Applied Systemic Psychology (ASP)

ASP 512. Theories and Principles of Counseling. (3 Credits)

Designed for marriage and family students, this course provides an examination of several of the major theories of counseling with an emphasis on techniques and principles common to each theory. Cross-listed with PSYC 512.

ASP 601. Enduring Questions for Systemic Therapists. (1 Credit)

This course introduces Marriage & Family Therapy students to practices of integrative thinking by engaging challenging, theologically significant enduring questions in a seminar-style course organized around systems thinking and Christianity. The components of each seminar will emphasize integrative intellectual practice and model the integration of faith and learning in preparing clinicians who serve various communities and the global church. Cross-listed with MAFT 601.

ASP 612. Introduction to Practicum & Supervision. (1 Credit)

This course covers clinical case conceptualization based on presenting problems and theory. Also addressed are concepts of treatment team with a clinical supervisor present, overview of ethics and best practices, and the best use of systemic supervision.

ASP 624. MFT Ethics and Professional Practice. (3 Credits)

An overview of ethical issues related to the profession and practice of MFT including the AAMFT Code of Ethics, professional identity, professional organizations, and licensure. Cross-listed with MAFT 624.

ASP 625. Site Supervision & Practicum I. (1 Credit)

Site supervision of first year clinical practicum, focusing on development of beginning marriage and family therapy (MFT) skills, primarily though participation in live supervision of students' clinical work. Prerequisite: ASP 612. Pre or Corequisite: ASP 675.

ASP 626. Site Supervision & Practicum II. (2 Credits)

Site supervision of first year clinical practicum, focusing on marriage and family therapy (MFT) perceptual, conceptual, and interventive skills as applied to students’ therapeutic work. Prerequisite: ASP 625. Pre or Corequisite: ASP 676.

ASP 628. Internship & Site Supervision I. (1 Credit)

Site supervision of internship, focusing on the development of marriage and family therapy (MFT) perceptual, conceptual, and interventive skills as applied to students’ therapeutic work at their internship site placements. Prerequisite: ASP 626. Pre or Corequisite: ASP 678.

ASP 629. Internship & Site Supervision II. (1 Credit)

ASP 631. Individual and Family Life Cycle Development. (3 Credits)

The study of individual and family development across the lifespan, exploring continuity and change within the developing individual and family. Cross-listed with MAFT 631.

ASP 633. Couple Therapy: Systemic Assessment and Intervention. (3 Credits)

An overview of theoretical models and skills necessary for effective treatment of couple relationship and sexual functioning. Cross-listed with MAFT 633.

ASP 634. Marriage & Family Therapy I: Theoretical Foundations. (3 Credits)

An introduction to historical development, theoretical and empirical foundations of systems theory including a survey of the major models of marriage, couple, and family therapy and an overview of contemporary conceptual directions. Cross-listed with MAFT 634.

ASP 635. Marriage and Family Therapy II: Systemic Assessment and Intervention. (3 Credits)

An application of relational/systems theory to a variety of presenting clinical problems including but not limited to physical health and illness, major mental health issues, traditional psychodiagnostic categories, and relational problems. Cross-listed with MAFT 635. Prerequisite: ASP 634.

ASP 637. Families in Context: Culture, Class, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Identity & Religion. (3 Credits)

An overview of the impact of diversity, power, and privilege as they related to culture, class, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and religion in families and their influence on couple and family treatment. Cross-listed with MAFT 637.

ASP 642. Psychopathology and the Family. (3 Credits)

The study of the etiology and maintenance of the major mental disorders and the role of the family and community in assessment and intervention. The DSM-V and the biological bases of behavior are given special attention. Cross-listed with MAFT 642.

ASP 643. Trauma and Addiction: Systemic Assessment and Intervention. (3 Credits)

This is an advanced marriage and family therapy course focused on the assessment and treatment of individuals, couples, and families who have experienced trauma and/or addiction. Special consideration will also be given to how grief, loss, and shame moderate families’ experiences of trauma and addiction. Cross-listed with MAFT 643.

ASP 645. Systemic Interventions with Children and Adolescents. (3 Credits)

An examination of systemic models of conceptualizing child and adolescent problems and an introduction to systemic treatment modalities for working with children, adolescents and their families. Cross-listed with MAFT 645.

