Saint Louis University's doctoral program in medical family therapy prepares students to work within an integrated health care setting in collaboration with medical and mental health professionals. Coursework focuses on theory, practice and research in the field of couple and family therapy, with an emphasis on intervention in primary care medical settings and as adjunct health providers in specialty care. The doctoral program involves a minimum of 51 credits of coursework beyond the master's degree, plus comprehensive examinations and original research culminating in the dissertation (12 credits). The Ph.D. has a clinical component in which students will be trained in both mental health and medical settings as part of an integrated care team of health professionals. Students are required to complete a nine-to-twelve-month internship.