Doctoral programs
- Introduction
- Program philosophy and goals
- Program requirements
- Program administrative faculty
- Course descriptions - See University Catalog.
- Contact us (web form)
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.
Programs
- PhD in marital and family therapy - A 108 unit program requiring three to four years 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 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 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 bachelor's degree or persons whose master's degree is not in marital and family therapy (or equivalent). It takes five plus years 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
- 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.
Program administration
Carmen Knudson-Martin, PhD - cknudsonmartin@llu.edu
Coordinator of PhD Program
Doug Huenergardt, PhD - dhuenergardt@llu.edu
Coordinator of DMFT Program
Curtis A. Fox, PhD - cfox@llu.edu
Coordinator of PhD Program in Family Studies
Patty Hoerner - pchoerner@llu.edu
Administrative Assistant for Doctoral Programs
Next: Program philosophy and goals
Program administrative faculty
Course descriptions - See the University Catalog.