A human development course teaches students how individuals grow and develop throughout the course of their lives. Students learn how individuals evolve and behaviors change through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Opportunities are also available for students to learn about family dynamics, interactions and behaviors.
Students taking an ethics in family therapy course develop an understanding of the contemporary family issues involving abuse and neglect, violence, spirituality and morality. The course teaches students how ethics has evolved in a changing world and the role that counselors have in maintaining confidentiality and professional standards.
A family counseling program also includes a course involving substance abuse counseling. Students learn how substance abuse can affect other family members and how to intervene therapeutically. The course also teaches students about the emotional, physical and sexual side effects of substance abuse.
A family therapy theory course offers students an opportunity to learn about the theoretical frameworks that are involved in family counseling. Students learn about the historical context of family counseling and have an opportunity to integrate theories into practice. Focus is placed on social class, culture and gender relations within families.
Students taking a sexuality in family therapy course learn about human sexuality within the context of marriage. The course examines the biological, social and moral perspectives of sexual development. Topics in the course cover sexual literature, marital and sex therapy and sexual dysfunction.