PhD
Marriage & Family Therapy
Application Deadline
Contact Information
Admission Requirements
Requirements
BYU MFT Programs Admissions Guidelines
Please read over the MFT program mission statement and Admissions Guidelines prior to completing your application.
MFT Programs Mission Statement
In harmony with our sponsoring organization (i.e., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and the mission/aims of Brigham Young University, the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) programs focuses on “balanced development” in all student growth areas. This development is carried out in an environment of compassion, inclusion and diversity in order to prepare students to be a healing influence in a world struggling to create safe and meaningful relationships. Both programs utilize a relational perspective (regarding the practice and science of healing) to improve the well-being of individuals, couples, and families. Finally, we strive to be an international leader in process research in order to understand how change occurs and to extend our healing influence beyond campus borders.
In fulfilling our mission statement, the MFT program is designed to fulfill the mission and aims of BYU, as an educational organization (https://aims.byu.edu/), including the creation of an “Enriched Learning Environment” (https://multicultural.byu.edu/node/whatwedo). Therefore, our admission decisions will be based largely upon applicants’ capacities to contribute to the program and their ability to grow in the following areas:
- Resume of relevant social service experience and research experience (Max of 1 page).
- When detailing your research experience, note any resultant publications or conference presentations. Please include your total clinical hours and total relational hours. Please let us know if any of your supervisors were not AAMFT Approved supervisors.
- Exclude mission, service, BSA rank
- 3 letters of recommendation
- A recorded video interview (you will receive specific instructions and a link during the submission process)
- You will be required to respond to three prompts with corresponding questions and time limits. You will be given each prompt individually and a few moments to think before responding to the questions.
- Three short essays of (750 Characters each, maximum)
- Tell us about a personal quality you have that others would find annoying or off putting. How does the quality show up in relationships? How do you manage this quality in relationships?
- Tell us about a time you worked hard for something and failed. How did you handle the situation and what did you learn from that experience?
- What do you want to accomplish in your career after graduation? As part of your answer, tell us what you want to be an expert in and why.
- Background check is required after admission.
BYU MFT Programs Admissions Guidelines
Please read over the MFT program mission statement and Admissions Guidelines prior to completing your application.
MFT Programs Mission Statement
In harmony with our sponsoring organization (i.e., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and the mission/aims of Brigham Young University, the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) programs focuses on “balanced development” in all student growth areas. This development is carried out in an environment of compassion, inclusion and diversity in order to prepare students to be a healing influence in a world struggling to create safe and meaningful relationships. Both programs utilize a relational perspective (regarding the practice and science of healing) to improve the well-being of individuals, couples, and families. Finally, we strive to be an international leader in process research in order to understand how change occurs and to extend our healing influence beyond campus borders.
In fulfilling our mission statement, the MFT program is designed to fulfill the mission and aims of BYU, as an educational organization (https://aims.byu.edu/), including the creation of an “Enriched Learning Environment” (https://multicultural.byu.edu/node/whatwedo). Therefore, our admission decisions will be based largely upon applicants’ capacities to contribute to the program and their ability to grow in the following areas:
- To intellectually enlarge – Applicant capacity to contribute in terms of intellectual enlargement will be assessed largely through GRE scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, and the personal statement description of their educational path.
- To spiritually strengthen – Applicant potential to contribute to the programs’ spiritually strengthening atmosphere will be assessed through the personal statement, video responses, any personal/professional experience (work/volunteer service presented on the resume), and their ecclesiastical endorsement.
- To build character – Applicant potential to contribute to a character-building environment will be measured largely through the personal statement (in terms of a description of jobs they have had, how they financed their education, personal struggles they are dealing with), letters of recommendations, and the video responses.
- Capacity for lifelong service and learning – This will be measured through the personal statement (description of their achievements in this area to date), letters of recommendation, and any personal/professional experience and service described in the resume.
- Enriched Learning environment – This will be measured largely through the video responses, personal statement, and personal experiences related to gender, ethnic, racial and other forms of diversity (Please discuss your personal experiences with diversity outside of your mission).
Program Requirements
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.
