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Lead the Next Generation of Counselors

Have you reached the point in your career where you would like to contribute your experience to the counseling profession? Mental health professionals are in demand. Your knowledge and skills, combined with a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from IUP, will enable you to help supervise and educate school and clinical mental health counselors.

How to Apply
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The PhD in Counselor Education prepares you for many options.

  • Obtain a leadership position in the counseling profession
  • Supervise counselors in various community settings
  • Teach at the university level as a professor

Why Pursue a PhD in Counselor Education at IUP?

IUP understands how hard it is to find the time to advance your education. That’s why you can choose between taking classes on campus in Indiana, PA, or at the IUP Pittsburgh East location.

Plus, you know it is a quality program since it is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Imagine Your Future

To teach in an accredited counselor-training program, you must have a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision, according to CACREP. Or you need experience teaching in a CACREP-accredited program.

The demand for school and clinical mental health counselors has increased and is projected to keep growing.

The Affordable Care Act has given millions of people access to mental health services. Previously, many people did not have insurance coverage for these services.

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for mental health counselors will increase by 20 percent by 2024.

Enrollment in mental health counseling master's programs is already increasing, showing the need for counselor educators.

Since IUP’s program is accredited, your next career move could be:

  • A clinical director or supervisor for a counseling program in hospitals, drug and alcohol facilities, residential programs, family-based mental health programs, community outpatient clinics, or private practice.
  • A faculty member in a CACREP accredited counselor education program for clinical mental health and school counselors.
  • A leader of local, regional, state, and national professional organizations in the field of counseling and counselor education.
  • A scholar in academia, conducting and publishing social science research for the advancement of quality client care and counselor education.
  • An advocate for client welfare and social change at the local, state, and federal government levels.

Classes and Requirements

As a student in the PhD in Counselor Education program, you'll take classes that will help you develop your professional identity. These classes are based on the five doctoral CACREP areas:

  • Counseling
  • Leadership and Advocacy
  • Research
  • Supervision
  • Teaching

You will also take a 600-hour field experience in counseling and supervision and one or two other areas of your choice.

Full Academic Catalog Listing

The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.

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Michael Verona M’17, D’20, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counselor Education and Supervision

I earned two graduate degrees in counseling, and the most beneficial aspects of the programs were the clinical and teaching experiences.

Two Convenient Locations

You can choose the most convenient location that lets you fit your doctoral studies into the rest of your busy life.

Odd-Year Cohorts: Complete Your Studies at the Indiana Campus

If you are part of the cohort that starts in the fall of an odd year, you'll take all of your classes at IUP's main campus in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Here, you will enjoy a renovated space in our counseling department dedicated specifically to PhD students to guarantee a collaborative and productive environment.

Even-Year Cohorts: Complete Your Studies at Pittsburgh East, Near Downtown Pittsburgh

If you are part of the cohort that starts in the fall of an even year, you will take all classes at IUP Pittsburgh East. Located at Penn Center, just 20 minutes east of downtown Pittsburgh, this location is ideal if you are a counseling professional in the Pittsburgh, Monroeville, and Greensburg areas. You'll enjoy free parking and shared spaces to meet with other doctoral students.

Information Sessions

You can learn more about this program by attending an online information session/webinar through Zoom. Online information sessions are held on the first Tuesday and third Saturday of the month. Please register online.

CACREP Accreditation

In July 2021, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), granted accreditation to the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program in the Department of Counseling at IUP. The accreditation was granted through October 31, 2024.

Admissions Requirements

Interested in applying for your PhD in Counselor Education? As of now, the GRE is not required. Here is what you need to submit:

  • A goal statement. In two to three double-spaced pages, summarize your relevant education and work experience and answer these two questions:
    • Why do you want to earn a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision? (career goals)
    • Why are you interested in IUP's PhD program?
  • Academic writing sample. You have a choice. Submit a research paper from your master's program. Or, write a research paper on a contemporary topic in the field of counseling. This paper should use the current APA format and be five to seven double-spaced pages.
  • Transcripts from your master's degree (GPA of 3.5 or better).
  • Resume/vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation.

If there are any inconsistencies or time gaps in your work or education history, please provide an explanation.

Feel free to add any additional information you believe would help faculty assess your desire and qualifications for the field of counseling.

International Applicants

The Counseling Department will consider admitting international applicants at both campus locations using certain criteria outlined on the international student applicants page.

Credential Evaluation Process

The doctoral coordinator, after consulting with the department screening committee, will submit a recommendation regarding your application to the School of Graduate Studies and Research. Learn more about the criteria that will be reviewed on the credential evaluation process page.

Doctoral Admission Process

The doctoral program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Once all of your materials are received, they will be reviewed by the Department of Counseling doctoral program faculty.

You'll be contacted to schedule a Zoom interview after a satisfactory review of your application materials. During this interview, you will talk with department faculty to further review your materials and discuss your qualifications for the program.