Doctoral Programs

Introduction and Program Administration
Loma Linda University Department of Counseling and Family Sciences offers a PhD and a DMFT in marital and family therapy, as well as a PhD in family studies. The PhD in MFT follows the scientist-practitioner model, in which the students are expected to develop expertise both in empirical research methods and clinical practice for careers in teaching and research. The DMFT follows the practitioner-evaluator model and focuses on applied skill development for use in clinical practice and administrative positions. The PhD in family studies is a non-clinical degree that supports the standard curriculum of the National Council of Family Relations and prepares graduates to become certified family life educators.

PhD Program Coordinator:
Carmen Knudson-Martin, PhD - cknudsonmartin@llu.edu

DMFT Program Coordinator:
Doug Huenergardt, PhD - dhuenergardt@llu.edu

PhD Program in Family Studies Coordinator:
Curtis A. Fox, PhD - cfox@llu.edu

Administrative Assistant for Doctoral Programs:
Patrice D. Harris - pdharris@llu.edu

Programs

PhD in Marital and Family Therapy - A 108 unit program requiring three to four years of full time study for completion, including two to three years of course work, a dissertation, and clinical internship.                                                               

PhD in Family Studies - A 98 unit program requiring three to four years of full time study for completion, including two to three years of course work and a dissertation. This is a non-clinical degree.

DMFT - Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy - A 100 unit program, requiring three to four years of full time study for completion, including doctoral project and clinical internship.

PhD/DMFT with interim master's degree - A 160 to 168 unit program which combines a master's degree in marital and family therapy with either doctoral program. This plan is for selected advanced students with a master's degree in a related field, or a student who is currently enrolled in a COAMFTE accredited masters program. Acceptance of these applicants is on a case-by-case basis. GRE scores and GPA must be considerably above the doctoral admission criteria norm. It takes five plus years of full time study to complete.

Concentrations and certificates - A variety of concentrations and certificates are available to individualize your program and the increase the marketability of your services.

• Families, systems and health/medical family therapy
• Family studies
• School consultation
• School counseling
• Systems consultation and professional relations
• Group counseling
• Drug and alcohol counseling
• Clinical mediation
• Child life specialist
• Licensure track (for students who have not previously met academic requirements for MFT licensure)

Marriage and family therapy is established in California by law as a profession requiring state licensure. Persons who desire to enter the profession must have the proper academic and clinical preparation and must pass the written and oral licensing examinations. The marital and family therapy doctoral degree programs at Loma Linda University are designed to provide the academic requirements to meet the California licensing standards according to Business and Professions Code 4980.38.

Department of Counseling & Family Sciences