SEXUALITY, MARRIAGE, AND FAMILY STUDIES
St. Jerome’s University at the University of Waterloo
SMF Major Requirements
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16 courses
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70% average for Honours
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65% average for General
Degree Options in SMF
Specializations in SMF
Counselling Specialization
The specialization is open to all students majoring in SMF.
Requires: successful completion of a series of courses that provide basic theoretical and applied knowledge, such as interviewing and counselling skills, anti-oppressive systemic theory and application, and relational therapy (couples, groups, and families) and sex therapy.
The Counselling Specialization is unique to the sexuality, marriage, and family studies program. Undergraduate applied courses in counselling are rare, if they exist at all. Combined, these courses expose students to how relational therapy works, what being a relational therapist entails and help them to decide whether a career in the counselling field is a good fit for them. The course material is taught from an intersectional, social justice, and anti-oppressive lens, and is interactive to enable students to practice the skills and apply the knowledge they gained in class.
Find more information about courses here.
Three Options for Specializations along with your SMF Major!
Human Services Practicum Specialization
Open to students in the SMF Honours plan. Courses included in this specialization may also be completed independently by students not enrolled in an Honours plan.
In combination with the requirements for the Honours plan, several additional
courses are required for this specialization.
More information about courses can be found here.
The defining feature of the Human Services Specialization is the Practicum courses and placements. This is a great way to learn about the human services field and experience what it is like to be part of one. The seminar-style classes allow for significant critical discussions with the class, which tend to be smaller in size. It also means there is a greater connection between classmates and teachers. The unpaid practicum placement at a local agency enables you to apply the skills you have developed, learn new skills, learn about agencies and their functions in the community, and take your learning outside the classroom. If you are interested in working in the human services field, the practicum courses or the specialization are a great way to extend your learning and take it to a different level - in the field!
For more information and testimonials from practicum students, go to the Practicum section of this website.
Intensive Research Specialization
Open to students in the SMF Honours plan.
In combination with the requirements for the Honours plan,
several additional courses are required for this specialization.
More information here.
The Intensive Research Specialization is a great way to develop your research skills and conduct your own research project (a thesis) under the supervision of an experienced faculty researcher. The thesis courses can be taken on their own or as part of this specialization. Get ready to apply the research skills you learned in other SMF courses, experience the intensity and thrill of academic research, and explore a topic you are passionate about. The Intensive Research Specialization also looks great on any graduate school application, especially if you wish to pursue research as a career. Working closely with a faculty member at the undergraduate level also provides you with additional mentorship and support. If you are interested in an academic career path, this is a great opportunity to explore that interest and gain hands-on knowledge and skills.
