PhD - Marriage & Family Therapy: Medical Family Therapy
The Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage & Family Therapy program with a specialization in Medical Family Therapy at Northcentral University emphasizes learning techniques for dealing with stressful medical situations as well as how to conduct research effectively and efficiently. Read on to find out more about this program today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind of Program Is It?
The Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage & Family Therapy program with a specialization in Medical Family Therapy at Northcentral University is designed to help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to help families struggling with medical issues. Courses explore how to conduct research as well as how to deal with people in problematic and emotional situations. You will be required to pass all of your courses with at least a B average, complete client contact requirements, pass a comprehensive exam and write and defend an acceptable doctoral dissertation in order to graduate from the program.
What Are the Prerequisites?
You should have patience and a soft touch when working with people of all ages if you are interested in this program. You should have a knack for helping people with their problems and a strong educational background in therapy-related studies. You are required to have at least a master's degree prior to applying to this program at Northcentral University.
What Are the Course Requirements?
To graduate from this extensive program, you will be required to complete a minimum of 69 credit hours, including specialization, research, internship and practicum courses, a comprehensive exam course and dissertation courses.
Courses for a Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage & Family Therapy with a Specialization in Medical Family Therapy
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| Required Courses | |
| 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 | |
| MFT 8101 | Advanced Theories in MFT |
| MFT 8102 | Dynamics of Family Interaction |
| MFT 8401 | Medical Family Therapy |
| MFT 8405 | Medical Family Therapy Applications |
| MFT 8406 | Families, Health, and Illness |
| MFT 8407 | Loss and Bereavement |
| Examination Course | |
| CMP 9700M | MFT Doctoral Comprehensive Examination |
| Dissertation Courses | |
| 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 |
What Could I Do After Graduation?
Career Opportunities
Once this program is completed, you may choose to look into a number of different therapy-related career options. Based on the kinds of interpersonal and psychological topics you've studied, you may be able to find work interacting directly with patients or by creating therapeutic materials for them instead.
Possible career paths include but are not limited to:
- Family Therapist
- Hospice Therapist
- Medical Therapist
- Cancer Patient Therapist
- Self Help Writer
- Marriage Counselor
- School Counselor