What is the deadline for applying to the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program?

The deadline for applying to our Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program (optional specialization in rehabilitation and disability) for consideration for admission for the next academic year is December 1 each year. Individuals are encouraged to apply as early as possible in order to receive full consideration for financial support. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Program Director for inquiry.

What are the required materials for applying to the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program?

The required application materials for the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision (optional concentration in rehabilitation and disability) program include the University application, curriculum vita/resume, personal and professional statement, official undergraduate and master’s degree academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a professional writing sample. The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is no longer a requirement, but it is recommended as one of the options to illustrate academic aptitude if previous academic performance was less than satisfactory.

How long does the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program take to complete?

At a generally full-time rate, the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program (optional concentration in rehabilitation and disability) can take approximately three to four years to complete depending on the pace of student course and credit hour completion.

Am I required to attend the program on a full-time basis?

No, some Ph.D. students participate in the program on a part-time basis.

Is there financial support available for Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program students?

Yes, our program offers financial support in the form of graduate teaching and research assistantships that provide a stipend and funding to help cover the costs of tuition and fees. Students in program also seek support via College of Education and general university fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships. Finally, some students also seek funding support in the form of student loans via the MSU Office of Financial Aid.

Where do program graduates get jobs after receiving their degrees?

The focus of our Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program (optional specialization in rehabilitation and disability) is to graduate individuals who are well-prepared for teaching, research, and administrative roles in academic and clinical settings. Because we have a long and strong history in rehabilitation and disability training and research, our graduates are especially equipped to extend and apply the disability and rehabilitation knowledge in particular clinical, scholarly, community and higher education settings that they work in. Traditionally, many of our doctoral program graduates obtain tenure-stream faculty positions at institutions offering CORE-accredited/CACREP-accredited rehabilitation counseling programs. Our program graduates also obtain positions as research scientists within rehabilitation and disability-related research and training centers. Finally, many of our program graduates continue work as counselors in direct-service clinical work with individuals with disabilities.

When do applicants find out about program admission and begin the program?

Following the December 1 application deadline each year (e.g., December 2023), program faculty review application files, interview select program applicants, and make admissions decisions. An online, screening interview will take place at the beginning of the next calendar year (i.e., Spring semester around the end of January 2024) after the submission of the application in the previous calendar year (e.g., December 2023), followed by a full, on-campus interview (i.e., Spring semester around beginning of February 2024). Applicants will be notified about their admission status by March. Students are admitted to the Ph.D. program during the Fall semester of the new academic year (e.g., August 2024).

What are the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program research requirements?

Students in our Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program (optional concentration in rehabilitation and disability) complete two primary research projects as part of their degree requirements. During the first two years of the program, students complete a research apprenticeship in which they proceed through the entire research cycle in a small, time-limited research project in order to learn the basic research processes. Building on the research apprenticeship, students then proceed to design, propose, and complete their doctoral dissertation research project.