Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (with a Concentration in Counseling and Counselor Education)
(ISIS code: CA4)

The proposed concentration in counselor education and human development 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.

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.

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.

These CACREP accredited programs are 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, and organizational structures. 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 interested in applying independently for the new NYS licensure as Mental Health Counselors can target courses and internships to meet those requirements.

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.

Requirements

I. Entry-level Courses
(Up to 30 credits)

Some or all may transferred from previous graduate work.

II. Research Methods Courses
(13 credits)

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

ED 507 Qualitative Research Methods
ED 504 Quantitative Research Methods
ED 528 Using Quantitative Data Analysis Software
ED 520 Program Evaluation

Learn more about Research Methods Experiences for Ph.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

Choose one course in psychological processes in human development; eligible courses include:
EDU 560 Research in Cognitive Development 3 Sp (odd)
EDU 549 Contemporary Learning Theories 3 Sp (even)
EDU 572 Development of Selves 3 Sp (odd)
EDU 557 Selected Theories in Human Development: Social and Emotional Development 3 Spring (even)
EDE 422 Motivation in Human Development 3 Fall
EDU 479 Promoting Mental Health in Midlife and Old Age 3 Spring (odd)
EDE 423 Spirituality, Religion and Healing in Counseling 3 Summer (occ)

Choose one course in education and human development in social context; eligible courses include:
EDU 572 Development of Selves 3 Sp (odd)
EDE 422 Motivation in Human Development 3 Fall
EDU 479 Promoting Mental Health in Midlife and Old Age 3 Spring (odd)
EDE 423 Spirituality, Religion and Healing in Counseling 3 Summer (occ)
ED 418 The Family and Social Dynamics 3 Spring (even)
EDU 481 School, Family and Community Relations 3 Fall (even)
ED 425 Minority Youth Development in Urban Contexts 3 Spring
ED 494 Human Development in Old Age 3 Spring (even)
EDU 455 Policy & Practice in Developmental Differences 3 Spring (odd)

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 (4 credits)
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)

EDU 558 Supervised Internship in Teaching and Clinical Supervision EDU 559 Supervised Internship in Supervised Internship in Counseling Practice

V. Electives
Electives may 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.

VI. Dissertation Research
(30 credits)

In consultation with your advisor, choose a combination of at least one advanced research methods course, research apprenticeship, Ph.D. Dissertation Research (ED 595), Independent Study (ED 591), and other courses directly related to your dissertation for a total of 30 credits. A least 15 credits must be in ED 595 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
• Residency requirement: two successive semesters (fall/spring or spring/fall) of full-time study (12 credits a semester or 9 credits a semester if holding an assistantship)

Total Credit Hours: 96

Go to Counseling & Human Development Course Listing.