National University | PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy - Child & Adolescent Therapy
Students enrolled in National University's Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy program have an opportunity to study dynamics of family interaction, advanced theories in marriage and family therapy, and other relevant topics. Read on to learn more about the Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy program here.
Official Program Name:
Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy
School Offering Program:
National University
Degree Level:
Doctorate
Program Prerequisites:
Applicants to National University's Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy program should have some educational background in the field and have an interest in becoming a child therapist. Applicants to National University's online doctoral programs should already possess a master's degree in a clinical/therapy training program.
Program Description:
National University's Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy program is designed to teach students about research methods in marriage and family therapy (MFT), advanced theories of MFT, scholarly writing in MFT, dynamics of family interaction, and statistical design for MFT research. The degree program also includes an internship, a practicum, and a dissertation. The dissertation must be submitted and defended before that degree can be awarded. This is the first primarily distance-based MFT doctoral program to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
Learning Format:
Online
Program Length/Total Credits Required:
A minimum of 69 credit hours; some students may need to complete additional Foundation Curriculum credits.
Financial Aid:
Financial aid is available to qualifying students. Graduate students may apply for Federal Stafford Loan or the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan. Military personnel and veterans may qualify for special assistance or tuition reduction.
Required Courses for a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy with a Specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy:
Degree program and course requirements are subject to change. Contact National University to confirm the most accurate information before enrolling in a program.
Doctor of Philosophy Foundation Courses (42 credits)
- FT 7101: Foundations for Doctoral Study in MFT
- MFT 7102: Scholarly Writing in MFT
- MFT 7103: Research Methods in MFT
- MFT 7104: Statistical Design for MFT Research
- MFT 7105: Assessment in MFT Research and Intervention
- MFT 7106: Quantitative Research Design in MFT
- MFT 7107: Qualitative Research Design in MFT
- MFT 7108: Advanced Data Analysis Strategies in MFT
- MFT 7109: Planning Dissertation Research in MFT
- MFT 8951: MFT Doctoral Practicum I
- MFT 8961: MFT Doctoral Internship I
- MFT 8962: MFT Doctoral Internship II
- MFT 8965: MFT Doctoral Internship and Portfolio
- MFT 8970: MFT Supervision
Specialization Courses (18 credits)
- MFT 8101: Advanced Theories in MFT
- MFT 8102: Dynamics of Family Interaction
- MFT 8205: Child and Adolescent Assessment and Diagnosis
- MFT 8202: Family Therapy with Adolescents
- MFT 8206: Early Childhood and Parenting Interventions
- MFT 8207: Systemic Treatment of Neurodevelopment Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (3 credits)
- CMP 9700M: MFT Doctoral Comprehensive Examination
Dissertation Requirements (12 credits)
- DIS 9901A: Components of the Dissertation
- DIS 9902A: The Dissertation Proposal
- DIS 9903A: Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Data Collection
- DIS 9904A: The Dissertation Manuscript and Defense
Post-Graduation Opportunities:
Career Paths:
Students who have completed National University's Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy program have an opportunity to pursue careers in the field. Possible employers include community care centers, educational institutions, nonprofits, and social work agencies. Many graduates may choose to open their own child therapy clinic and build up a client base.
Some possible careers that graduates could pursue include:
- Child therapist
- Family therapist
- Professor
