Counseling and Counselor Education, Ph.D.

Admissions Deadline: November 1 (for fall semester start). Applicants should ensure that all of the required materials are submitted by that date.

Admissions Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree; CACREP-accredited Master’s degree in counseling or rehabilitation counseling, or concurrent admission to a CHS master’s program; minimum graduate GPA of 3.25
  • Official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate study
  • Preferred: minimum of 1 year of work experience in a counseling setting
  • Supplemental Doctoral application, sent directly to chsinfo@syr.edu as an attachment.
  • 3 letters of recommendation from persons who can speak to your academic potential and to your personal qualifications for graduate study in counseling
  • Personal statement which defines your motivation to seek graduate study and your future career ambitions
  • Professional or academic writing sample
  • Optional video of a counseling session, which must be accompanied by a signed release by the client who is participating in the session and commentary about the session.
  • Applicants will be contacted to schedule admissions interviews.
  • GRE is optional (not required)
  • International students: TOEFL Scores, written test 600, computerized test 250, iBT test 100, IELTS 7.0, or Duolingo English Test – this requirement CANNOT be waived.

Financial Support

  • All applications are considered for assistantships with program faculty and within the rest of the School of Education. It is recommended that you get your application in as early as possible in order to be considered, and are encouraged to contact admissions to discuss opportunities further.
  • More financial aid and scholarship resources

Program Contacts

Breana Nieves Vergara, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment
bknieves@syr.edu|315.443.2505
Breana Nieves Vergara
Caroline O’Hara, Associate Professor (Professional Counseling), CACREP Accreditation Liaison
clohara@syr.edu|315.443.5266
Caroline O'Hara