Counseling and Counselor Education, Ph.D.

The Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor of Education prepares graduates to be change agents that advocate for equity and integrity in counseling and academic settings.

This CACREP-accredited program in the Department of Counseling and Human Services puts an emphasis on didactic and experiential learning, with over 600 hours of internships, university teaching experience, and a research apprenticeship. Our faculty are nationally recognized, yet student-focused. You can expect unique opportunities in:

• Clinical Supervision: the knowledge and skills necessary to train and supervise counselors and counselors-in-training, and to teach supervision to others, through individual and group supervision in their practicum, and assisting with master’s student supervision.
• College Mental Health Counseling: internships and assistantships across Syracuse University provide supervised, clinical experience working within a college counseling context with students who present with a wide range of developmental and mental health concerns.
• College Teaching Experience: prepare for academic, administrative, and professional leadership roles by participating in the Future Professoriate Program. This includes orientations, year-round services for teaching assistants, and opportunities to co-teach with fellow doctoral students and department faculty, guest lecture, and independent instruction.
• Counseling Technology: unique skills in using technology and online resources for course development and delivery, counseling services delivery, clinical supervision applications, and other counselor education applications.
• Department Program Signatures: all programs in the Department of Counseling and Human Services hold to our program signatures of Reflexive Leadership, Impactful Engaged Scholarship, Experiential and Constructivist Pedagogy, Socially Just Advocacy & activism, Constructivist Supervision, Humanistic Engagement, and Wellness, Prevention, & Resiliency.
• Research Breadth and Depth: coursework in both quantitative and qualitative research design provides literacy in both, and a depth of knowledge in one or the other. First-year doctoral students are also encouraged to participate in the research of advanced doctoral students. Research apprenticeships projects are completed with your advisor, and often serve as a launchpad for the dissertation.
• Social Justice, Urban Youth, and Counseling for People with Disabilities: knowledge, skills, and awareness necessary to identify and confront the institutionalized forms of discrimination which continue to perpetuate disparities in social, academic, and career opportunities for urban youth and people with disabilities, to ensure full participation in all aspects of living.

The Counseling and Counselor Education program has a 100% employment rate for graduates within 6 months, and has graduates working in areas such as:

• Clinicians and supervisors at university counseling centers, agencies, and schools
• Faculty in Counseling and Counselor Education programs
• Directors of counseling and behavioral medicine programs
• Hospitals, community agencies, and Veterans Administration
• K-12 schools and districts
• Private practitioners
• Part-time instructors or adjunct faculty
• Pursuing additional credentialing including Approved Clinical Supervisor, Mental Health Facilitator, or Registered Play Therapist

Program Contacts

Derek Seward, Associate Professor; Chair of Counseling and Human Services

dxseward@syr.edu|315.443.9623

Sindy Pitts, Office Coordinator

skpitts@syr.edu|315.443.2266

Speranza Migliore, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment

smiglior@syr.edu|315.443.2505