School of Human Sciences

COUN 5033. Foundations of School Counseling. Skills for development of a comprehensive developmental school counseling program based on state and national standards for school counseling programs including program development, program assessment, data management, equitable practices, and professional development. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5043. Critical Issues in School Counseling. This course is designed to provide students with skills necessary for development and implementation of a comprehensive developmental school counseling program based on national standards, including crisis intervention, service delivery, program advocacy, collaboration, consultation, team building, and work with diverse populations, including but not limited to groups based on race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability. Emphasis on ethical practice, school counselor identity, and responsiveness to systemic and institutional inequities. Prerequisite: COUN 5033. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5053. Applied Skills in School Counseling. This course is designed to provide students with further understanding of the role and identity of professional school counselors. The course will assist students in obtaining and developing skills necessary for development of a comprehensive developmental school counseling program based on state and national standards for school counseling programs, including those skills utilized in implementing core curriculum, program assessment, providing direct and indirect student services, collaboration, consultation, and team building. Program development and assessment may focus on best practices and equity issues when working with students from diverse populations, including but not limited to groups based on race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender identity, sexual identity, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability. Prerequisite: COUN 5033. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5063. School Counseling Ethics and Professional Orientation. Foundations of school counseling profession and ethics. Examination of effective school counselor characteristics and the parameters of counseling in a school setting. Course will include ethical practices in work with diverse student groups including but not limited to groups based on race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability. Emphasis on ethical practices, advocacy, and responsiveness to systemic and institutional inequities. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5083. Counseling an Aging Population. Examines developmental, biopsychosocial, and counseling considerations relevant to working with older adults. Emphasizes assessment, case conceptualization, and intervention planning across settings, with attention to ethical practice, cultural context, and professional roles when counseling aging populations. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5143. Addiction Counseling. Introductory framework for recognizing and treating addictions and abuses. Emphasis on the concept of shame-based identity, the history of addiction treatment and recovery in America, an overview of treatment programs and methods, and clinical tools to treat and prevent addictions and reduce shame-based identity. Specific focus on unique considerations of the etiology and treatment of addictions for diverse populations, including but not limited to groups based on race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5163. Play Therapy. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to play therapy, exploring its definition, history, development and foundational principles. Students will be introduced to the philosophy and basic assumptions regarding the role of play for children, major theories, and approaches to play therapy. Process and skills will be reviewed and attention given to the application of therapeutic strategies for addressing high-incidence emotional and behavioral problems in childhood. May include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in play therapy. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5173. Abnormal Behavior: Crisis Impacts and Treatments. Crisis theory and intervention strategies; special emphasis on lethality/suicidology, natural and man-made disasters, and crisis management in the schools. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5183. Grief and Bereavement. Death and bereavement from a social, psychological, biological, and physiological perspective; special types of loss such as death of a child, miscarriage, and bereavement by suicide; therapeutic interventions and strategies linked to the grieving process; ethical issues such as euthanasia, DNR orders, and withdrawal of life support. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5293. Advanced Play Therapy: Theories and Applications. This course builds upon material presented in Introduction to Play Therapy. It includes advanced study of play therapy theories, techniques and methods, applications in special settings and populations, as well as ethics, professional responsibilities, and related topics. In this advanced course, students will expand their foundational play therapy skills, including integration of multicultural perspectives and recognizing the potential impact on diverse populations. Students will apply these skills through direct play therapy experiences with children, receive supervision on their clinical work, and participate in peer supervision activities. This course also includes conference attendance and supervised clinical experience in play therapy. Prerequisite: COUN 5163 or equivalent. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: COUN 5363 and COUN 5373. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5303. Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counseling. This course is designed to provide graduate students with an introduction to the counseling profession, including professional identity and professional, legal and ethical standards of practice according to professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies. Students will learn the mission and objectives of the American Counseling Association (ACA), professional rules and standards of practice according to the ACA Code of Ethics, Texas Administrative Code for Professional Counselors, and national accreditation standards. Guidelines for multicultural competence are addressed according to professional guidelines. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5313. Counseling Theory and Practice. Foundational theoretical frameworks that guide the counseling profession. Exploration of major counseling theories, essential helping skills, and applications across diverse populations, including (but not limited to) age, gender, cultural identity, race, lifestyle, communication patterns, personal traits, abilities, and life circumstances. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5323. Psychological Appraisal of the Individual. Analysis of the principles, methods, and clinical applications of individual and group appraisal. Scholarship on models of cultural self-awareness and technical methods for evaluating psychometric properties across diverse populations. Perspectives on ethical standards, counselor identity, and systemic and institutional factors within the assessment process. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5353. Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning for Counselors. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders by counselors and therapists. Includes personality disorders and disorders of behavior, impulse control, mood, and anxiety, or loss of contact with reality. Specific focus on unique considerations for the diagnosis and treatment of diverse populations, including but not limited to groups based on race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability. Emphasis on the ethical application of diagnosis and usage of the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5363. Prepracticum. This course is designed to provide graduate students in Counseling and Development with an orientation to the interpersonal processes involved in counseling. An examination of the therapeutic qualities, decision making capabilities, as well as the elements necessary to become an effective counselor will be discussed and practiced. Emphasis on ethical practice, counselor identity, and focus on the development of cultural self-awareness and skills for working effectively with diverse populoations, including but not limited to groups based on race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability. This course is experiential in nature and the application of counseling techniques will be practiced, under the instructor's supervision, by students with one another. Prerequisites: COUN 5303, COUN 5313, COUN 5443, and permission of the instructor. Co-requisite: COUN 5373. Ten practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5364. Practicum in Counseling and Development. Supervised experience in professional counseling settings with individuals and groups. Emphasizes the application of counseling theories, skills, ethical standards, and multicultural competence in direct service delivery. Includes individual, triadic, and group supervision, analysis of recorded counseling sessions, and evaluation of professional development within clinical practice. Prerequisites: COUN 5363 and instructor permission. Thirteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Four hours.

