The doctoral program in counseling offers advanced professional preparation for those intending to become university professors of counseling and advanced-level clinical counselors and/or supervisors. The Ed.D. in counseling requires a minimum of 105 semester hours including a maximum of 30 semester hours from the master’s degree plus a minimum of 75 additional semester hours.
In addition, prior to approval of the dissertation proposal, the student must present evidence and/or documentation of computer technology competence, professional association involvement, submission of an article for publication, a presentation at a professional conference, and research-team involvement. Details regarding this requirement are available from the student’s adviser.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA), has awarded accreditation to the Ed.D. program and to the M.S.Ed. program in the areas of school counseling, community agency counseling, and student development in higher education counseling.
The programs in counseling at NIU are also accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and are approved by the State Department of Public Instruction to certify school counselors in Illinois.
Choosing a Graduate Program from American Counseling Association