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A nationally accredited couple and family therapy program
The couple and family therapy doctoral program prepares the next generation of leaders and agents of social change to work systemically with diverse families and communities locally and internationally. Program outcomes include:
- Knowledge and research: teach, research, publish, and engage diverse communities on relationally-oriented mental health topics.
- Practice and ethics competencies: train the next generation of MFTs in advanced relationally-oriented and ethical clinical practice, MFT supervision, and university-level teaching.
- Diversity: increase awareness of diversity and contribute to creating a more multicultural-informed profession.
Faculty are nationally and internationally recognized leaders and researchers committed to your success. Explore their research projects.
Careers
A PhD in couple and family therapy will prepare you to pursue a career in academia or clinical administration as well as evaluate and produce relationally oriented research that improves the health and well-being of diverse individuals, couples, families, and communities.
How to apply
Students applying to the CFT program must have a clinical master's degree (e.g., couple/marriage and family therapy, social work, psychology, counseling, psychiatric nursing), or have achieved equivalent clinical experience, as determined by the CFT faculty. Clinical training at the master's level is not offered in this department. Students admitted to the CFT doctoral program are expected to be clinically active throughout the duration of their time in the program with approximately 6-10 hours per week.
Students from non-COAMFTE accredited programs may have additional coursework to meet COAMFTE foundational academic requirements.
Couple and family therapy specialization checklist [PDF].
Admission to the Department of Family Social Science (FSoS) is based on:
- Evidence of strong academic preparation and the ability and desire to perform graduate level scholarship, including research.
- Alignment of applicant's professional goals with FSoS faculty scholarship and with the department's mission.
- Unique contributions applicant would make to FSoS values, including social relevance, collaboration, inclusiveness, excellence, innovation, and diversity.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8
- Graduate school application
- Application fee
- Transcripts
- Non-native English Speakers: TOEFL, IELTS, etc. test scores
Contact
Graduate Program Coordinator
Tuition and funding
CEHD Fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, and grants for graduate students
As a graduate student in CEHD, you may be eligible for fellowships, grants, and scholarships from the University of Minnesota, from our college, and from your academic department. Check this link out to get more information on funding opportunities!
Funding
Learn more about funding opportunities through the Department of Family Social Science.
Financial aid
Financial aid for your graduate program works a little differently than financial aid at the undergraduate level. It’s important to know the differences and explore your options. Check out this One Stop link for more information on eligibility, required steps, and timelines. If you have questions, you should contact Sumitra Ramachandran, graduate program coordinator, at fsosgrad@umn.edu
Questions about funding
University Funding Opportunities: 612.625.7579 | gsfellow@umn.edu
Request Info
What our alumni say
Quote from Ashley Landers, PhD '16
My educational experience in CEHD at the University of Minnesota was transformative. I transitioned from a clinician to a researcher and an educator. My education afforded me the opportunity to pursue an academic career.
Coursework
The couple and family therapy specialization includes coursework and applied experiences that underscore culture, family, and community health. Our core coursework integrates conceptual frameworks with hands-on research training to ensure you develop the necessary knowledge and competencies.
- FSOS 5014 - Quantitative Family Research Methods I - (3 credits)
- FSOS 5015 - Family Research Laboratory - (1 credit)
- FSOS 8001 - Conceptual Frameworks in the Family - (3 credits)
- FSOS 8002 - Advanced Family Conceptual Frameworks - (3 credits)
- FSOS 8013 - Qualitative Family Research Methods - (3 credits)
- FSOS 8014 - Quantitative Family Research Methods II - (3 credits)
- FSOS 8015 - Advanced Qualitative Family Research Methods - (3 credits)
- FSOS 8101 - Family Stress, Coping and Adaptation - (3 credits)
- FSOS 8200 - Orientation for Family Social Science - (1 credit)
View all program requirements in the University catalog. Review the online FSOS Graduate Program Handbook for details and timelines that will help you launch your career and build a foundation for your personal and professional success.
Nationally accredited
This program is accredited by both The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family therapy Education (COAMFTE) and the International Accreditation Commission for Systemic Therapy Education (IACSTE).
Program outcomes
COAMFTE accreditation requires the Department of Family Social Science to articulate the desired outcomes for the program, students, and faculty. These outcomes shape and inform our approach to doctoral education and provide an overview of what we hope to accomplish.
Graduate achievement criteria
The COAMFTE publishes the Graduate Achievement Criteria for all COAMFTE accredited programs.
If you have questions about this information, please contact Armeda Wojciak, couple and family therapy program director, associate professor, and Olson Family Professorship, at awojciak@umn.edu.
Contact
We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and a member of our department will be in touch.
Sumitra Madhuri Ramachandran
Graduate program coordinator, fsosgrad@umn.edu
Stacey Horn
Department head, professor, Campbell Leadership Chair in Education & Human Development, sshorn@umn.edu
Catherine Solheim
Director of graduate studies and professor, csolheim@umn.edu
Armeda Wojciak
Couple and family therapy (CFT) program director, associate professor, Olson Family Professorship, awojciak@umn.edu