Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education

Counselor Education and Supervision – PH6265

Department of Counseling and Higher Education
McCracken Hall
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701-2979
740.593.4400
education.graduate@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Term of Entry: Fall

Program Overview

Doctoral study in Counselor Education and Supervision at Ohio University is designed to provide advanced level preparation for counselors. Students admitted to the doctoral program possess a Master’s degree in Counseling or a closely related field. They wish to improve their scholarly, instructional, and clinical and research skills to acquire advanced training and professional development as counselor educators. Doctoral students must have Master’s coursework and demonstrated knowledge in the common core counseling areas for entry-level counselors and meet requirements for the clinical mental health counseling specialty area to graduate license-eligible as Professional Counselors in the state of Ohio. Doctoral students who have not met core counseling and/or clinical mental health counseling requirements are required to complete requisite coursework in addition to their doctoral studies. The doctoral program is based on the philosophy that each student enters with unique strengths and abilities and individual professional career goals; therefore, beyond the required courses, each student is expected to build a program based upon prior academic preparation, previous work experience, and future career expectations. The program is designed to help develop leaders in the field of counseling, and the goal is to train people who desire to have the professional identity of a counselor.

Graduates will be eligible to apply for positions as assistant professors or lecturers in Counselor Education Master’s and doctoral programs nationally and internationally. Graduates are prepared to work in counseling and leadership positions in educational, rehabilitation, and mental health settings. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

This is a full-time program. Normative time to completion is five academic years.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Understand the professional identity, roles, and responsibilities of counselor educators and demonstrate multicultural and social justice counseling competence in counseling practice, teaching, clinical supervision, research and scholarship, and leadership and advocacy.
• Become familiar with the body of literature central to the field of counseling and professional preparation standards for counselor education, and extend the knowledge base of the counseling profession through dissertation research in a climate of scholarly inquiry.
• Develop strategies of leadership for counseling practice and consultation, and assume positions of leadership in the profession and/or their area(s) of specialization.
• Develop skills in culturally relevant pedagogy and curriculum development for counselor education.
• Gain experience and knowledge in analyzing, evaluating, synthesizing counseling theories and applying in counseling practice, teaching, supervision and research.
• Identify and utilize quantitative and qualitative research design and methodology suitable for professional publication and presentations in counseling and counselor education.
• Learn to develop effective strategies for client advocacy in public policy and other matters of equity and accessibility. Identify current issues, policies, laws, and legislation relevant to the counseling profession and develop skills for advocacy and leadership in counselor education.
• Acquire an understanding of ethical and legal considerations specific to counselor education and supervision.

Opportunities for Graduates

Graduates will be eligible to apply for positions as assistant professors or lecturers in Counselor Education Master’s and doctoral programs nationally and internationally. Graduates are prepared to work in counseling and leadership positions in educational, rehabilitation, and mental health settings.

Further Information

Link to Program:  https://www.ohio.edu/education/counseling-higher-education/counselor-supervision

Admission Requirements

Beyond Ohio University requirements for graduate admission, the following materials are required to be submitted:

• All post-secondary transcripts, including a transcript showing a Master’s degree in Counseling or a closely-related field with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores demonstrating scores of 300 (verbal + quantitative).
• Applicants that do not meet the above criteria may still apply, but should address past academic performance and aptitude for doctoral study in the Personal Statement. The review committee will consider additional information as described by the applicant and references on an individual basis.
• Résumé/CV highlighting professional experience of a nature and extent appropriate to doctoral study in Counselor Education. Include information on counseling, teaching, research, writing, and participation in professional organizations.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• Personal Statement of approximately 8 double-spaced typed pages from the applicant addressing specific questions including:
  • What are your career goals?
  • What qualities and skills do you possess that you believe enable you to become an effective counselor educator?
  • Describe your personal characteristics that will be assets and challenges to your study in counselor education.
  • Doctoral students typically work as supervisors and co-instructors. Describe how you will work with faculty and students in these roles.
  • How will you manage your personal and professional boundaries through a demanding doctoral program?
  • Describe culturally relevant interpersonal experiences with individuals or groups that differ from you (e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation, age, spiritual beliefs, ability).
  • What would distinguish you from other candidates for the counselor education program?
  • Describe anything else you wish the program faculty to consider with your application.

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete a minimum of post-master’s 60 credit hours with all grades at B- or above as follows: