PhD in Mental Health Counseling
The PhD in Mental Health Counseling program at Pace University is a unique program designed 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 profession across the country.
Our PhD program places equal emphasis on counseling and research skills. In small classes, students are exposed to evidence-based counseling approaches for demographically and clinically diverse populations. Throughout our curriculum, students are trained to think scientifically, to develop advanced research skills, and to apply those skills to their area of interest. Students work closely with faculty to develop and carry out independent research projects culminating in a doctoral dissertation. These activities are designed to integrate counseling intervention and research skills training, preparing students for a variety of counseling, policy-based, advocacy, teaching, and research careers.
Student Eligibility
The PhD program is open to applicants with master degrees in Mental Health Counseling or a closely-related field. Bachelor degree holders may apply to the department’s 60-credit Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program. Learn more about the Psychology graduate programs offered by Dyson College of Arts and Sciences in Pleasantville
Network
The Department of Psychology’s strong community of faculty, professionals and alumni in the field of mental health equip doctoral students with an established network of support to draw upon. Both faculty and alumni hold key leadership positions in the New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA). Each semester the department offers a speaker series inviting leading researchers and professionals to talk about current and pertinent issues in the field.
Contact
Read more about the M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program (60 credits).
For program information, please contact the program director, Dr. Paul Griffin, at pgriffin@pace.edu or (914)773-3647.
For more information on admissions, please contact Graduate Admissions at GradWP@pace.edu or (914) 422-4283
Mental Health Counseling, PhD
- Meet Program Faculty
- Student Handbook
- Assessment Report
- Field Placement Practicum and Internship Handbook (forthcoming 9/2018)
- Curriculum Worksheet
- Dissertation Proposal Approval Form
- Dissertation Template
- Dissertation Defense Approval Form
Areas of faculty research expertise include:
- Addiction
- Bereavement
- Trauma
- Psychological resilience
- Subjective well-being
- Social relationships
- Multicultural counseling
- Mindfulness
- Emotion regulation
- Dyadic communication
The PhD program prepares candidates for a multitude of growing careers, including:
- Community mental health
- Forensic mental health
- University teaching
- Private practice
- Research
- Advocacy
- Mental health policymaking