ohio university phd counselor education

• Future Students
• Parents/Families
• Alumni/Friends
• Current Students
• Faculty/Staff
• MyOHIO Student Center
• Visit Athens Campus
• Regional Campuses
• OHIO Online
• Faculty/Staff Directory

Counseling and Higher Education

• History and Legacy
• Mission & Vision
• Academic Departments
• Centers and Offices
• Office of the Dean
• Accreditation and Assessment
• Strategic Plan
• Academic Programs
• Honor Programs
• Schedule a Tour
• Brothers Rise Initiative
• Holmes Scholars (Graduate Students)
• International Student Resources
• Transfer Students
• Financial Aid & Scholarships
• Graduate Assistantships
• Professional Development Institute for Alternate Licensure
• Undergraduate Advising
• Group Study Rooms (PCOE Students Only)
• Patton College Forms
• Military and Veteran Services
• Career Network
• Clinical Practice in Education
• Student of the Month Nominations
• Dean's Circle of Engagement
• Emeriti Faculty and Staff
• Alumni of the Month Nominations
• Give to The Patton College
• Faculty and Staff Directory
• Faculty Resources
• Patton College Faculty-Staff Awards

Helpful Links

Navigate OHIO

Connect With Us

Doctorate of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision

Program code: ph6265.

Apply Now for Fall 2024 Join our program where our mission is to provide advanced preparation for counselors in the areas of counseling, supervision, teaching, research and scholarship, and leadership and advocacy. Our graduates serve as counselor education faculty in colleges and universities, and counseling leaders in public and private educational, human services, and mental health settings.

Apply on or before January 15, 2024.

Doctoral study in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) at Ohio University is designed to provide advanced preparation for counselors in the areas of counseling, supervision, teaching, research and scholarship, and leadership and advocacy. Graduates of the program serve as counselor education faculty in colleges and universities and counseling leaders in public and private educational, human services, and mental health settings. The first Ph.D. degree from the Ohio University Counselor Education program was granted in 1962 and the CES program was one of the first accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs ( CACREP ) in 1986. The CES program is  accredited through October 31, 2024 .

The program has a history of leadership and advocacy in the counseling field. Professor Emeritus Dr. Tom Sweeney launched Chi Sigma Iota, Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society at Ohio University in 1985 along with other leaders in the counseling profession. Thanks to Dr. Sweeney’s vision, we are proud to be the home of the Alpha Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. Professors Emeriti Tom Davis, Luther Hasely, and Mel Witmer are other prominent leaders who led our profession forward.

Our current faculty and students are in leadership roles. To mention a few, Dr. Christine Suniti Bhat is the President-Elect of ACA and Dr. Tamarine Foreman is President of OACES. Among doctoral students, Ibrahim Akmese is a CSI Intern (2023-2024), Sarah Hatch is the President of Ohio SAIGE, and many of our students are graduates of the Ohio Counseling Association Emerging Leader Academy. The doctoral program received the Innovative Doctoral Program award from NCACES in 2021.

Students and faculty in the Ohio University Counselor Education program are guided by the American Counseling Association (ACA, 2014) Code of Ethics and are committed to the ethical practice of counseling. In the classroom, fieldwork, and extra-curricular activities, we acknowledge and value the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of our students, faculty, site supervisors, and clients. We believe that an emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and advocacy strengthens the learning experiences of all. Please review the Counselor Education program's commitment to diversity and inclusion to learn more about our values. 

Program Overview and Information

CES doctoral students seek to improve their scholarly, instructional, clinical, and research skills to acquire advanced training in counselor education. The program is based on the philosophy that each student enters with unique strengths, abilities, and professional goals. Therefore, beyond the required courses, each student is expected to build a program of study based on prior academic preparation, previous work experience, and career goals. All doctoral students complete: (a) core coursework in counselor education and supervision, (b) coursework in quantitative and qualitative research, (c) a 100-hour counseling practicum, (d) a 600-hour internship, (e) a written comprehensive exam and oral defense, and (f) a doctoral dissertation. Please see the graduate catalog for a full description of program requirements . To learn more about CES, prospective and current students can contact the CES coordinator, Tamarine Foreman  ( [email protected] ).