COUN 5373. Group Counseling Procedures. Key concepts and basic issues of the group counseling process. Examination of theories of group counseling, group dynamics, and application of these concepts. Perspectives on ethical and multicultural aspects of group work. Includes didactic instruction in group counseling and experiential learning through participation in a variety of different groups. Prerequisites: COUN 5303, COUN 5313, or permission of instructor. Co-requisite: COUN 5363. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5383. Counseling Children and Adolescents. Examination of counseling theories, developmental considerations, and evidence-based interventions for working with children and adolescents. Emphasis on developmental assessment, case conceptualization, ethical practice, and the application of counseling strategies appropriate to childhood and adolescent populations across settings. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5443. Multicultural Counseling. Analysis of multicultural counseling theories, social justice scholarship, and advocacy perspectives in counseling. Instruction focuses on models of cultural self-awareness and evidence-based methods for engaging with diverse populations, including but not limited to groups based on race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability. Course content emphasizes ethical practice standards, counselor identity, and perspectives on systemic and institutional factors. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5453. Counseling for Career Development. This course introduces students to contemporary theories, models, and practices in career development and career counseling. Students examine the relationships among work, mental well-being, life roles, and sociocultural factors, and learn strategies for assessment, planning, and client skill development. Emphasis is placed on applying career theories, interpreting career-related information, and integrating ethical and multicultural considerations into practice. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5483. Expressive Arts in Counseling. Overview of expressive forms of counseling. Students learn creative approaches to counseling using differing techniques. The course combines didactic and experiential learning. Discussion, role-play, lectures, small-group experiences, films, and demonstration may be utilized. Each class member will participate in guided activities during class. Emphasis on ethical practice, counselor identity, and cultural self-awareness and skills for working with diverse groups including but not limited to groups based on race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5493. Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Ethics, Law, and Practice. Examination of the historical development, current status, and functions of the counseling profession as practiced in a variety of clinical and human service settings. Discussion of the role of the counselor, other professionals and community-related organizations. Guidelines for advocacy and multicultural competence are addressed according to professional guidelines. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5894. Internship in Counseling. Professional supervised experience in counseling individuals and groups in agency, private, or school settings. Experiential application of knowledge and skills learned in previous courses. Developmental and cultural competencies addressed according to accreditation standards and state licensure requirements. Enrollment for 2 consecutive semesters. Total hours to be completed per semester: 120 direct, 160 indirect. Prerequisite: COUN 5364 and permission of department. Credit: Four hours.

