Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Duquesne University

Overview

This CACREP accredited program in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling from Duquesne University prepares graduates for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) which is essential for employment in the mental health field and private practice. Students may complete the Master of Science (M.S.) in Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling program within 2 years or also have the option of completing the program on a part-time basis. Students have the option of taking classes in the early evening and late afternoon. Graduates of the program are very successful in obtaining employment in mental health settings, working as out- and in-patient therapists, mobile therapists, substance abuse counselors, etc.

Strengths of the 60-credit Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling program include:

• Accreditation: Accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Some states require graduation from a CACREP accredited program to obtain Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Tuition Award: Students receive a 15% tuition award for taking 6 credits per semester
• Licensure and Certification: Graduates of the Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling program satisfy the academic requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) and for National Counseling Certification (NCC). The Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program does not meet the academic requirements for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), but with the LPC graduates of the program are able to provide marriage, couple, and family counseling, and many agencies prefer the LPC to the LMFT
• Time to Degree: Earning your Master's degree in Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling can be completed within two (2) years by taking 9-12 credits per semester
• Full-time and Part-time options: Students have the option to complete the program on a full-, half-, or part-time basis if desired
• No Pre-requisites: This program accepts students with Bachelor's degrees in a variety of areas. There are no undergraduate pre-requisites, other than having a Bachelor's degree
• Integrated Approach: Students learn a variety of theoretical approaches to promoting therapeutic change
• Variety of Fieldwork Options: Students have the opportunity to experience a variety of mental health agencies for fieldwork
• Large Alumni Base: As a graduate of this program, you will be amongst more than 1,200 graduate who serve as leaders in the mental health profession
• Skill Development: Students learn to understand conflict as it relates to the family unit and learn to assist families and couples navigating those interactions. Students also learn to assist with issues such as anger management, self-esteem, and grief, and learn to create collaborative treatment plans for care.

Graduates may obtain employment in or work as:

• Community mental health centers
• Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers
• Career counseling centers
• Mobile therapists
• Family based mental health therapists
• Outpatient therapists
• Behavioral specialists consultants (BSC)
• Probation/parole officers.