May 12, 2024  
NCU Catalog - April 2019 
    
NCU Catalog - April 2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


Course Codes and Course Length

Course Codes

NCU course codes include a course prefix and number. The course prefix identifies the content area of a course and the number identifies the course-level (e.g., Undergraduate, Master’s. etc.). Courses in this catalog section are list by School and content area in numerical order.

Example: The course prefix “ACC” indicates Accounting content

Course Numbering

Course numbering used at NCU is as follows:

Undergraduate 1000 to 4999
Master’s 5000 to 6999;
5000-8 to 6999-8
Doctoral and Advance Studies Certificates 7000 to 8999;
7000-8 to 8999-8
Doctoral Sequence Courses

9000 to 9799; 
9901A-D to 9904A-D

Course Length

Course length varies by course and program. Please refer to the course listing in this catalog to determine the length of a specific course.

 

Management

  
  • MGT-7000 - Business Organization and Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Doctoral students will develop rational and employable management tools for working within an organization by understanding and analyzing various management techniques, concepts of organization, and analytical skills that are useful for effective organizations. Students are provided a comprehensive and multidimensional understanding of decision-making, communication, and budgeting. The course also examines the responsibilities of management practices in the organization to include employee motivation, leadership, and workplace trends.
  
  • MGT-5027 - Legal Implications in Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course will familiarize business law students with how legal principles affect management in business. The student will learn the theoretical foundations of the legal regime governing business and will become familiar with key substantive areas of law affecting business decisions.
  
  • MGT-5025 - Total Quality Perspectives in Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course provides a comprehensive review of Total Quality Management principles, focusing on quality and continuous improvement in all aspects of business operation. A balance of case studies and examples is presented to illustrate major concepts. Students will focus on integrating quality and continuous improvement in all aspects of an operation.
  
  • MGT-5022 - Organizational Development

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course defines factors that increase overall organizational effectiveness through change and planning. This course will examine a myriad of topics pertaining to organizational development, including organizational climate, culture, teams, structural bases of centralization and decentralization, job design, decision-making processes, and design theories.
  
  • MGT-5016 - Managing Change

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course examines the challenge of change and the implementation of change in organizations. It focuses on realistic managerial situations and the techniques involved in managing change and responses to opportunities and threats.
  
  • MGT-5010 - Leadership in Organizations

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Investigation of leadership roles, styles, philosophy, and behavior in organizations are components of this course. It also explores the qualities of leadership through the presentation of new models dealing with high performance leadership. This course presents a broad survey of theory and research on leadership in formal organizations. The key question to be answered after the completion of this course is: What makes a person an effective leader?
  
  • MGT-5007 - Strategic Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Strategic management examines the long-term needs of an enterprise and, through strategic planning, develops the strategies needed for effective performance. Whether it is for a for-profit or nonprofit organization, this course is designed to enable students to use various analysis tools to arrive at the best strategic recommendations and apply them to a real world enterprise.
  
  • MGT-5002 - Marketing Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This is an overview course in Marketing Management, the core of business operations. In it you will learn not only the vocabulary of marketing and its guiding principles but how to develop and implement marketing strategy. This includes developing a fundamental understanding of marketing as a constantly changing discipline and how to identify marketing opportunities based on an understanding of the consumer and environmental forces. In light of this understanding, you will learn how to create an appropriate segmentation and marketing mix strategy culminating in your ability to develop a marketing plan. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on effective written communication.
  
  • MGT-5000 - Business Organization and Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course examines the essential characteristics of business organizations and management in a manner which will enable students to assess the meaning of management and what is expected of a manager. Students will also analyze how managers can accomplish goals and achieve positive results. Students will also classify how a manager is graded on performance. This course will help students assess whether different organizational structures require different management styles. Finally, students will breakdown how managers communicate and lead.

Management of Engineering and Technology

  
  • MET-8010CAGS - Management of Engineering and Technology

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    The student will create a comprehensive research project that seeks to create a unique solution to a stated, real, or hypothetical defined topic. The project should be suitable for publication or organizational application. Research scope and definitions must be declared before the specific approved project can commence. Students will be assessed on demonstrated proficiency in designed assignments which will culminate into a final research project.
  
  • MET-7029 - Enterprise Project Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    A strategic plan is an intended course of action. Leaders establish direction; however, followers encounter potential issues in interpreting the intentions. Project leaders manage by information, by working through people, and by action. Effective communication is critical to the success of the plan. Leaders who manage through empowered personnel are usually successful as well. Leaders who manage through action are directly involved in decision making and implementation of strategic plans. This course examines these three strategies of project management. A collaborative and iterative approach must be maintained by leadership throughout the organization to successfully execute the plan.
  
  • MET-7020 - Strategic Technology Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    The primary question for a strategic manager of innovation and technology is where to look for opportunities. Since business accepts change as a constant and is likely accepting change at a more rapid rate in the 21st century, one potential opportunity area is customer expectations and demands for the organization’s products while looking for the disruptions in the product development process. The product development process is a cycle where innovation leads to productivity, productivity leads to intensified competition, and intensified competition leads to innovation. This course examines how technology is the identification, description, and explanation of needs resolved for business and industry applications. It is important to realize that technology evolves from implementation modifications due to customer feedback. This evolution is a trajectory of needs.
  