COUN 5903. Special Topics. Specialized study of advanced counseling topics not regularly included in other COUN courses. Content varies by topic. May be repeated for additional credit when topics differ. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

COUN 5911. Independent Study. Individualized, supervised advanced study in counseling. Content varies by topic. May be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: One hour.

COUN 5913. Independent Study. Individualized, supervised advanced study in counseling. Content varies by topic. May be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5003. Lifespan Human Development. Examination of major theories and concepts of human development and behavior across the lifespan, with emphasis on individual development within family, social, and cultural contexts. Includes 15 hours directed observation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5013. Grief, Loss, and Bereavement. Research-based focus on the bioecological systemic interactions in families dealing with death, loss, and bereavement from a developmental perspective. Special focus on different types of loss including death of a child; death of a sibling; traumatic injury and death; sudden loss; anticipated loss; and loss of a parent due to deployment, death, or divorce; interventions and strategies used by child developmentalists and child life specialists to assist children, adolescents, and family members with dealing with active dying, anticipated loss, sudden loss, grief, and bereavement; ethical issues such as euthanasia, DNR orders, and withdrawal of life support. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5023. Family Sexuality. Examination of developmental sexuality across the lifespan and within the family life cycle, with emphasis on sexuality education in family and community contexts. Topics include sexual development, sexual health, reproductive anatomy, contraception and abortion, sexual diversity, intimacy and relationship dynamics, and ethical and professional considerations in sexuality education and related practice. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5053. Child Life Assessment. Introduction to assessment in child life. Explores the foundation and tools of child life assessment. Discusses emerging settings and trends for child life assessment and encourages reflection on factors influencing assessment styles. Prepares students to conduct effective assessment reports to be utilized by child life and other healthcare professionals. Emphasis on current research and theory. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5063. Developmental and Psychosocial Perspectives on the Impact of Health on Family Systems. Systems approach of focusing on the family as a social system. Integration of information regarding the parental, sibling, and child subsystems, as well as external societal influences. Macro- and micro-systemic interactions in individuals and families dealing with health/illness issues and mental/physical health care systems from developmental and psychosocial perspectives. Special focus on chronic and terminal illnesses faced by children and related issues, including diversity. Ethical issues such as HIPAA regulations and family members as health caregivers. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5073. Professional Practice and Ethics for Working With Children and Families. Major issues for professionals working with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings (health care, advocacy, ECI, etc.) Emphasis on legal and ethical standards, professional identity, and professional boundaries. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5093. Child Life Practicum. Professional supervised experience working with children and their families in an ACLP-approved Child Life program, under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. Individual conferences and hours of work are to be arranged between the student and Instructor, and may vary by site, but 100-150 practicum hours per semester is typically expected in a pre-internship experience in child life: hours per week vary by hospital/hospice/institution. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5103. Families as Consumers. Examination of family decision-making, values, and goals within consumer contexts. Emphasis on social, cultural, and economic influences on consumption; analysis of contemporary consumer trends and policy issues affecting families; and strategies for consumer education. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5113. Theories of Child Development. Focus on theoretical concepts of development in the areas of cognition, language, personality growth, educational theory, and social-cultural perspectives. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5123. Theories of the Family. Theoretical and functional approach to the family, emphasizing the nature and functions of family systems and their relationships to individuals, culture, and social institutions. Topics include major theoretical frameworks in family science and their application to research, contemporary family issues, and institutional and public policy contexts. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5153. Family Changes and Diversity. Comprehensive examination of current research and theoretical perspectives related to cultural, economic, and structural diversity in families. Emphasis on demographic trends, family change processes, and resilience across the lifespan, including strengths, challenges, and implications for family professionals working in diverse community contexts. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5183. Grief and Bereavement. Death and bereavement from a social, psychological, biological, and physiological perspective; special types of loss such as death of a child, miscarriage, and bereavement by suicide; therapeutic interventions and strategies linked to the grieving process; ethical issues such as euthanasia, DNR orders, and withdrawal of life support. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5193. Statistics for Family Sciences. Introduction to graduate level statistics relevant to the family sciences, with an emphasis on both descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation, regression, t-test, and ANOVA. Emphasis on statistical concepts rather than mathematical computations, including what is the most appropriate statistical test to use depending upon the specific research question examined. Combination of social science research design, methodology, and statistics to foster greater appreciation of research and statistics in general. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5223. Child Growth and Development in Early Childhood. Examination of physical, motor, cognitive, social, emotional, and gender development of children from birth through age eight. Focus on observation skills and techniques necessary for assessing development of young children. Observation/Field experience: Fifteen clock hours. