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Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy

Degree Plan

This is a cohort-style program and you'll take 6 credit hours per semester. Download a sample degree plan or see more details by logging into your Ramlink account. This sample is meant to be a guide — work with your advisor to create a plan that is right for you.

Download the Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy Sample Degree Plan

 
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Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy, Ph.D.

To successfully complete the program, a student must complete the core courses and the required courses (a total of 68 -71 credit hours.)

Required Courses

Foundation Courses*

COU 6320Principles of Couple Therapy3 Credits
COU 6321Strat for Intervent in Family Therapy3 Credits
COU 6322Family Systems3 Credits
COU 6323Family of Origin3 Credits

MFT Core Curriculum

To successfully complete the program, a student must complete the core courses, research courses, practica, and dissertation.

MFT 8320Adv Marriage/Fam Therapy3 Credits
MFT 8321Theory Bldg Family Sciences3 Credits
MFT 8322Theories of the Family3 Credits
MFT 8323Substance Abuse in Family3 Credits
MFT 8324Cur Res/Iss of Pro Dev & Eth in MFT3 Credits
MFT 8325Neurosci/Pharma for Fam Therap3 Credits
MFT 8326Sexuality & Family Therapy3 Credits
MFT 8333Supervision in Fam Therapy3 Credits

One of these two courses, MFT 8323 or MFT 8326, may be waived with provided documentation of licensure as a AASECT or LCDC. 

Research Curriculum

MFT 8302Princ of Educa Research3 Credits
MFT 8304Quant Design, Stat & Analysis3 Credits
MFT 8305Qualita Design & Analysis3 Credits
MFT 8307Statist Methods of Inquiry3 Credits

Practica

MFT 8414MFT Practicum I4 Credits
MFT 8415MFT Practicum II4 Credits
MFT 8416MFT Practicum III4 Credits
MFT 8417MFT Practicum IV - Teaching & Clinical4 Credits

Comprehensive Exam

MFT 8118Comprehensive Exam Prep1 Credit

Dissertation Courses

MFT 8328Disserta Design & Proposal3 Credits
MFT 8329Disserta Data Collect Analysis3 Credits
MFT 8330Disserta Data Collect Analysis Dissertation Defense3 Credits
Students are required to enroll in MFT 8329 at least once, and may enroll twice if additional time is needed to complete data collection and analysis for the dissertation.

On-Campus OR Study Abroad Options

Students are required to complete both on-campus courses, OR both study abroad courses. Participation in study abroad requires enrolling in six hours and may be taken once. Students who are interested in Study Abroad should consult with their advisor.

On-Campus Courses

MFT 8331American Families in Crisis3 Credits
MFT 8334Mft Final Master Study3 Credits

Study Abroad Courses

MFT 8370Fam Therapy/Crisis Intervention3 Credits
MFT 8371Final Masters Study3 Credits

Total Hours (68-71)

* Students are required to enroll in MFT 8329 at least once, and may enroll twice if additional time is needed to complete data collection and analysis for the dissertation.

* Based on the master’s transcript evaluation, program hours will be increased for students without the appropriate graduate coursework in Marriage and Family Therapy due to the addition of foundation courses.

Year 1

Fall Semester 

Course Credit Hours

MFT 8320 Advanced Marriage & Family Therapy

3
MFT 8321 Theory Building in Family Sciences  3

Spring Semester 

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8322 Theories of the Family 3
MFT 8325 Neuroscience/Psychopharmacology for Family Therapists 3

Summer Semester

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8324 Current Research & Issues in Professional Development for MFT 3
MFT 8323 Substance Abuse in the Family 3

 

Year 2

Fall Semester 

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8326 Sexuality and Family Therapy 3
MFF 8302 Principles of Education Research  3

Spring Semester 

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8331 American Families in Crisis  3
MFT 8307 Statist Methods of Inquiry  3

Summer Semester 

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8414 Marriage & Family Practicum I 3
MFT 8416 Quantitative Design, Statistics, and Analysis 3
MFT 8334 Final Master Study 3
Year 3

Fall Semester 

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8305 Qualitative Design & Analysis  3
MFT 8415 Marriage & Family Practicum II 3

Spring Semester

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8333 Supervision in Fam Therapy   3
MFT 8416 Marriage & Family Practicum III 3

Summer Semester 

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8118 Comprehensive Exam Preparation 3
MFT 8417 Marriage & Family Practicum IV 3
Year 4

Fall Semester 

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8328 Dissertation Design and Proposal 3

Spring Semester

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8329 Dissertation Data Collection & Analysis  3

Summer Semester 

Course Credit Hours
MFT 8330 Dissertation Defense 3