  • MET-7015 - The Impact and Process Optimization of Technology

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course, designed for doctoral students, permits them to examine how people skills, processes, and machines relate to current technology and through proper process optimization coupled with strategic focus, can provide an organization with a competitive advantage.
  
  • MET-7003 - Applications of Decision Theory

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    During the business day, supervisors, leaders, those on the manufacturing line, those drafting blueprints, and everyone else in the business environment are faced with making a decision. Some decisions are common and are made easily while other decisions are political, complex or require vast amounts of data to make the final decision. To make a correct a decision the person needs to follow a methodology to ensure the proper facts are considered and hidden traps of decision-making are avoided.
  
  • MET-7002 - Applications of Systems Theory

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    There is little doubt that the 21st century will bring unheralded change to the business world. A system must exhibit certain principles of interrelationships, such as wholeness or hierarchic order, to ensure the collective behaviors result in an efficient final system product. System thinking integrates the individual, team, and various departments into activities associated with organizations, environment, and strategy. The result is a more accurate representation of the organization and its environment. Situational contingencies and context influence the individual’s level of actions within the organization and the organization’s context influences the individual’s actions. This course, designed for Doctoral students, examines the application of systems theory, which focuses on complexity and interdependence.
  
  • MET-7000 - Fundamentals of Productivity

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    To achieve a competitive advantage, organizations attempt to increase productivity, responsiveness, and adaptability. Problems and challenges accompany efforts directed towards achieving the highest level of productivity and efficiency. In this doctoral-level course, students will examine the productivity considerations of today’s organizations including a fluctuating economy, technological advancement, variable work volumes, and increased globalization.
  
  • MET-5023 - Managing the Research and Development Organization

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    The management of R&D is the discipline of designing and leading R&D processes, managing R&D organizations, and ensuring smooth transfer of new knowledge, know-how, and technology to the stakeholders. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the planning, new product development, technological forecasting and strategy, innovation, ethics, sustainability, and creativity required in the management of R&D.
  
  • MET-5020 - Management of Technology

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course is concerned with the impact of rapidly changing technology and the problems of managing these technological changes. The success of these ventures is even more dependent on timely and often courageous technological change decisions. The traditional concepts of operational and economic life of technologies must be used with caution. The real and impending impact of technological change is ever present as a factor and it must be continually managed for a firm to survive.
  
  • MET-5017 - Emerging Technologies

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    In this graduate course, participants will identify and understand the direction and consequences of emerging technologies on industry and society. Addressed in the course are the evolutionary development of technology and application, revolutionary inventions, and expanding needs that result from new technological possibilities.
  
  • MET-5016 - Improving Productivity Through Technology

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course is primarily concerned with the processes of acquiring technology to improve productivity in the firm. This includes looking at organizational change needed to successfully implement technological advances. The course will review organizations and their attempts to adopt technological innovations - especially computer and information system related innovations. This course will also examine the changes needed to make effective use of new technology and assure consistency between the technology and organizational processes and structures. This course also investigates the impact of technology on improving productivity, and the limits of such improvements.
  
  • MET-5010 - Quality Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    The effective implementation of total quality management practices is a requirement for all organizations to be successful. This course introduces a systematic approach for implementing total quality management for an organization with a strong emphasis on the customer, including customer expectations for product quality. This course covers the topics of defining quality, the history of quality management, identifying and understanding the customer, and adopting process improvements to implement quality management.
  
  • MET-5002 - Applied Systems Theory

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Applied systems theory is the process by which the orderly evolution of human-developed systems can be achieved. The knowledge and tools needed for implementation of applied systems theory is discussed. Included in this class are; the system design process, system analysis and modeling, and the techniques of designing for operational feasibility. Students in this course will examine managerial systems concepts such as object modeling, system development strategies, user interface design, and database design. Students will understand and optimize organizational processes using applied systems theory. An overview of system engineering management is presented.
  
  • MET-5000 - Principles of Productivity

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course is designed to provide an overview of many topics that can affect productivity. The topics covered in the course are product design and operations, process design and choice of technology, management of quality, capacity and scheduling management of production and inventory management systems.

Management Information Systems

  
  • MIS-7005 - Enterprise Network Architecture

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    The purpose of this course is to provide a professional understanding of the value and uses of information systems architectures and processes designed to improve the overall performances of an organization. As such, students will explore an overview of enterprise architecture, computer networks, systems applications, and information systems processes. Topics include: the ways in which technologists might develop an enterprise network architecture to improve application accessibility, data storage, and management, communications, and business processes. Emphasis is on the tools needed for mastery of enterprise network architecture concepts and terms.
  
  • MIS-7004 - IT Data Communications Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Prerequisites: MIS -5004  or equivalent or permission of the Dean of the School of Business and Technology

    This course presents the technical, economic, social, and management issues involved in building network architectures to deliver reliable, consistent, low cost information transmission services. Those who manage corporate network equipment and facilities will understand the theory behind, and application of, data communication principles.
  
  • MIS-7003 - Information Technology Decision Support

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This doctoral course provides a professional understanding of the value and uses of information systems for business collaborations, management decision-making. This course is designed for students who desire to understand collaboration, decision support systems, and executive information systems from a business perspective. This course provides with a synthesis regarding the ways in which the students can utilize decision support systems to improve corporate competitiveness within the global marketplace. The course concentrates on providing the tools needed for mastery of decision support systems concepts and terms, which are important for all senior executives and stakeholders.
  
