Systems, Families, and Couples—Ph.D.

Program learning outcomes

By the end of this program, the graduate should be able to:

  1. Analyze, synthesize, apply, and critique theories of human development and family therapy/family science to advance and integrate theory into research and practice in the field.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills as a researcher in the field of marital and family therapy/family science through research, professional publication, and presentation.
  3. Demonstrate competency in teaching and supervision within academic and community settings.
  4. Become adept in systems/relational practice, demonstrating sophistication as a scientist/practitioner (only applies to CFT specialty).
  5. Develop a professional identity as doctoral-level family therapists/educators aligned with national practice standards, demonstrating service and professionalism through professional and community involvement.
  6. Be responsive to the societal, cultural, and spiritual contexts in which health and well-being are embedded.
  7. Be proficient in the legal guidelines of the marital and family therapy/family life education fields, and develop an ethical consciousness that guides their practice in all aspects of professional work.

Financial assistance

For information regarding funding opportunities, see Student Aid in the financial polices section of this CATALOG.

Students who are accepted into the Ph.D. degree in systems, families, and couples may apply for work-study and department-funded research, teaching, and administrative assistantships awarded by the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences. Departmental awards are contingent upon the availability of funds.

 

The admissions committee uses the above criteria to evaluate applicants on each of the following equally weighted criteria:

  1. Academic preparedness
  2. Professional preparedness for doctoral study
  3. Research potential
  4. Ability to work with diversity
  5. Clinical and/or Family Life Education skills

Pre-entrance clearance:

  • Health clearance
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Additional required courses for MFT licensure in California

Students entering the Ph.D. program without a COAMFTE accredited master’s degree, who wish to obtain licensure in California, will be required to meet the course requirements of the M.S. in Marital & Family Therapy program.  A course-by-course evaluation will be done to determine which courses in the student’s previous master’s degree program fulfill specific course requirements for California licensure.