Learn more about the Accelerated Ed.D. Option

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Mental Health Counseling and Supervision
(ISIS code: CA5)

The concentration in mental health counseling and supervison is marked by a contextual and ecological perspective of professional counseling that acknowledges the paramount importance of individual development, but also recognizes that individuals interact with a variety of personal and extended social and cultural environments. In addition, this program is registered with the Office of Professions, therefore, graduates of the program are automatically licensure-eligible for the new New York State License in Mental Health Counseling.

The preparation of advanced counseling professionals hinges on a holistic and interrelational view of the counseling process and promotes the development of critically reflective researchers and practitioners. This program is built on a scientist-practitioner/theory-to-practice model and uses this model to focus on the preparation of doctoral-level professionals who are proficient in the training and supervision of master's-level practitioners as well as in research and scholarship practices. Since this degree focuses on mental health counseling, the body of knowledge related to the field of mental health counseling (e.g. Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders – IV TR) is incorporated throughout the program and internship experience.

The programmatic approach to counselor education and supervision is designed to move students from a critical and self-reflexive understanding of counseling pedagogy to informed praxis, concomitant with a knowledge of clinical issues that are relevant to training counseling professionals. Interdisciplinary scholarship is valued by and embedded in the concentration in counselor education and human development and serves as a hallmark of the program's ecological perspective.

This CACREP accredited program is based on national standards for the preparation of doctoral-level counseling professionals, with doctoral program requirements that consist of a minimum of four academic years of graduate-level preparation (including entry-level preparation). (Graduate-level preparation is defined as eight semesters, with a minimum of 96 credit hours.)

The doctoral program assumes students have background preparation as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), or other evidence of basic professional understanding covering aspects of counseling as a profession, professional credentialing, ethical standards, role and function of counseling, organizational structures and psychopathology. In addition, experience with direct group and individual service to clients in an institutional or community agency setting is preferred. Doctoral applicants who do not meet these standards of background preparation must engage in appropriate prerequisite coursework and experiential requirements as doctoral program preparation.

Students who hold a master's degree or have graduate credits from other institutions must have each course evaluated by their advisor for transfer credit. Transfer credit from other institutions cannot be substituted for Warner School core or program core requirements and are limited to a maximum of 36 credits.

Requirements

I. Entry-level Courses
(Up to 36 credits)

Some or all may transferred from previous graduate work.

Pre-requisite: Psychopathology or equivalent

II. Research Methods Courses
(9 credits)

Research
ED 506 Concepts and Issues in Social Science Research (formerly titled Doctoral Research Methods)

Choose two of the following
ED 507 Qualitative Research Methods
ED 504 Quantitative Research Methods
ED 520 Program Evaluation

Learn more about Research Methods Experiences for Ed.D. students.

III. Program Core
(27 credits)

One course from each of the following categories:

Sociological Processes in Human Development
EDU 565 Research in Life-Course Studies

Psychological Processes in Human Development
EDU 560 Research in Cognitive Development
Other choices with approval of advisor

Education and Human Development in Social Context
ED 418 The Family and Social Dynamics
EDU 473 Social Organization of Work and Career
ED 481 School, Family and Community Relations
ED 412 Sociology of Education
ED 410 History of American Education
ED 411 Philosophy of Education
ED 417 Education of American Women: A Social and Cultural History
EDU 400 Leadership and Organizational Dynamics

All of the following courses
EDU 552 Counselor Education
EDU 554 Advanced Theory, Research and Practice in Group Work
EDU 553 Counselor Supervision
EDU 555 Advanced Counseling Theory, Research, and Practice
EDU 563 Advocacy, Consulting, and Systems Change as Counseling Practice
EDU 564 Contemporary Trends in Mental Health Appraisal, Research and Practice

IV. Supervised Internships
(6 credits = 600 hours)

EDU 560 Supervised Internship in Mental Health Counseling and Supervision (can be taken for variable credits over multiple semesters)

V. Electives
Electives can be used to enhance curricular experiences; to develop professional expertise or counseling specialty; to meet NBCC, NCC, or CACREP requirements; or to meet the 96 credit hour requirement. Some advanced research methods courses are recommended.

VI. Dissertation Research
(9-15 credits)

In consultation with your advisor, choose a combination of Research Apprenticeship (ED 596), Independent Study (ED 591), Field Study (ED 592), Ed.D. Research (ED 593), and/or courses directly related to your dissertation. At least 9 credits must be in ED 593 and can only be taken after the comprehensive exam.

VI. Additional Requirements/Milestones

• Successful completion of a portfolio within first two years in the program
• Successful completion of research apprenticeship/second year paper
• Successful completion of comprehensive exams
• Successful completion and defense of dissertation

Total Credit Hours: 96

Go to Counseling & Human Development Course Listing.