Contact Information
Kelly Emelianchik-Key
Associate Professor
Department of Counselor Education
Mikaela Kursell
Coordinator, Academic Programs
Department of Counselor Education
The Ph.D. Program in Counseling
CACREP accredited until March 31, 2032.
The Ph.D. program in Counseling is a research-orientated degree that is designed for those who have completed a 60 hours master’s degree in counseling, hold licensure or certification as a professional counselor, and demonstrate potential for assuming major leadership roles in the counseling profession at the regional or national level in university, clinical or research settings. This program degree is not a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology modeled after APA guidelines, but rather is modeled after CACREP guidelines. Even though it primarily emphasizes research and leadership, the program will enhance the student’s clinical, supervisory, and consultation skills.
The program consists of a minimum of 60 credit hours including general required courses and specialized coursework in one of the following areas: Leadership and Supervision; School Counseling Outcome Research; Children, Adolescent, Couples and Family Intervention; and Optimizing Human Development and Health. Students are mentored in research, including their dissertation.
It is a selective and intensive program that can be completed in three years of full-time study. The program enrolls up to 6 incoming students per semester. An inaugural class begins in the fall semester. Graduate Assistantship support is available.
Program Overview
Consult the FAU Course Catalog for course descriptions and other details.
Required Courses for Full-Time Student
Core Courses – 18 credits |
|
|---|---|
| Course Title | Course Number |
| Advanced Counseling Theories: Contemporary Therapies | MHS 7402 |
| Multicultural, Spiritual, and Professional Issues in Counseling | MHS 7429 |
| Consultation and Leadership in Counseling | MHS 7606 |
| Advanced Instruction in Counselor Education | MHS 7611 |
| Advanced Supervision in Counselor Education | MHS 7809 |
| Special Topics | MHS 7930 |
Clinical/Field Experiences Courses – 9 credits |
|
|---|---|
| Course Title | Course Number |
| Advanced Practicum in Counselor Education | MHS 7942 |
| Internship (may be taken over multiple terms for a total of 6 credits) | MHS 7945 |
Research Courses – 27 credits |
|
|---|---|
| Course Title | Course Number |
| Appraisal of Children, Adults, Couples, and Families | MHS 7222 |
| Outcomes Assessment and Evaluation in Counseling | MHS 7714 |
| Advanced Research in Counseling | MHS 7730 |
| Dissertation Seminar | MHS 7978 |
| Dissertation (may be taken over multiple terms for a total of 12 credits) | MHS 7980 |
| Advanced Statistics | STA 7114 |
Specialization (Elective Courses) – 6 credits. Select two courses from the following: |
|
|---|---|
| Course Title | Course Number |
| Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry | EDA 6415 |
| Advanced Qualitative Inquiry | EDA 7416 |
| Seminar in School Administration | EDA 7930 |
| Optimal Human Functioning and Development in Counseling | MHS 7406 |
| Theory, Research, and Interventions with Couples, Families | MHS 7431 |
| Advanced Group Counseling | MHS 7512 |
| Directed Independent Study (variable and repeatable credits) | MHS 7905 |
| Special Topics (may be taken multiple times) | MHS 7930 |
| Program Review and Analysis | PAD 6327 |
How to Apply
Admission to the program is competitive and includes: high GRE scores including a minimum of 4.5 on the Analytic section, potential for leadership in the counseling profession, and research experience.
Deadlines for applications for Fall Admittance (no spring or summer admittance)
Effective for Fall 2022 and onwards, our program is using GradCas, a new online application submission portal, which only opens up for Fall submissions in early September. For more information about the new process, please visit: https://www.fau.edu/graduate/applyonline/
Please note the following deadlines and resources:
Fall 2027 Application Deadline: November 1, 2026 (priority admission), November 15, 2026 (all other admission consideration). The GradCas application site will begin taking applications in September 2026.
For further requirements and the admission process, see the Graduate College's Program Description