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MFCC/556

Family Systems Theory

3 credits

Total credits

6 weeks

Course length

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Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Course level: Graduate

This course provides an overview of the development of family systems theory as a discipline and the therapeutic approaches that have emerged. Fundamental assumptions and concepts of general systems theory are introduced and contrasted with individual theories of psychology. The historic development of family systems thinking is explored. Evolving therapeutic models are introduced and contrasted with family systems concepts. In this course, students will explore the major systems theories’ approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and change and explore ethnic differences in family patterns and attitudes toward therapy. Critiques of systems theory and research issues are discussed.

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What you'll learn

Course skills and outcomes

Definition of Family, Overview of Family Systems Approach, and Key Contributors

Psychoanalytic, Intergenerational, and Experiential Family Therapies

Strategic and Structural Family Therapy

Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches to Family Therapy

Postmodern Approaches, Including Feminism and Integrative Models to Family Therapy and Assessment

Trends and Issues of Family Systems Therapy

Why UOPX

Why take courses at University of Phoenix

Accreditation that matters

We’ve been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org) for more than 40 years.

Real-world instructors

Learn from instructors who bring an average of 25 years of working experience to the classroom.

Affordable and potentially reimbursable

Our tuition and fees are competitive and fixed. Also, check to see if your employer will cover you for this course.

Next Steps

Start a conversation about your future with an enrollment representative today.

Start a conversation about your future with an enrollment representative today.

Call (844) 937-8679

Transfer Credits

Credit Transfer

Credit Transfer

Need to transfer credits to another college or university?

Before you enroll in a course, check with your school of choice to make sure they will accept our transfer credits and to understand any requirements or limitations. Then you can complete your course, and request your official transcript be sent to your school. That’s it!

How to request your transcripts

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. Although our continuing teacher education courses are accepted by some state agencies in the United States toward teacher certifications and endorsements, this may not be the case in all states or foreign jurisdictions. If you plan to use courses for certification or endorsement, please check with your own state agency and your school district for applicability. Continuing teacher education courses are not eligible to apply to degree programs at University of Phoenix. These courses are not eligible for federal financial aid. Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.

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