Doctor of Philosophy in Education: Counseling

Coordinator:
Robert S. Fink
491C Pawley Hall
(248) 370-2012
fink@oakland.edu
 

Program description

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a major in counseling degree prepares students for leadership roles within the field in the areas of advanced clinical practice, advanced school counseling practice, administration, research and supervision. The doctoral program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

The program allows students to pursue one of seven cognate areas: addictions counseling, career counseling, child and adolescent counseling, couple and family counseling, wellness counseling, school counseling, and mental health counseling. Additionally, in compliance with the CACREP guidelines, the program provides for advanced preparation in the following content areas: theories pertaining to the principles and practice of counseling, career development, group work, systems, and consultation; theories and practices of counselor supervision; instructional theory and methods relevant to counselor education; pedagogy relevant to current social and cultural issues, including social change theory and advocacy action planning; design and implementation of quantitative research and methodology, including univariate, multivariate, and single-subject design; design and implementation of qualitative research, including grounded theory, ethnographic, and phenomenological methodologies; models and methods of assessment and use of data; ethical and legal considerations in counselor education and supervision (e.g., the ACA Code of Ethics); and the role of racial, ethnic, and cultural heritage, nationality, socioeconomic status, family structure, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious and spiritual beliefs, occupation, physical and mental status, local, regional, national, international perspective, and equity issues in counselor education programs.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a major in counseling degree program is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.

• March 1, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
• March 1, 2013 for the Summer 2013 semester

International applicants:  International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by March 1 for fall admission.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University graduate application requirements

• Application for Admission to Graduate Study     
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
• Proof of English language proficiency
• International supplemental application and supporting documentation  must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Program application requirements

• A master’s degree in counseling and/or related field
• Goal statement
• Official GRE test scores
• Curriculum Vitae
• Writing sample.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a major in counseling degree program is selective. In addition to the university graduate application requirements, applicants must also satisfy the admission requirements established by the academic program as listed below. Admission to the degree program is a multi-step process:

1. The admissions committee evaluates candidates in the following areas:
   • Prior coursework and GPA at the graduate level
   • Professional experience
   • Written statement of purpose
   • Professional letters of recommendation
   • Official standardized test scores (GRE)
2. Applicants selected for further consideration are required to pass a departmental written examination and/or
   submit a video sample of their counseling.
3. An interview by the faculty.

Final admission recommendations are forwarded to Graduate Admissions by the counseling department faculty. The program is cohort based and allows for the admission of no more than eight doctoral students every year. Prerequisites will be required, if the earned master’s is a non-counseling degree.