Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) Minor
The minor in Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) provides a foundation in CFT theory and foundational helping skills designed to expose students to the CFT field. It has an applied focus on couples and families and foundational skills and techniques of practice that students can chose to pursue in graduate school. This minor will help to prepare students for further graduate study in the fields of couple and family therapy, social work, counseling and broadly interpersonally focused counseling and/or therapy.
Career Paths
Student Opportunities
The HDFS Club is a student organization at Ohio State that helps students navigate the HDFS major and minor through mentoring, advising and faculty engagement. We promote academic success, peer support, and student-faculty collaboration, while offering service, social and academic opportunities for involvement. Advisor: Dr. Autumn Bermea.
HDFS Ambassadors are current student leaders who partner with the HDFS undergraduate program faculty to welcome, connect and support students across the program. Along the way, ambassadors build lasting skills in leadership, communication and professional networking while strengthening the HDFS community.
Undergraduate students in HDFS collaborate with faculty and graduate students on impactful research. Their contributions are valued and often recognized through scholarships, awards, and co-authored publications. Faculty are passionate about mentoring students and fostering future scholars.
Students gain hands-on experience by working in real-world settings related to human development and family science. Field placements allow students to apply classroom learning, build professional skills and explore career paths in diverse community and organizational environments.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs) support student learning in the HDFS program while gaining valuable experience and earning $13/hour for 3–20 hours/week. This paid role enhances resumes, especially for those pursuing graduate school or careers in higher education, and offers a chance to give back to the OSU community. The program hires 8–12 UTAs per term. Applications are competitive and due by Week 11 of the prior semester.
Students in HDFS can access a range of financial support at Ohio State, including scholarships, awards, and travel funding. These opportunities recognize academic achievement, research involvement, and leadership. Explore what's available to help support your journey—both inside and outside the classroom.
HDFS Undergraduate Program Awards are presented annually to exemplary students in five categories: Leadership Award, UTA Award, Research Award, Student-Athlete Award and Student-Parent Award. The awards are presented at the EHE Undergraduate Graduation Open House in May each year.
Students are strongly encouraged to seek out opportunities to incorporate study abroad as part of their HDFS undergraduate education. Recently, faculty members Ashley Hicks and Annemarie Turpin have led the Hospitality, Tourism and Gastronomy in Paris program.
Related degrees
HDFS offers flexible academic options to meet diverse student interests and career goals.
Professional preparation for early childhood educators and childcare professionals (Online program)
Valuable complement to majors in psychology, social work, education, pre-law and health sciences.
Leads students to sit for the national marriage and family therapy exam and obtain an Ohio license.
Program stories
Couple and Family Therapy specialization celebrates four decades of making a difference with anniversary fundraiser. Read the Inspire Alumni Magazine story.
Minor Requirements
Prerequisites
HDFS 2200 Family Development (3 credits)
Minimum GPA
2.0
Grades Required
C- or better
Minimum Program Hours
12 credit hours