VIII. Graduate ProgramsFamily Relations and Applied NutritionMSc ProgramApplied Human NutritionThe MSc program in applied human nutrition incorporates both physiological and behavioural aspects of human nutrition and spans all age groups in its focus on the role of nutrition in human health and well-being. Special attention is given to therapeutic and community nutrition, nutrition education, and nutritional epidemiology. The MSc program normally requires two years of study. Family Relations and Human DevelopmentThe MSc program in family relations and human development takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of family dynamics and individual development across the lifespan. The program emphasizes a balance between theory, empirical research and practice in graduate training. Students have many options for building an individualized program of study combining coursework and thesis research. Building on core theory and methodology courses, students choose from professional and applied courses as well as courses on specialized topics. The program has particular strengths in the following areas: child and adolescent development, parent-child and family relations, human sexuality, culture and acculturation, adult development and gerontology, prevention, well-being, and social policy. Couple and Family TherapyThe MSc program in couple and family therapy is a program in theory, research, and practice, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The program is designed to produce sophisticated therapists and scholars by integrating contemporary theory, research competence, and systemic approaches to therapy in the understanding and treatment of couples, families, and individuals. This integration is coupled with high standards of professional and ethical conduct, attention to broader social issues impacting on couples and families, and an emphasis on issues of diversity, power, and privilege. Applicants to this program have two options: (1) thesis, and (2) non-thesis - by which to complete the degree. Admission RequirementsGeneral admission requirements for these programs include an honours degree or equivalent with at least a 'B+' average in the last two years. Applied Human NutritionAdmission requirements for the MSc program in applied human nutrition are most easily satisfied by applicants with honours degrees in human nutrition, and food and nutrition. Applicants with degrees in related fields (e.g., biology, biochemistry, human kinetics, and health studies) may be considered with suitable make-up work in core areas. Credit in the following undergraduate courses is normally required by all entering students: 1) one semester course in applied statistics (min. grade of 75%); 2) one semester course in research methods (min. grade of 75%); 3) two one-semester courses in biochemistry; 4) two one-semester courses in human physiology (at or beyond the second-year level); 5) two one-semester courses in human development/sociology/ psychology/communications; 6) one 300-level and three 400-level one-semester courses in human nutrition. These requirements may be in progress at the time of application. The deadline for application is February 1 of each year. Family Relations and Human DevelopmentAdmission requirements for the MSc program in family relations and human development can be satisfied by applicants with honours degrees in a wide variety of undergraduate majors including family studies, child studies, psychology, sociology, and nursing. Credit in the following undergraduate courses is required of all entering students: 1) one semester course in applied statistics (min. grade of 75%); 2) one semester course in social-science research methods (min. grade of 75%); 3) one semester course in one of human development, child development, gerontology, or parent-child relations; 4) one semester course in one of family sociology, social psychology, family relations, family theory, or communications; 5) three 400-level (senior, fourth year) one-semester courses. The deadline for application is February 1 of each year. Couple and Family TherapyGeneral admission requirements for the MSc with an emphasis in couple and family therapy are the same as noted for the MSc in family relations and human development (above). Beyond this, a personal statement discussing your motivation for Couple and Family Therapy graduate education must be included with the application. Applicants for the thesis stream must also submit detailed research plan, outlining the relevance of the topic, as well as the specific research questions. Prior contact with a potential research advisor in the Department is recommended. Relevant work or volunteer experience is an asset. The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) encourages applications from qualified students who are members of identified minorities. Scholarship aid is available to minority students on a competitive basis from AAMFT. The most qualified applicants will be short-listed and invited to attend a day-long interviewing process in mid-February with the couple and family therapy faculty. Participation in the interview is required for admission. Applications from outside of Canada are welcome and external interviewing appropriately explored. The deadline for submission of the completed application package is on or before January 2 each year. Prior to beginning the program admitted students must submit a current police record check (CPIC - Canadian Police Information Centre) from their local police department. NOTE: Department policy does not permit transfer applications from graduate students registered in the Family Relations and Human Development program. Degree RequirementsApplied Human NutritionFor all students in the MSc program in applied human nutrition a minimum of six graduate courses will be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor and advisory committee including:
In addition, students must complete a research thesis. The courses and research may emphasize, for example, community nutrition, therapeutic nutrition, and/or nutritional epidemiology. The courses may be taken within the department and in other academic units of the university including Biomedical Sciences, Capacity Development and Extension, Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, Political Science, Population Medicine, Rural Planning and Development, and Sociology and Anthropology. Family Relations and Human DevelopmentFor all students in the MSc program in family relations and human development there are five required graduate courses:
In addition, most students take two to four additional graduate courses related to their program of study and complete a research thesis. The student's choice of courses is primarily determined by research specialization. Each student works closely with an advisory committee in developing an individualized program of study by selecting courses that not only provide for interdisciplinary breadth but also address the student's specific research and professional goals. Couple and Family TherapyThe intensive curriculum in Couple and Family Therapy has been designed to enable students to achieve an integration of theory, practice and research. The program is guided by a systemic perspective, with emphasis on narrative, solution oriented and dialogic approaches. Students are encouraged to attain the best fit between established approaches and a personalized therapy style. Attention to issues of gender, race, class, ethnicity, sexual identity and culture as well as experiences of oppression and abuse are infused throughout all aspects of the program. Students are expected to develop competence in research. Students may choose to write a thesis, by conducting a research study, or they may choose the major research paper (non-thesis) option, and write a critical paper on a selected clinical topic. The thesis option is reserved for those students intending to pursue PhD studies at the University of Guelph or elsewhere. Thesis students will take additional courses to support their thesis research project (see the course numbers in the list below). Students completing the degree in the non-thesis option, take FRAN*6350, Major Paper which includes seminar sessions on tools and techniques for preparing an analytical and critical research review paper.. Clinical training consists of four continuous practica (FRAN*6090) within the Couple and Family Therapy Centre, plus an externship in a community agency (FRAN*6095). Prior to graduation the CFT student must accumulate 500 hours of direct therapy work with clients; with at least 250 hours (of the 500 hours) working with couples and/or families. Each practicum student receives a minimum of one hour of individual supervision for every five hours of client sessions. In addition, each student participates in a weekly supervision group with no more than 6 students and a faculty supervisor; supervision modalities include live supervision, live observation, video/audio-observation, and case consultation. All program faculty are Clinical Members and Approved Supervisors or Supervisor Candidates of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Students are charged a practicum fee for each semester of practica, in addition to the University academic and non-academic fees. Required courses in Couple and Family Therapy include:
One elective in individual and family development across the lifespan. For thesis students: In addition to the above, the following courses are required:
Either
And
OR
Upon completion of the requirements for the emphasis in couple and family therapy, the student will receive an MSc. The transcript will specify Family Relations and Applied Nutrition: Couple and Family Therapy. |