  • MIS-7002 - Database Administration and Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course will encourage database administration and management personnel such as executives, strategic planners, network and information technology (IT) and system (IS) managers and scientists, data archivists, corporate librarians and information managers, systems integrators, and consultants to enhance their knowledge of the process of data collection, conversion, and migration. This course will present to students how data models align with the overall scope of business operations, which include hiring and forming strategic partnerships with knowledge workers.
  
  • MIS-7000 - Information Technology Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This doctoral course provides a basic understanding of the value and uses of information systems (IS) for business operations, management decision-making, and strategic advantage. The course concentrates on examining tools and concepts that are important to various managers who may not be directly managing the IS functions of the organization. This course provides an overview of practical applications of business IS and the critical issues surrounding them. More importantly, it introduces the doctoral student to several streams of recent research in the primary topic areas related to IS, and challenges the student to begin assimilating that research into a potential dissertation topic.
  
  • MIS-5005 - Local Area Networks (LAN)

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    The purpose of this course is to provide a professional understanding of the value and uses of network architecture to improve a business’ overall performance. Students will have the opportunity to synthesize the ways that firms should develop a network architecture to improve communications, data management, storage, and application accessibility. The focus of this course is to provide the tools needed for mastery of enterprise network architecture concepts and terms, which are important for all managers. Students will be provided with an overview of network management and architecture within a competitive business environment. They will learn how to manage network architecture, communications systems, and information systems processes.
  
  • MIS-5004 - Telecommunications Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Telecommunications network specialists, consultants, managers, satellite tracking system designers, and technical support engineers who manage corporate network equipment, facilities, and land-lines will be able to understand the need to migrate from traditional communications networks to 21st century communication wireless, sensor, and broadband networks. This course will look at the managerial issues involved in building digital production and distribution technologies and network architectures to deliver reliable, consistent, low cost services.
  
  • MIS-5002 - Database Management Systems

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course focuses on data as a valuable organizational resource that must be managed, distributed, and kept secure. Information is the lifeblood of the modern organization. Information that is managed in an effective manner is often the difference between success and failure. For this reason, more and more organizations have come to depend on database systems to pool and to protect this valuable commodity. This course introduces the student to the essential principles that guide the design, implementation, and management of effective database systems.
  
  • MIS-5000 - Management Information Systems

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course provides a basic understanding of how information systems function and support business functions. The course content focuses on different aspects of the integration of information systems and business for competitive advantage. This course is designed for students who want an overview of information systems from a business perspective or who expect to be managerial end users of information systems. Different functions of information systems are further explored throughout the course.

Marketing

  
  • MKT-7101 - Brand and Product Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This doctoral-level course incorporates product and brand strategies into a comprehensive management platform for understanding how to create the best marketing plans using an optimal marketing mix. Brand development focuses on image and equity coupled with product management. Creating new concepts and constructs requires best practices and a balance between plan requirements and brand needs in order to develop optimal marketing results.
  
  • MKT-7100 - Consumer Behavior Theory and Practice

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Students in this course will explore consumer behavior theory and consumer behavior. Consumer behavior theory examines the applications of creating theoretical constructs incorporating marketing dominant logic, customer lifetime value models, and new analytical methods to develop and design consumer response systems and marketing strategy. Customer loyalty and satisfaction are measures to help assess impacts of various new marketing strategies using techniques and scales to create improved consumer results.
  
  • MKT-7003 - Integrated Marketing Communication

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course focuses on the effective use of integrated marketing communications (IMC) programs and processes. Students will analyze the elements of integrated marketing communication including the trends, technology, and other macro-environmental issues impacting marketing communication.
  
  • MKT-7002 - Customer Relationship Management Strategies

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    The manner in which a company develops and manages customer relationships has evolved over the past two decades. This Doctoral level course explores strategies to develop and align customer, channel, brand, and relationship strategies to ensure that Customer Relationship Management (CRM) projects are effectively managed. Customers’ needs, preferences, and behavior are analyzed so that the insight gained can be utilized to design better ways of interacting with customers or market segments. CRM strategies in communications, government, manufacturing, resources, and retail are examined. CRM processes are analyzed to determine the impact on the overall profitability of the company.
  
  • MKT-7001 - Strategic Sales Force Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Students in this course will explore the role of the sales force, which is expanding greatly as a result of economic and competitive pressures and social and cultural changes in markets. Salespeople are often engaged in consultative relationships with their customers. The student will explore strategic sales force management issues, organizing, staffing, and training a sales force, and directing sales force operations. This will include the analysis of motivational issues, sales planning, and evaluating sales performance. In addition, the ethical and legal responsibilities of sales managers will be covered.
  
  • MKT-7000 - Strategic Service Marketing

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course will prepare students in the understanding of service marketing theory. These concepts provide the foundation necessary to examine the components of formulating service dominant logic. Through investigative research, aspects of theory development are identified and new theories are formulated. The research work developed through this course is suitable for an initial concept paper, research study, or for journal publication in order to further prepare the doctoral student.
  
