PhD in Education - Counseling in Saint Louis United States | University of Missouri-St. Louis

The Ph.D. in counseling follows a researcher-practitioner framework, specifically crafted to develop future researchers, scholars, educators, and advanced practitioners with a strong commitment to social justice. We equip doctoral candidates with the expertise, perspectives, and competencies essential for academic, research, and clinical environments. Social justice principles are woven throughout our curriculum, empowering students to recognize and affirm clients' multifaceted cultural backgrounds while challenging systemic oppression, including racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, and other societal inequities. The program enhances counseling expertise while cultivating advanced capabilities in research, instruction, supervision, clinical practice, leadership, and advocacy.
Our program draws a culturally rich student body from across the U.S. and abroad, fostering exceptional proficiency in research, supervision, teaching, leadership, advocacy, and clinical practice. Faculty provide dedicated, continuous guidance to support doctoral candidates throughout their academic journey.
As Missouri's sole CACREP-accredited doctoral counseling program, UMSL's PhD in Education with a Counseling emphasis maintains the highest standards. We stand among few national programs offering a multi-article dissertation option, significantly boosting students' publication potential.
This distinguished program represents the pinnacle of professional preparation for future counseling scholars, researchers, educators, and practitioners. Through rigorous training, students expand their counseling knowledge while honing research, teaching, supervision, clinical, leadership, and advocacy competencies. Our accomplished faculty, recognized leaders in their specialties, deliver unparalleled education and mentorship.
The 600-hour doctoral internship integrates research, graduate-level teaching, master's student supervision, leadership initiatives, and clinical practice. Students collaborate with advisors to tailor this experience to their professional aspirations. The on-campus Counseling and Social Advocacy Center (CSAC) provides hands-on training in a social justice-oriented environment with close faculty oversight.