Vision
The UNT Counseling Program aspires to create a student-centered program that models healthy relationships and pursues a collective purpose based on the values of diversity, transparency, integrity, and community engagement. Through maintaining and building on current program strengths, our program will cultivate leaders who positively impact clients, students, and the counseling profession; and thereby, all humanity.
Mission

The Counseling Program promotes human development through education, research, and service that advance the profession of, and scholarship in, counseling.

  • Through education, the Program prepares highly competent counseling professionals – including counseling associates, entry and advanced level counselors, counselor educators, counselor supervisors, counseling researchers, and counseling administrators – for work in schools, communities, colleges, business, and industry.
  • Through research, the Program creates, applies, and disseminates innovative knowledge, especially in the area of counseling for holistic wellness with at-risk and diverse populations.
  • Through service, the Program provides humanitarian assistance to academic, professional, and public communities, including volunteer counseling services to the public.

Thank you for your interest in the University of North Texas Counseling Program.  Our CACREP-accredited programs have consistently ranked #1 in Texas and have frequently ranked among the top 20 Counseling programs nationwide.  Because of this strong reputation, admission to the program is highly competitive. 

The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program is designed to stimulate student inquiry and to develop advanced knowledge and counseling skills. Graduates are prepared to function as counselor educators, counselor supervisors, advanced counseling practitioners, directors of guidance and counseling programs in schools, researchers, and administrators. Our PhD program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).  This accreditation means we meet or exceed strict academic standards for excellence. 

 

 

Degree Requirements 

The doctoral degree in Counseling requires a minimum of 72 semester hours beyond the master’s degree. Students must earn a grade of A or B in all degree plan courses. 

Students select a specialty area at the beginning of their program:

Doctoral Specialty Areas
  • Adolescent/Adult Counseling
  • Career/Vocational Development
  • College Counseling
  • Couple and Family Counseling
  • Group Counseling
  • Play Therapy
  • School Counseling

 

 Additional Requirements 

  • Students may not enroll in COUN core courses until they have been fully admitted to the doctoral program. 
  • Students must meet the UNT doctoral residence requirement during the Fall and Spring semesters of their first year. 
  • Detailed information regarding coursework, required clinical experiences, and the doctoral portfolio can be found in the Counseling Doctoral Program Handbook. 
  • Students are expected to actively pursue Texas counselor licensure while enrolled in the program. 

Employment Opportunities

This program prepares students for work as a(n):
  • Advanced counseling practitioner
  • Counselor educator
  • Counselor supervisor
  • Director of guidance and counseling programs for schools, researchers and administrators

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE 

November 15 — for admission to the following Fall semester 

A master’s degree in counseling is required to apply to the Doctoral Counseling Program. 

 

Applicants must demonstrate exceptional potential for success in, and for contribution to, the field of counseling through outstanding quality of criteria described below. 

 

Apply Now!  Visit UNT Graduate Admissions for more information.

 

 

Program-Specific Application Materials 

Below is an overview of all materials required to complete your application. 

 

Personal Résumé / Curriculum Vitae 

Submit a current résumé or CV through GradCAS. Include education, professional experience, certifications, and any accomplishments relevant to the counseling profession. 

 

Statement of Purpose 

Your Statement of Purpose should address: 

  • Your professional goals within the counseling field 
  • Relevant experience or creative endeavors demonstrating your commitment to the profession 
  • Bilingual fluency, if applicable (English and another language) 

The statement should reflect clarity of purpose and readiness for doctoral study. 

 

Video Demonstration of Counseling Skills + Theoretical Orientation Essay 

Submission Format: Email a video link or deliver flash drive containing the recording

Video Requirements: 

  • Approximately 30 minutes 
  • A recent individual adult session 
  • An accurate representation of your counseling skills 

You may complete the recording using one of the following options: 

  1. Role‑play session with a volunteer “client,” 
  2. Actual counseling session (must include documented client permission), or 
  3. Mock session recorded at UNT with a volunteer doctoral student * 

*Applicants choosing this option must contact the Counseling Program prior to the application deadline to schedule the recording. 

Theoretical Orientation Essay: 
Submit a brief essay (less than one page) describing the counseling theory used in your recorded session and how it guided your interventions. 

 

Doctoral Assistantship Application (Optional) 

If you wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship, submit the Doctoral Assistantship Application in addition to your standard application materials. 

 

CACREP Equivalency Worksheet 

Required only if your master’s program was not CACREP-accredited. Submit the completed worksheet to document curricular alignment with CACREP standards. 

