Mental Health Counseling, PhD

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 across the country. It is the goal of the doctoral program to prepare mental health counseling professionals who: (a) demonstrate the ability to teach counseling students, (b) are effective clinicians that can recognize and address mental health needs, through counseling practice in a diverse multicultural society with marginalized populations (c) are prepared to conduct research and make significant contributions to the field (d) are active advocates who can assist both individuals and communities in overcoming barriers, and (e) are effective supervisors for counselors-in-training.

The doctoral program in Mental Health Counseling is developed to prepare professionals in five areas: counselor education, supervision, advocacy, research and advanced counseling practice. The objectives of this program have been developed specific to these areas. By completion of the program, doctoral students will:

1. Demonstrate skills and knowledge in regards to the roles and responsibilities related to educating counselors. This includes the advancement of skills related to current teaching methods, curriculum development, and the delivery and evaluation of course objectives.
2. Demonstrate skills and knowledge related to supervision, including theoretical framework and models, supervisee assessment, remediation, and gatekeeping functions.
3. Design and conduct scholarly research that contributes new and interesting information to the counseling profession. This includes training in the formulation of questions as researchable hypotheses, formation of research designs, and the creation of publishable work.
4. Demonstrate leadership and advocacy in various counseling organizations and conferences, as well as providing leadership regarding social justice issues.
5. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in regards to clinical practice. This includes an understanding of theories relevant to counseling, the integration of various methods and modalities, and demonstration of ethical and cultural competence.

Admission requirements include:

• 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.

Applicants are required to submit the following information:

• A personal statement explaining to the Graduate Admission Committee why you would like to pursue a PhD in mental health counseling. The statement should include specific information pertaining to clinical and research experiences, current research interests and potential faculty mentors.
• 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. The letters of recommendation should address your intellectual ability, written and communication skills, maturity, initiative/independence, and creativity/ originality.
• All Official Transcripts: Transcripts from every accredited college or university attended (not just the degree granting institution) must be sent either to Pace University, directly from the academic institution electronically or by mail, or forwarded by the applicant in sealed envelopes from the academic institution.

(Note: The department may request candidates to provide additional documents to supplement the application during admission review process)

Per credit: $1,540 | Total cost of program: $92,400
*Tuition based on current year and subject to change.

Fall Term

• November 1 (then space available basis until January 15)

Make an appointment to meet with you admission counselor.

Available financial aid options, assessed based on both availability and individual need. Financial resources include:

• Merit-based Scholarships: Awards of up to $4,800, automatically considered during the application process.
• Graduate Assistantships: Opportunities for hands-on experience while earning financial support.
• Endowed Scholarships: Awards funded by generous donors to support student success.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan: A federal loan program with favorable terms.
• Graduate/Professional Direct PLUS Loan: For students who need additional funding.
• Work-Study Programs: Part-time work opportunities to help fund your education.
• Military Benefits: Includes the GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Pace’s Veteran Tuition Scholarship.

For more information about affordability and the full range of financial aid options, visit Pace University Financial Aid.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The following is Pace University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program's annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five-point scale which is constituted as:

1. Ineffective
2. Somewhat Ineffective
3. Adequate
4. Effective
5. Very Effective

Program goals are baselined at a minimum standard of 80% to designate “meeting standard” or above. Our students continued to receive high quality academic instruction, strong clinical practicum experiences, and internship professional roles among five doctoral core areas, including:

1. Counseling
2. Supervision
3. Teaching
4. Research and scholarship
5. Leadership and advocacy

98% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives. Again, 92% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective, or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2023–2024 (PDF)

The following is Pace University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program's annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five-point scale which is constituted as:

1. Ineffective
2. Somewhat Ineffective
3. Adequate
4. Effective
5. Very Effective

Program goals are baselined at a minimum standard of 80% to designate “meeting standard” or above. Our students continued to receive high quality academic instruction, strong clinical practicum experiences, and internship professional roles among five doctoral core areas, including:

1. Counseling
2. Supervision
3. Teaching
4. Research and scholarship
5. Leadership and advocacy.

99% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives. Again, 99% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective, or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2022–2023 (PDF)

The following is Pace University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program's annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five-point scale which is constituted as:

