Doctor of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Studies

The 48-credit DA in Marriage and Family Therapy Studies equips church leaders and mental health practitioners through studies in marriage and family systems theory, theological issues, and psychology to create positive change in families, individuals, and church communities. This 48 credit degree is designed for individuals looking to advance their leadership skills and clinical practice through the interdisciplinary exploration of practical theology and clinical practice. For Doctor of Arts students wanting to pursue licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists, credit requirements will exceed 48 credits.

Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy

The 60-credit Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy trains students in professional mental health and pastoral counseling fields to be skilled scholar/practitioners in marriage and family therapy who apply their minds and hearts to promoting processes of change and growth in individuals, couples, families, and communities.

The Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy is a scholar/practitioner research program approached from an interdisciplinary perspective that prepares students for leadership roles in academia, research, behavioral health care, and pastoral care. For Doctor of Philosophy students wanting to pursue licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists, credit requirements will exceed 60 credits.

Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership

This 60-credit advanced research degree is offered to leadership scholars and practitioners with or without a concentration offered in three areas: business management, educational administration, and nonprofit and public administration. Students from diverse leadership backgrounds take core curriculum together to benefit from the program’s interdisciplinary approach to leadership. Students who do not wish to pursue a particular concentration will take four elective courses, while those who pursue a concentration complete at least 3 courses within their selected concentration. Adding a second concentration by completing additional courses is possible. Through concentration and elective courses, along with independent dissertation research, students develop their focused expertise. Online instruction, blended with face-to-face residencies, maximizes learning benefits while accommodating the schedule of working adults. The cohort-based learning environment provides students with opportunities to build meaningful relationships with their leadership colleagues and faculty.

The Ph.D. curriculum includes courses in organizational leadership, research methodology, concentration disciplines, and dissertation. Successful completion of comprehensive examinations is necessary for progression to Ph.D. candidacy in the program. Comprehensives include two parts: written exams and submission of a portfolio. The written exams are administered after successful completion of two years (36 credits) with a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0. The portfolio is submitted after the successful completion of three years (51 credits) with a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0. A faculty committee shall assess the content of the written exams and portfolios. The culmination of the program is the dissertation, which demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct scholarly research.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Leadership Studies (CAGS)

Once Ph.D. students successfully complete 36 credits, the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Leadership Studies will be designated on the student’s transcript, without additional coursework or tuition. To receive a hard copy certificate, students must apply and submit a fee.