Education PhD, Counseling Emphasis
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the application and admissions requirements of the Graduate School, students must submit:
- Three letters of recommendation (at least two from individuals with earned doctorates, preferably prior instructors).
- A copy of a paper you have written on a scholarly topic, as a writing sample.
- A professional resume.
- Evidence of above-average academic records. A GPA of 3.5 or higher is preferred.
- Answers to these three questions (limit responses to 300 words or less per question), sent to CounselingDocApps@umsl.edu:
- How do you envision the UMSL doctoral program preparing you to meet your career goals?
- What are your experiences working with diverse populations and what you have learned from these experiences?
- What personal qualities do you possess that relate to your interest in doctoral education in counseling?
- Optional: GRE scores.
Admission is competitive, and a favorable vote of an admission interview committee, composed of faculty in the emphasis area, is required.
Degree Program
- Coursework: A minimum of 60 credit hours is required beyond the Master’s degree, including 6 hours of dissertation research. A minimum of 42 of these hours must be completed in residence.
- Dissertation: All students must defend orally a written dissertation proposal to their dissertation committee. A dissertation embodying the results of original research must be accepted by the dissertation committee and the Graduate School.
Admission Application
To ensure time for review and decision, applicants should submit the Graduate School application, college transcripts, and any program-specific materials (e.g. supplemental application, letters of recommendation, etc.) well in advance of the December 1st deadline. Please note that unofficial transcripts can be uploaded with the Graduate School application to expedite admissions decisions; however, official transcripts must be received directly from all prior institutions attended before regular admission to any program will be granted. In addition, applicants are urged to request transcripts and letters or recommendation two weeks before completing the online application. Consideration of applications cannot be undertaken until all materials are available.
Degree Requirements
Students in the Counseling emphasis area complete the following requirements:
| Research Methods (21 hours) | ||
| ED REM 6710 | Educational Research Methods and Design 1 | 3 |
| CNS ED 7020 | Seminar in Counseling Research | 3 |
| CNS ED 7025 | Advanced Counseling Research | 3 |
| ED REM 7771 | Quantitative Research Methods I | 3 |
| ED REM 7781 | Qualitative Methods in Educational Research I | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Research Methods II | ||
| Qualitative Methods in Educational Research II | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Educational Program Development and Evaluation | ||
| Quantitative Research Methods II (if not taken above) | ||
| Qualitative Methods in Educational Research II (if not taken above) | ||
| Counseling Core (57 hours) | ||
| CNS ED 6010 | Theories of Counseling 1 | 3 |
| CNS ED 6020 | Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling 1 | 3 |
| CNS ED 6030 | Foundations for Multicultural Counseling 1 | 3 |
| CNS ED 6040 | Group Procedures in Counseling 1 | 3 |
| CNS ED 6050 | Individual Inventory 1 | 3 |
| CNS ED 6270 | School Counseling Practicum 1 | 3 |
| or CNS ED 6370 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum I | |
| CNS ED 6280 | School Counseling Field Experience 1 | 6 |
| or CNS ED 6380 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling Field Experience | |
| CNS ED 6400 | Career Information and Development 1 | 3 |
| CNS ED 6410 | Advanced Career Development | 3 |
| CNS ED 7000 | Advanced Theories and Practice of Counseling | 6 |
| CNS ED 7010 | Advanced Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| CNS ED 7030 | Counselor Education and Supervision of Individuals and Groups | 6 |
| CNS ED 7075 | Teaching, Learning, and Technology in Counselor Education | 3 |
| ED PSY 6210 | Life-Span: Individual and Family Development 1 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Internship | ||
| CNS ED 7780 | Doctoral Internship | 6 |
| Dissertation Research | ||
| EDUC 7999 | Dissertation Research | 6 |
| Total Hours | 90 | |
| 1 | These courses are normally part of a master's program. Equivalent graduate coursework may count as transfer credit toward the degree with approval of the Ph.D. program. |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply the ethical and culturally relevant practice of counseling
- Be adept at conceptualizing clients using theory and integrating theory and research into counseling practice
- Demonstrate skills in the process and practice of clinical supervision and consultation, including the use of theory, assessment, gatekeeping, and ethical and culturally relevant strategies
- Develop skills in teaching, including course design, assessment, andragogy, differentiation, and gatekeeping.
- Demonstrate the ethical practice of conducting rigorous and intentionally designed counseling research.
- Develop and refine scholarship skills through advanced qualitative and quantitative coursework to be able to disseminate findings through professional presentations or publications
- Demonstrate abilities to serve as leaders in the field and advocates for the profession, for clients, and with marginalized populations to stand up against issues of systemic inequity