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5233. Communication in Marriage and Family. Examination of communication processes in marriage and family contexts, with emphasis on theoretical perspectives, patterns of verbal and nonverbal communication, and applications relevant to family relationships and professional practice. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5243. Adolescent Development Within the Family. Examination of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and gender development across adolescence (approximately ages 9-21 years) within the context of the family. Emphasis on developmental theory, research, and contextual influences. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5253. Gender Role Development. Examination of gender role development across the life course, including familial, educational, and social influences. Emphasis on theoretical perspectives and research related to gender roles and gender identity. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5403. Child Life. Mission, goals, and history of the child life profession; children and the healthcare environment; developmentally appropriate practice in pediatric settings. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5533. Parenting Education. Advanced examination of parenting education theory, methodology, and practice. Emphasis on program planning, implementation, and evaluation; parent-child relationships and developmental processes; historical and contemporary models of parenting education; and ethical considerations in professional practice. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5573. Family Crises. Stresses on family systems with emphasis on coping and adaptation strategies. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5593. Play, Development, and the Young Learner. Examination of play as a central context for young children's learning and development in multiple domains and its role in curriculum design. Emphasis on observation of children's play and application of theory to observational data. Includes 12-hour observation experience. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5603. Aging in Families and Society. Examination of aging within family and societal contexts, with emphasis on research, theory, and policy related to later life. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5613. Child Guidance. Examination of child guidance theories, developmental principles, and research approaches, with emphasis on factors influencing guidance practices within contemporary U.S. contexts. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5643. The Development of Infants and Toddlers. Examination of infant and toddler development, emphasizing interactions between children and their physical, social, and family environments across multiple domains. Includes consideration of programs and practices designed to serve infants, toddlers, and their families. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5663. Leadership and Staff Development in Family Sciences Programs. Examination of leadership theories, supervision practices, staff development, and program administration within family science settings. Emphasis on organizational communication, personnel development, and processes of change. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5693. Research Methods in Family Sciences. Development of foundational knowledge of family sciences research methodology, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods practices. Emphasis on skill in planning and conducting research projects in the family sciences. May include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as they relate to course content and student research projects. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5713. Housing and Families. Interdisciplinary examination of housing and its relationship to family well-being. Emphasis on economic, social, psychological, environmental, and policy factors influencing housing access, stability, and quality across diverse family contexts. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5723. Managing Family Resources. Examination of family resource management theories and applied principles through a systemic lens. Goal setting and decision-making, development and allocation of resources, social environment influences, life cycle and family structure influences, and consumer issues and decisions. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5733. Families in Society: Culture, Communication, & Policy. Exploration of how families interact with major social institutions such as education, law, religion, and government. Analysis of cultural diversity, communication processes, and policy influences on family well-being. Emphasis on systems thinking, ethical advocacy, and professional collaboration that support effective and responsible practice with families and communities. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5743. Parenting & Family Life Education. Exploration of how families teach, guide, and support development across the lifespan. Examination of diverse parenting roles, styles, and strategies, alongside culturally responsive and ethical practices. Emphasis on planning, delivering, and evaluating family life education programs that meet the needs of diverse learners and communities. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5823. Families and Public Policy. Examination of the reciprocal relationship between families and public policy. Emphasis on policy formation, implementation, and evaluation; research-informed analysis of policy impacts on families; and the roles of family sciences professionals in the policy process.Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5893. Child Life Internship. Professional supervised experience working with children and their families in an ACLP accredited Child Life program, under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. Individual conferences and hours of work are to be arranged between the student and instructor. Hours per week vary by hospital/hospice/institution, but 600 are required for ACLP certification. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5903. Special Topics. In-depth examination of selected topics in human development and family studies not addressed in existing courses. Content varies by semester and may focus on emerging research, contemporary issues, or specialized areas of practice. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5911. Independent Study. Intensive study of a problem of individual or professional interest in human development and family studies. Credit: One hour.

