Pursuing a doctoral degree in Counselor Education at UCF means joining a community dedicated to advancing the counseling profession and shaping the next generation of counselor educators.
We evaluate applicants through a holistic process that considers academic preparation, professional experience, research interests and your vision for contributing to the discipline. Success in this program extends beyond grades and test scores — it is grounded in curiosity, integrity, and a deep commitment to learning, scholarship, and leadership. Our program prepares doctoral students to become academics, researchers and leaders who will advance the field of counselor education through teaching, supervision, advocacy and innovation.
Our admissions process is transparent and supportive, designed to help you take the next step toward your goals.
- University faculty
- University clinic supervisors
- Program director or department chair
- Mental Health or Social Service Agencies
- Supervision
- Leadership roles
- School counseling leadership
- District supervisors
Application Deadlines
*PhD applicants who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the fall date.
What You Need to Apply
1 Online Application
$31 Application Fee
Any Applicable Residency Forms
All Official Transcripts
A master’s degree in counseling (e.g. clinical mental health counseling; marriage, couple and family counseling; school counseling, etc.) or a closely related field and master’s level competency in educational research and statistics.
Official, competitive GRE score no older than five years
3 Recommendation Letters
Letters should come from faculty members, supervisors, mentors or professionals who are well acquainted with your work ethics and professional experience. At least one letter should be from a current or former professor. However, if you have been out of school for some time, you may instead request letters from individuals who can speak to your qualifications, aptitude and potential as a doctoral student and future counselor educator.
1 Goal Statement
Your personal statement should be 500-700 words, typed in 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font, and submitted as a Word document or PDF along with your application. Please ensure your statement addresses the following areas:
- Exploration of Personal Background: Discuss specific experiences that inspired your interest in counselor education and research. These may include personal challenges, clinical observations, or pivotal moments as a practicing counselor that deepened your awareness of the importance of mental health and counselor preparation.
- Summary of Practical Experiences: Describe any relevant paid positions, volunteer opportunities, internships, or research/laboratory experiences that provided you with direct counseling and/or research experience. Highlight experiences involving the clinical concerns or populations you aspire to address through research, teaching, and service.
- Connection to Core Values: Explain how pursuing a career as a counselor educator aligns with your personal values, beliefs and long-term goals.
1 Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
- Clinical experience
- List all counseling-related experiences demonstrating your understanding of and commitment to the counseling profession. Include the position title, dates of employment, organization name, supervisor, location (city and state), and a brief description of responsibilities and duties. Whenever possible, emphasize post-graduate experiences that demonstrate your clinical expertise.
- Along with experiences described above, please include your current or recent paid work experience.
- List all counseling-related experiences demonstrating your understanding of and commitment to the counseling profession. Include the position title, dates of employment, organization name, supervisor, location (city and state), and a brief description of responsibilities and duties. Whenever possible, emphasize post-graduate experiences that demonstrate your clinical expertise.
- Interest in research and scholarship
- List research involvement, describing your roles and responsibilities (e.g., data collection, data analysis, participant engagement, etc.). Also list any professional presentations and publications to which you have contributed.
- Instructional Experiences
- If applicable, include teaching and training experiences that you have had. These experiences may or may not be related to counseling but indicate your interest and ability to instruct others.
- Credentials
- List all relevant credentials, including certifications and licenses held or in progress.
What You Can Expect
Interview day is a time for the faculty to get to know applicants beyond what has been submitted on paper. It is also a time for applicants to get a sense of UCF's Counseling program. The day is designed to accomplish both goals in a welcoming environment.
The Interview Experience
The interview is a full-day experience that includes structured time for conversations with faculty and current doctoral students, teaching demonstrations by applicants, and mock counseling sessions where applicants demonstrate their clinical skills. Applicants will have the opportunity to interact with all faculty throughout the day so that they can share information about themselves while also learning about the faculty and program to determine the best fit for them. Applicants will also tour the UCF campus, including the Community Counseling and Research Center.
PhD Interview Date
Incoming Fall 2026: January 16, 2026
The Candidate Rating Process
Faculty thoughtfully review each applicant’s materials and interview. After individual evaluations, the faculty meet to discuss each candidate and identify those who best align with the mission, values, and expectations of the program.