Counselor Education
We utilize a holistic admissions process to identify candidates who have strong potential for success as counselor educators, supervisors, and researchers. We strive to consider the richness of applicants’ academic and professional experiences alongside dispositions of effective counselor educators, supervisors, researchers, leaders, and advocates.
Required Background
- Master’s Degree in counseling or closely related field with evidence of curricular experiences including CACREP entry-level foundational curricular standards, professional practice standards, and specialized practice requirements. Applicants who have not completed a CACREP-accredited program may be required to take equivalency coursework as a condition of admission. These courses can be taken with our program
- Academic aptitude for doctoral-level study
- Dispositions consistent with professional practice, including knowledge, skills, and attitudes specified in the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Potential for scholarship, leadership, and advocacy in the counseling profession
Desired Background
- Master’s degree in counseling from a CACREP-accredited program
- Graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Previous professional counseling experience with licensure or certification
Application Process
Prospective applicants must submit an online application to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Please Note: The GRE is not required for applicants to the Counselor Education Doctoral Program.
International applicants should follow instructions in the Admissions Guide for Graduate International Students.
When you apply, select the fall semester as your entry term. When you begin your application through Graduate Admissions, the system will provide you with complete instructions for all the following required materials:
- Resumé or CV
- Letter of Introduction
- Counseling Diverse Clients Essay
- Transcript(s)
- An up-to-date electronic version of your original transcript must be uploaded with your online application. This is to expedite your admissions process. If you are admitted into the program, you must have an official copy of your transcripts mailed from your previous/current university directly to UT Graduate Admissions. For help with this process check out the Graduate School page on Transcripts or call Graduate Admissions at 865-974-3251.
- Three Completed Rating Forms
- Choose raters who can assess your academic background and likely success in a rigorous program. If you are a recent graduate, you should include one or more faculty members who can attest to your work as a student. Other appropriate raters include work supervisors. Family members and personal friends are not appropriate raters. You need to prompt your raters to submit their forms to the Graduate Admissions. At least two of your rating forms must be submitted before your application will be considered complete. It is to your advantage, however, to make sure that all three rating forms are submitted on time.
- GRE
- The GRE is not required for applicants to the doctoral program. If you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to complete a 2-3 page written response to a case study. The case study will be sent to applicants 1 week prior to the interview date, and details about what is needed in the written response will accompany the case.
Faculty will review applications, and a representative of the program will contact you if you are selected for an interview. Interviews typically occur in mid-December.
To check on the status of your application to the UT Graduate School, please see information on the Graduate Admissions Application Status page, or call (865) 974-3251.
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone 865-974-2498. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.
Updated 7/10/2023
