Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT)

Program Requirements

The program includes several phases. The first phase includes required core and concentration courses in the area of Marriage and Family Therapy as theoretical foundations, contemporary topics, and applicable research for mental health professionals.

Upon completion of the required core and concentration courses, the student begins the first phase of the research project, with each student working closely with a faculty chair and committee to complete the research project phase proposal. In this phase, students personalize their academic journey for greater outcomes by selecting a topic of interest applicable to lessons learned in their field and developing skills specific to a research area of interest in Marriage and Family Therapy.

In the final phase, students finalize their research area of interest with a project that lends to real-world solutions while simultaneously achieving their desired goal in the Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT) program.

For additional information, please visit the TUW Catalog.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking to enroll in Touro University Worldwide’s Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy program must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:

1. Have earned a clinical Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or related field (e.g., counseling, psychology, social work) from an accredited institution*, or
2. Be an Associate or Registered Intern.
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.4 in the accredited Master’s Program
4. Demonstrate professional engagement or interest working in a clinical setting.

*Note: If the degree was awarded oversees, it must be from an institution that is approved by the Ministry of Education.

Students, who meet the above criteria, will be required to complete the following steps in order to be admitted and enrolled at TUW:

1. Submit an application to the University.
2. Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Transcripts must come directly from the issuing institutions. Students who completed college coursework outside the United States must have their transcripts translated and evaluated. (See Foreign Credit for additional information.)
3. Submit two letters of recommendation: one from someone familiar with the prospective student’s academic work; and a professional reference from someone who has supervised the prospective student in a work environment (preferably the current supervisor, excluding family members).
4. Submit a Doctoral Entrance Essay: The entrance essay is an essential part of the Doctoral Program and serves as the initial component of the student’s research portfolio. The entrance essay takes the form of a narrative presenting candidates’ biography, career plan, and goals in pursuing the doctorate at Touro University Worldwide.

The Doctoral Admissions Committee will evaluate the essay. Committee members seek evidence regarding critical qualities and abilities including:

• Motivation, maturity of judgment, and creativity;
• Evidence of a sound personal agenda that includes achievable personal and professional objectives;
• Awareness of intellectual strengths as well as skills needing development;
• Awareness of program requirements
• Proficiency with standard written English including the ability to express concepts and communicate meaning in concise writing

The Doctoral Entrance Essay components should include the following:

1. Biographical Component
   Earlier learning experiences, both formal and informal, should be described. Characterize in terms of the nature and general outcome prior study, related work experience, and participation in scholarly research (if any).
2. Career Plan Component
   Explain how a doctoral-level education fits with stated career plan and goals. How will doctoral study, in conjunction with background and interests, further those goals?
3. Goals in Pursuing the Doctorate
   Briefly discuss why the reasons for enrolling in doctoral study at Touro University Worldwide, including but not limited to:

   1. The reasons for selecting the TUW program rather than another doctoral program;
   2. The particular goals anticipated to be attained through completion of the doctoral curriculum;
   3. Proposed topics being considered for the doctoral research project.