Counselor Education and Supervision

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Our CACREP-accredited Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D. program will prepare you to acquire faculty positions and assume leadership positions in mental health and school settings. You will receive intense training in counseling, teaching, supervision, research and advocacy. Classes are held during weeknights and our coursework can be completed within two years.

CACREP Accreditation

Our Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program is accredited by the , which means that the program has a nationally recognized and rigorous curriculum. Programs that receive CACREP accreditation have demonstrated a commitment to high admissions, academic and fieldwork standards and current best practices in counselor preparation and program improvement.

Counselor preparation programs that are accredited by CACREP must hire faculty who have earned a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program. This has increased the marketability of graduates of CACREP-accredited doctoral programs. Counseling psychology or clinical psychology graduates are generally not eligible for counselor education faculty positions.

*Applications open July 2025.

Program Information

Our CACREP-accredited Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program will prepare you to acquire faculty positions and assume leadership positions in mental health and school settings.

Degree

Doctorate

Academic Department

Counselor Education and School Psychology

Duration

3-year

Required Credit Hours

51

Prepare Here, Impact Anywhere

GAPositions

Competitive graduate assistant positions are available.

CACREP logo that shows check mark with horizontal lines in the background text reads CACREP

Accreditation

Our program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP programs have rigorous curriculum & provide comprehensive fieldwork supervision. Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs have greater portability for licensure and certification. Some states require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program to obtain Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC).

Research Orientation

Our Counselor Education and Supervison program emphasizes both qualitative and quantitative research.

 

Great Value, Great Education

Our 51-credit program gives you the flexibility, skills and experience so you can pursue your bigger goals.

Coursework can be completed within two years while some students have earned their degree within three years. 
Our courses are held during weeknights which permits for employment, and many of the students maintain full-time employment.
Our students receive extensive training in counseling, supervision, teaching and research.
Our faculty members have considerable professional experience and are active within the profession as scholars, supervisors, counselors and consultants. Duquesne School of Education faculty members have extensive relationships with the community agencies, universities and schools in the Pittsburgh area.
Graduates have been very successful in obtaining faculty and leadership positions regionally and nationally.
Â鶹ֱ²¥ is situated in the heart of Pittsburgh, a vibrant and safe city that has been , welcoming atmosphere and professional opportunity. 

Application Process

All Applicants

3.0 GPA*
*Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's academic competency.

CACREP Requirements
The Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has the following requirements for doctoral students:

  • Master's degree in counseling or a closely related field
  • Completed coursework in the CACREP common core areas, which include: 1) Professional Identity, 2) Social and Cultural Diversity, 3) Human Growth and Development, 4) Career Development, 5) Helping Relationships, 6) Group Work, 7) Assessment, and 8) Research and Program Evaluation
  • Completed coursework in a CACREP specialty area (e.g., addictions counseling, clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, etc.)

Applicants who have not graduated from a CACREP master's program, or who have a master's in psychology, social work, or a related field, are to mail or e-mail an unofficial copy of their master's transcript to the Program Director, who will review the transcript to identify what additional coursework is needed to satisfy CACREP prerequisites.

International Applicants 

English Proficiency Requirements
Â鶹ֱ²¥ requires submission of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores for all non-native English-speaking applicants who attended a university outside of the United States.

Score Requirements
The University requires the following minimum scores* for general admission consideration:

  • TOEFL (iBT) 80
  • IELTS 6.5**
  • Duolingo English Test 105

Transcript Credit Evaluation
If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.

The official reports must be sent directly to Â鶹ֱ²¥ from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.

You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations: or .

Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

 

All Applicants


  • Applications open July 2025.
  • Resume/curriculum vitae
  • Graduate education essay
    • The essay is limited to 500 words
    • Prompt: Discuss your professional plans upon acquiring a Ph.D. in Counselor Education
  • Two (2) Recommendations
    • Names and email addresses of recommenders are needed
    • Recommender will receive an email prompting the recommender to upload their recommendation for the applicant
    • Recommendations must be from individuals who can speak about the applicant’s academic
      professional abilities (i.e. faculty/supervisor recommendations)
    • Note: Family, friends and professional colleagues are not acceptable references
  • Official transcripts
    Submit transcripts to one of the following:

Hard Copy:
Â鶹ֱ²¥
Office of Graduate Admissions
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Electronic:
Email%20Graduate%20Admissions

 

International Applications 

  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo
    (please see score requirements in the previous section - "Admission Requirements, International Applicants")
  • Transcript Credit Evaluation
    • If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.
    • The official reports must be sent directly to Â鶹ֱ²¥ from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.
    • You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations: or.

Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

Fall 2025 Applications

Our 2024 fall Ph.D. cohort is filled and we are no longer accepting applications.

Applications for the 2025 fall cohort will open this July. 

Qualified candidates will be notified of an interview in late fall once a completed application is received. Interviews for the fall 2025 cohort will begin February 2025.

 

Submission of Application Materials
Upon completing the to the university, applicants will be prompted to submit their supporting materials (in above "Application Materials" section) in their applicant portal. Applicants can track the progress of their application materials in their .

 

Learning Outcomes

Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision Statement
To prepare counselor educators who are able to incorporate a culturally sustaining and ecological-systems framework in providing counseling services, teaching and supervising counselors, and conducting research and program/evaluation

Learning Outcomes - Program Objectives
  • Use a culturally sustaining and ecological-systems framework in conceptualizing clients/students presenting issues and needs.
  • Understand and follow legal and ethical standards.
  • Understand and demonstrate use of counseling theories in conceptualizing and providing individual and group counseling and consultation to clients/students and their important others.
  • Effectively use active listening skills in forming professional helping relationships with clients/students and their important others.
  • Support supervisee’s ability to use active listening skills, counseling theories, culturally sustaining approaches, and an ecological-systems framework in working with clients/students and their important others.
  • Provide instruction that is informed by teaching methods, instructional and curriculum design, and evaluation methods.
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative research and follow the standards of professional writing.
  • Use theories and strategies in advocating for the counseling profession and client’s/student’s needs.

Counselor Education and Supervision Graduate Statistics

Statistics 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24
Number of Graduates 7 6 10 2 7
Completion Rate  100% 88% 85% 78% 43%
Job Placement Rate 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

For additional information and statistics, please see the

Alum named PSCA Counselor Educator of the Year (Pennsylvania School Counselors Association)

Headshot of Dr. Joe Behun

I’m reminded every day of the lasting impact Duquesne has left upon me. Whether it be in my teaching, my research or my service to the profession and community, I approach counselor education from, and for, the mind, heart & spirit. This is what my professors modeled for me...and this is exactly how I continue to serve as a model for the future counselors I currently train.

Dr. Richard Joseph Behun Associate Professor & Graduate Program Coordinator, School Counseling | Millersville University

Our Faculty Experts

Jered Kolbert, Ph.D.

Jered Kolbert, Ph.D.

Co-Program Director | Professor

Matthew Joesph, Ph.D.

Matthew Joesph, Ph.D.

Co-Program Director | Associate Professor

ZiYoung Kang, Ph.D.

ZiYoung Kang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Kathryn Linich, Ph.D.

Kathryn Linich, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

John McCarthy

John McCarthy

Visiting Assistant Professor

Michael Sickels, Ph.D.

Michael Sickels, Ph.D.

Clinical Facilitator | Clinical Assistant Professor

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Mission Statement - Counselor Education

The mission of the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Counselor Education program is to prepare professional counselors, educators, scholars and clinical supervisors who promote the well-being of individuals, families, organizations and communities. This mission aligns with the University’s Spiritan mission to serve God by educating counselors who value social justice, meet high personal and professional standards; and promote moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and emotional development.

Accreditation

Our counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

CACREP logo that shows checkmark with horizontal lines in the background text reads CACREP

 

It's Time for Bigger Goals

 
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Learn about admission requirements and the application process.

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Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D. program

Susan Burich

Assistant to the Program Director