HDFS 5913. Independent Study. Intensive study of a problem of individual or professional interest in human development and family studies. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5931. Professional Portfolio. Development and maintenance of a professional portfolio documenting the attainment of goals and skills acquired in the course of graduate study. Reviewed periodically with the advisor and presented to committee during last semester of the graduate program as the student's final examination. Credit: One hour.

HDFS 5932. Capstone in Human Development and Family Studies. Completion of a culminating experience commensurate with program and/or certification requirements. Options include the development and maintenance of a professional portfolio documenting the attainment of accomplishments, goals and skills acquired in the course of graduate study; a professional paper; or a project designed to meet a specific need of one's workplace or a selected human service agency, such as program development, evaluation, or research. Type of experience is determined by program. Reviewed periodically with the advisor and presented to committee during last semester of the graduate program as the student's final examination. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: Two hours.

HDFS 5933. Practicum in Family Sciences. Supervised professional experience in family science settings involving direct or indirect service to children, families, or consumers. working directly with children, families, or consumers in selected business, institution, or agency appropriate for Family Sciences. Job assignment based on student interests, skills, and degree program. Includes individual conferences and a minimum of twelve practicum hours per week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5942. Practicum in Human Development and Family Studies. Professional supervised experience in working directly with children, families, or consumers in selected business, institution, or agency appropriate for Human Development and Family Studies. Job assignment based on student interests, skills, and degree program. Individual conferences and hours of work to be arranged. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Approximately 120 practicum hours to be arranged with site. Credit: Two hours.

HDFS 5961. Research in Human Development & Family Studies. Individual investigation of a specific area in human development and family studies. Credit: One hour.

