SMF Majors, Minors and Specializations
Academics
SMF Majors, Minors and Specializations
Events
SMF offers many opportunities for students within the Faculty of Arts, and students studying in all UW Faculties, to engage in SMF learning and integrate it as part of their degree program. Please explore the drop-down options below that overview the SMF academic plans available. Please reach-out to the SMF Advisor, John Arnou, with any questions or to enquire about adding SMF plans to your program: jarnou@uwaterloo.ca
SMF Major academic plans noted below list SMF specific plan requirements. These SMF specific requirements are combined with BA Degree level requirements which are required to be eligible to graduate:
- a minimum cumulative overall average of 60%, see Academic Standing Definition,
- the Faculty of Arts Bachelor of Arts Breadth Requirements, and
- Undergraduate Communication Requirement
- 20 academic units/40 courses overall for a 4-year general or Honours major program of study
SMF Honours Major
The SMF Honours major level academic plan requirements are noted below.
- A minimum cumulative Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies major average of 70%
- A minimum overall cumulative average of 60%
- At least eight (8) academic course units (16 courses) in SMF and SMF approved courses including:
- SMF 101 - Introduction to Relationships and Families
- SMF 205 - The Dark Side of Sexuality
- SMF 207 - Parents, Children, and Family Relations
- SMF 208 - Introduction to Systemic Therapies and Anti-Oppressive Practices
- SMF 220 - Research Methods
- SMF 230 - Introduction to Statistics in SMF
- SMF 310 - Sexual and Relational Ethics
- SMF 400 - Capstone Seminar
- One (1) of SMF 204 - Intro to Human Sexuality, or PSYCH 236 - A Psychological Analysis of Human Sexuality
- Two (2) of:
- SMF 304 - Human Sexuality in Relationships
- SMF 305 - Social Issues and Controversies in Human Sexuality
- SMF 306 - Intimate Relationships & PSYCH 354/PSYCH 354R - Interpersonal Relations (anti-requisite courses, can only complete one of)
- SMF 307 - Conflict in Close Relationships
- SMF 365 - Special Topics in Human Sexuality
- SMF 366 - Special Topics in Couples, Marriages, and Family Studies
- Five (5) additional SMF/SMF approved courses, of which two (2) must be at the 300-level or above:
- One (1) course from the approved SMF humanities list
- Four (4) courses from:
- Any additional SMF courses
- Any SMF approved courses
Link to SMF major checklist for requirement tracking (PDF)
Course descriptions, list of SMF Approved courses, and full academic plan regulations can be found in the online Undergraduate Calendar, and should always be utilized in conjunction with this web resource and any plan checklists.
SMF 4-Year General Major
The SMF 4-year general major level academic plan requirements are noted below.
- A minimum cumulative Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies major average of 65%
- A minimum overall cumulative average of 60%
- At least eight (8) academic course units (16 courses) in SMF and SMF approved courses including:
- SMF 101 - Introduction to Relationships and Families
- SMF 205 - The Dark Side of Sexuality
- SMF 207 - Parents, Children, and Family Relations
- SMF 208 - Introduction to Systemic Therapies and Anti-Oppressive Practices
- SMF 220 - Research Methods
- SMF 230 - Introduction to Statistics in SMF
- SMF 310 - Sexual and Relational Ethics
- SMF 400 - Capstone Seminar
- One (1) of SMF 204 - Intro to Human Sexuality or PSYCH 236 - A Psychological Analysis of Human Sexuality
- Two (2) of:
- SMF 304 - Human Sexuality in Relationships
- SMF 305 - Social Issues and Controversies in Human Sexuality
- SMF 306 - Intimate Relationships & PSYCH 354/PSYCH 354R - Interpersonal Relations (anti-requisite courses, can only complete one of)
- SMF 307 - Conflict in Close Relationships
- SMF 365 - Special Topics in Human Sexuality
- SMF 366 - Special Topics in Couples, Marriages, and Family Studies
- Five (5) additional SMF/SMF approved courses, of which two (2) must be at the 300-level or above:
- One (1) course from the approved SMF humanities list
- Four (4) courses from:
- Any additional SMF courses
- Any SMF approved courses
Link to SMF major checklist for requirement tracking (PDF)
Course descriptions, list of SMF Approved courses, and full academic plan regulations can be found in the online Undergraduate Calendar, and should always be utilized in conjunction with this web resource and any plan checklists.
