Graduate Certificate in Couple and Family Counseling

The Department of Counselor Education offers an 18-credit hour program (six courses) leading to the Graduate Certificate in Couple and Family Counseling (GCCFC). The GCCFC program provides specialized training for counseling students and counseling professionals interested in learning how to apply evidence-based systemic theory, assessment and intervention to their work with individuals, couples and families. Licensed mental health professionals in Illinois may be eligible to transfer up to nine credit-hours. Students who complete the GCCFC program are eligible to accrue hours of supervised clinical experience and complete the National Marriage and Family Therapy Exam as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the State of Illinois. Additional information regarding licensure as an LMFT can be found at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Applications are accepted for spring, summer and fall semesters:

Application Requirements

Applicants who are not current Counselor Education students must have a degree in counseling or a closely related mental health degree from an accredited university program that meets the academic and clinical requirements for licensure as a master's level mental health professional. Applicants can apply through NEIUs online application system. The online application requires the following: 

• Application form
• Application fee
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Current resume
• Two recommenders-consider employers, professors, supervisors or other professional references
• Signed Informed Consent
• Statement of Goals and Objectives Essay. In 500-750 words, please respond to the following prompts:
  • What interests you about a career in counseling?
  • What do you hope to accomplish with a Graduate Certificate in Couple and Family Counseling?
  • How might you be a strong fit for NEIUs Counselor Education program and mission?
  • Please note: Upload your Statement of Goals and Objectives Essay to the Statement of Goals and Objectives section of the Graduate Application.

An application is reviewed only if all application materials are received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date for the semester applied for.

For applicants who are current Northeastern Illinois University students in Clinical Mental Health, Rehabilitation, or School Counseling, the following application documents are required: 

• Graduate Certificate in Couple and Family Counseling application for Current Counselor Education Students
   
• Graduate Program Add Request Form
   
• Informed Consent

The completed and signed GCCCF application, Graduate Program Add Request Form, and Informed Consent are to be emailed to Graduate Records, graduate-records@neiu.edu, or mailed to: Graduate Records, Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625.

An application is reviewed only if all application materials are received by Graduate Records by the deadline date for the semester applied for.

Questions regarding the application process or nonworking links should be directed to Counselor Education at (773) 442-5550 or counsedu@neiu.edu. 

Curriculum for the Graduate Certificate in Couple and Family Counseling Program

Core Courses:

• COUN 420 Introduction to Family Counseling (3 cr)
• COUN 421 Advanced Marriage & Family Counseling (3 cr)
• COUN 431 Couple and Family Systems Study (3 cr)
• COUN 432 Couples Counseling & Human Sexuality (3 cr)

Elective Courses. Choose any two of the following:

• COUN 415 Children & Youth in School & Family Systems (3 cr)
• COUN 425 Diagnosis & Treatment of Addictive Disorders (3 cr)
• COUN 429 Psychopharmacology (3 cr)
• COUN 434 Medical & Psychosocial Aspects of Disability (3 cr)
• COUN 438 Trauma & Crisis Counseling (3 cr)
• COUN 439 Case Conceptualization & Treatment Planning (3 cr)
• PSYC 406 Aging & the Family (3 cr)
  This course has achieved Quality Matters online course certification.

GCCFC Program Planning Guide

Use the CFC program planning guide to outline your proposed plan of study.