BYU offers two options for the Ph.D. degree in MFT. The first option, for students who already have an MFT master’s degree from an accredited institution, takes approximately three years to complete with the first two years comprising of coursework and clinical hours and the third year primarily focusing on dissertation and internship. The second option is for students with a non-MFT master’s degree program in a clinical field such as Social Work or Counseling Psychology. For this option the students work with their graduate advisor to map out which courses are needed to meet the master’s curriculum and takes approximately one year to complete MFT Master’s Degree curriculum not present in the previous clinical program. The additional courses required of these students allow the students to meet MFT licensing requirements as presented in the Master’s Degree requirements. When all educational requirements for licensure in MFT are completed, they begin the Ph. D. curriculum. In this circumstance, the program may require approximately four years for graduation.
Requirements for Degree.
Coursework:
BYU offers two options for the Ph.D. degree in MFT. The first option, for students who already have an MFT master’s degree from an accredited institution, takes approximately three years to complete with the first two years comprising of coursework and clinical hours and the third year primarily focusing on dissertation and internship. The second option is for students with a non-MFT master’s degree program in a clinical field such as Social Work or Counseling Psychology. For this option the students work with their graduate advisor to map out which courses are needed to meet the master’s curriculum and takes approximately one year to complete MFT Master’s Degree curriculum not present in the previous clinical program. The additional courses required of these students allow the students to meet MFT licensing requirements as presented in the Master’s Degree requirements. When all educational requirements for licensure in MFT are completed, they begin the Ph. D. curriculum. In this circumstance, the program may require approximately four years for graduation.
Requirements for Degree.
Coursework:
- Credit Hours (69): minimum 45 course work hours beyond completion of the master's degree coursework and clinical experience.
- Required courses:
- MFT 700 (3 credits) Advanced Research Methodology in MFT
- MFT 750 (3 credits) Supervision in MFT
- MFT 752 (3 credits) – Advanced Topics in MFT
- MFT 753 Advanced Clinical Specialization in MFT
- MFT 760R (3 credits) – Supervision Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy
- MFT 770R (3 credits) – Clinical Internship
- MFT 793R (3 credits) – MFT Outcome and Process Research
- MFHD 605 (3 credits) - Structural Equation Modeling in the Social Sciences
- MFHD 706R (3 credits) – Advanced Statistics or an approved substitute
- Minor: any minor approved by graduate committee, but not required.
- Clinical requirement: a minimum of 500 hours of direct client contact after completing the MFT MS requirements and 100 hours of supervision with approved supervisor.
- Practicum (18 credits): MFT 655R/755R Practicum/Advanced Practicum in MFT
- Dissertation (18 credits): MFT 799R Doctoral Dissertation
- Examinations: All doctoral students are required to successfully defend their dissertation orally, complete the Doctoral Portfolio papers, presentations, and publications in clinical practice, teaching/supervision, and research, which serves as a comprehensive examination.
- Professional development internship
Program Outcomes
Marriage and Family Therapy Theory Skills
Demonstrate competence in Marriage and Family Therapy theory development and practice.
Teaching/Supervision Skills
Be competent in teaching and supervision.
Marriage and Family Therapy Research Skills
Be productive in the area of Marraige and Family Therapy research methods (qualitative and quantitative) and statistics.
Understanding Cultural Diversity
Understand and respect cultural diversity as a contextual factor in the lives of others, including clients.
Demonstrate competence in Marriage and Family Therapy theory development and practice.
Teaching/Supervision Skills
Be competent in teaching and supervision.
Marriage and Family Therapy Research Skills
Be productive in the area of Marraige and Family Therapy research methods (qualitative and quantitative) and statistics.
Understanding Cultural Diversity
Understand and respect cultural diversity as a contextual factor in the lives of others, including clients.
Program Stats
Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
Total Students
19.0
International
1.0
Male
10.0
Female
9.0
LDS
14.0
BYU Undergraduate
8.0
Five Year Average of Graduated Students
Average Years to Degree
1.89
Graduated Per Year
18.2
GMAT Quantitative Percentile
67.5
Five Year Average of Admitted Students
Applied Per Year
7.2
Admitted Per Year
4.2
Percent Admitted
58.33
Average GPA
3.74
Courses and Faculty