Ready to elevate the profession of counseling? UCF’s top-ranked PhD in counseling is designed for those committed to shaping the next generation of counselors — as educators, researchers and advocates. If you're passionate about advancing the field, deepening your impact and driving innovation in mental health and school counseling, this program gives you the knowledge, mentorship and real-world experience to lead with confidence and competence.
As a doctoral student, you’ll engage in rigorous academic study, meaningful research, and teaching and supervisory experiences that prepare you for roles in higher education, clinical leadership, program evaluation and more. Rooted in the reflective-practitioner model, our program emphasizes both theory and practice — helping you grow as a scholar and a servant-leader who is grounded in ethics and cultural competence.
You’ll work alongside nationally recognized faculty who are actively shaping the profession through research and service in areas such as trauma and loss, military counseling, counselor assessment and supervision, addiction, and school counseling. Through our full-time, small cohort model, you’ll learn and work among a supportive learning community, receive individualized mentorship from your advisor, present at conferences with colleagues — and graduate in three years.
Whether your passion is teaching, scholarship, clinical practice or advocacy, UCF’s PhD in Counselor Education empowers you to lead meaningful change in communities and complex systems. Through teaching and supervising opportunities, grant-supported research and partnerships with school districts and health agencies, you’ll graduate prepared to make a lasting contribution — not only in the lives of clients and students, but also in the profession.
