College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Catalog 2016

66 The Dissertation process may entail taking more than the minimum of 9 dissertation credit hours as required by the program. Once a student takes 9 dissertation credits over three terms, they can register for one credit hour each term thereafter until completion of their dissertation. If, for some reason, students cannot continue working on their dissertation, they must apply in writing to their Dissertation Chair and the Program Director requesting a Leave of Absence. The Leave of Absence form is located online and must be completed with original signature in BLUE to remain in good academic standing. A student requesting a leave for longer than one term (i.e., two or more), may be unable, upon returning, to continue with the same dissertation chair and committee. The student must submit a written request to their Dissertation Chair for approval to continue their work and all dissertation forms must be updated. If a Leave of Absence is requested and approved, this does not extend the 7 year timeframe for completing the degree program. Students not enrolled in the program for more than three terms are considered inactive and are required to reapply to the program. If approved for readmission, the student must be continually registered to remain in good standing in the program. Three terms of a Leave of Absence is the maximum for a student to remain active in the program. Students are required to adhere to the dissertation guidelines and timelines. The complete DFT Dissertation Guidelines can be found online at http://CAHSS.nova.edu/Downloads/mft.htm . Individual Supervision for State Licensure or AAMFT Approved Supervisor Due to the AAMFT Code of Ethics principles related to multiple relationships and conflict of interest, full-time faculty may not serve as the supervisor for licensure for students enrolled in the program. Concentration in Family Systems Health Care Students in the Ph.D. program in Family Therapy may choose to pursue a concentration in Family Systems Health Care. The concentration focuses on the relationships between psychosocial medicine and biomedicine in the treatment and prevention of illness and disease. Students learn the basics of biopsychosocial theory, practice, and collaboration. The program prepares professionals to offer therapeutic services in a variety of medical settings, including private medical practices, hospitals, community clinics, primary care/specialists' offices, and agencies. Students in the Family Systems Health Care concentration program have ample opportunities to gain practical expertise through classroom learning and hands-on clinical, research, teaching, and service experiences. Specific areas of study include: adjustment patterns of clients and their families to chronic and acute illnesses; models of collaboration between medical family therapists and other health care professionals; the role of medical family therapists in the continuum of medical services; the politics and economics of health care; understanding human systems in health care; and brief interventions and systemic assessments useful in the treatment and care of patients and their families. Additionally, the program emphasizes professional development by assisting students in strengthening their professional and personal qualities necessary for successful participation in the medical milieu. The student's growth as a reflective practitioner is encouraged through clinical research in physician, patient, therapist, family communications, adjustments to acute, chronic, or terminal illness, social effects and ethical dilemmas of new medical technologies, and other issues that transcend historical distinctions between physical treatment and psychosocial interventions. Program faculty and students cooperate to publish research findings and clinical experiences. Also, faculty and students of the program contribute to the growth of Family Systems Health Care and medical family therapy by supporting and participating in