The Ph.D. program in Marriage and Family Therapy at University of Louisiana at Monroe prepares graduates for careers as scholars/teachers, researchers, supervisors and senior clinicians. The 69 credit-hour program integrates systemically oriented philosophy and theory, clinical practice and qualitative and quantitative research.
Two philosophy classes, one devoted to the foundations of seminar
cybernetic/systemic ideas underlying the theory and practice of
marriage and family therapy, the other to the issues of epistemology,
constructivism, social constructionism and postmodernism.
Three courses that explore the theoretical and clinical applications
of the ideas studied in the philosophy courses. These include
psychodynamic, structural, strategic, systemic, communications,
behavioral, contextual, experiential, MRI, solution-focused,
Ericksonian
hypnotherapy and the narrative (language oriented) and reflecting-team
approaches.
Three courses in family studies and human development. These courses
explore ethnic, racial and gender issues; macro systemic study
of the interface between families and work, religious, education,
medical, social service and mental health systems; and psychosocial
development, socialization, ideology, parent-child and peer
relationships.
Four courses in research, including a foundations course, which
provide a philosophy of science perspective process of making
valid knowledge claims, an ideological, political and economic
perspective on knowledge creation, dissemination and consequences.
Two courses involve in-depth study of research designs and procedures
in quantitative and qualitative research.
One course in the supervision of marriage and family therapy.
This class fulfills the didactic instruction component for AAMFT
approved supervisor status.
One year of continuous enrollment in clinical internships in sites
related to the interests of the student and that provide a variety
of clinical challenges.
Students also have the opportunity to take electives in various
specialties, such as hypnotherapy, spiritual and religious issues,
systemic approaches to substance abuse treatment, family therapy
and family medicine, systemic perspectives on education and educating,
family life education and enrichment, human sexuality and sex
therapy, and literacy perspectives on marriage and families. Other
electives are available to help students fulfill the academic
requirements for licensure in other states.
Admission to the Ph.D. program in Marriage and Family Therapy is a two-stage process: (1) An applicant must first meet the requirements for admission to the University and the Graduate School; (2) Specific program requirements must also be met. Students admitted to the program will have successfully completed a master’s degree program from a regionally accredited institution. Students must complete the standard curriculum of a Council of Accreditation for Marriage and Therapy Education (COAMFTE) accredited master’s degree program prior to the doctoral curriculum. Students may be admitted who do not have all of the above course work. However, they will be required to complete studies in these areas in addition to the standard doctoral course work. Applicants who are accepted for Fall admission and who are interested in taking classes prior to beginning the program may obtain permission to take Master’s level electives and prerequisite course work as post-graduate students. Students accepted who do not possess a strong background in systemic approaches to family therapy must take MAFT 610, Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy, in the summer preceding the formal beginning of the program.
Priority will be given applicants with:
• A minimum cumulative graduate grade point average of at least 3.50.
• Minimum graduate record examination score of 1,000 (Verbal and Quantitative).
All applicants must:
• Submit three letters of recommendation from professional colleagues who are
familiar
with her/his character, clinical skills, and ability to
perform academically on the
doctoral level. Where possible these should include former
professors, clinical
supervisors, and/or administrators familiar with your
training and subsequent
practice.
• Complete the admission portfolios and submit them prior to the deadline for
admission.
• Demonstrate evidence of both academic competency and clinical skills or the
potential for clinical competency.
• Present evidence of relevant work experience.
Finalists in the application process will be required to have
a personal interview with
the MFT doctoral admissions committee.
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Marriage and Family Therapy Faculty
For application procedure
and forms go to
Admission Procedures
Or contact:
013007