ASP 656. Integration Seminar: MFT and Christian Faith/Practice. (3 Credits)

An advanced seminar examining historical and contemporary issues in the integration of Christian faith, systemic epistemology, and the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy. Cross-listed with MAFT 656.

ASP 659. Human Sexuality. (1 Credit)

This course covers physiobiological, socioemotional, and spiritual aspects of human sexuality. The foci of this course include an overview of male and female sexual anatomy and physiology, sexual dysfunctions and difficulties, issues related to sexual identities and gender dysphoria, and the ways in which individuals sexual issues impact their intimate relationships. These topics will be addressed alongside conversations regarding theological perspectives on human sexuality, as well as Christian Marriage and family therapists' (MFT's) approaches to them. Diversity concerns and cultural implications will also be integrated into class discussions. Cross-listed with MAFT 659. Prerequisites: ASP 634 and ASP 635.

ASP 671. Personal and Professional Development Group I. (1 Credit)

A small group class focusing on development of Marriage and Family Therapy identity, person of the therapist issues, group dynamics, and spiritual formation. Graded: Pass/Fail. Cross-listed with MAFT 671.

ASP 672. Personal and Professional Development Group II. (1 Credit)

A small group class focusing on development of Marriage & Family Therapy identity, person of the therapist issues, group dynamics, and spiritual formation. Graded: Pass/Fail. Cross-listed with MAFT 672. Prerequisite: ASP 671.

ASP 673. Personal and Professional Development Group III. (1 Credit)

ASP 674. Personal and Professional Development Group IV. (1 Credit)

ASP 675. Program Supervision & Practicum I. (2 Credits)

Program supervision of first year clinical practicum, focusing on development of beginning marriage & family therapy (MFT) skills, primarily through participation in live supervision of student’s clinical work. Cross-listed with MAFT 675. Prerequisite: ASP 612. Pre or Corequisites: ASP 625.

ASP 676. Program Supervision & Practicum II. (1 Credit)

Program supervision of first year clinical practicum, focusing on the development of marriage and family therapy (MFT) perceptual, conceptual, and interventive skills as applied to students’ therapeutic work. Cross-listed with MAFT 676. Prerequisite: ASP 675. Pre or Corequisite: ASP 626.

ASP 678. Internship & Program Supervision I. (1 Credit)

Program supervision of internship, focusing on the development of marriage and family therapy (MFT) perceptual, conceptual, and interventive skills as applied to students’ therapeutic work at their internship site placements. Cross-listed with MAFT 678. Prerequisite: ASP 676. Pre or Corequisite: ASP 628.

ASP 679. Internship & Program Supervision II. (1 Credit)

Program supervision of internship, focusing on the development of marriage and family therapy (MFT) perceptual, conceptual, and interventive skills as applied to students’ therapeutic work at their internship site placements. Cross-listed with MAFT 679. Prerequisite: ASP 678. Pre or Corequisite: ASP 629.

ASP 691. Advanced Clinical Practicum. (0 to 3 Credits)

This course is an as-needed extension of supervision if a student was not able to complete all their clinical hours in the previous semesters. We will continue to focus on the development of marriage and family therapy (MFT) perceptual, conceptual, and interventive skills as applied to students’ therapeutic work at their internship site. Cross-listed with MAFT 691. Prerequisite: ASP 679.

ASP 697. Thesis Preparation: Family Therapy Research and Implications for Evidence-Based Practice. (3 Credits)

This course will provide students with an overview of research methods, data analysis, and the evaluation of research in Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT). Further, students will learn how research informs MFTs of evidence-based practices for various issues experienced by couples and families. This course will prepare students to become competent consumers of MFT literature and apply relevant research to their clinical practice. Course content will address issues of diversity, social location, power, and privilege as they relate to race/ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality, age health/ability, socioeconomic status, and religion/spirituality.

ASP 698. Thesis/Dissertation Credit. (1 Credit)

Masters of Science degree recipients should be scholarly consumers of research as well as professionals who can integrate rigorous analysis and investigation into their clinical practices. The clinical thesis is an opportunity to demonstrate to the faculty a mastery of the many competencies that go into being a practitioner-scholar (e.g., command of a specific area of the literature, ability to formulate research questions, develop testable hypotheses, design an appropriate methodology, analyze and interpret data, and draw reasonable conclusions from this clinical data.) Prerequisite: ASP 697.