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Doctor of Philosophy in Education: Counseling

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education: Counseling program is a 64-credit hour program designed for individuals who wish to become leaders in the field areas of advanced clinical practice, mental health care administration, counseling research and counseling supervision. The curriculum has been established according to the guidelines set forth by the Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

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The program allows students to pursue one of five cognate areas:
  • Addiction counseling
  • Advanced career counseling
  • Child and adolescent counseling
  • Couple and family counseling
  • Mental health counseling
Additionally, the program provides for advanced preparation in the following content areas:
  • Theory pertaining to the principles and practice of individual counseling, group work, consultation and counselor supervision
  • Instructional theory and methods relevant to counselor education
  • Design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative research methodology
  • Models and methods of assessment and appraisal
  • Ethical and legal issues; career development, implications of sociocultural, demographic and lifestyle diversity
  • Philosophical and professional orientation

Applications will be accepted until December 15 of each year.

Application process: 

  1. Apply online
  2. Department requirements include: 
    • Master’s degree in counseling or related field
    • Written goal statement
    • Professional experience
    • Official GRE test scores
    • Current Curriculum Vitae
    • Writing sample
    • Interview for applicant finalists 
  3. Final admission recommendations are then forwarded to the Office of Graduate Admissions by the Department of Counseling faculty working as a committee of the whole.

The Ph.D. of Education: Counseling is a cohort-based program.

For additional information, contact the doctoral coordinator, Dr. Michael P. Chaney, at [email protected].

Department of Counseling

Pawley Hall, Room 450J
456 Pioneer Dr.
456 Pioneer Dr., MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2018