Montclair State University Announces Its First Ph.D. Program

Montclair State University news.
Montclair State University Announces Its First Ph.D. Program
Ph.D. Program in Counselor Education is Unique to the New York Metropolitan Area
MONTCLAIR, NJ--Montclair State University announced today that it is accepting applicants for its first Ph.D. program: a doctoral program in counselor education that was approved today by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education.

The only doctoral program in counselor education in the New York metropolitan area, the primary objective of this Ph.D. program is to prepare scholars and practitioners to become leaders in maximizing the mental health and quality of life for individuals, families, communities, and educational organizations.

"I am so proud that we will be offering the first Ph.D. program in counselor education in the region," comments Ada Beth Cutler, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services. "Our faculty is second to none and we expect an overwhelming response from prospective applicants who need this doctoral degree to advance in their field."

Individuals with counselor education doctoral degrees work as academic faculty in higher education and in administrative and managerial roles in health care agencies, nonprofit organizations, community agencies, and student affairs/academic affairs units in colleges and universities as well as in businesses. In addition to working in such agencies and in business, holders of Ph.D. degrees in counselor education also serve as consultants for agencies on specific projects- for example, consultants to state departments of education concerning guidance outreach to underserved populations.

According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, the demand for counselors is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2016, with overall employment projected to increase by 21 percent. The current Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2008-2009 projects the areas with the highest job growth are:

· substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling (34 percent expected job increase)--as society becomes more knowledgeable about addiction, it is increasingly common for people to seek treatment;

· mental health counseling (30 percent expected job increase)--counselors will be needed to staff statewide networks that are being established to improve services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances and for their families. Under managed care systems, insurance companies are increasingly providing for reimbursement of counselors as a less costly alternative to psychiatrists and psychologists;

· marriage and family therapy counseling (30 percent expected job increase)--demand will increase in part due to an increased recognition of the field, and as more people become open to seeking help for marital and family problems.

The Montclair State University Ph.D. program in counselor education combines scholarly preparation and advanced counseling and supervision practice in preparation to pursue these and other career opportunities. Applications are being accepted for Fall 2009 study. Review of completed applications, including review for doctoral assistantships, will begin on or about November 1, 2008. The final application deadline for Fall 2009 is February 1, 2009.