the 60-credit marriage, couples, and family counseling option prepares counselors to address mental health and relationship problems with individuals, couples, families, and children from a family systems perspective. students are taught a conceptual framework for assessment and intervention which focuses on the multiple systems and family context of individual development. emphasis is on a positive, competency-based view of individual and family strengths. this approach examines the larger environments in which individuals and families interact and the plethora of influences (i.e., social, cultural, and economic) that affect human growth and development. interpersonal issues between family members and the family and outer environmental systems are highlighted.

in addition to family systems theory, students are well grounded in individual and group counseling theories. collaboration between marriage and family counselors and other mental health care providers is emphasized.

the marriage and family counseling option meets educational licensure requirements for a licensed clinical professional counselor (lcpc) in the state of montana. after licensure, graduates of the option work in a variety of counseling contexts where they see children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families. in this program track students are prepared to work with individuals, as well as with couples and families. this extended focus beyond individual counseling provides a well-rounded training experience.