  • MKT-6001 - Product Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Product Management is a critical activity that develops strategies and plans for building winning products, increasing market share, improving customer appeal, and beating the competition. This course provides the marketing foundations required to develop, through the use of various analytical tools, a focused product marketing strategy. The student will be Developing sound product strategies through a series of building exercises that requires he or she to carefully construct a valuable Product Marketing Plan that can use as an actual or template model for future applications. The course covers all of the critical marketing activities from the Product Manager’s (PdM) vantage point. This course is a core Marketing Specialty component offering a comprehensive tour de force of best -practice, theory -based marketing methodology for immediate real world application.
  
  • MKT-5003 - Advertising and Promotion

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Students in this course will examine the creative and strategic process of advertising and promotion. The emphasis is on current practices and research in advertising and promotion, focusing on consumer behavior theories. Students will examine advertising and promotion methods and the ethical practices of designing, developing, and implementing an integrated marketing communication program. Students will also evaluate the challenges and opportunities of advertising and promotion in a global environment.
  
  • MKT-5002 - Customer Relationship Management

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course examines the consequences of initiating, developing, and maintaining a customer relationship management strategy and analyzes the impact of profitable, long term customer relationships.
  
  • MKT-5000 - Service Marketing

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Service Marketing is a relatively new marketing discipline that extends the classical definitions of marketing theory and introduces new ideas to the design, development, and management of service products. Students will explore new theories of service quality (SERVQUAL) with emphasis on customer service behavior and acquire analytical tools to measure customer perceptions and expectations. A variety of learning methods prepares the student for new career opportunities in a service-dominated economy while providing the freedom of student assignment selections and work exercises.

Marriage and Family Therapy

  
  • CMP-9703M - Doctoral Portfolio III

    Semester Credits: 1 Weeks: 4

    In this course students will add to and refine the collection of documents or artifacts that represent their progress through the program, as well as the achievement of specific academic and professional goals.
  
  • CMP-9702M - Doctoral Portfolio II

    Semester Credits: 1 Weeks: 4

    In this course students will add to and refine the collection of documents or artifacts that represent their progress through the program, as well as the achievement of specific academic and professional goals.
  
  • CMP-9701M - Doctoral Portfolio I

    Semester Credits: 1 Weeks: 4

    This course provides students the opportunity to prepare a collection of documents or artifacts that represent their progress through the program, as well as the achievement of specific academic and professional goals.
  
  • MFT-8993 - MFT Advanced Practical Experience Component (APEC III)

    Semester Credits: 1 Weeks: 12

    The APEC is the capstone clinical experience. In this course, students propose activities they will engage in that are congruent with their programmatic clinical specialization. Students must also select at least two areas from the following to focus on during the APEC: advanced research, grant-writing, teaching, supervision, consultation, advanced clinical theory, clinical practice/innovation, program development, leadership, or policy. Students may also propose to pursue opportunities for presenting and professional writing. As part of the APEC contract, students identify the artifacts or deliverables they will submit at the end of the courses as evidence they have achieved their goals for the experience.
  
  • MFT-8992 - MFT Advanced Practical Experience Component (APEC II)

    Semester Credits: 1 Weeks: 12

    The APEC is the capstone clinical experience. In this course, students propose activities they will engage in that are congruent with their programmatic clinical specialization. Students must also select at least two areas from the following to focus on during the APEC: advanced research, grant-writing, teaching, supervision, consultation, advanced clinical theory, clinical practice/innovation, program development, leadership, or policy. Students may also propose to pursue opportunities for presenting and professional writing. As part of the APEC contract, students identify the artifacts or deliverables they will submit at the end of the courses as evidence they have achieved their goals for the experience.
  
  • MFT-8991 - MFT Advanced Practical Experience Component (APEC I)

    Semester Credits: 1 Weeks: 12

    The APEC is the capstone clinical experience. During each APEC course, students propose activities they will engage in that are congruent with their programmatic clinical specialization. Students must also select at least two areas from the following to focus on during the APEC: advanced research, grant-writing, teaching, supervision, consultation, advanced clinical theory, clinical practice/innovation, program development, leadership, or policy. Students may also propose to pursue opportunities for presenting and professional writing. As part of the APEC contract, students identify the artifacts or deliverables they will submit at the end of each of the three APEC courses as evidence they have achieved their goals for the experience.
  
  • MFT-8971 - MFT Supervision Practicum

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This practicum course provides students opportunities to enhance their ability to help MFT students begin their growth toward clinical competence and professional identity as an MFT. Students will be invited to participate in the supervision of NCU MFT master’s students while receiving guidance from the NCU instructor on the development of their supervisory skills. The course will provide an opportunity to engage in discussions and practice of supervisory tasks enhancing students’ ability to further develop their identities as MFTs and future MFT supervisors. 
  
  • MFT-8970 - MFT Supervision

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course introduces the fundamentals of systemic supervision with an emphasis on the importance of contextual variables such as culture, SES, and ethnicity. There is also an exploration of the impact of gender on the supervisory relationship. The design of the course meets the criteria for the 30-hour supervision fundamentals course for the AAMFT Approved Supervisor track. The intention is for the course also to be useful for any professional who is actively engaged in clinical supervision. Learning methods include short writing exercises and 15 hours of participant involvement in videoconferences with colleagues and course faculty. During the videoconferences there will be critiques of vignettes, role playing exercises, and discussion of short papers. Participants wishing to pursue the AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation should verify their eligibility with AAMFT.
  