 

DOWNLOAD THE PDF CACREP EQUIVALENCY WORKSHEET 

Note that it is to your advantage to complete and submit the CACREP Equivalency Worksheet and unofficial transcripts early. Once the Counseling Faculty review the worksheet in light of your transcripts, then you will be notified if you are eligible to pursue a doctoral degree in Counseling at UNT. If so, then you would need to complete the other admission requirements (i.e. applying to Grad School and submitting all other Program Application materials as listed above).  

Applicants are responsible for ensuring the application materials are submitted to the Counseling Program Office by the November 15 application deadline. 

 

Written and Oral Examination Interviews 

The Counseling Program will extend invitations for the Doctoral Admission Examinations in December. Applicants who receive an invitation will complete both written and oral examination interviews in mid‑to‑late January. 

 

Written Examination 

Schedule: 
The written portion of the Doctoral Admission Exam is typically held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the first Friday morning of the Spring semester. The Counseling Program will confirm the exact date. 

Content: 
The examination evaluates the counseling knowledge expected of an individual holding a master’s degree in counseling. To pass, applicants must earn a minimum score of B. 

Recommended Preparation: 
Applicants should be prepared to: 

  • Review major counseling theories, including: 
    • Key characteristics of each theory 
    • Views on human nature 
    • The development of normal and abnormal behavior 
    • The change process in individual and group counseling 
    • Ability to cite relevant professional literature 
  • Demonstrate familiarity with the counseling profession, including professional organizations and ethical standards 
  • Respond to a clinical vignette by providing an appropriate counseling response and rationale 

Distance Consideration 

Applicants are encouraged to take the written exam in person at UNT. 
However, applicants who live far from Denton may request to complete the written exam remotely with an approved proctor. 
Approval is granted on a case‑by‑case basis. 
To request distance consideration, contact the Chair of the Doctoral Admissions Committee through the Counseling Program office. 

 

Oral Examination 

Applicants will also participate in one individual interview and one group interview on the same day as the written exam. 
No specific preparation is required for the oral portion. 
A minimum score of B is required to pass the oral interview section. 

Distance Consideration 

Applicants living far from Denton may request a telephone conference interview instead of an on‑campus interview. 
This accommodation is granted on a case‑by‑case basis. 
Applicants approved for the telephone interview must submit a video recording (videotape, file, or link) in which they respond to a list of questions provided by the Doctoral Admissions Committee Chair prior to the interview date. 

 
Provisional Admission 

Individuals selected to proceed beyond the written and oral examinations will be assigned a temporary advisor and granted provisional admission, pending completion of a satisfactory Criminal History Background Check by the deadline indicated in the admissions letter. 

Provisional admits may apply for program and university scholarships once this stage is reached. 

 

First-Year Evaluation 

Admission remains provisional throughout the first year of core counseling courses. 
Faculty will evaluate each student’s progress based on Academic performance, Professional development, and Personal development necessary for success as a professional counselor and counselor educator 

A grade of B or higher is required in all core counseling courses. 

The Counseling faculty conducts an annual review each May for all provisionally admitted doctoral students. 

Final Admission Status 

Following the first-year review, faculty will determine whether each student will: 

  • Continue without provisions, 
  • Continue with provisions, or 
  • Be withdrawn from the program 

Each student will receive a written letter confirming their status 

 

Funding

Estimate tuition and fees by using the Tuition Calculators. For more information about tuition plan options, fees, and tuition, see Student Financial Services.

Financial Aid

UNT offers a variety of options to help finance your education. Visit financialaid.unt.edu to find out more about the application and award process.

UNT has been named one of America's 100 Best College Buys© for 25 consecutive years and offers the quality of a private university at an affordable cost.

Applying for financial aid
  1. Apply for financial aid online at fafsa.gov. The application is required for all types of financial aid, including Pell and other federal grants, state grants and loans. The FAFSA and Renewal FAFSA are available annually.
  2. You must enroll in 6 hours (over one or two online sessions) in order to be eligible for financial aid.
  3. Financial aid awards will be disbursed 10 days prior to the first day of class. Awards will not disburse if you are enrolled in only 3 credit hours.
  4. Contact Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at 940-565-2302 or by visiting online at financialaid.unt.edu

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are there any prerequisites to apply?
Yes, you must have a master's degree in counseling to apply.
Is the GRE required to apply?
Yes, GRE scores are required to apply, but there is no minimum score requirement.