)
  • FAM 658: Adolescent Development (3)
  • FAM 668: Family Finance and Economics (3)
  • FAM 678: Family Processes
  • FAM 690: Research Methods in Family Science (3)

All Emphasis Areas

In addition to the 5 required courses listed above, the curriculum requires a minimum of 5 elective credit hours; 3 credit hours of a data analysis or program evaluation course appropriate for thesis preparation; and 6 credit hours of Master's thesis residency.

2-Year M.S. Plan

Suggested course sequence for completion of the Master's program in 2 years:

  • FAM 652: Theories and Frameworks in Family Science (3)
  • FAM 658: Adolescent Development (3)
  • FAM 678: Family Processes (3)
  • FAM 775: Professional Development Seminar (1)
  • FAM 668: Family Finance and Economics (3)
  • FAM 690: Research Methods in Family Science (3)
  • Elective Course (3)
  • FAM 768: Master's Thesis Residence Credit (3)
  • Data analysis or program evaluation course (3)
  • Elective Course (3)
  • FAM 768: Master's Thesis Residence Credit (3)
  • Elective Course (3)
  • Elective Course (3)

1.5-Year M.S. Plan

Although many students take 2 years to complete the master's program, the curriculum can be completed in 1.5 years of full-time enrollment by studying through the summer.

Suggested course sequence for completion of the master's program in 1.5 years:

  • FAM 652: Theories and Frameworks in Family Science (3)
  • FAM 658: Adolescent Development (3)
  • FAM 678: Family Processes (3)
  • FAM 775: Professional Development Seminar (1)
  • FAM 668: Family Finance and Economics (3)
  • FAM 690: Research Methods in Family Science (3)
  • Data analysis or program evaluation course (3)
  • FAM 768: Master's Thesis Residence Credit (3)
  • FAM 768: Master's Thesis Residence Credit (3)
  • Elective Course (3)
  • Elective Course (3)

Couple & Family Therapy Emphasis Area

In addition to the 5 required courses listed above, the CFT curriculum requires 15 credit hours of core CFT courses, 12 credit hours of supervised practicum, 3 credit hours of human development elective (e.g., EDP 600 or IEC 659), 3-6 credit hours of clinical elective (FAM 746, FAM 745, or both), 3 credit hours of a data analysis or program evaluation course appropriate for thesis preparation, and 6 credit hours of master's thesis residency (58 credit hours total).

Required course sequence for completion of master's program with CFT emphasis:

  • Odd Years: FAM 652: Theories and Frameworks in Family Science (3)
  • Even Years: FAM 678: Family Processes (3)
  • FAM 686: Theory & Methods in CFT (3)
  • FAM 687: Treatment Modalities (3)
  • FAM 775: Professional Development Seminar (1)
  • Even Years:

    • FAM 640: Using the DSM in CFT Assessment (3)
    • FAM 745: Play Therapy (3)
  • Odd Years:
    • FAM 685: Professional Issues in CFT (3)
    • FAM 740: Couple and Sex Therapy (3)
  • FAM 690: Research Methods in Family Science (3)
  • FAM 787: Practicum (3)

Take a data analysis or program evaluation course, as appropriate for master's thesis preparation.

FAM 787: Practicum (3)

  • Odd Years: FAM 652: Theories and Frameworks in Family Science (3)
  • FAM 658: Adolescent Development (3)
  • Even Years: FAM 678: Family Processes (3)
  • FAM 768: Master's Thesis Residence Credit (3)
  • FAM 787: Practicum (3)
  • Even Years:

    • FAM 640: Using the DSM in CFT Assessment (3)
    • FAM 745: Play Therapy (3)
  • Odd Years:
    • FAM 685: Professional Issues in CFT (3)
    • FAM 740: Couple and Sex Therapy (3)
  • FAM 668: Family Finance and Economics (3)
  • FAM 768: Master's Thesis Residence Credit (3)
  • FAM 787: Practicum (3)

If not graduated, finish master's thesis and/or clinical hours.

Contact Information

Patricia Dyk, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair

314 Funkhouser Building Lexington, KY 40506-0054

859-218-3309