  • MFT-8965 - MFT Doctoral Internship and Portfolio

    Semester Credits: 1 Weeks: 12

    Upon completion of the practicum course, doctoral students are required to complete a 9-month, full-time (i.e., 30 hours per week) clinically focused internship. Prior to beginning the doctoral internship, all students must develop an internship contract approved by the Director of Clinical Training in the PhD Internship DRF in Taskstream. The 9-month experience is organized into three 1-credit courses, each being 12 weeks in duration. The second of these in MFT -8962 . All students in this internship must have a local supervisor who has the documented expertise to mentor the PhD student’s development in the area of the student’s specialty. The supervisor’s credentials must be approved by the Director of Clinical Field Placement as a part of the internship contracting process in Taskstream. The internship contract will guide both the student’s work during the 9-month internship, and the supervisor’s evaluations of the student’s work. While each student’s internship will be very individualized to provide the best possible growth through experiential learning, each internship will share these characteristics: students will meet regularly with their supervisor; unless it is required by the student’s internship contract, students will not have to attend the weekly NCU supervision groups online; each internship is focused solidly in the student’s degree specialty (e.g., military family therapy, medical family therapy, couples therapy, etc.); it represents a growth in the student’s previous functioning (i.e., it cannot be simply doing more of what the student is already doing); and it provides an experiential base for the student to meet to PhD Program Outcomes and Student Learning Outcomes.
  
  • MFT-8962 - MFT Doctoral Internship II

    Semester Credits: 1 Weeks: 12

    Upon completion of the practicum course, doctoral students are required to complete a nine-month, full-time (i.e., 30 hours per week) internship. Prior to beginning the doctoral internship, all students must develop an approved Internship contract. This nine-month experience is organized into three one-credit courses, each being 12 weeks in duration. All students in Internship must have a local supervisor who has the documented expertise to mentor the DMFT student’s development in the area of the student’s specialty. The Internship contract will guide both the student’s work during the nine-month internship, and the supervisor’s evaluations of the student’s work.
  
  • MFT-8961 - MFT Doctoral Internship I

    Semester Credits: 1 Weeks: 12

    Upon completion of the practicum course, doctoral students are required to complete a nine-month, full-time (i.e., 30 hours per week) internship. Prior to beginning the doctoral internship, all students must develop an approved Internship contract. This nine-month experience is organized into three one-credit courses, each being 12 weeks in duration. All students in Internship must have a local supervisor who has the documented expertise to mentor the DMFT student’s development in the area of the student’s specialty. The Internship contract will guide both the student’s work during the nine-month internship, and the supervisor’s evaluations of the student’s work.
  
  • MFT-8952 - MFT Doctoral Practicum I

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their competence in advanced relational/systemic practice. Emphasis is placed on the clinical competence in working with diverse populations, advanced application of family and couple therapy models, ethical decision-making, and professional growth. Students must be clinically active during the course and participate in scheduled supervisory sessions with their NCU supervisor.
  
  • MFT-8951 - MFT Doctoral Practicum I

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their competence in advanced MFT practice. Emphasis is placed on the clinical competence in working with diverse populations, advanced application of family and couple therapy models, ethical decision-making, and professional growth. Students must be clinically active during the course and participate in weekly clinical supervision.
  
  • MFT-8724 - Employing Technology in Supervision

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Since its earliest days, the profession of MFT has made use of the best available technology to facilitate training the next generation of therapists. Historic examples include co-therapy, the one-way mirror, and the “bug in the ear.” This course examines the relationship between technology and best practices for adult learners, including both ethical and andragogical considerations, with a special focus on emerging digital technology.  
  
  • MFT-8723 - Analyzing Supervision Interventions

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course builds on the foundation of MFT8970 MFT Supervision. Supervisors have an ethical and legal responsibility to assess the competence of their trainees. This course examines educational and experiential strategies for assessing trainee competence, and interventions the supervisor can employ to meet the ethical requirement for assessing trainee competence. A special focus of this course is the power differential between supervisor and trainee, and trainee and client. 
  
  • MFT-8722 - Teaching Systemic Theories

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This courses focuses on theories and current best practices for teaching adult learners. One of the key concepts is helping adult learners make best use of their previous experiences to help them on their new journey of learning. A special focus of this course in working with adult learners in e-learning environments. 
  
  • MFT-8721 - Constructing a Professional Identity

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course provides an analysis of the means by which trainees acquire their new professional identity as MFTs. Special emphasis is placed on gender, cultural, and socioeconomic factors in professional identity development. 
  
  • MFT-8714 - Leadership in Higher Education

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    MFTs today can excel in teaching, communication, and utilizing technology. Universities today need systemic thinkers who can integrate the demands of accreditation standards into traditional and cutting-edge academic and administrative systems. This doctoral level course will prepare students for administrative roles in online and on-ground education systems. Learners will incorporate best practices in teaching through role plays and assignments that develop course and curriculum development.
  
  • MFT-8713 - Public or Corporate Policy Making

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course invites doctoral students to consider the key role that policy making plays in advancing the profession of marriage and family therapy (MFT). The course will start out by identifying stakeholders who direct and sanction the practice of MFT, from accrediting bodies and universities to state licensing boards and federal legislation. Students will learn about the role of MFTs in public health policies and advocating for MFTs in the larger behavioral health culture. The signature assignment for the course will have students challenging conventional leadership and proposing a relevant piece of legislation that is consistent with the systemic perspective.  
  
