Program Overview
Miami Shores * Orlando

The doctoral program in Counseling with a specialization in marital, couple, and family counseling / therapy, housed within the Adrian Dominican School of Education, offers educational experiences in the foundations of counseling. The program follows a practitioner/educator/investigator model and stresses integration of theory, research, and practice. Through course work and supervised practice, students develop knowledge and skills in the following areas: appraisal; treatment planning; individual, family and group counseling; career counseling; consultation; and supervision. Coursework on research design and statistics, combined with supervised independent research on professional projects and dissertations, refine students' research skills. As researchers, counselors possess the expertise to evaluate the degree to which clients are achieving their goals, and to evaluate and conduct research, thus increasing the body of knowledge on the theory and practice of counseling.

The Counseling Program at Barry University fosters increased sensitivity to cultural diversity within our society. Cross-cultural components of theory, practice, and research are stressed in both course work and research opportunities. The ethics and standards of practice in working with diverse clients are emphasized throughout the program. Self-exploration through in-depth supervision and personal awareness activities are provided throughout the program. The Counseling Program also provides opportunities for students to study neuroscience applications in marital, couple, and family counseling / therapy and strength-based narrative, collaborative, and solution-focused approaches.

Individuals admitted to the program are expected to maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct. The faculty believes that the goals of the program strongly reflect both the definition and identity of counseling, and that accomplishing the program goals empowers graduates to find success and fulfillment in the field of counseling. Collegial learning manifested through mentorship opportunities, a strong commitment to the practitioner/educator/investigator model, and extensive work and study in all areas relevant to the counseling profession characterize the program.

Counseling Ph.D. Curriculum

Research

Students take four courses specifically aimed at development of research skills. Students can begin general background study in support of their dissertations, working with faculty during their first year in the program. Research experience is available and encouraged by working on faculty-led research teams. Building research skills throughout the doctoral program prepares students to develop their dissertation research projects. Dissertation research consists of original research contributions to the field of marital, couple, and family counseling / therapy.

Outcomes of the Doctoral Degree

Upon completion of the doctoral degree, students will have mastered a body of knowledge related to the profession of Counseling and the specialization of Marital, Couple and Family Counseling/Therapy. Doctoral graduates will have completed a rigorous training regimen in advanced doctoral level classes, including instruction in marriage and family therapy research, theory construction, supervision, statistics, and research. Graduates of this program will be able to demonstrate essential skills, techniques, and competence in their selected areas of research and treatment, as well as understanding and applying that knowledge within the structure of community agencies, hospitals, private practice, and other settings. Graduates will have obtained competence in the professional code of ethics in dealing and working with a diverse client population.