Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine—Couple and Family Therapy Programs 137 The mission of the Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy Program is to develop students who are committed to advanced academic and clinical practice, and who are prepared for leadership in the field of couple/marriage and family therapy through research, supervision, teaching, and clinical theory and practice. Additionally, students in the Ph.D. program are committed to serving diverse, international, multicultural, marginalized, and underserved communities as ethical practitioners, while focusing on the relational strengths and resources of clients, with an appreciation and respect for cultural and sexual diversity and inclusion. The mission of the Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (D.M.F.T.) Program is to develop practitioners and professionals whose chief contributions are as clinicians, supervisors, educators, and applied researchers in the field of couple/ marriage and family therapy. Graduates of the D.M.F.T. program are trained to practice within ethical and professional bounds using systemic/relational models with diverse, international, multicultural, marginalized, and underserved communities. Graduates are able to work in agencies, treatment facilities, medical offices, private practices, and other sites, providing services to the community, while focusing on cultural and sexual diversity and inclusion across all settings. Course of Study Students are considered to be full-time if they complete 6 credit hours each semester. It is recommended that students follow the Course of Study/Degree Plan for their program. A student on financial aid considering completing less than the scheduled credit hours in any given semester/term should discuss this with a financial aid office prior to the time of registration. Master’s Degree Program Students must complete their program within five years from the date of first enrollment. This means that students are expected to graduate with the Master of Science degree within this time period. Doctoral Degree Programs Students must complete their program within eight years from the date of first enrollment. This means that students are expected to graduate with the D.M.F.T. or Ph.D. degree within this time period. In order to remain an active and matriculated student, registration is required in every semester until the completion of degree requirements, unless a leave of absence has been granted. Failure to remain in continuous registration will be deemed the student’s formal withdrawal from the program. A student who does not register for more than two consecutive semesters may be withdrawn from the program. To return to the program after withdrawal, the student may have to apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions. All other program, center, and university requirements will be in effect. Master’s Degree en Route Students enrolled in the Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy, and D.M.F.T. degree programs often times complete master’s degree-level core courses to achieve readiness to begin doctoral-level courses. In doing so, these students may complete the requirements for an M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy degree and may be eligible to request, be considered for, and be awarded a master’s degree. For a master’s degree to be awarded to a doctoral student, the student must be in good academic standing; have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5; have remained actively enrolled; and must have requested, in writing, to be evaluated for this “Granting of a Master’s degree” provision. Graduate Certificate in Family Studies Students who are enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program in the Department of Couple and Family Therapy, but are unable to complete the program, may be eligible to request, be considered for, and be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Family Studies. Students must be in good academic standing, actively enrolled, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The program director and department chair will review each student request to determine if the requirements set forth are met. A decision will be made and communicated, in writing, by the program director. If approved, the student will be eligible to submit a degree application. All NSU degrees are awarded by the Nova Southeastern University Board of Trustees, upon the recommendation of the faculty members. Students have two years to complete the Graduate Certificate in Family Studies. The Graduate Certificate in Family Studies does not prepare a student to practice as a couple and family therapist or become a licensed marriage and family therapist. Courses from other institutions are not be transferred to meet the requirements of the certificate. Courses from other institutions are not be transferred to meet the requirements of the certificate. Accreditation and Authorization The M.S. and the Ph.D. programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). The AAMFT is located at 112 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314-3061. coamfte.org/coamfte
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