  • MFT-8712 - Leadership Development in Public and Non-Profit Community Organizations

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    Students will learn the building blocks to cultivating a vision–from dream to service agency from the ground up. The course will focus on how to develop a non-profit counseling agency including financial planning, personnel development, and evidence-based service delivery. This doctoral level course will also prepare students for leadership in community-based agencies with an emphasis on integrating marriage and family therapy into the larger milieu of behavioral health services. Whether joining an existing agency or creating your own, today’s leaders can help create a socially conscious company culture using ethical decision-making models.
  
  • MFT-8704 - Culturally Sensitive Care in MFT

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course focuses on the acquisition and understanding of specific skills that MFTs can use to provide more culturally sensitive and humble care to patients and clients. The focus of this course will be appropriate treatment planning for diverse populations. Attention is given to self of the therapist issues and critical analysis of the dynamics of contextual systems of oppression and privilege.
  
  • MFT-8703 - Race, Politics, and Power in the United States

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course focuses on exploring and understanding how policies of the past have shaped the lived experience people living in the United States. Special emphasis will  be given to how institutions and policies around African chattel slavery,  the women’s right movement, Jim Crow, redlining, the residual effects of slavery, the New Deal, and the civil rights movement have informed the American experience. Attention is given to self of the therapist issues and critical analysis of the dynamics of contextual systems of oppression and privilege.  
  
  • MFT-8702 - A Systemic Evaluation of Global Concerns and Diversity

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course focuses on the acquisition and understanding of meaningful knowledge about issues of diversity and injustice on the global stage, and how this may impact the work we do as MFTs when working with diverse populations and organizations. Attention is given to self of the therapist issues and critical analysis of the dynamics of contextual systems of oppression and privilege. 
  
  • MFT-8701 - Language of Diversity

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 8

    This course focuses on the acquisition and understanding of culturally inclusive language when working with diverse populations and organizations. Attention is given to self of the therapist issues and critical analysis of dominant narratives around language and power.  
  
  • MFT-8601 - Gerontology and Systemic Intervention

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    Prerequisites: This course deals with the biological, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects of aging. Ancillary aspects of aging are also explored, including: issues related to long-term care, end of life issues, the cultural context of human development, and the impact of socioeconomic status (poverty) on the elderly. A significant focus of the course is the application of systemic treatment/theory to the elderly adult population and multigenerational families.

  
  • MFT-8506 - Behavioral Health Care with Military and Veteran Populations

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course focuses on evidence based treatment and research pertaining to behavioral health challenges that are experienced by military and veteran populations. Attention is given to clinical assessments and treatment as well as current evidence based research, including biopsychosocial complications associated with each behavioral health challenge.
  
  • MFT-8505 - Ethical Challenges and Moral Injuries Across Military and Veteran Populations

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course focuses on ethical standards, moral injury, compassion fatigue, burnout, and common ethical challenges that occur in clinical practice, research, and supervision with military and veteran populations.
  
  • MFT-8504 - Trauma and Resilience in Military and Veteran Couples and Families

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course focuses on precursors, assessment, diagnoses, indicated treatments, research practices, and policies related to trauma and resilience across military and veteran populations.
  
  • MFT-8503 - Military and Veteran Cultures Across the Lifespan

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This doctoral-level course focuses on military and veteran cultures, including culturally informed clinical practice, research, and policies across the lifespan.
  
  • MFT-8407 - Loss and Bereavement

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    In this course, students will explore various aspects of grief and loss. The course will include theory and cultural beliefs and values surrounding death and dying and will highlight clinical approaches to assisting people in navigating grief and loss experiences. This course will also focus on self of the therapist experiences and self-care practices of helping professionals.
  
  • MFT-8406 - Families, Health, and Illness

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course addresses the challenges faced by individuals, couples, and families who are experiencing a chronic illness. Throughout this course, students will have the opportunity to identify health complaints and diseases, explore the psychosocial barriers and facilitators to effective treatment, and discover the ways in which cultural beliefs and norms impact the illness experience.
  
  • MFT-8405 - Medical Family Therapy Applications

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course addresses the many facets of creating and maintaining effective integration of behavioral health and medical care. Through this course, students will gain an in depth understanding of the practice of medical family therapy (MedFT). Students will discover how the clinical, operational, and financial components of care intersect and impact psychosocial care delivery.
  
  • MFT-8401 - Medical Family Therapy

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course is designed to introduce students to the theory, concepts, and practice of medical family therapy. Students will learn about collaborative healthcare, medical specializations, assessments commonly used in healthcare settings, and the ways in which biopsychosocial components of patients’ and families’ lives may impact their experience of health and illness.
  
  • MFT-8307 - The Couple Life Cycle in MFT Practice and Supervision

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    It is important for clinicians and clinical supervisors to be aware of the challenges and critical points of change and/or distress for couples throughout the couple life cycle. Throughout this cycle couples are challenged with how to face difficult circumstances and maintain a strong relationship. This course involves a look at the development of couples and their relationship cycle. The course will incorporate an overview of different issues that present in couples’ relationships and examine the couple’s dynamics through a lens of diversity. Students will learn about different models of couple’s therapy and assessments pertaining to couple therapy. In addition, the students will learn about the importance of creating a therapeutic alliance with the couples.
  
