<iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MVGWBW" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe> Online Doctorate in Couple & Family Therapy (DCFT) | Drexel Online

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  • Online Doctor of Couple and Family Therapy (DCFT) Program

    The goal of Drexel University’s online Doctorate in Couple and Family Therapy is to produce advanced clinicians in marriage and family therapy. With a commitment to diversity competency, and an emphasis on topics like trauma and addiction, this doctorate in marriage and family therapy program will prepare you to find greater success in clinical or other leadership roles.

    What Is a Couple/Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT/DCFT) Degree?

    A doctorate in marriage and family therapy is a practice doctoral degree open to master’s or post-master’s prepared couple and family therapists. This degree was designed for couple and family therapy professionals seeking advanced clinical practice education and training.

    The mission of Drexel’s Doctor of Couple and Family Therapy program is to prepare individuals to take leadership roles in the couple and family therapy field as administrators, advanced practice couple and family therapy clinicians and educators who effectively transfer knowledge to practice and policy, collaborate across systems, engage in cultural humility, and actively contribute to the ongoing development of the profession. The DCFT program prepares you to work with diverse individuals, couples, and families across multiple healthcare settings, with a particular focus on clinical issues and evidence-informed practices related to couples therapy, trauma and addiction.

    Doctor of Couple and Family Therapy Program Features

    • 100% online
    • 1:1 mentoring opportunities with faculty from Drexel’s respected College of Nursing and Health Professions
    • A teaching practicum, internship, and portfolio development ensure you gain hands-on experience
    • Courses cover a broad range of topics to prepare you to be a leader in the field, including supervision, advanced ethics, teaching, grant writing and research skills, sex therapy, trauma, and addiction

    Requirements for The Doctor of Couple and Family Therapy Program

    Drexel’s online Doctorate in Couple and Family Therapy is a part-time 71-credit program that can be completed in three years.

    Eligible applicants should have a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. You will be asked to provide a personal essay, academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation, and should prepare for an in-person or virtual interview.

    For a full list of requirements, please see the Admissions Criteria page.

    What Can I Do with a Doctorate In Marriage and Family Therapy?

    As a graduate of Drexel’s online doctorate in marriage and family therapy, you’ll be prepared to:

    • Practice as an advanced clinician in couple and family therapy
    • Take on leadership roles as educators or administrators in the field
    • Build collaborative professional relationships across disciplines
    • Critically evaluate and synthesize theory, research, and health policy to advance professional practice
    • Communicate information effectively through peer-reviewed forums, publications, and professional practice

    This doctorate in marriage and family therapy degree prepares you for leadership roles in clinical practice, higher education, and public policy development.

    Doctor of Couple and Family Therapy Salary Expectations

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean average salary for a marriage and family therapist is $54,150. Between 2019-2029, employment in this field is expected to grow 22%, much faster than average for all occupations. Your actual salary will vary based on factors like location, years of experience, and job title.

    Doctor of Couple and Family Therapy (DCFT) Program FAQs

    Is the doctorate in marriage and family therapy program fully online?
    The Doctor of Couple and Family Therapy program is 100% online , which means you don't have to come to Drexel's campus. It is important to note that this program, while online, does include some synchronous courses, which means you will meet for class online at a set weekly time with your instructor and classmates. The rest of the curriculum is asynchronous, which allows you to work on your weekly course work when it is convenient for your schedule each week. For the internship requirements, the College of Nursing and Health Professions team will help you to find a location near your home.

    Will a dissertation be required?
    As a practice doctorate program, a traditional dissertation is not required. Instead, you will complete a capstone portfolio consisting of specific professional projects and accomplishments across the domains of scholarship, teaching, clinical practice, and leadership and service, which you will develop throughout the program and finalize in three capstone portfolio focused courses in the third year of the program.

    Are there any clinical requirements?
    Yes. There is a three-quarter clinical internship requirement in the third year of the program, which will include relational (couple/family) clinical hours. In the second year of the program, the department’s Director of Clinical Training will begin the process of working with you to identify and secure an appropriate internship site based in your state of residence. You are required to complete a clinical internship regardless of your professional licensure status.

