Our program is structured in a part-time, cohort format with students taking six hours each semester until they begin their dissertation.
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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Degree Requirements
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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 6320 | Principles of Couple Therapy | 3 Credits |
COU 6321 | Strat for Intervent in Family Therapy | 3 Credits |
COU 6322 | Family Systems | 3 Credits |
COU 6323 | Family of Origin | 3 Credits |
MFT Core Curriculum
To successfully complete the program, a student must complete the core courses, research courses, practica, and dissertation.
MFT 8320 | Adv Marriage/Fam Therapy | 3 Credits |
MFT 8321 | Theory Bldg Family Sciences | 3 Credits |
MFT 8322 | Theories of the Family | 3 Credits |
MFT 8323 | Substance Abuse in Family | 3 Credits |
MFT 8324 | Cur Res/Iss of Pro Dev & Eth in MFT | 3 Credits |
MFT 8325 | Neurosci/Pharma for Fam Therap | 3 Credits |
MFT 8326 | Sexuality & Family Therapy | 3 Credits |
MFT 8333 | Supervision in Fam Therapy | 3 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 8302 | Princ of Educa Research | 3 Credits |
MFT 8304 | Quant Design, Stat & Analysis | 3 Credits |
MFT 8305 | Qualita Design & Analysis | 3 Credits |
MFT 8307 | Statist Methods of Inquiry | 3 Credits |
Practica
MFT 8414 | MFT Practicum I | 4 Credits |
MFT 8415 | MFT Practicum II | 4 Credits |
MFT 8416 | MFT Practicum III | 4 Credits |
MFT 8417 | MFT Practicum IV - Teaching & Clinical | 4 Credits |
Comprehensive Exam
MFT 8118 | Comprehensive Exam Prep | 1 Credit |
Dissertation Courses
MFT 8328 | Disserta Design & Proposal | 3 Credits |
MFT 8329 | Disserta Data Collect Analysis | 3 Credits |
MFT 8330 | Disserta Data Collect Analysis Dissertation Defense | 3 Credits |
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 8331 | American Families in Crisis | 3 Credits |
MFT 8334 | Mft Final Master Study | 3 Credits |
Study Abroad Courses
MFT 8370 | Fam Therapy/Crisis Intervention | 3 Credits |
MFT 8371 | Final Masters Study | 3 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.