Most schools expect students to major in general psychology as undergraduates and then add a specialization in graduate school. DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, however, exemplifies those that allow undergraduate students to focus on counseling. All psychology majors there take courses in statistics, general psychology, human development and psychobiology. Students following the counseling track choose from courses in social psychology, psychopathology, behavior, counseling psychology and behavioral genetics. The school also offers special topics seminars and practical experience for credit.
The University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH offers a graduate-level program in marriage and family counseling that focuses on clinical practice. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, this program meets the academic requirements for clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Students perform 500 hours of supervised clinical experience and take 44 credit hours of courses regarding sexual dysfunction, gender issues and problems in family life.
Walden University offers an online master's degree in marriage and family counseling. Classes teaches students how to work with a variety of family issues such as crisis intervention, cross-cultural issues, criminal justice situations and inter-generational influences. Students learn real-life applications through Walden's Virtual Field Experience, DVDs that illustrate professionals demonstrating techniques and their explanations for actions and reactions in real therapy settings. The program culminates in an electronic portfolio students can share with possible employers.
Northcentral University in Prescott Valley, Arizona, is one institution offering a Ph.D. program in marriage and family counseling. Northcentral's program allows students to choose from a variety of courses to tailor their programs based on their own knowledge and career expectations. Courses include dynamics of family interaction, advanced research methods, family therapy with adolescents, couples therapy and qualitative and quantitative research. Doctoral candidates finish the program by writing and defending a dissertation.