120
through the use of didactic, experiential, and written activities, related to both personal
and professional experiences with religion and spirituality (R/S).
SFTD 5357 - Developing a Private Practice in Coaching and Therapy
This course examines applications of family therapy methods and ideas in private
practice settings. The course will prepare students to develop a private practice as a
marriage and family therapist, as a career/college/health and wellness coach, or both,
depending on previous background and additional coursework. Students will learn the
basics of developing a referral base, understanding managed care and insurance
systems, and developing workshops and community outreach. The ethics of private
practice and the need for practitioner self-care will also be stressed. This course will be
useful for those planning a private practice career as all or part of their professional
journey. Offered summer term.
SFTD 5358 – Solution Focused Coaching
This course prepares the student for professional practice as a solution focused coach. In
this course, the distinctions between therapy, education, and coaching are clearly
presented, and the student learns basic skills and approaches to solution focused
coaching. Students will also be educated on specializations in career, college, health and
wellness, and other specific types of coaching practice. Offered summer term.
SFTD 5410 - Quantitative Research I
This course covers fundamental concepts and practices in quantitative research method
by introducing measurement and statistics, questionnaire development, and
experimental and quasi-experimental research designs for the study of human sciences.
Exemplary studies from family therapy literature are included. Prerequisite: SFTD 5007
or equivalent. Offered summer term.
SFTD 6110 – Systems Application in the Family Life Cycle of Aging
This course will provide a focus on the major concepts of systems thinking as applied to
the family life cycle of aging. The class will focus on foundational concepts of systemic
theories associated with work of Gregory Bateson, Humberto Maturana, and Heinz von
Foester. Students will have an opportunity to explore interactional theories informed by
cybernetics, language, and natural systems metaphors in the framework of the aging
process. This course will provide not only an opportunity to learn about systemic
theories, but also a possibility to reflect on applications of such theoretical concepts while
examining the process of aging and family interactions involving older adults. Offered
winter term.
SFTD 6120 – Relationships in Aging
Multi-dimensional in nature, aging invites diverse health care professionals to work
together to examine its various aspects. This course will offer students an opportunity to
reflect on diverse relationships among older adults themselves, senior health care
consumers and their health care providers, and among various health care professionals
who are taking care of the aging population. The role modification in the American
household, romantic relationships in later life, and the societal outlook on the process of
aging are just a few topics addressed in this class. Students will also examine current
needs and requirement of the working environment with older adults, including the
subject of integrative primary care and a necessity of a multidisciplinary teamwork.
Offered winter term.