    For Questions, Please Contact:

    Adelina Marini
    Admissions Coordinator
    COFTAdmissions@drexel.edu


    State restrictions may apply to some programs. Learn more.

    Curriculum

    This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.

    Required Courses
    CFTP 710 Advanced Legal and Ethical Implications in Couple and Family Therapy 4.0
    CFTP 716 Advanced Family Therapy Theory and Practice 3.0
    CFTP 720 Couple Therapy Theory & Practice 3.0
    CFTP 724 Multicultural Approach to Couple and Family Therapy 4.0
    CFTP 734 Supervision in Couple and Family Therapy 4.0
    CFTP 735 Family Healthcare Policy 3.0
    CFTP 740 Systemic Approaches to Addiction 3.0
    CFTP 742 Couples Sexual Therapy 3.0
    CFTP 743 Trauma Theory and Models with Vulnerable Populations 3.0
    CFTP 750 Professional Development and Leadership 3.0
    CFTP 760 Teaching Practicum 2.0
    CFTP 765 Grant Writing for Program Development 3.0
    NHP 762 Health Professional Education 3.0
    RSCH 700 Foundations in Quantitative Research 3.0
    RSCH 714 Qualitative Research Methods I 3.0
    RSCH 720 Foundations of Biostatistics 3.0
    Internship
    CFTP 805 Couple and Family Therapy Doctoral Internship I 3.0
    CFTP 806 Couple and Family Therapy Doctoral Internship II 3.0
    CFTP 807 Couple and Family Therapy Doctoral Internship II 3.0
    Portfolio Planning and Development
    CFTP 797 Capstone Portfolio Development I 2.0
    CFTP 798 Capstone Portfolio Development II 2.0
    CFTP 799 Capstone Portfolio Development III 2.0
    Capstone Portfolio Sequence
    CFTP 810 Capstone Portfolio I 2.0
    CFTP 811 Capstone Portfolio II 2.0
    CFTP 812 Capstone Portfolio III 2.0
    Total Credits 71.0

    View Plan of Study [PDF]
    View Course Descriptions

    Admissions Criteria

    • Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (preferably accredited by COAMFT)
      • Cumulative GPA of 3.5
    • GRE scores are not required

    Required Documents

    With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our supporting document submission guide.

    • A completed application
    • Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions attended (including trade schools)
    • Three letters of recommendation 
    • Personal statement reflecting on your reasons for applying to the program and how the program mission fits your professional goals
    • Curriculum Vitae or Resume
    • Additional requirements for International Students

    An in-person or virtual interview is also required.

    Application Scoring Criteria

    • Academic performance ability
    • Leadership ability
    • Supervisory ability
    • Collaboration
    • Commitment to diversity and social justice
    • Commitment to scholarship

    Tuition

    The tuition rate for the academic year 2022-2023 is $1257 per credit. (A 10% tuition savings off Drexel's regular tuition rate of $1396 per credit)

    • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
    • Special tuition rates available for Drexel University AlumniMilitary members, and members of our Partner Organizations
      • These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
      • These rates apply only to fully online courses. Hybrid or on-campus courses may have different rates.
      • Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
      • All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
      • Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
      • When receiving special tuition plans with Drexel University Online, you may not combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.

     

    Academic Calendar

    2022-2023 Academic Year

    Term

    Classes Begin

    Classes End

    Exams Begin

    Exams End

    Fall 2022

    September 19, 2022

    December 3, 2022

    December 5, 2022

    December 10, 2022

    Winter 2023

    January 9, 2023

    March 18, 2023

    March 20, 2023

    March 25, 2023

    Spring 2023

    April 3, 2023

    June 10, 2023

    June 12, 2023

    June 17, 2023

    Summer 2023

    June 26, 2023

    September 2, 2023

    September 4, 2023

    September 9, 2023

     

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