An Undergraduate Certificate in Pre-Couple and Family Therapy prepares students with the foundational concepts and practices of couple and family therapy and related helping professions
ASSESS INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS HOLISTICALLY
Take a systemic approach to understand interpersonal interactions and family/relationship dynamics.
PRACTICE PROFESSIONAL HELPING SKILLS
Learn the skills of active listening, de-escalation, and problem-solving that are required in all human-centered work.
PREPARE FOR CAREERS IN VARIOUS HELPING CONTEXTS
Take the first step to explore careers and graduate training in counseling, social services, or couple and family therapy.
THE PRE-COUPLE AND FAMILY THERAPY CERTIFICATE CAN ENHANCE YOUR MAJOR AND YOUR CAREER GOALS
| Social Work | Prepare for careers in human and social services with a family systems lens; Improve your professional practice skills |
| Psychology | Support mental health and relational well-being of children, couples and families in a strengths-based, systems perspective; Prepare for careers in counseling/clinical psychology, couple and family therapy or family mediation |
| Nursing and Health Professions | Learn about the role of families and relationships in health and well-being; Develop skills that support your “bedside manner” as you work with patients and their loved ones |
| Education | Understand how family dynamics influence children’s learning; Learn skills critical to communicate effectively with families in PK-12 classrooms and out-of-school programs |
| Communication | Apply the science of effective communication to support families; Understand the role communication plays in interpersonal and family dynamics |
Apply for the Certificate in Pre-Couple and Family Therapy
Complete the online application. The application should be submitted when you begin taking HDFS courses to fulfill the certificate and before all required courses are complete. Requirements in place at the time of application are the student’s responsibility.Criteria and Coursework for the Certificate in Pre-Couple and Family Therapy
To earn the Certificate in Pre-Couple and Family Therapy, an undergraduate student must successfully complete 15 credit hours of coursework, as indicated in the two groups listed below. Students must earn a grade of C- or better in each course used to satisfy the certificate requirements, and a minimum 2.00 GPA overall for the certificate courses taken.
This certificate is available to on-campus students in any undergraduate major. Students with an undergraduate major in HDFS may also earn the Certificate in Pre-Couple and Family Therapy.
Required (4 courses; some have pre-requisites so plan accordingly)
- HDFS 1610: Intimate Relationships and Marriage
- HDFS 4620: Family Interaction
- HDFS 4660: Helping Skills in Human Services
- PSYCH 2510: Survey of Psychopathology
Additional course (choose 1)
- HDFS 3730: Field Training Practicum
- HDFS 4610: Stress and Resilience in Families
- SOC-WK 4480: Direct Practice with Older Adults
- SOC-WK 4720: Variations in Human Behavior
Pre-Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Advisor

Phone: (573) 882-3521
Email: warzinikk@missouri.edu