HDFS 5963. Research in Human Development & Family Studies. Individual investigation of a specific area in human development and family studies. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5973. Professional Paper. Development, implementation, and formal presentation of an independent professional project addressing a defined problem within an area of specialization in human development and family studies. Includes written documentation and oral defense of the project. May be repeated (limit six hours of credit toward degree). Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5983. Thesis. Supervised development of a master's thesis proposal in human development and family studies, including refinement of research questions, review of relevant literature, and design of methodology. Culminates in formal proposal approval by the thesis committee. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 5993. Thesis. Supervised completion of an approved master's thesis in human development and family studies, including data collection and/or analysis, interpretation of findings, and preparation of a written thesis. Culminates in oral defense before the thesis committee. Prerequisite: HDFS 5983 and permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6003. Advanced Study of the Lifespan. Advanced examination of human development across the lifespan and its implications for families. Emphasis on theoretical models, contemporary research, and issues relevant to family sciences. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6013. Social and Emotional Development in Childhood and Adolescence. Fundamentals of social and emotional development from early childhood through adolescence. In-depth analysis of developmental theories, as well as empirical and conceptual approaches to the study of social and emotional development. Prerequisites: HDFS 5223 and HDFS 5243. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6023. Cognitive Development in Childhood & Adolescence. Fundamentals of cognitive development from early childhood through adolescence. In-depth analysis of developmental theories and empirical and conceptual approaches to the study of cognitive development. Prerequisites: HDFS 5223 and HDFS 5243. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6123. Diverse Perspectives in Development and Families. Examination of human development and families across a wide range of social, cultural, and contextual dimensions, including race, age, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual identity and orientation, disability, religion, relationships, and diverse parenting contexts. Emphasis on historical, social, economic, and contextual factors that organize development and family life, including the influence of immigration and globalization. In-depth analysis of theoretical frameworks used in the study of development and families, including critical, intersectional, and multiracial feminist approaches. Three lecture hours per week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6193. Advanced Statistics for Family Sciences. Advanced inferential statistics, focusing on statistical methods for social science research. Overview of parametric assumptions, effect sizes and statistical power analysis, how to write and use syntax for statistical analysis, and identification of proper analysis strategies. Covers advanced statistical analyses including analysis of variance and covariance, linear and logistic regression, mediation and moderation analysis. Statistical analyses will be conducted in SPSS. Prerequisite: HDFS 5193 or equivalent master level statistics course. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6203. Frameworks and Ethics for Qualitative Research in Family Sciences. Qualitative research genres specific to Family Sciences disciplines. Research design, data collection, analysis, and writing related to Family Sciences research literature. Strategies for evaluating, critiquing, and conducting research on Family Sciences topics through appropriate qualitative methods. The course will include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as they relate to course content and research projects. Responsible research and professional ethics including the Institutional Review Board process. Practice with hands-on research strategies in Family Sciences disciplines. Prerequisite: HDFS 5693 or equivalent master's level research methods course. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6303. Academic Life and Scholarship. University operations including admissions, recruitment, university development, and funding sources; teaching, research, and service; student characteristics and learning styles; university tenure and promotion issues; professional identity; the doctoral process; and becoming a social scientist in higher education, all with an emphasis on higher education culture from the perspective of a professor. Prerequisite: Doctoral student classification. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6343. Effective College Teaching Methods. Methods of teaching college level courses; course design and delivery; syllabus and rubric development; assignments and assessments; test construction; principles and best practices for teaching online and in the classroom. Course discussion may address contemporary issues related to student demographics and identity as relevant to teaching and learning. Open to all majors. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6403. Theory Building in Family Sciences. Foundational elements of theories and models of theories in family sciences; the relationship between theories, models, concepts, and the design and implementation of research in family sciences. May include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as they relate to course content and research projects. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6433. Grants Writing in Family Sciences. Study of available funding sources for human services programs; developing skills for requesting funds for an organization or agency; review and evaluation procedures. May include discussion on contemporary issues as they relate to course content and research projects. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6443. Research and Issues in Family Sciences. Critical review of current and classical research related to important issues in the family sciences, including child development, early childhood education, family studies, and family therapy. Emphasis on conceptual and theoretical frameworks in guiding family science research. May include discussion of gender identity, sexual and gender minorities, race, or other aspects of identity as it relates to theoretical frameworks and topics of family science research. Prerequisites: HDFS 5003 or HDFS 5223; or equivalent. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6593. Practicum in Family Sciences. Supervised professional experience in an applied family science setting. Emphasis on professional skill development and completion of responsibilities aligned with student interest and degree goals. Includes individual conferences and a minimum of twelve practicum hours per week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6693. Advanced Quantitative Research Methods In Family Sciences. Advanced quantitative research design and its application in family sciences; analysis and evaluation of quantitative research; data interpretation; emphasis on hypotheses, variables, ethics, instrumentation, sampling, reliability, and validity; preparation of a quantitative research plan. Prerequisites: HDFS 5193 and HDFS 5693, or equivalents. Will include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as they relate to course content and research projects. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6793. Advanced Qualitative Research Methods In Family Sciences. Advanced qualitative research design, analysis, and application in Family Sciences; analysis and evaluation of qualitative research literature; emphasis on data analysis, interpretation, and reporting. Prerequisite: HDFS 6203 or its equivalent. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6863. Family Financial Counseling. Examination of relationship between financial needs and family dynamics. Develop skills in assisting families with financial problems through family education and counseling. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6873. Dyadic and Longitudinal Analyses with Structural Equation Modeling. Building upon multiple regression and MANOVA to conduct advanced relational research using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) including path analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, full structural models, actor-partner interdependence models, multi-group analyses, cross-lag models, and latent growth modeling. Prerequisites: HDFS 6193 and HDFS 6893. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6893. Multivariate Statistics. Multivariate statistical procedures, including multivariate analysis of variance and covariance, multivariate regression, discriminant function analysis, factor analysis, and introduction to structural equation modeling and multilevel linear modeling. Prerequisites: HDFS 6193 or equivalent, and familiarity with SPSS. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6903. Special Topics. In-depth examination of selected topics in human development and family studies not addressed in existing courses. Content varies by semester and may focus on emerging research, contemporary issues, or specialized areas of practice. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6911. Independent Study. Intensive study of a problem of individual or professional interest in human development and family studies. Credit: One hour.