SMF Minor
The SMF minor academic plan requirements are noted below.
- A minimum cumulative average of 65%
- Successful completion of a minimum of four (4) academic course units (8 courses) in SMF and SMF approved courses including:
- SMF 101 - Introduction to Relationships and Families
- SMF 207 - Parents, Children, and Family Relations
- SMF 310 - Sexual and Relational Ethics
- Three (3) additional courses, of which one (1) must be at the 300-level or above:
- One (1) course from the approved SMF humanities list
- Two (2) courses of:
- Any additional SMF courses
- Any other SMF approved courses
Link to SMF minor plan checklist for requirement tracking (PDF)
Course descriptions, list of SMF Approved courses, and full academic plan regulations can be found in the online Undergraduate Calendar, and should always be utilized in conjunction with this web resource and any plan checklists.
SMF Counselling Specialization
The SMF Counselling Specialization plan requirements are noted below.
The Counselling Specialization is open to all students majoring in SMF in either the Honours or General level plan. This specialization is not open to SMF minor students or students in major plans other than SMF as the specialization builds off of the core SMF major curriculum. The Counselling Specialization is a great foundation for those looking to pursue further education and training in the field of counselling.
The Counselling Specialization requires successful completion of four (4) courses:
- SMF 208 – Introduction to Systemic Therapies and Anti-Oppressive Practices
- SMF 301 – Communication and Counselling Skills
- SMF 308 – Couple and Family Therapy
- SMF 309 – Sex Therapy
While SMF 208 is required for SMF majors to complete; SMF 301, SMF 308, and SMF 309 can count toward the "5 additional SMF course requirement" section of SMF major plans. The SMF Counselling Specialization can fit within the 16 required SMF major course requirements.
** Link to PDF counselling specialization checklist for requirement tracking**
Course descriptions, list of SMF Approved courses, and full academic plan regulations can be found in the online Undergraduate Calendar, and should always be utilized in conjunction with this web resource and any plan checklists.
SMF Human Services Practicum Specialization
The SMF Human Services Practicum Specialization academic plan requirements are noted below.
**This helpful PDF overviews the Practicum experience.**
In combination with the Honours SMF plan-level requirements listed above, students interested in pursuing the Human Services Practicum Specialization will be required to fulfill the following requirements:
A minimum SMF major average of 75%.
Successful completion of four (4) additional courses, for a total of 10.5 academic course units (20 courses) in SMF:
- One (1) of: SMF 494, SMF 496, SMF 498 (Seminar classes)
- One (1) additional SMF course at the 300-level
- SMF 490 (Practicum Part 1), SMF 491 (Practicum Part 2) - each 0.75 units
- This course involves an assigned unpaid apprenticeship in a human services setting combined with regular seminar meetings. The practicum will require 15 hours per week. Paid or volunteer positions that are obtained outside the context of this course are not eligible for credit in this course.
** Link to PDF human services practicum specialization checklist for requirement tracking**
Course descriptions, list of SMF Approved courses, and full academic plan regulations can be found in the online Undergraduate Calendar, and should always be utilized in conjunction with this web resource and any plan checklists.
SMF Research Intensive Specialization
The SMF Research Intensive Specialization academic plan requirements are noted below.
In combination with the Honours SMF plan-level requirements listed above, students interested in pursuing the Intensive Research Specialization will be required to fulfill the following requirements:
A minimum SMF major average of 75%.
Successful completion of four additional courses, for a total of 10.5 academic course units (20 courses) in SMF:
- One (1) of: SMF 494, SMF 496, SMF 498 (Seminar Classes)
- One (1) additional SMF course at the 300-level
- SMF 499A (Thesis Part 1), SMF 499B (Thesis Part 2) - each 0.75 units
- Under supervision of a faculty member, students normally will review literature, design a study, present a research proposal, analyze data, write a scholarly research paper, and deliver an oral presentation based on the paper
** Link to PDF research intensive specialization checklist for requirement tracking**
Course descriptions, list of SMF Approved courses, and full academic plan regulations can be found in the online Undergraduate Calendar, and should always be utilized in conjunction with this web resource and any plan checklists.