Counseling (PhD)
The PhD in Counseling program provides an exciting and life-changing experience for individuals who desire to attain the next level in the counseling profession. Our program is accredited through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, (CACREP). Students have the opportunity to develop scholarly expertise, while also learning and engaging in faculty research. Intentional diversity is the signature of our program and is reflected in our faculty and students, research areas, commitment to advocacy and social justice, and community engagement within local, regional, national and international communities. Our community includes both full-time and part-time students who pursue individualized study in areas such as college counseling, higher education, counselor supervision, marriage and family counseling, clinical mental health counseling, play therapy, school counseling, career counseling and addictions counseling. Our graduates work as faculty and administrators in colleges and universities; advanced clinicians and supervisors in mental health agencies and private practice; consultants; and school and agency leaders. This program does not prepare you to be a licensed psychologist.
All prospective applicants must have completed a master’s degree in counseling or closely related field.
Along with the Counseling (PhD) degree, the following degrees are also offered: Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling, Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a Master’s degree in School Counseling.
Please refer to our programs of study page for a comprehensive list of all of the graduate programs offered within the university.
All prospective applicants must have completed a master’s degree in counseling or closely-related field. Applicants who did not take the following courses may be required to take prerequisites prior to enrollment in doctoral counseling core courses.
- Career Counseling
- Counseling Techniques
- Counseling Theories
- Group Counseling
- Human Development
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
- Research Methods
- Testing/Appraisal
- Practicum and Internship
- Social and Cultural Diversity
In order to make applying for graduate school as seamless as possible for you, we have
created an application checklist. This checklist can be a reference point for you during the
application process to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the steps
needed to apply, as well as all corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.
- Application Deadline: December 1. Fall admission only.
- Please note: Upon offer of admission, you will be required to submit an enrollment deposit which will be used towards your first semester’s tuition. To review the amount of the required enrollment deposit, please review our Graduate Student Enrollment Deposit webpage.
- Submit Online Application: Please create your online account and submit your application by following the general application instructions and pay (or waive) the non-refundable $60 application fee. Once this step has been completed, the online portal will allow you to upload your supplemental materials.
The following is a list of the supplemental materials that will accompany your application for the Counseling (PhD) program:
- Transcript: One from each college attended.
- A personal statement in which you describe past accomplishments, educational, and work experience that serve as foundational activities to your development as a scholar-practitioner.
- Explain your rationale for selecting Montclair State University’s Counseling PhD program and how it connects with your future career aspirations in 2-3 pages, double spaced.
- Share your strengths and areas of growth in relation to being a culturally responsive counselor and social justice advocate in 2 pages, double spaced
- Please discuss your current research interests and how you hope to incorporate them in 2 pages, double spaced.
- *Applicants should follow the APA 7th edition formatting requirements for student papers, no title pages or abstracts needed
- Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) professional letters of recommendation from individuals who know the applicant’s clinical work and/or educational abilities. At least one letter from a faculty member and one from a supervisor must be included with the application.
- Standardized Test Scores: If you have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree with an overall GPA of a 3.0 or above, you are eligible for a GRE waiver. Once you submit your application, you will be prompted to submit a standardized test waiver request form within the applicant status portal. To begin your application, visit our How to Apply page.
- Resume: Required.
- Interview: Students who are evaluated as potential candidates for our program will be invited to spend a day on campus for a personal interview. The interview day includes a writing sample, interview by faculty and time with current students.
- Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Email: graduate@montclair.edu
Telephone: 973-655-5147
Fax: 973-655-7869
If you have specific inquiries regarding your program of interest, please contact the Counseling (PhD) Program Coordinator:
*During the summer months, there will be a rotating department chair available to answer your inquiry. Click to find the updated summer chair for this program.*
Contacts:
Dr. Thomas Killian
Program Director, PhD in Counseling
Email: killiant@montclair.edu
