woman with child on lap, both smiling at a boy looking down

Child and Adolescent
Therapy Specialization

100% ONLINE PhD-MFT

Complete your studies on your own time.

NEW START DATE EVERY MONDAY

Start your first course when it’s convenient for you.

59 MONTHS TO YOUR PhD-MFT

Finish your PhD-MFT in just 21 courses.

Overview

The goal of the specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy is to prepare you to respond to the needs of children and adolescents through therapy and programming, to engage in meaningful research projects, and to help you become a leader in the profession. The NU program teaches you to effectively assess the complex developmental and family processes at play and gives you the ability to connect research and practice to deliver evidence-based, contextually sensitive, culturally informed, and developmentally appropriate services.

Benefits

Unmatched Flexibility

NU offers weekly course starts, no scheduled lecture hours, no group assignments, weekly assignments, and the ability to schedule courses around your personal and professional obligations.

100% Doctoral Faculty

No matter the degree level you pursue, you can rest assured that you will be mentored by doctors in your field of study.

One to One Engagement

You won’t have to fight for facetime as one of many within a classroom. At NU, you’ll have the opportunity to interact one to one with your professor, receiving personalized mentoring.

Course Details

PHD-MFT

Credit Hours : 69

Courses: 23

Estimated Time to Complete: 56 months

*Credit hours and courses reflect new students meeting credit requirements and utilizing no transfer credits. Est. Time of Completion reflects new students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for the program.

Learning Outcomes

  • Appraise relational/systemic ethical behaviors in various settings (SLO #5)
  • Create new knowledge in marriage and family therapy through independent research (SLO #4)
  • Cultivate competence in working with diverse populations in various contexts (SLO #3)
  • Students/graduates will develop expertise in an area of specialization related to the field of marriage and family therapy (SLO #2)
  • Develop relational/systemic innovations addressing contemporary issues in the field of marriage and family therapy (SLO #1)

National University pursues programmatic accreditation whenever appropriate. The Master’s and PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy are COAMFTE and IACSTE accredited.

Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Education Logo

The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) is the accrediting body for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

International Accreditation Commission for Systemic Therapy Education Logo

The International Accreditation Commission for Systemic Therapy Education (IACSTE) focuses on the development and implementation of quality standards for programs around the world that provide systemic therapy education and training.

Program Disclosure

Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.

Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.

NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.

All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.

National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.