  • MFT-8306 - Behavior Informed Couple Therapy Models

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course will focus on and emphasize couple therapy modalities that have been validated, in some way, by research. There are other models not covered in this course that have some empirical evidence (e.g., there is considerable evidence for EFT’s effectiveness) but the models emphasized in this course are largely built on principles of cognitive-behavioral psychology. Two primary models will be covered throughout the course: Gottman’s couple therapy model and Jacobson’s and Christensen’s Integrative Couple Therapy. This course places heavy emphasis on empiricism and students will be encouraged to be thinking like “scholar-practitioners” throughout the course.
  
  • MFT-8305 - Emotion and Differentiation Focused Couple Therapy

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course will focus on and emphasize the roles of two major human development forces that influence behavior in relationships: connection (attachment and inclusion) and separation (individuality and differentiation). There are ongoing debates in the MFT world about the role these two forces play in intimate relationships and clinical models differ in how to go about engaging clients in these realms. This course will give students the opportunity to discover more about these life forces and how their principles are applied in therapeutic conversations with couples. Learners will also be asked to consider both of these influences from a clinical research perspective throughout the course.
  
  • MFT-8303 - Systemic Sex Therapy

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course focuses on physiological, psychological, and sociocultural variables associated with human sexuality and then maintains a focused emphasis on systemically oriented sex therapy including methods of conducting sexual assessments and both individual and relational therapy designed to help clients with variety of sexual issues, sexual dysfunctions, and sexual challenges within relationships.
  
  • MFT-8207 - Systemic Treatment of Neurodevelopment Disorders in Children and Adolescents

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course evaluates theory and research on evidence-based, systemic interventions with children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders including attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities (ID), and learning disorders (LD). Students will establish an ethical framework for family therapy that is developmentally informed and culturally sensitive. This course presents marriage and family therapists as critical members of multidisciplinary treatment teams for ADHD, ASD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
  
  • MFT-8206 - Early Childhood and Parenting Interventions

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course reviews theory and research on interventions for early childhood, emphasizing play therapy and parenting interventions. Since a developmental-informed approach is critical for early childhood, play therapy theoretical foundations and techniques will be explored in-depth. From a systemic lens, children’s emotional and behavioral difficulties are viewed in the context of the couple relationship, family structure, and parenting behaviors. As a result, students will learn to integrate several interventions for changing dynamics and behaviors within the parent system. Issues of cultural sensitivity and ethical practice will be considered for each topic discussed.
  
  • MFT-8205 - Child and Adolescent Assessment and Diagnosis

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    In this course students will evaluate the scholarly literature on clinical assessment and diagnosis of childhood and adolescent disorders. DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and assessment procedures will be viewed through a systemic lens and critiqued for their cultural sensitivity. Ethical concerns related to the assessment of children and adolescents will also be discussed.
  
  • MFT-8202 - Family Therapy with Adolescents

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course evaluates theory and research on systemic interventions with adolescents and their families. Students will establish an ethical framework that is developmentally informed and culturally sensitive. This course emphasizes how families can support adolescents through the difficult transition of increased independence from the family, as well as how to engage an adolescent in the therapeutic process.
  
  • MFT-8199 - MFT Research Project

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This doctoral-level course requires the student to create a research project in coordination with an MFT program faculty member. The student will conduct a research study in the area of specialization or interest, and document the results in a formal project paper that documents the topic, methodology, analysis of results, and discussion/conclusions according to standard research conventions in the field of family therapy. Individual topic areas are to be submitted to and approved by the faculty prior to enrollment.
  
  • MFT-8115 - Family Systems Approaches to Addiction

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course provides an overview of a variety of addictive substances and how a systemic therapist approaches treatment of addiction. Students will be expected to consider self-of-therapist issues and diversity concerns as it relates to exposure to and treatment of addiction. A variety of approaches to treating addiction will also be addressed.
  
  • MFT-8105 - Theories of Personality

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    In this course, students will examine, compare, and contrast key personality theories. Drawing on classic and contemporary sources, students will consider Freudian, post-Freudian, behaviorism, and social learning theories. Students will also examine more contemporary theories on personality such as those put forth by cognitive, humanistic, and positive psychology. After learning these theories, students will apply these concepts to the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy.
  
  • MFT-8104 - Pharmacology for Family Therapists

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course is an overview of clinical psychopharmacology. The course will focus on psychiatric disorders their symptoms and medications. Students will explore basic classifications, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications, so that appropriate referrals can be made for medication evaluations and so that the side effects of those medications can be identified, and appropriate treatment plans may be developed. In addition, the course will teach Marriage and Family Therapists how to interact effectively in collaborative/ multidisciplinary settings with other mental healthcare practitioners.
  
  • MFT-8103 - Assessing and Treating Family Violence

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This graduate-level course offers an overview of treatment/clinical approaches for MFTs working in the context of family violence. Theory and research related to definitions, causes, consequences, and characteristics of affected family members will be explored. The course will also include the examination of family violence in diverse contexts, as well as consideration of ethical dilemmas associated with situations pertaining to family violence and abuse.
  
