Counseling, Ph.D.: Counseling and Supervision
Degrees Offered:
- Ph.D. in Counseling and Supervision
Content Area Options (specializations):
- Mental health counseling and supervision
- College counseling and student services
- Trauma counseling
- Child and adolescent counseling
Program Accreditation:
The Ph.D. degree doctoral program offered at the Union and Tom's River New Jersey campuses are CACREP accredit4ed with an expiration date of March 31. 2030. The first cohort began studies in the fall 2018 semester.
Admissions Requirements:
- Master’s degree in counseling from an accredited college or university, preferably CACREP accredited
- Recommended 3.5 cumulative GPA for the master’s degree
- Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are optional
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Copy of counseling license or plan to obtain licensure during the doctoral program.
- Three letters of recommendation by
- one letter from a counseling supervisor familiar with the applicant’s counseling skills, professional identity, dispositions, and ethics
- one letter from a faculty member familiar with the applicant’s academic performance, writing, research, and potential for success in doctoral study
- one additional letter from a counselor, Counseling faculty, or clinical supervisor
- Recommended recent scholarly or professional writing sample
- Comprehensive current professional résumé/CV
- Personal statement of four to eight pages (use APA style, written in first person) that presents your education, philosophy, and personal and professional development as a counselor, supervisor or college student affairs professional; your reasons and goals for applying to this program at Kean University; and your plans upon completion of the doctoral degree
- Official TOEFL or IELTS score reports for applicants whose native language is not English or whose degree is not from an English speaking country
Applicants need to demonstrate the following to be considered:
- An academic aptitude for doctoral-level study in counseling, supervision, leadership, advocacy, and research.
- A minimum of 2 years of professional counseling or closely-related experience, 5-10 years of experience are recommended.
- Fitness for the counseling profession, including mature self-awareness, emotional stability, empathy, and compassion.
- Professional and scholarly oral and written communication skills.
- Social-cultural awareness, sensitivity, and respect.
- Demonstrated potential for scholarship, professional leadership, social justice, and advocacy.
- Consideration on the basis of overall strength of the application and fit for the program.
- An invitation for an in-person interview for selected applicants; a writing sample is required during the visit.
Start terms:
The PhD admits students ONLY for the fall term.
Graduation Requirements:
- Complete 57-58 credits
- Successful passing of a comprehensive examination
- Completion and successful oral defense of the dissertation
- Obtaining a New Jersey Counseling license – LAC or LPC
- Passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (for mental health and trauma counseling specializations)
Program Description:
The PhD in Counseling and Supervision prepares experienced counselors and college student services professionals to advance their careers as compassionate trauma informed faculty, supervisors, clinicians, researchers, and administrators. This personal, student-centered program fosters the development of individual strengths and professional leadership.
Courses are scheduled evenings and weekends in a hybrid format to accommodate working professionals. Full-time students can complete the course requirements in three to four years, part-time students can complete the course requirements in four to five years depending on program requirements and student goals.
In the fall of 2018, the Counselor Education Department opened the Community Counseling and Wellness Center on Kean's East Campus. Through a University Quality First Initiative (QFI) Grant, 16 advanced counseling students were trained as facilitators for ongoing Child-Parent Relationship (Filial) Therapy. In addition to four rooms for individual counseling, the program also has one room equipped for Play Therapy and Filial Therapy, another room for Sand Tray Therapy and a third room for group counseling. New video equipment has been installed in the specialized rooms.
In the fall of 2020, counseling services are available on-line.
Degree Requirements
- 57-58 credits
- Comprehensive qualifying examination
- Dissertation and oral defense
- National Counselor Examination
- National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (for mental health and trauma counseling specializations)
Core Courses 22
Research Core Courses 12
Clinical Core and Teaching Courses 9
CED 7980 | ADVANCED PRACTICUM IN COUNSELING | 3 |
CED 7985 | ADVANCED INTERNSHIP I: PROFESSIONAL | 3 |
CED 7986 | ADVANCED INTERNSHIP II: TEACHING | 3 |
Dissertation 9
Specialization Courses 5-6
CED 7958 | PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY | 2 |
CED 7961 | TRAUMA ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT | 3 |
CED 7631 | ADVANCED COLLEGE STUDENT SERVICES AND COUNSELING | 3 |
CED 7632 | ADVANCED COLLEGE COUNSELING AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 57-58