Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy

Offered through the Amridge University School of Human Services, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree program in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 60-semester hour rigorous research-oriented program beyond the Master’s degree.  The number of hours required for the completion of this doctorate will depend on the number of graduate hours the student has already taken before entering the program.

This PhD program is not designed to prepare individuals for professional licensure.  It is assumed that the applicant has already completed the coursework required for professional licensure.  If the applicant wishes to obtain professional licensure, additional courses may be required.

The distinctive components in this program will be the emphasis on traditional and non-traditional extended learning delivery systems.  Broadly put, upon completion of the program, the student will have an advanced degree with both therapeutic expertise and scholarship.

Students will complete intensive studies in theories of marriage and family therapy, human development, problems with abuse and addiction, cultural diversity, and research.  Courses offered in this program will be taught partly from traditional class settings and will be partly delivered online over the Internet.

Upon completion of the Program the graduates will be able to:

1. Customize a comprehensive plan to appropriately address academic, research, and professional goals.,
2. Demonstrate an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods and statistical skills.
3. Create a research plan that demonstrates the ability to (1) apply advanced knowledge of Professional Counseling theories and/or techniques in a professional setting to address a need in an ethical manner, (2) conduct scholarly research, and (3) present findings in accordance with the American Psychology Association (APA) guidelines.
4. Evaluate selected theories, theorists, principles, and techniques of counseling and their application to professional counseling settings.
5. Create appropriate treatment plans and/or intervening strategies based on foundational counseling theories and client circumstances.
6. Develop auxiliary professional skills required to run a successful practice or classroom.

These outcomes are assessed through completion of the course work, completion of the comprehensive examination, and completion of the dissertation.  

Time Normally Required to Complete the Program

The Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy may be completed in four years of attending full-time.  A student may take the courses on a part-time or full-time basis.  This estimate includes coursework and the writing and acceptance of the dissertation.

Graduation Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy

To receive a PhD Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Amridge University, the student must:

1. Complete the degree courses as specified within and in accordance with the individualized degree evaluation provided to the Amridge University student during the admissions process.  The individualized degree evaluation will be completed and given to the student as soon as copies of all pertinent college and university transcripts are received by the admissions office.  A minimum of 45 semester hours for the PhD degree must be earned at Amridge University;
2. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0;
3. Pass the respective Comprehensive Examination as specified within this publication;
4. Be awarded candidacy status in the PhD Degree Program;
5. Satisfactorily complete a dissertation that convinces the Dissertation Committee of students’ superior knowledge within the student’s program area.  The student must achieve candidacy status prior to enrolling in a dissertation module.  The dissertation must make an original contribution to knowledge and demonstrate the student’s ability to articulate material to others.  The student has the responsibility to make all changes recommended by the Dissertation Committee and submit an amended and approved copy to the Registrar;
6. Complete an Amridge University Degree Completion Application.  The properly completed and signed application must be submitted no later than the first day of classes of the semester prior to the semester the student plans to graduate.  Following this schedule permits the University to conduct a full audit of the respective student’s records to make sure that all courses, programs, and respective graduation requirements have been met.  Students having any questions regarding the Degree Completion Application should contact the Registrar’s Office;
7. Dissertation Module IV serves as a Program Exit Examination.  The student must receive a passing grade in the Dissertation Module IV in order to graduate;
8. Final defense:
   • The student must defend, and receive a passing grade for their doctoral dissertation before their Dissertation Committee, the dean of the School of Human Services, and other faculty. This defense will take place in Montgomery at a time set by the Dissertation Committee.
   • The student must comply with all requirements for submission of the completed dissertation to the Amridge University Head Librarian.
9. Be current on all tuition and fees owed to the University.