HDFS 6913. Independent Study. Intensive study of a problem of individual or professional interest in human development and family studies. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6921. Research in Human Development and Family Studies. Individual investigation of a specific area in human development and family studies. Credit: One hour.

HDFS 6923. Research in Human Development and Family Studies. Individual investigation of a specific area in human development and family studies. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6941. Resources in Human Development and Family Studies. Individual study; collection of data in an individual situation, school, and/or community for a terminal problem in one semester or for a research study to be continued. Credit: One hour.

HDFS 6943. Resources in Human Development and Family Studies. Individual study; collection of data in an individual situation, school, and/or community for a terminal problem in one semester or for a research study to be continued. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6983. Dissertation. Supervised development of a doctoral dissertation proposal in human development and family studies, including formulation of original research questions, comprehensive literature synthesis, and advanced methodological design. Culminates in formal proposal defense and approval by the dissertation committee. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 6993. Dissertation. Supervised completion of an approved doctoral dissertation in human development and family studies, including execution of original research, comprehensive analysis, interpretation of findings, and preparation of a written dissertation. Culminates in oral defense before the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: HDFS 6983. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5513. Practicum in Family Therapy. Practical application of therapeutic skills in providing model-focused couple and family therapy treatment through reflecting teams and co-therapy. Areas of continued training include: safety and risk management within crisis situations, documentation of treatment progress, and safety planning. Addtitionally, the course will include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and licensure in the state of Texas. This course serves as preparation for entering into internship. Prerequisite: MFT 5543. Co-requisite: MFT 5863. Completed practicum hours contribute to the total 500 required hours during the M.S. in Family Therapy program. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5543. Prepracticum in Family Therapy. Experiential learning and practice of skills, qualities, and decision-making capabilities for couple and family therapy performed under supervision. This course will include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and licensure in the state of Texas. This course serves as preparation for Internship in Family Therapy. Prerequisite: Marriage and Family Therapy major. Ten practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5544. Internship in Marriage & Family Therapy. Professional supervised experience providing systemic therapeutic services for families, couples, and individuals. Clinical supervision of live or video-recorded sessions. Will include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and licensure in the state of Texas. To be taken three consecutive semesters. Prerequisites: MFT 5513, MFT 5543, MFT 5563, MFT 5853, MFT 5863, and MFT 5883. 15-20 practicum hours a week. Credit: Four hours.

