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. This program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
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.
As soon as possible after admission, the graduate student should make an appointment with the interim faculty adviser in counseling, who assists the student in selecting a program advisory committee. This committee consists of a chair and two other graduate faculty members, who advise the student in program planning. Advisement is given regarding courses in the major, area of study, additional courses, prerequisites, and the comprehensive examinations. The student’s departmentally approved program of courses is forwarded to the Graduate School for approval.
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.
An approved internship is a required part of the doctoral program. Opportunities exist for internships in a wide variety of settings. The internship is planned in consultation with the chair of the student’s program advisory committee and approved by the internship coordinator. It consists of a minimum 1200 clock hours, including one semester full time or two semesters half time.
All doctoral students in counseling are required to pass two examinations prior to admission to candidacy.
The general examination includes the basic competencies in counseling theories; human development, learning, and behavior; research; cultural diversity; group counseling; consultation; supervision; assessment; and professional issues, including ethics. A student may apply to the faculty chair to take this examination as soon as course work in the basic competencies is completed. This examination must be successfully completed prior to the candidacy examination.
The candidacy examination includes the student’s selected area of study and, where applicable, the cognate area. A student may apply to the program advisory committee chair to take this examination on the completion of most or all of the course work in the area of study. A student has eight weeks to provide a 25-page typewritten response to student- and faculty-generated questions prior to an oral examination related to the contents of the paper.
Satisfactory completion of the candidacy examination admits the student to candidacy for the doctoral degree. A student who fails the candidacy examination may be granted the opportunity to retake it. Failure on the second attempt denies the student admission to candidacy. A final oral examination related to the dissertation is required and is conducted in accordance with the general requirements of the Graduate School.
The dissertation represents a substantial contribution to knowledge in the candidate’s major field of study. Candidates are expected to conduct original scholarship and independent research appropriate to their major and communicate the results of their research effectively.
The student’s dissertation committee is selected by the student in consultation with the faculty chair. The committee represents graduate faculty of the university with knowledge in the area of the candidate’s topic. The number of committee members, including the chair, is normally three to five. At least two members of the committee must be senior members of the graduate faculty; no more than one member may be without graduate faculty status.
The Admissions webpage includes the specific application procedures for the Ed.D in Counseling Program. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all application materials are submitted by the deadline (including test scores and recommendation letters).