PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education

Prepare to shape the future of the counseling profession through UNC Greensboro’s Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education program. Designed for experienced counseling professionals, this full-time, cohort-based, three-year doctoral program develops the next generation of counselor educators, researchers, supervisors, and leaders through advanced coursework, hands-on teaching and clinical experiences, and mentorship from nationally recognized faculty. Graduates gain the expertise to advance counseling practice, prepare future counselors, conduct impactful research, and lead in higher education, healthcare, and community settings.

ph.d. in Counseling and Counselor Education Program Distinctions

UNCG’s Department of Counseling and Educational Development (CED) has earned a longstanding reputation for excellence in counselor preparation and consistently ranks among the nation’s top graduate counseling programs. The department’s Ph.D. program reflects decades of leadership in preparing counselor educators and advancing the counseling profession. Within North Carolina, CED is rated as the top graduate counseling program and comes in fourth nationally in U.S. News & World Report rankings. The program has been rated among the top 15 in the country for more than three decades.

Doctoral students have access to the Nicholas Vacc Counseling and Consulting Clinic, an in-house training clinic where students engage in advanced clinical experiences. This setting allows students to strengthen their counseling and supervision skills while working with clients in a supportive, educational environment.

CED Ph.D. students receive hands-on experience leading their own classroom and providing clinical supervision to master’s students in clinical practica and internship that prepares them for a career as a counselor educator or other leadership positions.

Each year, the program’s faculty admissions committee selects approximately five to eight students for admission to UNCG’s full-time, daytime Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education program.

All of the Department of Counseling and Educational Development’s programs are CACREP accredited.

The ph.d. in Counseling and Counselor Education Student Experience

The Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education program is intentionally developmental in the sequence of the courses and experiences provided to students. Doctoral students gain direct experience teaching counseling courses and supervising master’s-level counseling students. Through supervised teaching internships and clinical supervision experiences, students build confidence as educators while receiving mentorship from experienced faculty.

Students are also integral members of the department, developing their professional skills in teaching and supervision as they contribute to the training of our master’s students, always with supervision and support from CED faculty.

The program prepares students to contribute new knowledge to counseling through advanced research experiences, including research apprenticeships, practica, statistical methods training, and dissertation research. Students work closely with faculty mentors to develop specialized areas of expertise and pursue research that advances the counseling profession.

A Cohort-based, Immersive Doctoral Experience in Counseling and Counselor Education

The full-time, three-year program uses a cohort model that encourages collaboration, professional networking, and a strong sense of community among doctoral students. The structured experience allows students to progressively build expertise in counseling theory, research, teaching, supervision, and leadership.

The Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education is in person on the UNCG main campus. Additionally, students have access to various schools within the university for interdisciplinary collaboration. All programs are full-time with courses offered predominantly during the day between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Applying to the Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education Program

The deadline to apply for the Ph.D. in counseling program is November 15. Admission is for the fall semester only. Complete your application by the appropriate deadline to ensure the admissions committee reviews it. Contact the Graduate School to confirm it has received all required application materials.

Application criteria for application for the doctoral program includes: 

1. Complete online graduate school application.
2. Three professional letters of recommendation for doctoral students (most of which should be academic references).  
3. Resume or curriculum vitae detailing work experience, volunteer experience, and research background. 
4. One written personal statement is required for doctoral applicants. This personal statement should describe your interest in pursuing a doctoral degree in counseling, your aspirations post-graduation, and any other information that would be important for the admissions committee to be aware of and that helps to describe you.
5. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

Transcripts
Applicants can either upload official transcripts issued by their institution’s Registrar’s Office through the online application or request that their institution mail official transcripts directly to the Graduate School at the following address:

The Graduate School
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
241 Mossman Building
1202 Spring Garden Street
Greensboro, NC 27412  

Online Application
We use a completely electronic application process.

All applicants should include the following supplemental documents as attachments to their online application: 

• Personal Statement 
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Timeline and Interviews
The admissions committee begins reviewing applications after the application deadline. The committee invites selected applicants to interview early in the spring semester, and participation in the interview process is required. Applicants typically receive an admission decision within two to four weeks after interviews conclude and no later than April 15.

After Graduating with a ph.d. in Counseling and Counselor Education

The program goes beyond research training by preparing graduates for the full range of counselor educator responsibilities, including:

• Teaching future counselors
• Providing clinical supervision
• Conducting counseling research
• Practicing as advanced counselors
• Leading counseling programs and organizations
• Advocating for clients and the counseling profession

Students develop the knowledge, skills, and professional identity needed to become leaders in higher education and the counseling field.

Careers for graduates of the Ph.D. in counseling program include:

• Counselor educator
• Administrator or director of a counseling clinic
• Counselor in private practice, university counseling center, and outpatient facilities
• Director of school counseling program
• Clinical supervisor
• Licensure as a professional counselor
• Clinical researcher