Students admitted to the doctoral program possess a Master’s degree in Counseling or a closely related field. Doctoral students must have master’s coursework and demonstrated knowledge in the core counseling areas for entry-level counselors and meet requirements for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) specialty to be eligible for licensure as an Ohio Licensed Professional Counselor ( LPC ).  Doctoral students who have not met core counseling and/or CMHC requirements are required to complete requisite coursework in addition to their doctoral studies. 

Program Outcomes

Doctoral graduates typically become (1) counselor education faculty members in academia; (2) counselors, administrators, consultants, and trainers in mental health settings; or (3) practitioners in private practice.  Prospective s tudents can learn more about counselor education and supervision by visiting the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision ( ACES ) website and ACES resources for  graduate students .  Our 2021-2022 academic program and student outcomes are available at: https://www.ohio.edu/education/counseling-higher-education/accreditation .  

For more information, contact:

Tamarine Foreman Counselor Education Program Coordinator Patton Hall 432L 740.593.4395 [email protected]

Approximately 6-10 doctoral students are admitted to the Counselor Education program annually.  Review of applications begins on January 15, 2023, for the Fall 2023 admission term.  Prospective students can apply by selecting the following program code:  PH6265. Required application materials include:

• Transcripts  showing a Master’s degree in Counseling or a closely-related field with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.  Applicants that do not meet the GPA criteria may still apply but should address past academic performance and aptitude for doctoral study in the Personal Statement.  The review committee will consider additional information provided by the applicant and references on an individual basis.  
• Résumé/CV  highlighting the professional experience of a nature and extent appropriate to doctoral study in Counselor Education. Include information on counseling, teaching, research, writing, and participation in professional organizations.
• Three letters of recommendation  written by current or former professors/supervisors, or others in the field who can address the applicant’s suitability for doctoral-level work in Counselor Education and Supervision.
• What are your career goals?
• What qualities and skills do you possess that you believe enable you to become an effective counselor educator?
• Describe your personal characteristics that will be assets and challenges to your study in counselor education?
• Doctoral students typically work as supervisors and co-instructors. Describe how you will work with faculty and students in these roles.
• How will you manage your personal and professional boundaries through a demanding doctoral program?
• Describe your culturally relevant interpersonal experiences with individuals or groups who differ from you (e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation, age, spiritual beliefs, ability).
• What distinguishes you from other candidates for the counselor education program?
• Describe anything else you would like the program faculty to consider with your application.

Admissions Process:

• Applications will be reviewed by faculty immediately following January 15th.  
• Applicants who are short-listed by faculty will be invited for an interview. 
• Following the interview, the faculty will submit admissions recommendations to the Graduate College. 
• Official notices of admission are sent via email from the Graduate College. Applicants must respond in a timely manner and inform the Graduate College whether or not they accept the offer of admission. 
• Students who accept an offer of admission and then change their minds about attending must inform the Program Coordinator and Graduate College immediately. 
• Accepted students will receive communication from the program coordinator about their assigned faculty advisor, orientation, and course registration.

The Counselor Education program continues to accept applications beyond the January 15th priority deadline. Interested applicants for the doctoral program are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Prospective students interested in applying after the January 15th date must contact the Program Coordinator directly. Applications will only be considered if all positions have not been filled. Students are admitted for the Fall semester each year and may begin taking elective coursework in the preceding Summer session.  

Counselor Education doctoral students are expected to review program handbooks, policies, and procedures and be familiar with the handbooks and forms provided by the  Patton College of Education  and  Graduate College . 

• Counselor Education Program Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
• Counselor Education Graduate Program Handbook

Doctoral students in the Counselor Education program at Ohio University are encouraged and expected to become involved in counseling professional organizations during their program. Belonging to a professional organization encourages collaboration and advocacy, promotes professionalism and leadership and gives students the opportunity to work with colleagues and leaders in the profession throughout the state and nation. Students are encouraged to explore the following professional organizations that focus on counseling and counselor education:

• American Counseling Association (ACA)  and its divisions
• Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
• Chi Sigma Iota (CSI), Alpha Chapter
• National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE)
• National Rehabilitation Association (NRA)
• North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NCACES)
• Ohio Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (OACES)
• Ohio Counseling Association (OCA)
• Ohio Rehabilitation Association (ORA)