  • MFT-8102 - Dynamics of Family Interaction

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course examines the theoretical and empirical contributions to the understanding of diverse couple and family systems. The specific focus of the course is on the processes and dynamics of interaction within these relationships, highlighting that from a life course perspective, these dynamics change over time. The course will include content on the history of family life and diverse family types, exploring various family structures and roles. Legal processes related to families will also be reviewed. Conceptualizations of effective functioning in couple and families will be studied and various factors that impact couple and family systems will be addressed.
  
  • MFT-8101 - Advanced Theories in MFT

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course provides an advanced overview of the theoretical literature related to the practice of marriage and family therapy. The course offers an opportunity to critically examine systems theories from cybernetics to natural systems. Students will also have an opportunity to reflect on common factors influencing MFT clinical practice and integration of various systems-based models.
  
  • MFT-7114 - Advanced Quantitative Design and Analysis

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course will introduce you to the uses and techniques of advanced quantitative design and analysis in marriage and family therapy and related fields. You will become competent consumers of quantitative research by learning how quantitative information is generated, summarized, evaluated, and represented. You will be prepared to design studies using methodology associated with multivariate analysis, regression, latent variable modeling, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. The course provides a theoretical and practical basis for choosing and employing the wide range of current analysis techniques available to social science researchers.
  
  • MFT-7113 - Advanced Qualitative Design and Analysis

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course will provide students with an overview of the major types of qualitative inquiry and advance their skills toward the execution of qualitative research in marriage and family therapy. Students will practice multiple types of data collection and analysis. In addition, they will develop a paper that lays the foundation for their dissertation proposal. This process will require application of the assumptions inherent to the qualitative research paradigm: select an appropriate study type, and design a qualitative methodology appropriate to the research question developed in the framework of the qualitative design.
  
  • MFT-7112 - Qualitative Measurement and Design

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course will provide you with the philosophical foundation of interpretive qualitative inquiry and addresses beginning skills essential to the critique and execution of qualitative research in marriage and family therapy. You will become familiar with the major research paradigms and the assumptions inherent to qualitative inquiry. You will learn to identify elements critical to the credibility of a qualitative study and apply this knowledge by evaluating selected published research. You will also develop basic skills in qualitative data analysis, and develop a research purpose statement and research question that can be addressed qualitatively while incorporating contextual knowledge and ethical guidelines promoted by the AAMFT Code of Ethics.
  
  • MFT-7111 - Quantitative Measurement and Design in MFT

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    In this course, students are trained to develop and evaluate research studies in behavioral sciences. Students will become familiar with sampling, research design, reliability, validity, and the creation and interpretation of measures in marriage and family therapy. Students will also identify and critique specific measures and evaluation tools and methods for potential use in their own research projects.
  
  • MFT-7110 - Quantitative Analysis in MFT

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    In this course, you will learn how to use statistical analyses in research. You will explore key aspects of descriptive and inferential statistics and learn how to use statistical software to analyze data. You will gain skills as an independent scholar by enhancing your scientific and statistical literacy. Therefore, emphasis will be on comprehending statistical concepts, analyzing, interpreting, and critically evaluating data and statistical information, and communicating statistical information and knowledge.
  
  • MFT-7109 - Planning Dissertation Research in MFT

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    Students in this course will begin the process of writing a dissertation. The course will address the University dissertation process and aids to successfully completing a dissertation, including self-care and time management.
  
  • MFT-7108 - Advanced Data Analysis Strategies in MFT

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course is an intermediate examination of statistical analyses commonly used in the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT). It prepares doctoral MFT students with the skills required to plan, conduct (using SPSS), report, and interpret quantitative statistical analyses. Topics include: basic statistical knowledge, probability theory, exploratory date analysis, assumptions for statistical tests, parametric, and nonparametric tests. Specific analyses include: correlation, regression (simple, multiple, and logistic), basic ANOVA, and advanced ANOVA techniques.
  
  • MFT-7107 - Qualitative Research Design in MFT

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course provides students with the skills essential in the critique and execution of qualitative research methods relating to marriage and family therapy. The particular focus of this methodological course is on the application of qualitative research to understanding human phenomena (clinical and non-clinical individuals, families, and social groups). Course content will cover evaluation and critique of research processes, research problems, research designs, selection of appropriate methods of data collection, data analysis strategies, interpretation of findings, and research/evaluation report writing. Students will develop a preliminary methodological design for potential use with their envisioned dissertation research. There is an emphasis on clinical research and students will be expected to take a learning-through-doing/experiential approach.
  
  • MFT-7106 - Quantitative Research Design in MFT

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    This course provides students with the skills essential in the critique and execution of quantitative research methods relating to marriage and family therapy. Course content will cover evaluation and critique of research processes, research problems, research designs, selection of appropriate methods of data collection, data analysis strategies, interpretation of findings, and research/evaluation report writing. Students will develop a preliminary methodological design for potential use with their envisioned dissertation research.
  
  • MFT-7105 - Assessment in MFT Research and Intervention

    Semester Credits: 3 Weeks: 12

    In this course, students are trained to administer assessment instruments as an evaluative component of clinical practice and research in marriage and family therapy. Students will become familiar with the use of a wide variety of assessment instruments and clinical assessment procedures relating to children, individuals, couples, and families. Students will also identify specific measurement and evaluation tools or methods for potential use in their own dissertation research.
 

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