Prerequisites and Program Requirements

Prerequisites

1. Related master's degree
   

   Applicants should possess a master’s degree in counseling or a related field containing at least the following courses or their equivalents:

   • Group Counseling

   • Counseling Theory and Method

   • Career Development and Counseling

   • Individual Counseling Skills and Procedures

   • Multicultural Counseling

   • Use of Assessments in Counseling

   • Research in Counseling

   • Evidence of coursework addressing human growth and  development, as well as the professional identity of counselors.

   • Counseling experiences in the form of supervised practicum and internship.

2. Relevant experience
   

   Because the program is designed for individuals who assume responsibility for supervising and/or training counselors, experience provides the foundation for further professional development. Amount, type, and degree of applicant experience in professional counseling and/or related experience will be closely evaluated for admission.

A deficiency in one or more of the above course content areas must be made up by the time of the candidacy examination. These courses may not be used to fulfill any of the remaining doctoral degree core course requirements. The Graduate School will grant 30 credits from the master’s degree toward the doctoral program.

Course Requirements

Counselor Education Core Requirements (34 credits)
CN ED 502  Advanced Counseling Theory (3 cr.)
CN ED 554  Multicultural Counseling (3 cr.)
CN ED 555  Career Counseling (3 cr.)
CN ED 580  Foundations: History & Trends (3 cr.)
CN ED 581  Professional Issues (3 cr.)
CN ED 582  Advanced Group Psychotherapy (3 cr.)
CN ED 589  Seminar on Counseling Supervision (1 cr.)
CN ED 595D  Supervision of Counselors (3 cr.)
CN ED 595I  Teaching Internship (3 cr.)*
CN ED 595K  Counseling Internship (3 cr.)*
CN ED 595P  Counseling Practicum (3 cr.)*
CN ED 595P.2  Doctoral Practicum in Career Counseling (3 cr.)*

*Students are required to keep a log documenting their practicum and internship hours.

Empirical Foundations (15 credits)
A minimum of 15 post-master’s credits will be devoted to enhancing competence in conducting research and evaluating programs. The following three topics must be covered: quantitative research methods, qualitative research methods, research seminar. Program evaluation is an optional study area which can be taken to enhance overall skill set if desired. Students are welcome to take any courses that fulfill the topic requirements. Students should check the PSU website to see when and how often these courses are offered.
1. Quantitative research methods (6 credits minimum)
2. Qualitative research methods (3 credits minimum)
3. Research seminar- CNPSY 594 (3 credits minimum)
4. Program evaluation (3 credits) (optional)
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500-599 and 800-899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements. Courses below 400 level may not.

Minor Area of Study (15 credits)
A minimum of 15 master’s and post-master’s credits will need to be completed in a group of general studies or a specific discipline (e.g., psychology, gerontology) outside of Counselor Education. These courses should be chosen to complement one’s counseling specialty area in a meaningful way and will be approved by the student’s committee chair/adviser. At least one faculty member from the minor area must be on the student’s doctoral committee.

Dissertation (2 credits)
To ensure that students have met the 96 total credits required by CACREP, students will complete a minimum of 2 dissertation or elective credits before they graduate. Students should discuss these options with their academic adviser to see which is their best option.

Students will develop and implement a dissertation research project designed to generate new knowledge for the counseling
profession.

Total Credits Required
CN ED Core Requirements  34 credits
Empirical Foundations         15 credits
Minor Area of Study             15 credits
Dissertation Research           2 credits
Subtotal                               66 credits
Plus Master’s credits           30 credits
TOTAL CREDITS                 96 credits