Child Development and Family Relations

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Family Therapy

The first ever doctoral program in Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) was established at East Carolina University (ECU) in fall 2005 and graduated the first group of MedFT doctoral students in the nation in May of 2008. The mission of the doctoral program in Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) is to advance students learning in the areas of research, theory, clinical practice, leadership, supervision, and teaching in order to prepare and qualify them to pursue employment as researchers, educators, administrators, and/or clinicians in the field of medical family therapy. Our doctoral students conduct research, teach, and supervise from a relational and systemic perspective through the incorporation of a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach. The aim is to widen the knowledge base in healthcare to include biomedical, psychosocial, and family data in the collaborative education, treatment, research, and theoretical understanding of medical and mental health issues. In January 2009, the Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Family Therapy was accredited by COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education), which made it the first accredited MedFT program in the United States.

East Carolina University Medical Family Therapy graduates are competent in:

Conducting both qualitative and quantitative research regarding health, relationships, and larger systems
Assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients from a variety of different cultural, socioeconomic, and racial communities using a biopsychosocial-spiritual lens
Treating patients, researching and teaching in medical contexts
Supervising MFT and MedFT supervisees

What does the East Carolina University Medical Family Therapy program offer its students?

A variety of internship opportunities in the field from medical settings to military settings
Opportunities for full academic funding through tuition waivers, GA positions, and health insurance coverage
Flexibility in developing new and exciting research and training opportunities
State-of-the-art audio/visual technology for observing and recording live therapy and supervision sessions
Faculty with diverse interests who have gained numerous awards and honors
Learning environments that foster diversity and tolerance

Theory
Clinical Practice
Clinical Supervision
Research
Additional Courses
Clinical Practicum
Internship
Dissertation

CDFR 8402 Advanced Family Therapy Theories

CDFR 7401 Introduction to Medical Family Therapy

CDFR 7409 Illness & Disability Across the Lifespan

CDFR 8403 Gender & Ethnicity in Medical Family Therapy

CDFR 7502 Family Therapy Supervision Methods and Practice

NURS 8226 Statistical Methods for Nursing Research I

NURS 8227 Statistical Methods for Nursing Research II

CDFR 8400 Adv. Research Methods in Medical Fam. Therapy

NURS 7100 Qualitative Research: Analysis and Interpretation

HUMS 7004 Ethics & Research: Humanities & Basic Med. Sciences

Cognates ( 6 s.h. approved graduate level courses)

Electives (6 s.h. approved graduate level courses)

CDFR 8404 Medical Family Therapy Practicum I

CDFR 8405 Medical Family Therapy Practicum II

CDFR 8406 Medical Family Therapy Practicum III

CDFR 8407 Medical Family Therapy Practicum IV

CDFR 8910/8911/8912 Family Therapy Research/Clinical Internship

CDFR 9000 Dissertation (min of 6 s.h.)

Full Check Sheet

MedFT Handbook
(password required)

Full Course Descriptions

Important Dates

Polices and Procedures

MedFT Reading Resources

This program is taught in a traditional face to face classroom environment.

Program Requirements:

Students must complete a standard curriculum for doctoral programs as stipulated by the Commission for the Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Full time students are expected to complete the program in a minimum of three years. Students completing the program will be expected to fulfill educational and clinical requirements for marriage and family therapy licensure.

Click here to apply to East Carolina University. Admission to East Carolina University does not guarantee admissions into your desired program of study.

Admission Requirements:

Candidates should follow the application procedures of the University Graduate School.

Applications must be submitted on or before January 1st. The Graduate School has minimum requirements for all applicants to graduate programs. In order to meet the Graduate School’s criteria, you must have at least a 2.75 GPA and be in the 30th percentile on the GRE. Many of our successful applicants have a minimum 3.0 GPA and 1000 on the GRE.

Applicants must have a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or a related discipline. Applicants from a related field should have completed a course of study that demonstrates competencies in basic marriage and family therapy studies and clinical experience.

The application must be submitted by January 1 and include:

1) Completed application form and application fee ($US60)
2) Official transcripts for all colleges/universities attended
3) Three (3) letters of recommendation (preferably from faculty or supervisors from medical contexts)
4) Statement of Intent (should include the student's
a) Experiences related to medical family therapy
b) Research experiences and interests, including a clear research plan if accepted into the program
c) Vision for his/her career with a medical family therapy degree (i.e., why your career would require a PhD)
d) Strengths and areas of growth that have shaped his/her career
e) Description of him/herself as a clinician
5) GRE scores
6) A writing sample of no more than 10 pages is required. Applicants will be notified by mail if they are eligible for an interview. Candidates who have been considered for a personal interview with the Medical Family Therapy program faculty will be asked to participate in an individual and group interview.

Students may transfer up to 9 credit hours of doctoral course work toward their degree. Students who do not have a master’s in family therapy must complete specified courses from the m.s. family therapy curriculum prior to starting the doctoral curriculum. Contact Dr. Angela Lamson regarding transfer credits at lamsona@ecu.edu.

Other Requirements:

In addition, collaborative research, teaching, and clinical partnerships with a number of schools and departments assist our students in the study and delivery of medical family therapy (e.g., ECU’s Brody School of Medicine (BSOM), School of Nursing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, and the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies). Students have permission to enroll in courses and/or participate in research in one or more of the aforementioned units to ensure a well rounded educational experience. Research and clinical placements and teaching opportunities at the BSOM are available as part of the doctoral education experience.

Standards, Accreditations and Certifications


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