1. A Course Description for M.A. MFT, African­American Family Studies Specialization
Through the African­American Family Studies program, graduate students explore mental health
theory. Graduates gain a broad understanding of marriage and family therapy specific to African­
American families. The curriculum is informed by the UJIMA model of collective work and
responsibility. By advocating for the mental health needs of African­American families POC is
developing marriage and family therapists for those needs.
The program prepares students to use a culturally relevant approach to therapy. This utilizes an
historical lens in the learning style that will help individuals, couples, and families of African
descent build on strengths, improve relationships, and generate solutions to relational problems.
Students complete their clinical training hours in community agencies serving African­American
families, and are supervised and mentored, when possible, by licensed African­American mental
health professionals. Students of the Masters in African American studies also complete a
Master's Thesis Project focusing in an area of relevance to the mental health needs of
African­American families.
Locations: Pasadena
School: Cultural and Family Psychology
Total Credits: 62
Licensure: Prepares graduates to sit for the California MFT licensing exam.
Existing coursework, plus the addition of an optional elective, meets requirements for Licensed
Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Licensure.
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About Pacific Oaks College & Children's School:
An accredited nonprofit institution, Pacific Oaks College offers bachelor's, master's, and
certificate programs in early childhood education, human development, counseling, and teaching
credentialing. It is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU).
In 2010, Pacific Oaks affiliated with TCS Education System, a nonprofit service organization that
supports institutions each backed by a model of education that prepares socially responsible
professionals in applied fields such as education, psychology, and law.