Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy
The mission of the Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage & Family Therapy program is to prepare systemic family therapists to contribute to family therapy scholarship and theory as advanced clinicians, researchers, supervisors, and educators. We are committed to training students from diverse backgrounds in a multicultural, multi-systemic perspective.
The Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
NOTE: GRE scores and/or letters of recommendation are NOT required in the application process.
Benefits of the degree
- Close mentorship focused on meeting each student’s individual career goals and needs
- Advanced training in supervision of MFTs
- Opportunities to publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at state and national conferences
- Advanced research and teaching preparation for applying and serving in academic positions
- Training in advanced clinical theory and practice with diverse populations
- Acquire rich experiences with a diverse student body
| The PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy prepares graduates to take the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists licensure exam. If you are a resident of another state, contact our department to determine whether our program fulfills requirements to take the licensure exam in your home state. |
Degree plan
Catalog information for the Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy
- Family Sciences Course Rotations
- 18 Characteristics of Texas Public Doctoral Programs
- Marriage & Family Therapy Doctoral Handbook
Admission requirements
Admission to the Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy
Program Contact
Aaron Norton, Ph.D.
940-898-2677
anorton@twu.edu
Application Deadlines
Fall – December 1
Spring – August 1
Admission Requirements
- Clinical master’s degree (e.g., marriage and family therapy, counseling, psychology)
- 3.5 GPA on most recent master’s degree
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School.
- Submit the following documents as separate PDF files in ONE email to HDFSC@twu.edu:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Intent adhering to the following guidelines:
- Use the style of a professional business letter, including date, name, and return address
- Limit the body of the letter to 300 words
- Discuss the following in the body of the letter:
- Your interest in and reasons for wanting a doctorate in Marriage & Family Therapy. If you are not already familiar with the discipline of marriage & family therapy (as compared to other clinical mental health fields), we suggest you visit the website of the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (aamft.org) and read the material available to learn more.
- The strengths and skills you will bring to the Marriage & Family Therapy program. These may include elements of your life experience, personal characteristics, occupational background, academic accomplishments, etc.
- How you will adapt your current life to make room for doctoral studies.
- Your research interests.
- Your professional goals for this degree.
- An on-campus interview process is required through participation on Interview Day. The admissions coordinator will contact those applicants the department invites to interview.
For more information
Aaron Norton, Ph.D., LMFT
AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Ph.D. Program Coordinator
940-898-2677
anorton@twu.edu
Page last updated 3:52 PM, July 29, 2021