Hello everyone, I was just curious as to how many people have considered pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education? Many of the professors in my masters program possess a PhD in CE rather than clinical or counseling psychology.
What are your thoughts on pursuing this degree rather than other doctoral level mental health degrees? I have quite a bit of research experience and am hoping to get licensed in my state while continuing to present at conferences such as ACA and its divisions until I feel ready to take the step into a doctoral program (most of my professors say that in order to be competitive for counselor ed programs they want you to be licensed or close to being licensed). Any thoughts or insights would be greatly appreciated!
I made the choice between a Ph.D. in CE and Counseling Psychology; for me, the latter was the obvious choice. Many doctoral programs in CE do not guarantee funding; often, some GA positions are available but selection varies from semester to semester. At the CE program that I turned down, the nine-month stipend -
if I received funding in a given year - was $5,000 plus tuition remission; many students who were selected as GAs were given a 25% appointment, so $2,500 plus half tuition remission. My fellowship at a CP program is well north of $20,000/nine months, plus an additional guaranteed four years of funding (the current stipend for RAs/TAs is $19,000). In addition, the department pays 100% of health insurance premiums. As I'm sure you're aware, a Ph.D. in CE allows the same licensure as an master's in Counseling. When I thought about the debt that I would incur to do a Ph.D. in CE, with the only long-term benefit being the ability to chase the golden ring of a TT-position, it seemed like a ludicrous choice for me. In CP, my goal is still academia, but if I'm not one of the lucky ones who finds a position, the license will allow me a decent career doing something that I enjoy. In addition, there are more consulting/industry positions for people with CP degrees than CE (or so I've been told).
CACREP will soon require all new TT-hires in accredited Counseling programs to have a Ph.D. in Counseling/CE (2014?). Many of the professors in my master's program had Ph.D.s in Counseling Psych/Clinical Psych, but it will no longer be possible to receive a degree in CP and teach in CE, at least for accredited programs. (I had also noticed a pattern that the ones with degrees in either Coun/ClinPsych were better clinical instructors, while those with degrees in CE were better teachers, honestly.) In CE, you'll be teaching mostly master's students; in CP, you may end up teaching undergrads, graduate students, or a combination, depending on your position.
FWIW, I applied to one CE program while still a master's student. I accepted that offer in March and then decided in August that both the long- and short-term financial implications, as well as my career goals, suggested that CP was a better path. I applied that fall and was accepted to several top CP programs. (If you decide to go in the CP direction, research will be more important than clinical experience, and look at program requirements to ensure that you have enough pure psychology coursework.)
As I read this over, I sound quite negative about Ph.D.s in CE. I was trying to think of something positive to say about choosing CE over CP, but honestly, I can't think of anything
for me. Obviously, what was right for me and what's right for you are not necessarily the same, but I hope that sharing my thought process might help you shape your thoughts. I felt very isolated when I was making this decision because I didn't feel comfortable approaching CE faculty to ask about going to the Dark Side, and I desperately wished that I could talk it over with someone. If you - or anyone else - has questions about CE/CP or just wants someone to listen to their thoughts and reflect them back
😉 (which can be very helpful!), please PM me with the caveat that I will have limited internet access for the next two weeks, so my responses may be delayed.
