Systems, Families, and Couples (Ph.D.)

Department of Counseling and Family Sciences

The PhD in Systems, Families and Couples (SFC) is a 3-4 year doctoral program which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and is approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) as meeting the criteria for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential.

The SFC program provides students the opportunity to develop specialized expertise in research, teaching, leadership and practice within the field of family science. The SFC program follows a scientist-practitioner model where students are provided considerable hands on experience and mentorship. There are two specialties offered by the SFC program: (1) Couple and Family Therapy and (2) Family Studies.

The Couple and Family Therapy Specialty is designed to provide students the training and experiences for careers in academia as teachers and researchers; community mental health as clinical supervisors, practitioners and administrators; and Integrated Behavioral Health and Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) in inpatient, intensive outpatient, hospital, and outpatient healthcare settings.

The Family Studies Specialty is designed to provide students the training and experiences for careers in academia as teachers and researchers; community and public health as family life educators and social policy advocates; and supplement the education of individuals in ministry, education, and leadership.

CFLE Approved
Degree Level
Doctorate
Program Delivery
On-Campus
Area(s) of Study
Family Science / Studies / Relations / Ecology / Services
Accreditations
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WSCUC)
Department Chair
Director of Graduate Studies