Marital and Family Therapy: PsyD, Irvine, Sacramento and San Diego

A Scholar-Practitioner Program

The Doctor of Psychology in Marital and Family Therapy is offered in Irvine, Sacramento, and San Diego and is based on the scholar-practitioner model. Students are trained to work with individuals, couples, and families from a systemic perspective. As such, attention is directed to relationships and interaction patterns. Skills are developed in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals and relationship systems. The program provides an integrative approach to the major systemic theories and interventions. The program provides the academic training for licensure either as an MFT or psychologist. However, licensure requirements are different in every state and country and change over time, particularly for psychology licensure. Those interested in licensure as a psychologist should carefully check the licensure requirements in the state or country where they wish to obtain licensure. Students may include concentrations in chemical dependency, Latino Family Therapy, and gerontology. Each of these concentrations may requires additional coursework.

The Marital and Family Therapy doctoral program at Alliant International University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) (112 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, Phone: (703) 838- 9808; Email: coamfte@aamft.org).

Student Learning Outcomes

A graduate of the Doctor of Psychology Program in Marital and Family Therapy is able to:

1) Demonstrate the comprehension, application, and skills of the Master of Arts program in marriage and family therapy,

2) Contribute to the literature of the field of marriage and family therapy through research using quantitative and qualitative designs and methods.

3) Comprehend and apply the statistical research methods in the review and critique of the literature in marriage and family therapy,

4) Comprehend and apply at the advanced level systemic theory in marriage and family therapy,

5) Comprehend and apply the foundational knowledge and methods of psychology,

6) Comprehend and apply a specialized area such as chemical dependency, pastoral counseling, clinical psychology, or industrial/organizational psychology in marriage and family therapy,

7) Comprehend, integrate, and apply at an advanced level the theories and techniques of marriage and family therapy in a multicultural, international context.

8) Demonstrate at an advanced level the assessment and treatment of persons and families who are seeking therapy,

9) Demonstrate a mature integration of personal and professional identify with the learning and knowledge of marriage and family therapy.
 

General Requirements

The MFT doctoral program includes all of the requirements in the MFT masters program including the MA comprehensive exam. Practicum program requirements are described in the Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy program description and in the Marital and Family Therapy Clinical Training Manual. The doctoral program requires that students are continuously involved in the practice of marital and family therapy. The predoctoral internship consists of 1500 hours. The supervisor for at least 500 client contact hours (250 with couples and families) must be an AAMFT-approved supervisor. Students must supplement their program with 100 hours of professional development activities; 25 of these hours may involve personal counseling or psychotherapy with a licensed person who is not full-time faculty at Alliant. The program requires completion of a minimum of 116 units.