MFT 5553. Systemic Couple and Sex Therapy. Advanced application of systemic theories and techniques to couple and sex therapy. Theories covered will include Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman Method, and Systemic Sex Therapy. Will include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief and affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and licensure in the state of Texas. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5563. Foundations of Family Therapy Theory. Theory, techniques, and applications of post-modern and other approaches to marriage and family therapy. Emphasis on assessment and treatment strategies. Theories covered will include Narrative, SFBT, collaborative language, internal family systems. Will include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and licensure in the state of Texas. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5603. Systemic Treatment of Addiction in Couples and Families. Advanced applications of systemic clinical treatment of addiction, including assessment, diagnosis, and techniques for addiction-related disorders in couples and families. This course may include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) as it relates to the systemic treatment of addiction related disorders. Focus on the influence of couple and family relationships on the development, maintenance, and recovery of addiction. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5613. Systemic Treatment of Trauma in Couples and Families. Advanced applications of systemic clinical treatment of trauma, including assessment, diagnosis, and techniques for trauma-related disorders in couples and families. Focus on relational, emotional, physical, and sexual trauma. May include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to experience, diagnosis, and treatment of trauma. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5813. Women and Minority Issues in Sex and Family Therapy. Systemic treatment of women and minorities from diverse, multicultural, international, and/or under-served communities in sex and family therapy. Will include discussion on anti-racist practices, diversity, gender, power, privilege, and oppression as they relate to race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to sex and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and licensure in the state of Texas. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5853. Family Systems. Systems approach to intervention which integrates information regarding the marital, sibling, and individual subsystems, as well as the family of origin and external societal influences. Emphasis on clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies. Theories covered include Structural, Strategic, and Experiential therapy models. May include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and licensure in the state of Texas. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5863. Issues and Ethics in Professional Development. Major issues for professionals in family therapy; emphasis on legal and ethical standards, professional identity, and private practice issues; examination of the legal/therapeutic interface as it directly impacts practice. May include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to the practice of marriage and family therapy and MFT supervision. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Co-requisite: MFT 5513. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5873. Collaborative Healthcare in Marriage and Family Therapy. Research-based focus on the macro- and micro-systemic interactions in families dealing with the health/illness continuum and mental/physical health care systems. This course will include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief and affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) as it relates to the systemic treatmet of the psychosocial impact of chronic illness experiences. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5883. Family of Origin. Theoretical bases and interventions of family of origin and transgenerational work for counselors and therapists. In-depth examination of the student's own family history and impact on self-of-therapist issues on the therapy process. Theories covered include Bowen, Contextual, and Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy models. Will include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and licensure in the state of Texas. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5903. Special Topics. Organized study of Marriage and Family Therapy subject matter normally not included in other MFT courses. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 5911. Independent Study. Intensive study of a problem of individual or professional interest in marriage and family therapy. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: One hour.

MFT 6243. Advanced Applications of Family Therapy to Contemporary Challenges. Study and development of advanced relational and systemic applications of couple and family therapy interventions to contemporary challenges; applications of ethics and multicultural competency to interventions; dissemination of innovations to the field of marriage and family therapy. May include discussion on contemporary issues such as transgender care, gender identity, sexual and gender minorities, race, or other aspects of identity as it relates to the practice of marriage and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 6253. Systemic Supervision in Marriage and Family Therapy. Techniques, research, and theory in systemic marriage and family therapy supervision. Will include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to the practice of marriage and family therapy and MFT supervision. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 6351. Supervision Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy. Mentored supervision in marriage and family therapy for partial fulfillment of requirements to become AAMFT Approved Supervisors; direct application of supervision theory to the practice of providing clinical supervision. The Approved Supervisor Candidates will provide weekly individual supervision to student-interns and may also lead practicum groups while receiving weekly supervision of supervision from an AAMFT Approved Supervisor Mentor. Minimum 2 hours of supervision required per week (30 hours in Fall/Spring semesters and 20 hours in Summer semesters). May include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Discussion of contemporary issues in supervision is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Prerequisite: MFT 6253. Credit: One hour.

MFT 6563. Advanced Family Therapy Theory. Deconstruction of marriage and family therapy theory; demonstration of advanced understanding of multiple marriage and family therapy models; development of integrated family therapy theories reflective of research and diversity; dissemination of knowledge to the field of marriage and family therapy. May include discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief and affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it relates to assessing and intervening in family dynamics and family therapy. Course content is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 6813. Advanced Practical Experience in Marriage and Family Therapy. Individual mentored experience that represents application of advanced training and contribution to the field in two of the five areas: supervision, advanced research, teaching, advanced clinical theory/practice, and grant writing. Course may include discussion of discussion on contemporary issues such as race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, health status, religious or spiritual belief, religious or spiritual affiliation, national origin, or other aspects of identity as it applies to the student's application of advanced training. Prerequisites: HDFS 6693 or HDFS 6203; and HDFS 6403 or HDFS 6443. Minimum of 140 mentorship and experience hours. Credit: Three hours.

MFT 6903. Special Topics. Organized study of a topic in the field of marriage and family therapy that is appropriate for doctoral-level education. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.