Program Overview

PhD in Mental Health Counseling Program

The PhD in Mental Health Counseling program at Pace University is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in mental health counseling, research, and advocacy. This selective doctorate degree equips students with advanced clinical skills, supervision techniques, and research expertise.

Program Overview

The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and emphasizes cultural competence, ethical practice, and evidence-based approaches. Students engage in specialized coursework and hands-on fieldwork, with opportunities to develop expertise in areas such as grief counseling, substance abuse, and positive psychotherapy.

Program Objectives

The primary objective of the PhD in Mental Health Counseling program is to train mental health counselors in advanced clinical and supervisory skills, prepare them to conduct research that will further the profession's knowledge base, and foster the next generation of leaders who will be teachers and advocates for the mental health counseling profession.

Program Requirements

• An earned master's degree in mental health counseling (GPA of 3.6 or higher) with a curriculum equivalent to that of Pace University's 60-credit graduate master of science program in mental health counseling.
• Have met one of the following permit/licensure requirements:
  • Obtained or are eligible for a New York State limited permit in mental health counseling.
  • Are licensed in mental health counseling in New York State.
  • Are licensed or eligible to be licensed to practice mental health counseling in a state other than New York.
• A personal statement explaining why you would like to pursue a PhD in mental health counseling.
• A writing sample of prior graduate work, preferably one that demonstrates proficient ability to conduct scholarly literature reviews and research.
• A resume or outline describing at least the past five years of your employment history and any significant community, professional, or college extracurricular activities.
• Three letters of recommendation, two of which must be academic in nature, indicating your potential for achievement in doctoral study and potential to complete doctoral work and/or counseling skills.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes intensive training focused on advanced clinical issues, counseling education, supervision, and research focused on the promotion of mental health and the counseling profession. Specializations include grief counseling, substance abuse counseling, and positive psychotherapy and counseling.

Courses

• MHC 731: Theories and Methods of Counselor Education
• MHC 732: Theories and Methods of Counselor Supervision
• MHC 831: Doctoral Dissertation Seminar I

Faculty

The program has a strong faculty with research interests in various areas, including:

• Poonam Doshi: Assistant Professor, with research interests in studying variables such as types of motivation from self-determination theory framework on counselor supervision.
• Michael Tursi: Assistant Professor, with research interests in qualitative methods to study client engagement in counseling.
• Joseph Franco: Professor, with research interests in clinical counseling strategies for immigrants and LGBTQ+ clients and professional and ethical issues in mental health counseling.

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Per credit: $1,540
• Total cost of program: $92,400
• Available financial aid options include merit-based scholarships, graduate assistantships, endowed scholarships, federal direct unsubsidized Stafford loan, and graduate/professional direct PLUS loan.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Career Opportunities

With a doctoral degree in mental health counseling, graduates will have the highest level of academic qualification to make a difference in the counseling profession across a multitude of areas, including teaching, research, and advocacy.