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

A Scholar-Practitioner Program

The Doctor of Psychology in Couple and Family Therapy program is offered in Irvine, Sacramento, and San Diego and leads to a Doctorate of Psychology in Marital and Family Therapy degree. The CFT PsyD is based on the scholar-practitioner model. Students are trained to work with individuals, couples, and families from a systemic perspective. 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 a marriage and family therapist or as a psychologist in the State of California. 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. Additionally, students may do a concentration in LGBT Human Services and Mental Health or Infant-Preschool Mental Health, both of which are done online. All of these concentrations require additional coursework.

The Couple 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 Couple and Family Therapy is able to:

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

2) Contribute to the literature of the field of couple 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 couple and family therapy,

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

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

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

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

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

General Requirements

The CFT doctoral program includes all of the requirements in the CFT master’s program including the MA comprehensive exam. Practicum program requirements are described in the Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy program description and in the Couple and Family Therapy Clinical Training Manual. The doctoral program requires that students are continuously involved in the practice of couple 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 core faculty at Alliant. The program requires completion of a minimum of 117 units.