Academic Catalog
The certificate in Couple and Family Counseling, is intended for persons who have a prior master's degree in clinical mental health counseling or a closely related practice field. The certificate in Couple and Family Counseling allows individuals who already hold licensure as mental health counselors to complete the educational requirements for Florida licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). At the end of the program, students will have completed the necessary educational requirements to become eligible for a Florida license that includes Marriage and Family Therapy. For more information about Florida requirements for licensure as a LMFT, see http://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing/.
- Submission of a FGCU Post-Baccalaureate Non-Degree Application to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Master's degree in clinical mental health counseling or closely related field from a regionally accredited institution documented by official transcripts.
- An official transcript of all completed bachelor's and post-bachelor's coursework.
- International graduate applicants are required to submit a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (internet-based test), or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
- Documentation of any counseling certification or license held in Florida or any other US state, if applicable.
- Submission of a written statement including a description of professional experience as a counselor and a description of how the program will support attainment of professional goals.
Note: Counseling Criminal Record Policy Statement: All applicants are advised that in order to complete the program they must complete internships. Most internship facilities do background checks and will not permit the placement of counselor interns with criminal records. The department reserves the right to deny program admission to any applicant if it appears that applicant is unlikely to be able to complete the internship requirement due to criminal record, thus inhibiting their ability to complete the program.
Deadline: Applications for admission are considered on a continuing basis but applicants should consider that required courses may only be offered once per year and that internships are completed at the end of the program.
- Students must satisfactorily complete the minimum number of credits specified by the certificate program in specific courses or approved substitutes.
- A grade of B or higher must be earned in all graduate courses used as prerequisites and in each required course.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework and Satisfactory (as appropriate) for all field experiences in the certificate program.
Required Courses (13 credits)
MHS 6435 Fam Couns Theory & Techniques (3)
MHS 6438 Advanced Family Systems (3)
MHS 6445 Intro to Couple/Fam Counsel (3)
MHS 6446 Relationship/Marriage Counsel (3)
MHS 6807 Relationship/Fam Couns Intern (1-3)
Transfer or course substitutions may be considered on an individual basis.
