Our Learning Environment

Loma Linda University

LLU is a Seventh-day Adventist Christian health sciences institution whose mission focuses on integrated development of the whole person, the training of ethical and competent health professionals, respect for the diversity of humanity, and service to the worldwide community.

LLU has approximately 4000 students and contains the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Allied Health, Public Health, Pharmacy, Religion, and the School of Behavioral Health of which the PhD in marriage and family therapy is a part. The University has been in existence since 1918 and in 1990 the Board designated Loma Linda University as a health sciences university comprised of Loma Linda University Medical Center, faculty practice plans, and the other affiliated schools.

Counseling and Family Sciences Doctoral Study

The PhD in Marital and Family Therapy is one of three doctoral degrees housed in the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences. The department also offers a DMFT (Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy) and PhD in Family Studies, along with master’s degree programs in Family Therapy, Child Life, Family Studies, and Counseling.

The program seeks to create a diverse mix of students and faculty and to challenge all who are involved to learn from the richness of multiple perspectives. In a recent analysis, the National Research Council ranked Loma Linda University Marital and Family Therapy doctoral programs third in the nation in diversity among psychology-related graduate programs. 

At the core of our doctoral study is the opportunity for one-on-one interaction with dedicated faculty who are recognized experts in their areas of study. We purposefully select faculty who work as a team and care about students. We limit enrollment to keep class sizes small and education personal.

The Marital and Family Therapy program emphasizes a multi-systemic approach that addresses the medical/biological, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects of human life within a larger systems framework. We believe that relationships are the context in which change occurs. As people become more connected to each other and their communities, the potential for growth and healing are enhanced.

The program encourages the development of individual student strengths and allows a thoughtful, holistic integration of personal practices of faith and professional work.

Students

Each year the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences enrolls approximately 12 doctoral students, with about 4-5 in the PhD in Marital and Family Therapy program. The student body is very diverse and comes from California and across the nation and globe.

Gender	34% male	66 % female
Ethnicity	43% white	13% Hispanic    16% Asian    19% Black   6% Indian   3% Armenian
Age	56% 25-35	12.5% 36-45        19% 46-55     12% 56 and older
National Origin	14% International	38.5% born outside USA

Faculty
The full-time program faculty includes four women and six men. Four are persons of color. Five are AAMFT-approved supervisors. The faculty represents a wide range of professional and research interests.

Name	Ethnicity	Gender	License	AAMFT Supervisor	Interests
Winetta Baker, PhD	Afro-Guyanese	Female	MFT	In progress	Postmodern therapy, mental illness and recovery process, adolescence,  supervision
Ian Chand, PhD	East Indian	Male	MFT	Yes	Culture, parenting, mediation, Christian counseling
Brian Distelberg, PhD	Caucasian	Male			Family business, statistics, family systems research, organizations
Curtis Fox, PhD	Black	Male	MFT	In progress	Family life education, adolescence, work & family
Douglas Huenergardt, PhD	Caucasian	Male	MFT	Yes	Program design & evaluation, community systemic practice, gender
Carmen Knudson-Martin, PhD	Caucasian	Female	MFT	Yes	Gender, larger social context, couple therapy, theory development
Mary Moline, PhD	Caucasian	Female	MFT	Yes	Law & ethics, Bowen theory, couples, recovery process
Cheryl Simpson, PhD	Caucasian	Female	Psych		Psychological evaluation, lifespan development, school counseling
Randall Walker, MS	Caucasian	Male	MFT	Yes	Substance abuse, clinic administration, systemic CBT
Colwick Wilson	Black	Male			Social context of health, Research methods, statistics, minorities

Professional Activity

Doctoral students in Marital and Family Therapy begin integrating research and practice in the first year of the program. Students are involved in a variety of professional opportunities beyond the course work. Examples include:

• Clinical research group linking couple interaction and larger social context
• Facilitating forgiveness among family members
• Applied research with the San Bernardino County Housing Authority to matching needs and services for low income families
• Evaluation of Riverside County foster care projects
• Research physician couples
• Research on gender, culture, and power issues in diverse contemporary couple contexts
• Collaborative research with medicine
• Research on ethnic disparities in mental health services
• Working with couples and families dealing with organ transplants
• Systems/relational services for families dealing with autism
• Research and services for couples with diabetes
• Action research on how students develop a contextual consciousness

Students are encouraged to make professional presentations and publish in scholarly journals related to Marital and Family Therapy throughout their course of study in preparation for careers in academic and clinical settings. 

Length of time to complete the program:

Retention rate since the program began in 2000 is 87.5%. How long it takes to complete the program varies considerably depending on the student. Full time PhD in MFT students typically complete most of the coursework in the first two years. It takes another year or two of full time study to complete the qualifying exams, professional development activities, and dissertation. Most students are also working toward completing the practice requirements for state licensure. 

Mean completion time:

Full-time, already holding a master's degree:	3.8 years
Full-time, including a master's degree:	4.75 yars
Part-time, including a master's degree:	8 years

Graduate employment:

Graduates of the PhD in Marital and Family Therapy program find employment in both clinical and academic settings. 90% are either licensed as marital and family therapists or in the process of obtaining licensure. 88% are teaching full- or part-time.

Full time academic settings	27%
Clinical administration	40%
Private or agency practice	23%
Part-time teaching	33%
Part-time practice	3%
Ministry	6%