Accreditation and Student Learning Outcomes

Accreditation for M.S. in Applied Human Development and Family Sciences, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy

The Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy was one of the first master's degree programs in the United States to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). We are the only COAMFTE-accredited program in an Illinois state-supported university.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply theories of human development, family relationships, and human ecology to individual and family development across the lifespan
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply ethical and reflective approaches to the study of and practice with individuals, couples and families
  • Show proficiency in professional oral and written communication skills and the use of empirically-based information on human development and family sciences
  • Demonstrate the ability to understand, apply and synthesize research related to the study of human development and family sciences
  • Demonstrate the ability to work with a diverse set of families and individuals by using culturally-relevant research, theory, skills and approaches
  • Demonstrate an understanding of human development across the individual life span and the family life cycle and the ability to integrate theories of development into their clinical work
  • Display a comprehension of systems theory, including classic and contemporary CFT theories, with the capacity to employ systems theories in therapy with couples, families and individuals
  • Show proficiency in the interpersonal and therapeutic skills essential to the successful practice of couple and family therapy
  • Make effective use of clinical supervision including openness to supervisory feedback, active participation, diligent preparation for supervision, ability to evaluate their own work and implementation of recommendations into clinical work with clients
  • Exhibit sensitivity to cultural diversity and awareness of the contextual factors that impact clients along with the ability to skillfully integrate this cultural awareness in therapy with diverse individuals, couples and families
  • Demonstrate a beginning-level knowledge of MFT research; an understanding of the research conducted by the CFT Clinic and the capacity to use this research in their therapy with clients
  • Display a comprehension of the AAMFT Code of Ethics and legal issues pertinent to couple and family therapists
  • Demonstrate the capacity to assess and to apply an ethical decision-making model to ethical and legal issues in clinical work

Ethnicity and Gender

Race/ethnicity of faculty and students
Race/Ethnicity Faculty Students Total
Black/African Descent 1 2 3
White/European Descent 0 15 15
Asian 1 2 3
Pacific Islander 0 0 1
Native American 0 0 0
Non-white Hispanic/Latino 0 5 5
Multi-ethnic 1 2 3
Other 0 0 0
Total 3 26 29
Gender of faculty and students
Gender Faculty Students Total
Female 3 22 25
Male 0 3 3
Non-binary 0 1 1
Total 3 26 29

Contact Us

Family and Consumer Sciences
118 Wirtz Hall
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-1543
facs@niu.edu

DeAnna Harris-McKoy, Ph.D., LMFT-S
Director, Marriage and Family Therapy Program
dharrismckoy@niu.edu
815-753-6348

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