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Counseling Ph.D.
Doctoral Program
Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
5 years
Credit Hours:
72
Become a highly respected professional and research new treatment strategies with
a Ph.D. in counseling from UNT.
The Ph.D. program in counseling is designed to stimulate student inquiry and to develop
advanced knowledge and counseling skills. Our PhD program is accredited by the Council
for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
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Request More InfoWhy Earn a Counseling Ph.D.?
Our Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counseling stimulates student inquiry and develops advanced knowledge and counseling skills. Graduates are prepared to function as counselor educators, counselor supervisors, advanced counseling practitioners, directors of guidance and counseling programs in schools, researchers, and administrators.
Our academic core focuses on counseling and counseling-related areas while providing flexibility for you to develop a specialization.
Many faculty members are recognized experts in their field. They’ve earned recognition from the American Counseling Association, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Texas Counseling Association and Chi Sigma Iota international honor society. Their research interests include:
- Addictions counseling
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Crisis intervention
- Multicultural issues
- Near-death experiences and spiritual transformation
- Play therapy
- Professional issues in counselor education
- Veterans' issues
A recent emphasis in the program is on preparing counselor educators to work at the university level.
The program is both theoretical and experiential. You’ll participate in a six-semester, on-campus clinical experience to complete doctoral-level practicum and internship experiences. You’ll also complete a portfolio that demonstrates your teaching, supervision, research and leadership skills.
Marketable Skills
- Application of theory to practice
- Pedagogical practices
- Leadership promoting social advocacy/community engagement
- Evidence-based clinical skills
- High quality research and dissemination
Counseling Ph.D. Highlights
College of Education ranked 1st in the North Texas region among public graduate schools,
3rd among public graduate schools in Texas, 68th among public graduate schools and
89th overall in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
College of Education ranked 9th in Texas and 66th in the South by Best-Education-Schools.com
Many faculty members are recognized experts in their field, earning recognition from
the American Counseling Association, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision,
Texas Counseling Association and Chi Sigma Iota international honor society.
Each year, our program offers conferences where nationally known speakers present
current perspectives on counseling issues.
UNT's Center for Play Therapy encourages children’s development and emotional growth
through play therapy, a dynamic interpersonal relationship between a child and a trained
therapist. The center provides training, research, publications, counseling services
and scholarships. It also acts as a clearinghouse for literature in the field.
The College of Education is regionally and nationally recognized for excellence in
preparing teachers, administrators, counselors, kinesiology and health promotion specialists,
play therapists and other educators.
What Can You do With aCounseling Ph.D.?
Graduates are prepared to function as counselor educators, counselor supervisors, advanced counseling practitioners, directors of guidance and counseling programs in schools, researchers, and administrators.
Counseling Ph.D. Courses You Could Take
Research in Counseling (3 hrs)
Survey and analysis of existing research and research methodology in counseling. A
review of the literature in selected areas is required. Major research reports are
evaluated for methodological strengths and weaknesses.
Advanced Multicultural Counseling (3 hrs)
Study of advanced practice of multicultural counseling and of implications for counselor
preparation and supervision.
Counseling Principles and Process I (3 hrs)
Principles and supervised practice of advanced skills in counseling and consultation
for counselor educators, including consistent implementation of counseling theory.
Advanced Theories of Counseling (3 hrs)
In-depth study of the major theories of counseling, including the philosophical and
psychological assumptions that underlie them.
Teaching Counselor Education (3 hrs)
Principles and practices of teaching in counselor education with attention to learning
theories, curriculum design, and special topics of particular interest to counselor
educators. Includes attention to methods for course and program evaluation.
Counselor Supervision (3 hrs)
Critique of the literature in counselor supervision with discussion and didactic emphasis
on the role of the counselor supervisor in the dynamics of supervisory relationships.
Laboratory supervising master’s-level students in a clinical counseling course.
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