Ed.D. in Professional Counseling and Supervision

The mission of the Professional Counseling and Supervision Program is to prepare School and Community Counselors to be proficient in professional counseling and supervision and in program evaluation. In addition, they will be leaders committed to helping marginalized and underserved populations in the communities, schools and agencies they serve.

The deadline for this program is March, 9, 2011. The Ed.D. in Professional Counseling and Supervision at the University of West Georgia was approved by the Board of Regents in 2007. The first cohort of six students entered Fall, 2009. The Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology looks forward to continuing our longstanding tradition of preparing quality counselors through this advanced preparation program.

The program consists of 111 graduate hours, 36 hours beyond a 48 hour CACREP accredited (or CACREP equivalent) master’s degree and 27 hour Ed.S. degree in counseling. After a rigorous screening process, cohorts are selected in March of each year and students will be notified of their acceptance in April. Each cohort will be limited to 6 students. Coursework will begin Fall semester of each year. The program is designed to be completed in 2 full years (6 semesters, including summers). Successful completion and defense of a dissertation is required.

Admissions Material and Minimum Criteria

The following are required as part of the application process:

  1. Standard graduate admissions form.
  2. An official transcript of all graduate level work.
    • Applicants must have an Education Specialist degree in Counseling Education from an accredited institution.
    • Applicants must have a master’s degree in counseling from a CACREP accredited program. If the program was not CACREP accredited at the time of the applicant’s graduation, the applicant must demonstrate that the program was CACREP equivalent.
    • A cumulative minimum graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is required for all graduate course work.
  3. Copy of certification or licensure. Applicants must be certified as a Professional School Counselor and/or licensed as a Professional Counselor.
  4. GRE scores. A minimum composite score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) of 1000 with at least 450 on the verbal section and 450 on the quantitative or analytical section is required for tests taken before October 2002. Tests taken after October 2002 require verbal and quantitative scores.
  5. A 300-500 word essay. The essay presents the applicant’s professional goals and how the doctorate in Professional Counseling and Supervision will contribute to achieving those goals.
  6. Three recommendations on the Professional Counseling and Supervision recommendation form. The recommendations must be from professionals who are familiar with the applicant’s professional qualities.
  7. A vitae listing contact information, educational background, employment history, awards and recognitions, presentations, etc. is required
    • Applicants must have at least three years of experience in private or public schools, community agency, hospital, or private practice.
  8. A letter from the applicant’s administrative supervisor indicating support for their doctoral studies and related activities.
  9. The Professional Counseling and Supervision mission statement accepted and signed by the applicant.
  10. Current Certificate of Immunization (required for new students only)
  11. An interview with a team of faculty members to be scheduled after the review of submitted materials
  12. An on-site writing sample.

Ed.D. Program Sheet (.doc)

Online Application

Dissertation Forms

Contact Information

Application/Admission information

Graduate School
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA 30118
Phone: (678) 839-6419
Fax: (678) 839-5949
email: gradsch@westga.edu

Departmental information

Margaret W. Parrish
Program Assistant
College of Education, Doctoral Programs
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA 30118
Phone: (678)839-6062
Fax: (678) 839-6099
e-mail: parrishm@westga.edu

Debra C. Cobia, Ed.D.
Program Director
Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology
College of Education
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA 30118
Phone: (678) 839-6119
Fax: (678) 839-6099
email: dcobia@westga.edu