The first training program in Marriage And Family Therapy at
Hofstra University was established in 1982 by Dr. Don David-Lusterman,
then an Adjunct Professor of Therapy. It was fully supported by Dr.
Estelle Gellman, the Chairperson of the Counseling Psychology Research
in Education Department (now renamed the Therapy, Research, Special
Education, and Rehabilitation Therapy Department). At that time, the
program consisted of a 61 credit Master of Arts Degree in Marriage
and Family Therapy and a 12 credit Certificate in Family Therapy.
In 1983, Dr. Joan D. Atwood became the first full time faculty person
to coordinate the program, which at that time numbered three students.
Since then, approximately 140 students have been accepted into the
programs and approximately 40 currently attend.
In
1983 and 1984, Dr. Joan Atwood rewrote the Master of Arts Degree,
the Certificate in Family Therapy, the Advanced Certificate In Sex
Therapy, and introduced the Professional Diploma With the Specialization
in Marriage and Family Therapy, taking into account the theoretical
changes and relevant research that had taken place in the field.
In 2000, The Marriage and Family Therapy Programs merged with Health
Professions forming a new Department entitled: Health Professions
and Family Studies. In 2001, two new programs were added: The Advanced
Certificate in Divorce Mediation and the Advanced Certificate in
Addiction Studies.
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