Counselor Education—Doctoral Program

The majority of the program is offered in-person in Kalamazoo; however, there are a few courses that are offered online or in a hybrid format. A limited number of courses may be offered in Grand Rapids at WMU's downtown center.

Western Michigan University's doctoral program in counselor education is designed to provide advanced–level preparation for counselors in various mental health and school settings as well as preparing counselors for the counselor education professorate in colleges and universities. Preparing counselors to work as counselor educators and supervisors is the program’s highest priority. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Doctoral students pursuing this degree are expected to demonstrate:

• A wide range of individual and group counseling skills
• A sound theoretical foundation in counseling
• Teaching and supervision competencies
• Advanced multicultural counseling skills
• Research skills
• Competencies associated with being an educational leader
• An understanding of academic program development, curriculum and administration

Students are expected to involve themselves in appropriate activities of the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, College of Education and Human Development and WMU, as well as those of relevant professional associations. The doctoral program in counselor education is not intended to meet the educational requirements of those who seek to be licensed psychologists. It assumes that applicants have or are about to complete their master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field. Persons with a master's degree in a related field may be asked to complete an additional master's degree in counseling.

Why counselor education at Western Michigan University?

• Courses are offered at both the WMU Grand Rapids and the WMU Kalamazoo locations for our students' convenience. 
• 98% of WMU counselor education graduate students were employed or continuing education within three months of graduation. 
• The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. 
• In addition to WMU funding opportunities, our department offers competitive assistantships and scholarships.

Accreditation