Overview

The Couple and Family Therapy PhD programme from Adler University is designed to prepare doctoral graduates with advanced specialized skills, knowledge, and experience for careers as couple and family therapists, researchers, or in academia.

Faculty are licensed Marriage and Family therapists and AAMFT approved, and provide students personalized mentorship with a focus on self-of-the-therapist development to cultivate a systemic framework and identity, including an ethical consciousness, cultural competence, and social responsibility.

Student Learning Outcomes

To understand and apply advanced knowledge of systems, modern, and postmodern Couple and Family Therapy theories.

To demonstrate cultural competency with diverse populations in the advanced practice as a Couple and Family Therapist across academic, clinical, research, and supervision settings.

To demonstrate knowledge of Adlerian principles that can complement systemic work with couples, families, and individuals.

To display advanced application in clinical and supervision skills in the practice of Couple and Family Therapy with specific training in grief, loss, and trauma.

To exemplify doctoral-level knowledge, skill, and integration of research in the field of Couple and Family Therapy.

To demonstrate sensitivity and knowledge in application of social justice, social responsibility, and oppression with couples and families.

To establish a clear professional identity including an ethical consciousness as a Couple and Family Therapy with advanced training in preparation to serve the profession.

Careers

This programme is designed to prepare doctoral graduates with advanced specialized skills, knowledge, and experience for jobs including (but not limited to):

Advanced Couple and Family Therapist

Academic professor

Systemic researcher

Clinical supervisor for couple, marriage, and family therapists

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).

Programme Structure

Courses include:

CFT Qualitative Research Methods

CFT Statistics

CFT Quantitative Research Methods

CFT Qualitative Data Analysis

Advanced Couple and Family Therapy Theory

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-05 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.
Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-02-15 00:00:00

More details

Many of the programmes fill quickly, so it is best to begin the application process early.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Language

English

PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Credits

59 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Chicago, United States

Disciplines

Counselling Psychology View 80 other PhDs in Counselling Psychology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Other requirements

General requirements

Clinical master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, couple and family therapy, medical family therapy, or related clinical field, such as social work, psychology, or professional counseling from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution.

Successful applicants typically have a grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale for graduate-level coursework.

Commitment to the profession of couple and family therapy as demonstrated in their application essay.

Completion of clinical practicum in their graduate degree program.

Licensure or licensure eligibility as an MFT in the state of Illinois.

Letters of recommendation including at least one from a graduate instructor and one from a clinical supervisor.

Approved applicants will be invited to complete an on-campus interview with core faculty.

Students with a non-clinical master’s degree are recommended to apply to the MCFT program.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

26771 USD / year

≈ 26771 USD / year
Out-of-State

26771 USD / year

≈ 26771 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

26771 USD / year

≈ 26771 USD / year

Additional Details

International students: $1,815 per credit + $1,402 International fee per term

Living costs

Chicago

United States

1297 - 2491 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Couple and Family Therapy.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Student Learning Outcomes

Careers

Accreditation

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

Chicago

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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