You're going to learn from the experts, and when you're done, you'll be at the top of your field. Our degree teaches you to be the best.
What will I learn?
The Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy program will lead highly qualified LMFT practitioners through an in depth study of advance therapy methods.
Students will gain experience
- Mentoring master-level counselors
- Serving as counseling supervisors and classroom instructors
The program will include
- Seminar-style sessions with guest lecturers sharing an intensive review of therapy methodologies
- Engaging research and publication opportunities for students
- Off-campus training at renowned facilities in the U.S. and abroad
- An independent study project
When are classes?
Classes will vary between traditional meeting format, seminar format, practicum and dissertation hours.
- Traditional classes meet once a week for three hours in a face-to-face setting
- Seminar format classes meet Friday evening and all day Saturday during various times throughout the first two semesters
- Practicum courses require 100 hours of counseling at Texas Wesleyan’s Counseling Center.
- Dissertation courses require independent work with faculty oversight leading from design to proposal to defense of selected topic.
What are the admission requirements?
- Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, social work, psychology or in another related mental health field
- Full, associate or intern license in a mental health field such as LMFT, LPC or MSW
- Master’s degree GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from a licensed therapist or counselor that's known you for at least three years and can attest to characteristics that would make them a good applicant for the program
- Interview with graduate counseling faculty to assess an overview of marriage and family therapy, its models, applications and ranks clinical skills for future improvement as a marriage and family therapist. It also assesses the candidate's future career vision and research interests as a marriage and family therapist.
- Complete at least two of four foundations courses required for licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Texas making a B or higher prior to beginning doctoral courses in the fall of the first year of study in the doctoral program.The remaining foundation courses must be taken prior to beginning the third year of study in the doctoral program.
- Writings sample proctored on-site
Admission Deadline:
- Priority Deadline: Feb. 1
- Final Deadline: July 15
What licenses qualify for the Ph.D.?
Texas Wesleyan has created a pathway for Licensed Professional Counselors and Social Workers to attain both the Ph.D. and LMFT licensure.
- Applicants with an LPC or MSW license (at full, associate or intern status) will be evaluated for any inclusion of MFT coursework in their master’s degree.
- Up to 4 foundation courses at the Masters level will be added to the Ph.D. degree plan to ensure program preparation and licensure eligibility.
- 2 foundation classes must be complete prior to the 1st doctoral class. All foundation classes must be completed prior to the third year (fall) of doctoral study. Courses may be completed at accredited universities or taken on the Wesleyan campus.
- B or higher must be earned in the foundation courses.
- Candidates needing this consideration should apply for the priority deadline to allow for Summer coursework prior to joining the full cohort in the Fall term.
Foundation coursework:
- COU-6320 Principles of Marriage & Family Therapy
- COU-6321 Strategies for Interventions in Family Therapy
- COU-6322 Family Systems
- COU-6323 Family of Origins
What is the program mission?
The mission of the Texas Wesleyan University Marriage & Family Therapy Doctoral Studies Program is to prepare students who will function at the highest level of competence and, as a result of their training, make a contribution to the field of marriage and family therapy in regard to intervention-based research based on family systems theory, as exhibited in their dissertation.
Earn a PhD in as little as 3 years | 90 credit hours (60 credits post-master’s) | Active and collaborative face-to-face mentorship
Become a leader in marriage and family therapy.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage & Family Therapy program is committed to providing accessible and inclusive training of couple and family therapy scholars from varying backgrounds and experiences. Through active and collaborative mentorship, students engage in individualized opportunities to prepare to be systemic leaders in their diverse communities as advanced clinicians, researchers, supervisors and educators.
Connect with an MFT faculty member
Why earn your PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy at TWU?
At TWU, we meet you where you are to help you achieve your personal career goals. We accept up to 30 credit hours transferred from a clinical master’s program and provide unmatched mentorship from faculty.
COAMFTE-Accredited
The PhD in MFT at TWU is one of only two public universities accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) in the state of Texas, and one of only twenty campus-based accredited programs in the United States. Even so, you can still get your PhD from Texas Woman’s University at a fraction of the cost of a private university.
- COAMFTE Graduate Achievement Disclosure Table
Face-to-Face Learning
Students have opportunities for advanced training as supervisors and educators on campus that cannot be achieved through online learning. Opportunities include:
- Teaching undergraduate and master's level clinical courses with live observation, training, and mentorship
- Supervising master’s level students in clinical internship courses
- Supervising master's level students at our on-campus Counseling and Family Therapy Clinic.
Full-time and Part-time Tracks
Flexible options for both full- and part-time attendance is available for non-traditional students. Work on your independent-level licensure while completing your PhD.
Inclusive Training
Our diverse students and the communities we serve create a training experience unlike any in the country. Diversity provides rich experiences in learning, research, clinical work, teaching and supervision. In the doctoral program, we aim to grow a diverse field of future MFT leaders.
Doctoral Internship
We have worked hard to create an internship that engages you where you are. There is NO clinical requirement beyond that required in a COAMFTE-Accredited MFT master’s degree. The doctoral internship is a nine-month mentored advanced practical experience in which doctoral students are researchers, educators, clinical supervisors, policy makers, administrators, clinical innovators and theoreticians.
Faculty Mentorship
The MFT faculty are supportive and knowledgeable with expertise in telehealth, medical family therapy, and marginalized populations. We have a student-centered mentorship philosophy focused on supporting students in their own research and career goals. Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at state, national, and international professional conferences.
Connect with an MFT faculty member
Career Opportunities in Marriage and Family Therapy
The PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy is a versatile degree that prepares students for a wide range of careers in:
- Higher education
- Non-profit agency
- Intensive-outpatient leadership
- Clinical directorship
- Collaborative healthcare
- School settings
- Private practice
The program at TWU exceeded my expectations. Professors eagerly supported my clinical, research and educational goals. The program’s structure prepared me to be a systemic leader on national and international levels.
Courses and Curriculum at TWU
Degree Plan for PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy
Course Rotations
- 18 Characteristics of Texas Public Doctoral Programs
- Marriage & Family Therapy Doctoral Handbook
How to Apply to the PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy
NO letters of recommendation or GRE scores required.
Scholarships and Financial Aid for MFT Students
In addition to university-wide types of financial aid, there are also scholarships specifically for the Department of Human Development, Family Studies, and Counseling. Additionally, there are more opportunities for scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships for Marriage and Family Therapy doctoral students.
Contact program director Aaron Norton for more information. Additional aid opportunities are:
- New Graduate Student Scholarship
- Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholarships
- Graduate Assistantships
- Graduate Research Assistantships
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships
- [Wo]Mentoring Research Associates
- Doctoral Fellowship through the AAMFT Minority Fellowship Program
- Student Research Support
Contact
Aaron Norton, Ph.D., LMFT-Supervisor, AAMFT
Approved Supervisor
Marriage and Family Therapy Program Coordinator
940-898-2677
Page last updated 2:03 PM, October 28, 2022