Program Overview
The PhD in Mental Health Counseling program provides you with the
foundation for research in areas such as evidence-based treatment, new
treatment modalities, program evaluation, counselor training, professional
identity, and related topics in counseling preparation. As a doctoral student,
you will help to advance the field of mental health counseling by building
research-based knowledge.
The program builds on our strong, widely respected master's-level program
to prepare students to become high-caliber researchers and professionals.
With the assistance of faculty mentors, graduates of the program will
develop specialization in an area of mutual interest, including:
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Evidence-based treatment and interventions
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Grief and trauma counseling
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Positive psychotherapy
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Multicultural counseling
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Best practices in counselor education
The program is small and selective—accepting approximately 10 students
per academic year. Small class settings enable meaningful interaction with
faculty and fellow students. This doctoral program is open only to applicants
with master's degrees in mental health counseling or a closely-related field.
Data from the Department
of Labor shows that job
growth in the mental health
counseling sector is expected
to grow significantly—
by 37 percent—from 2010
to 2020 as health insurance
companies increasingly cover
counseling services and as the
population grows overall.
