NOM DMFT Brochure

Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (D.M.F.T.) Program Description The Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy (D.M.F.T.) is a practitioner oriented terminal degree. The D.M.F.T. is a 78 credit-hour program designed for individuals holding master’s degrees, preferably in Marriage and Family Therapy. The program prepares graduates for careers as private practitioners, agency administrators, clinical supervisors, and senior clinicians. The D.M.F.T. program is designed to expand and enhance a student’s existing clinical skills in order to become top level practitioners, while at the same time demonstrating the place of program/clinical research in this pursuit. The D.M.F.T. degree requires students to complete an Applied Clinical Project (APC) rather than a dissertation. The APC requires a student to conceive, propose, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a particular clinical program under the supervision of a faculty member. The clinical program under review should be grounded in a systems based approach to family psychotherapy, yet may include large educational and/or consultation components. Below are some of courses in the program. Theory Courses (24 Credits) ∙ Introduction to Systems Theories ∙ Theories of Personality and/or Psychopathology ∙ Crisis Management Advanced Therapy Courses (9 credit hours—choose 3 courses) ∙ Systemic Family Therapy I (MRI/SFBT) ∙ Systemic Family Therapy II (Narrative Therapy) ∙ Systemic Family Therapy III (Intergenerational Theories) ∙ Systemic Family Therapy IV (Ericksonian and Hypnotherapy) ∙ International Perspectives in Counseling and Therapy Clinical and Supervision Skills (9 credit hours) ∙ Advanced Clinical/Micro Skills ∙ Supervision in Clinical Settings ∙ Clinical Practicum in Clinical Settings Research and Grant Writing Skills (9 credit hours) ∙ Qualitative Action Research ∙ Grant Writing for Funding Opportunities ∙ Evidence-based Research Models Specialization Topics across Cultures/Environments (9 credit hours—choose 3 courses) ∙ Couples Therapy ∙ Family Systems Healthcare/Medical Family Therapy ∙ Relationship Systems Consulting ∙ Private Practice Management ∙ Advanced Bowen Systems ∙ Advanced Couples Therapy The Family Therapy Clinic at the Brief Therapy Institute Students in the Family Therapy program receive clinical training and experience at the Brief Therapy Institute (BTI), NSU’s on-site family therapy clinic. The clinic serves a wide variety of clients with different life circumstances. This training focuses on working with families and individuals of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, religious affiliations, and sexual orientations. Much of the therapy at BTI is provided by practicum teams, each composed of an AAMFT-approved faculty supervisor and a maximum of six graduate student therapists. As one of the team members—a designated primary therapist—works directly with clients, the others join the supervisor in an observation room behind a one-way mirror. Communication between the two rooms is by telephone, so that, during the session, the supervisor and team may call the primary therapist, make observations, and pose questions. Admissions The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) accepts applications to the doctoral programs from any person who possesses, or is in the process of completing, a master’s degree from a regionally accredited university. Doctoral applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their master’s degree program. Applicants must possess a master’s degree before beginning doctoral studies. Department of Family Therapy faculty members carefully consider a number of factors when choosing applicants for the D.M.F.T. program. These include knowledge of systemic theory as it relates to various approaches of family therapy, level of prior clinical experience, evidence of commitment to advanced graduate training in the social sciences, interpersonal style, prior graduate GPA, and professional English writing skills. Program Formats The D.M.F.T. is offered residentially and takes a minimum of three years to complete. Full-time enrollment is considered to be at least 9 credit hours per term, including the summer. Part-time enrollment is also an option at any time throughout the program. Students may take a minimum of 6 credit hours, however, they must be enrolled full-time for at least one term of didactic coursework. Once students begin their Applied Clinical Project (ACP), they are considered full-time when registered for at least 3 credit hours per term. After taking 12 credit hours of ACP, students may enroll in 1 ACP credit hour per term and still be considered full time in the program. Students must be continually enrolled in classes in order to remain in the program. If a student cannot take classes due to unforeseen circumstances, he or she will need to apply for a leave of absence. Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy • practitioner-oriented doctoral degree • advanced clinical training that supports careers in upper administration such as: executive directors, program administrators, and clinical supervisors “I guided my studies toward business consulting, and currently work in the area of organization development. My typical day is spent at my job as an internal consultant for a large health care organization. I find myself consulting, coaching, training, and providing platforms for all of the employees for the purpose of helping everyone make the most of their time and energy at work.” Brian Rosenberg, Ph.D. Graduate of SHSS Department of Family Therapy “I truly feel fortunate to have been a part of this program. It has given me the opportunity to broaden my horizons and to become curious about others and the world around me. The Family Therapy program has inspired me to help create the changes I want to see in this world. Becoming a “systemic thinker” I strive to help individuals, couples, and families rediscover their strengths, focus on solutions and work collaboratively. The program has fully prepared me to enter a real-world setting.” Ayala Winer, D.M.F.T., LMFT, LMHC, Graduate of SHSS Department of Family Therapy Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, doctorate, and professional degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Nova Southeastern University. ■ Nova Southeastern University admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, and national or ethnic origin. For more information, please submit the reply card; call us at 800-541-6682, ext. 27563, or (954) 262-7563; or email gradschool@nova.edu . Visit us on the Web at www.shss.nova.edu. Nova Southeastern University Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Attn: Carlos Perez 3301 College Ave Fort Lauderdale FL 33314-9909