The Counseling Program at North Carolina Central University is proud to announce that we have been approved to begin a doctoral program in Counseling, Counselor Education, and Supervision.  The program has been approved at the campus level, as well as by the University of North Carolina System, with the first cohort to be admitted for the fall of 2025. SACSCOC approval is pending.

The Ed.D. program will be a 66-semester-hour program with the purpose to train scholar-practitioners and practical applicators of research.  The program will address professional roles in five areas: (1) counseling, (2) counselor supervision, (3) teaching/counselor education, (4) research and scholarship, and (5) leadership and advocacy with a distinct emphasis on counseling, counselor supervision, and leadership. 

The proposed program contains a well-rounded curriculum based on 2024 Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards.  It provides a wealth of ”hands-on” opportunities using a face-to-face delivery format on the campus of N.C. Central University.  Although it is not yet CACREP-accredited, we will be submitting our request to add this program within the next year.

Students who graduate from this program will serve as counselors, supervisors, counselor educators, and leaders in mental health organizations or institutions (public and private).

The Ed.D. program will be heavily focused on “hands-on” learning, and include a total of 66 semester hours. It will feature 18 hours of seminar classes in professional identity and ethics, leadership and social justice, advanced counseling theory, advanced multicultural counseling and global health, clinical supervision theory, and counselor education pedagogy.  There will be 9 semester hours of research courses. The research courses have been designed to address all of the CACREP standards for doctoral research and scholarship. There are a total of 24 semester hours in field placement. There are 9 hours of dissertation credit, using a three-article dissertation format.   Finally, there are 6 hours of electives, all designed to develop expertise or specialty area within Counseling (e.g., addictions counseling, family counseling, psychopathology and diagnosis).

Our hope is to have the appropriate application and relevant systems in place so that prospective students will be able to apply to the Ed.D. program early next spring. The application is not yet available.

Below is an excerpt of what will be visible in the University Catalog related to admissions, coursework, and exit requirements:

Admission Requirements:

Minimum Requirements:

• Have completed a master’s degree in counseling from a CACREP-accredited Counselor Education Program (or equivalent 60-hour counseling degree).

General Requirements:

• Recommended by three professionals who know applicant’s academic or professional record and will attest to the applicant’s potential for doctoral study – and there is evidence that the applicant has personal qualities (i.e., disposition) requisite for professional competence.
• Applicant has performed well academically and there is evidence of competence in intellectual inquiry and potential for scholarship.
• The applicant has demonstrated leadership, advocacy, and/or significant work experience that represents professional competence.
• Final candidates will be interviewed and evaluated by a team of faculty with respect to intellectual abilities, disposition, and professional competence.  Candidates will display oral and written communication skills.
• Applicants will express a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

Documents to be submitted in Application:

• Completed application
• Resume
• Three recommendations submitted from people who know academic record or potential for graduate study
• A written statement that describes desire for doctoral study, career goals, a narrative of past and current career path, and level of commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Official transcripts of all post-secondary education.
• Official statement of English Proficiency (TOEFL) for international students.

Program Requirements:

Seminar Coursework (18 semester hours):

Field Placement Coursework (24 semester hours):

Research Coursework (18 hours):

Electives (6 hours):

Exit Requirements:

Students will complete a minimum of 66 semester hours.  In addition to, or as a part of, the 66 hours:

• Students must pass a written comprehensive exam near the end of their program.
• Students will complete 3 courses (9 hours) of dissertation following a 3-article-dissertation format – resulting in the completion of 3 publication-ready manuscripts.
• Students will complete 2 internships in counseling.
• Students will complete 2 internships in supervision.
• Students will complete 2 internships in teaching.
• Students will complete 1 internship in leadership.