Global Family Health and Wellbeing

The doctoral program in Global Family Health and Wellbeing prepares doctoral level professionals to:

1. Improve outcomes for families around the world through scholarship, research, outreach, and advances in clinical practice, and
2. Advance international perspectives of family, couple and individual health and well being (including physical, emotional, psychological and relational health);

Graduates of the program will:

• Work in research, instructional, administrative, supervisory, and/or clinical position in universities, private and public research firms, NGOs, and other entities whose missions include advancing international and holistic perspectives of family wellness.
• Start and administer international programs.
• Possess skills to address modern threats to child and family wellbeing around the world through evidence based research and practice.
• Focus on the most vulnerable, underserved populations  
• Identify ways to foster resilience in disadvantaged and/or vulnerable communities.
• Be leaders in how to conduct research in an international context.
• Have skills for creating connections among academic, government, and non-government entities to advance scholarship and practice within cultural contexts around the world, recognizing that multidisciplinary collaborations produce the greatest impact.
• Increase understanding of how global issues impact on family health.
• Teach and train the next generation of family scientists and Marriage and Family Therapists for global citizenry that has a positive impact on family wellbeing around the world. 

We have built our program not on a collection of courses, but a collection of doctoral experiences that underscore the importance of global citizenry. Students will be studying at a world-class land-grant university that will provide them with the following experiences designed to accomplish the outcomes:

• Opportunities for students to tailor their program of study to meet their unique career goals.  
• Studying with internationally recognized faculty, who are doing research internationally
• Internships in organizations that serve vulnerable/underserved populations
• Teaching experience at the collegiate level, including opportunities to teach both face-to-face and online

• Experience with extension and outreach; local programming—take a global perspective to increase local impact
• Opportunities for international engagement and international experience.

By the end of the program, every student will have:

• An immersion experience (either within the U.S. or in another country) in an area that expands cultural understanding and competency.
• international engagement experience
• Independent teaching at the collegiate level
• Refereed publications
• National/international presentations
• Experience with Extension or outreach programming
• A guided program of study tailored to student career goals.
• Development and defense of a Doctoral Portfolio.

Students must complete a minimum of 90 graduate credits, which includes a master’s degree. The master’s degree may be completed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or at another regionally accredited university. We will strongly encourage students to apply at the post-bachelor’s level. Up to 30 graduate coursework credits (excluding thesis credits) from the master’s degree may count toward the credits needed for the doctoral degree with the approval of the Supervisory Committee. A minimum of 45 graduate credits must be taken at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln after filing the Program of Studies.

Students graduating from a master’s degree program that does not require a thesis must demonstrate research competency prior to completing the doctoral comprehensive examination. Criteria for demonstrating research competency will be determined by the student’s Supervisory Committee. Research competency must be documented in the student’s Doctoral Portfolio (see below). 

Doctoral Portfolio

Students in the GFHW doctoral program complete a Doctoral Portfolio in partial fulfillment of their requirements for a Comprehensive Examination.

Component pieces of the Doctoral Portfolio include the following:

1.  Demonstration of professional level performance in teaching to be accomplished through one of the following:

1a. Full responsibility for at least one course at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Required documentation shall include:

• Course syllabus
• Student evaluations
• Evaluation of faculty supervisor that includes a live observation of teaching

1b. Extension/outreach options include:  translating research (e.g., developing NebGuide), direct teaching, program evaluation, and development of program.  Required documentation shall include:

• Description of the program, course, or program evaluation including syllabus and/or outline if available; or inclusion of the NebGuide(s).
• Description of how the NebGuide, course, program evaluation or program applies to your field of study.
• Description of the intended audience for the NebGuide, program, evaluation or course.
• Peer, supervisor or expert evaluation of the quality of the material and/or impact.

1c. For those on a clinical track, clinical supervision of a mental health professional trainee lasting at least 6 months.

Required documentation shall include:

• Statement of philosophy and approach to supervision
• Case example that illustrates your approach to supervision
• Evaluation of your supervision by your supervisor
• Evaluation of your supervision by your supervisee(s)

2.  Demonstration of global citizenry through international engagement in one or more of the following:

2a. Participation in a short- or long-term study abroad experience approved by the student’s Supervisory Committee.

2b. Attendance at a professional conference related to family studies, marriage and family therapy, global mental health or other area related to global family health in a country other than the United States and Canada.

2c.  Other international experience approved by the Supervisory Committee.

3.  Demonstration of competency in disseminating information relevant to Global Family Health through both of the following: 

3a. Two presentations at meetings of professional/academic organizations. One of these presentations must be at national/international meetings. Poster presentations are acceptable. The student should demonstrate that their contribution to these products is significant and that they took a leadership role in their development and/or in the work that lead to their development. Please also list any other presentations and indicate the significance of these presentations to your scholarship.

Required documentation shall include:

• One page listing all presentations that includes a brief statement of the content, the significance of each presentation to your scholarship and your contribution to each.
• A copy of the abstract and materials submitted for the presentation to be considered.
• A copy of the acceptance letters.
• Copy of the listing of the presentation in the conference brochure and conference materials.
• Copies of handouts and presentation materials.
• Copies of participant evaluations.

3b.  A minimum of one article in a peer-reviewed journal (accepted or published). Must have been submitted for publication after matriculation as a doctoral student. The student should demonstrate that their contribution to these products is significant and that they took a leadership role in their development and/or in the work that lead to their development.

Required documentation shall include:

• One page listing all publications and submitted manuscripts (indicate the status) that includes a brief statement of the significance of each article to your scholarship and your contribution to each.
• The most recent version of the manuscript (in the case of a manuscript, not yet accepted, with positive reviews, it should be in a state of readiness for resubmission).
• All correspondence with the journal, including editorial feedback.
• Evidence that the journal is peer reviewed (if not apparent).

4.  Demonstration of professional citizenship through both of the following.

4a.   Maintain simultaneous membership in two professional organizations for at least one year prior to comprehensive exam (e.g., AAFCS, AAMFT, APA, CFHA, CFHC, IFTA, ISSBD, SRA, SRCD, STFM, NCFR). Students should discuss potential organizations with their supervisory committee to determine best fit.

Required documentation shall include:

• List of memberships in professional organizations, including initiation dates.
• Proof of membership.

4b. Satisfactory participation in CYAF 99: CYAF Doctoral Colloquium.

5.   Participation in leadership and/or professional activities. Document at least two of the following (other similar activities may also be approved in advance by the Supervisory Committee):

• Reviewing proposals for presentations or publications.
• Service on departmental, university or professional organization committees.
• Membership on professional or service organization boards.
• Volunteer work at state, multistate, or national conferences.
• Election to office in state, multistate or national organizations.
• Appointment or election for committee involvement in state, multistate or national organizations.
• Moderation of a session at a professional meeting.
• Significant involvement in the departmental or college graduate student organization.

Doctoral Dissertation

Students conceptualize, design, conduct, analyze and inteprete an original research project supervised by their major professor and a committee made up of other faculty members. This project will be of sufficient scope to demonstrate research competence as an independent investigator, and of sufficient relevance to demonstrate potential for impact as a researcher. This will result in a written product, known as a dissertation, that the student will defend before their supervisory committee. The research leading to the dissertation is normally conducted after the student has passed the Comprehensive Examination requirement.

• Graduate Studies Application
• Unofficial Transcripts
• GRE
• TOEFL (if applicable)
• Resume
• Statement of Professional Goals
• Sample of Writing
• Three Letters of Reference

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

• Assistantships
• Fellowships