Master - Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling: Forensic Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

When you enroll in Walden University's M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program with a specialization in Forensic Counseling, you have the opportunity to learn about mental health law, negotiation, and conflict management and how these skills can be applied to family and marriage conflicts in the criminal justice system. The program is designed to teach you about divorce adjustment counseling, parental mediation services, multicultural counseling, counseling and psychotherapy theories, and group process and dynamics.

What Are the Prerequisites?

If you apply to Walden University's M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program with a specialization in Forensic Counseling, you should have an interest in the U.S. legal system and how therapists work to resolve marriage and family issues that have triggered legal intervention or action. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also beneficial. Applicants to Walden University's master's programs must have a bachelor's degree or higher.

What Are the Program Requirements?

The M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program with a specialization in Forensic Counseling incorporates 100 quarter credit hours. The program is divided into a foundation course, core courses, specialization courses, and a field experience. Two six-day residencies are also required.

Course Requirements

• Foundations of Graduate Study in Counseling
• Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
• Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
• Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories
• Techniques in Counseling
• Assessment in Counseling and Education
• Multicultural Counseling
• Crisis, Trauma, and Disaster Response
• Lifespan Development
• Child and Adolescent Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Theories and Techniques in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
• Group Process and Dynamics
• Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Research and Program Evaluation
• Counseling Practicum
• Human Sexuality
• Internship I
• Treatment of Forensic Populations
• Internship II
• Mental Health Law

What Could I Do After I Graduate?

Career Opportunities

When you have completed Walden University's M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program with a specialization in Forensic Counseling, you can pursue career options in the field of counseling. However, before beginning work as a counselor, a license is required. State requirements for licensure vary, so check with the state in which you plan to work for specific information regarding the licensure process. Potential employers could include legal aid service organizations and the U.S. court system. Potential job titles could include:

• Child and family therapist
• Therapeutic mentor
• Forensic counselor
• Trauma therapist

Career opportunities may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Advanced Degrees

When you have finished Walden University's M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program with a specialization in Forensic Counseling, you can pursue a doctoral program in the field. A doctoral program in forensic psychology may allow you to specialize in areas such as psychology, policy, and law, or clinical licensure. Forensic psychology courses that may be offered include biological bases of behavior, research methodology, psychopathology, public policy, psychology, and law, and developmental bases of behavior. A dissertation is also required to complete a doctoral program in forensic psychology. Degrees listed are not institution-specific but constitute a sampling of continuing education options for graduates. Degrees you could pursue include:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Psychology
• Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Counseling
• Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Forensic Psychology
• Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy