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Family Life

Graduate Programs

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Marriage, Family, & Human Development (MS)

An MS in MFHD provides a combination of depth and breadth in studying family sciences and human development, as well as the methods used in social science research. During the first year, students will participate in a core curriculum that provides a broad understanding of theories, research findings, issues, methods, and application strategies in the field. MFHD is a research-focused academic degree. It provides a life-course perspective by which human development and family behavior can be understood and improved. The master’s degree can be a terminal degree, but most frequently it is preparation for additional graduate training in related areas of interest.
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Marriage, Family, & Human Development (PhD)

A PhD in MFHD is designed to address the theories, research, and practices that strengthen marriages enhance the development of children and unfold the characteristics of quality nurturing relationships across generations. Students are prepared for a career in academia through a research-based curriculum that focuses on statistical competence and research methodology.
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Marriage & Family Therapy (MS)

The marriage and family therapy program offers the Master of Science degree as a two-year program. The purpose of this degree is to prepare graduate students to engage in marriage and family therapy practice in the areas of: (a) theoretical competence, (b) clinical competence, and (c) research competence, with an understanding of multicultural diversity. More specifically, at the end of their program students will (a) be able to pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) National Licensing Exam, (b) be effective clinicians and employable as interns, and (c) be able to meet the academic and clinical requirements for the associate/intern MFT license in Utah. Our intent is to prepare the students to function in a wide variety of MFT settings. The curriculum is based on state licensure/certification requirements and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
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Marriage & Family Therapy (PhD)

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and has three interrelated emphases: Clinical Practice, Teaching and Clinic Supervision, and Research. The PhD program offers two tracks: 1) Academic/Research and 2) Clinical Administration/Private Practice. Electives are offered within each of these categories to help students meet their individual goals. These emphases will be facilitated and directed within an environment of understanding and respect for multicultural diversity.
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Faculty

See a full list of Family Life department graduate faculty

Courses

See all Family Life graduate courses
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Contact

2086 JFSB
801-422-2060
mfhdgrad@byu.edu
mftptsec@byu.edu
Department Website

The goal of the graduate programs in the School of Family Life is to provide education that teaches students to conduct research that contributes to the understanding and enhancement of human development and marriage and family relationships. In addition, the graduate programs will educate students in the prevention and intervention that promotes quality family living across generations. The graduate programs in the school are noted for contributions in marriage preparation, family studies, social development, and marriage and family therapy.

Four degrees are associated with the School of Family Life: Marriage, Family, and Human Development MS; Marriage, Family, and Human Development PhD; Marriage and Family Therapy MS; Marriage and Family Therapy PhD.

Marriage and Family Therapy Program
Phone: (801) 422-5680
Address: 234 TLRB, Provo, UT 84602-6710
Web site: http://mft.byu.edu/

Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Coordinator: Roy Bean

Marriage, Family and Human Development Program
Phone: (801) 422-2060
Address: 2086 JFSB, Provo, UT 84602
Web site: http://mfhd.byu.edu/

Marriage, Family, and Human Development Graduate Coordinator: Alex Jensen

Director:  Erin Holmes

Resources & Opportunity

Family Studies Center. An interdisciplinary research institute focusing on studies related to all aspects of the family, the center encourages and supports research on family-related topics ranging from prenatal development to problems of aging. Many of the faculty in the college are actively engaged in such research and receive support from the center. Activities include providing grants, research assistance, conferences on special topics every two years, and outreach to bring valuable information on strengthening families to both families and family practitioners.

Comprehensive Clinic. The Comprehensive Clinic at Brigham Young University is a unique interdisciplinary training and research facility housing the finest video and computer facilities available and a staff of skilled technicians and secretaries to support graduate student and faculty research. The clinic currently functions as a training facility for an AAMFT-approved marriage and family therapy PhD and for MS training programs. In addition, the clinic provides the university and the broader geographical community with mental health services involving between 200 and 250 clients each week.

Family, Home, and Social Sciences Computing Center. The center assists faculty and students with social science data processing and other computing needs on mainframe and personal computers. Technical support and consultation services for both statistics and graphics are available to students working on research projects, theses, and dissertations.

Child and Family Laboratories. These excellent facilities provide a practicum setting in which graduate students develop skills in conducting and interpreting research involving small children.

The School of Family Life also provides additional research and academic support to family life programs through the Camilla Eyring Kimball Chair of Home and Family Life.

Financial Assistance

The programs offer graduate research and teaching assistantships, supplementary awards and scholarships, and internships as aid. Once admitted to the program, the student will receive specific information regarding their funding package.