Master in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice

MQF Level

7

Duration and Credits

8 Semesters

120 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Evening

The Master in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice is a professional training course where you will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to become qualified family and systemic therapists. It enables you to develop reflective practice in your clinical work, as well as explores specialized issues and current theoretical debates in family therapy and systemic consultation and supervision.

The programme of studies extends over a period of four years of part-time study which involves taught units as well as yearly core practicals (which may be held during the day and/or evenings) undertaken in different local therapeutic contexts providing the basis for the development of systemic skills and practice. Individuals who already hold a recognized Postgraduate Diploma in Family Therapy and who fulfil the necessary criteria for eligibility, may be considered for admission to the third year. The course also includes a research component involving the writing of a dissertation.

The programme aims to train you to:

learn and apply a range of therapeutic approaches based on systemic principles, with families, couples and individuals.>
learn about models for conceptualizing presenting problems, and specific skills for conducting systemic psychotherapy.>
learn the core topics and concepts in systemic thinking.>

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Applicants must be proficient in the Maltese Language and be in possession of the following qualifications: a Bachelor degree from this University, or another higher education institution recognized by Senate for the purpose, with at least Second Class Honours or Category II in Psychology, Social Work, Education, Youth and Community Studies or in any other area of study deemed relevant by the Board.

Applicants are also required to have one year work experience that is normally gained within the psychosocial sector. Applicants are required to present a letter of attestation demonstrating that they are in possession of a minimum of 1200 hours of such work experience. Work experience that is gained from within the voluntary sector shall also be considered.

All applicants shall be required to demonstrate that they have the necessary aptitude and disposition to follow the Course with profit.

Professional aptitude and disposition shall be measured by means of exercises involving (i) role play and group discussion and (ii) an extended personal interview conducted by a board appointed for the purpose and

Applicants who obtain less than 60% for the professional aptitude and disposition criterion shall automatically not be admitted into the Course.

The maximum number of students that can be admitted into the course is 16 students.

Requires the submission of a Police Certificate of Conduct.

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the .

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FSD5101	Introduction to Family Therapy and Systemic Practice and Other Psychological Models	10 ECTS
FSD5102	Application of Family Therapy Techniques	5 ECTS
FSD5103	Presentation of Key Systemic Concepts	5 ECTS
FSD5104	Core Practicum 1	5 ECTS
FSD5111	Understanding Psychopathology: A General and Systemic Approach	5 ECTS


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FSD5105	Specialised Issues in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice	5 ECTS
FSD5106	Core Practicum 2	15 ECTS
FSD5113	Clinical Audit and Qualitative Research Methods for Family Therapists	5 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FSD5114	Advanced Research Methods for Family Therapy	5 ECTS


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FSD5110	Core Practicum 3	15 ECTS
FSD5112	Current Theoretical Debates in Family and Couple Therapy and Systemic Consultation	5 ECTS
FSD5311*	Dissertation	30 ECTS
* Work on the dissertation is expected to start in the third year of studies and continues up to the end of the course.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FSD5310	Core Practicum 4	10 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the degree of Master in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

acquire an understanding of the entire family therapeutic process from referral to termination.
understand in greater depth the areas of gender, culture, sexual orientation and how these impact the therapeutic process.
apply their systemic skills to a variety of work settings within the public sector in their work with families, couples and individuals.
be able to offer systemic consultations to organizations.
possess the necessary research skills to plan, conduct and report on a piece of quantitative or qualitative research.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

acquire an understanding of the entire family therapeutic process from referral to termination.

understand in greater depth the areas of gender, culture, sexual orientation and how these impact the therapeutic process.

apply their systemic skills to a variety of work settings within the public sector in their work with families, couples and individuals.

be able to offer systemic consultations to organizations.

possess the necessary research skills to plan, conduct and report on a piece of quantitative or qualitative research.

critically review a range of published research studies, and to reflect on the way research findings can be utilized in their clinical work.

apply your learning to your work contexts.

work as family therapists.

work well in a reflexive manner.

develop an awareness of how your own experiences affect your work with clients.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 26,800
Fee per academic year: Eur 6,700

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

This course will offer enhanced opportunities for employment as a family therapist in different contexts, in addition to giving the individual a professional status. It enhances the ability to understand different relationships, meanings, beliefs, and dynamics across various systems.