Ph.D. in Counseling & Personnel Services (Counselor Education, Mental Health Counseling)
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Counselor Education (Mental Health Counseling) prepares students to function in a variety of high-level positions in the mental health field.
In addition to coursework that prepares the student for credentialing as a licensed mental health professional, the Ph.D. program includes advanced coursework in clinical practice and supervision, career development, prevention, and research. Flexibility in coursework allows students to develop an area of concentrated study consistent with academic interests and professional goals.
The goal of the program is to produce leaders in the field of mental health counseling who support the integrity and growth of the field through ethical practice in a variety of professional roles.
Certification
The coursework for this program fulfills the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) educational requirements to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) for National Counselor Certification. The coursework and clinical practice experiences allow graduates to be licensed in most states. A graduate of the program can apply to the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors to have his/her credentials evaluated to become a licensed professional counselor associate (LPCA). LPCAs can engage in the practice of professional counseling in Kentucky under an approved clinical supervisor. LPCAs with appropriate supervised experience can apply to the Board to become a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC). An LPCC can engage in the independent practice of professional counseling in Kentucky. Prospective students are encouraged to become acquainted with the licensure requirements in the state in which they plan to practice.
Related
The Ph.D. in Counseling and Personnel Services with a Specialization in Counselor Education (Mental Health Counseling) requires a minimum of 99 graduate credit hours distributed in the areas of study designated below. The program culminates in the completion of a research-based dissertation related to the student's areas of academic study and professional interest. Equivalent courses taken in a master's program may be substituted for required courses with advisor and program committee approval. University policy stipulates that the Ph.D. program include a minimum of 90 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. At least 45 of the 90 hours must be earned at UofL. These 45 hours include 18 credit hours fulfilling residency and 12 credit hours required dissertation research.
Academic Areas included in the Program of Study
- Counseling Core (21 credit hours)
- Foundations (15 credit hours)
- Professional Specialty (15 credit hours)
- Clinical/Field Experience (18 credit hours)
- Research/Statistics (30 credit hours including 12 credit hours of dissertation research)
For details about program curriculum, visit the Degree Requirements - Graduate Catalog.
Admission Requirements
Prospective students must submit an online application for admission to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies.
- A master's degree or its equivalent in mental health counseling or a related field (i.e. community counseling, counseling psychology, school counseling). Applicants are required to submit all official transcripts as verification of coursework and degree(s).
- Minimum undergraduate grade point average = 3.0; minimum graduate grade point average = 3.5.
- Three letters of recommendation on letterhead from individuals who can speak to the applicant's academic and/or professional capabilities and potential along with the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies recommendation form.
- Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a minimum total greater than 1000 in the verbal and quantitative sections (individual verbal and quantitative scores of 450 or greater). Applicants are also required to submit the analytical writing score. Need help preparing for the GRE? Sign up for a GRE Information Session.
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all foreign students from countries in which English is not the native language. Students holding a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States are exempt from this requirement.
- A statement of professional goals appropriate to pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education (Mental Health Counseling) from the University of Louisville. The statement should speak to the applicant's match with the program and faculty.
- A professional resume.
An applicant who does not meet one of the above criteria and wishes to be considered for admission should include, in his/her application package, a written rationale for why the doctoral admissions committee should consider the application.
Applicants ranked highest by the doctoral admissions committee based on their application package will be interviewed on campus or by telephone.
Visit the Doctoral Student web site to learn more about the admission process. If you have questions about the program, e-mail ecpyinfo @ louisville.edu.
Application Deadlines
Spring Term Admission: October 1
Fall Term Admission: December 15 (if requesting financial assistance) or up until April 15 if no financial assistance is requested and positions in the program are still available.
Contact
Nancy Cunningham
Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology
College of Education & Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-0626
Program Faculty
Opportunities for Graduates
Graduates find positions in a variety of settings as university faculty and mental health clinicians, consultants, researchers and administrators. Graduates are able to pursue licensing as a mental health counselor in most states including Kentucky.
In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University, the College of Education & Human Development also has information about financial aid.
Other financial aid opportunities available include graduate assistantships and other employment opportunities.
How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. program in Counselor Education (Mental Health Counseling)?
For a full-time student who enters the program with a master's degree in mental health counseling, the program takes 3-4 years. This includes two to three years to complete the coursework and one year to complete the dissertation. After completing required coursework in the program of study, students take comprehensive examinations, a set of examinations that assess mastery of knowledge included in the program of study. After passing comprehensive examinations, the student becomes a doctoral candidate and completes the dissertation. The clinical field requirements (at least one counseling practicum and an internship) are usually completed before taking comprehensive examinations.
Can I get licensed with a Ph.D. in the Counselor Education (Mental Health Counseling) doctoral program?
Licensing as a mental health counselor generally requires a master's degree. If you enter the Counselor Education (Mental Health Counseling) doctoral program without a master's degree that allows you to be credentialed as a mental health counselor (you don't have the appropriate coursework or clinical experiences), you will acquire the experiences you need to be licensed during the doctoral program. You should become familiar with the requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in the state where you wish to be licensed.
Can I get involved in research during my doctoral study?
Being actively involved in research is a requirement in the program. The program includes required coursework in statistics and research design as well as being involved on a faculty research team. Students work with faculty who share common academic and research interests. The student is matched with a faculty member with similar interests upon being admitted to the program.
Do I take additional practicums in counseling beyond the practicums that I had in my master's program?
At least one advanced counseling practicum is required (ECPY 780). Two semesters of doctoral internship (ECPY 782) are also required. The internship experiences are designed to match the student's career goals and can focus on clinical work, research, teaching, prevention, or a combination of these areas.