1. Ineffective
2. Somewhat Ineffective
3. Adequate
4. Effective
5. Very Effective

Program goals are baselined at a minimum standard of 80% to designate “meeting standard” or above. Our students continued to receive high quality academic instruction, strong clinical practicum experiences, and internship professional roles among five doctoral core areas, including:

1. Counseling
2. Supervision
3. Teaching
4. Research and scholarship
5. Leadership and advocacy.

99% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives. 100% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective, or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2021–2022 (PDF)

The following is Pace University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program’s annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five-point scale which is constituted as:

1. Ineffective
2. Somewhat Effective
3. Adequate
4. Effective
5. Very Effective

Our previous program goals have been baselined at a minimum standard of 85% to designate “meeting standard” or above. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, while students continued to receive high quality academic instruction, strong clinical practicum experiences, and internship professional roles among five doctoral core areas, including: (1) counseling; (2) supervision; (3) teaching; (4) research and scholarship; (5) leadership and advocacy, all transitioned to remote platforms. The results of our annual Program Objectives assessment were impacted due to classes and field placements transitioning to remote platforms. This resulted in all of our constituencies adapting to multiple modalities, including academic instruction, clinical telehealth services and provisions, and remote supervision. Several of our students needed to secure new practicum placements and/or professional roles for internship as their original sites either fully paused services or could not support the requirements associated with CACREP standards and/or New York State Office of the Professions regulations. As such, we have adjusted our baseline minimum standard from 85% to 80% for this academic year to reflect these adjustments. Additionally, we have also included Adequate, Effective, and Very Effective in the five-point scale to calculate our aggregate outcome. While this baseline adjustment has been made, the program will continue to document, review and report any changes based on the 85% original baseline.

97% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2020–2021 (PDF)

The following is Pace University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program’s annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five point scale which is constituted as:

1. Ineffective
2. Somewhat Effective
3. Adequate
4. Effective
5. Very Effective.

Program goals are baselined at a minimum standard of 85% to designate “meeting standard” or above.

97% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2019–2020 (PDF)

Part I: Narrative

During the 2018–2019 academic year, the faculty and staff of the Doctor of Philosophy programs in Mental Health Counseling at Pace University conducted an annual review of the program. The program’s core objectives remain focused on fostering student development in advanced clinical and supervisory skills, training them to become proficient researchers that will advance knowledge on issues pertaining to mental health and counseling, and to promote future leaders of the profession who will serve as both educators and advocates. Past and current students’ dissertations have examined key issues in clinical mental health counseling and counselor education. To assist them in their studies, graduate assistantships and adjunct teaching assignments continue to be offered to doctoral students in the department. Based on the feedback that we received during the CACREP Site Visit in May 2018, the changes outlined below were implemented:

• MHC 707: Qualitative Methods in Counseling Research (4 credits)
• MHC 710: Doctoral Practicum in Mental Health Counseling (4 credits)
• MHC 726: Doctoral Internship II in Mental Health Counseling (0 credits)
• MHC 734: Advanced Theory & Practice of Counseling (4 credits)

Additionally, the department modified the following course curriculum to include Leadership and Advocacy (CACREP Section 6 Standard B 5.d.-Accreditation):
MHC 733: Leadership & Advocacy in Mental Health Counseling

Further, the MHC 710: Doctoral Practicum in Mental Health Counseling course at the master’s level is now a significant preparation for our program. Michael Tursi, Ph.D. (from the counselor education doctoral program at the University of Rochester) continues to advance our practicum and internship courses, including MHC 725: Doctoral Internship I in Mental Health Counseling and MHC 726: Doctoral Internship II in Mental Health Counseling. Both courses are significantly structured and students’ progress is documented throughout.

Part II: Graduates and Pass, Completion, and Job Placement Rates

1. Number of Graduates: 6
2. Program Completion Rate: 100% for the 2018–2019 academic year
3. Estimate of Job Placement Rates: Many of our students enter our program either as licensed and/or certified counselors, limited permit holders, and/or apply for permits in mental health counseling while enrolled. The graduates who complete their doctorate in May 2019, are employed either full time or part in mental health counseling settings, school setting, and/or teach as adjuncts in counseling or related areas.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2018–2019 (PDF)