Ph.D. in Counselor Education

Doctoral Program Director: Dr. Catherine Roland

Program Description

The primary objective of this Ph.D. program is to prepare scholars and practitioners to become leaders in maximizing the mental health and quality of life for individuals, families, communities, and educational organizations. 

Program graduates may seek employment in communities, agencies, schools and in colleges and universities in the following roles:

• Academic faculty members
• Supervisors
• Program managers or program developers
• Consultants
• Researchers
• Evaluators 

Graduates of doctoral programs in Counselor Education may find employment as program managers and developers.  They are employed by private and public school systems as directors of guidance, guidance center supervisors, and master counselors.  They hold positions in business and industry, especially in urban areas.  Companies that offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), in particular, hire doctoral-level counselors to develop and manage mental health and holistic care programs as a service for their employees. 

Individuals with Counselor Education doctoral degrees work in administrative and managerial roles in health care agencies, nonprofit organizations, community agencies, and student affairs/academic affairs units in colleges and universities as well as in businesses.  In addition to working in such agencies and in business, holders of Ph.D. degrees in Counselor Education also serve as consultants for agencies on specific projects—for example, consultants to state departments of education concerning guidance outreach to underserved populations.

The combination of scholarly preparation and advanced counseling and supervision practice will allow Ph.D. graduates many opportunities for professional growth and employment.  A state-of-the art curriculum, faculty mentoring, and the thoughtful choice of a cognate in the doctoral program will contribute to these opportunities.