Best Doctorate in Student Affairs and College Counseling Programs 2024
Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
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Student affairs is a broad field within higher education. Student affairs professionals focus on supporting students through university services to help ensure their success both in college and after graduation.
Student affairs and college counseling isn't a degree title but rather refers to a number of different programs with applications to that field. A number of doctoral degrees can prepare you for this focus — for instance, you could pursue a doctoral degree in social work or psychology and emphasize your studies on higher education to land jobs at universities.
The degree you pursue should ultimately be based on your experience and career goals. Whether you want to work as a college psychologist, a student affairs specialist, or even a higher education administrator with a focus on student affairs, a number of doctoral programs can help you prepare for these jobs.
Read on to learn more about the field of student affairs and college counseling and find programs that fit your career goals.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2024 Best Doctorate in Student Affairs and College Counseling Programs
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Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
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Brigham Young University-Provo
Provo, UT - 4 years
- Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
Latter-Day Saint | $467
Non-Latter-Day Saint | $934
Credits to Graduate
128
Program Information
Program Accreditation | American Psychological Association
Based in Provo, Utah, BYU offers a Ph.D. program in counseling psychology that provides all students with at least a partial scholarship during their first four years of enrollment. Over the course of the program, students complete a practicum through BYU's Counseling and Psychological Services and a year-long internship at an American Psychological Association-approved placement site.
Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation and need a minimum undergraduate GPA of at least 3.4.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $639
Out of State | $1,650
Credits to Graduate
74
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
Based in Eastern Tennessee, UT Knoxville offers a Ph.D. program in counselor education that prepares practicing counselors to advance into supervisory, professorial, and research roles in the field. The 74-credit curriculum includes a significant research component, as well as a dissertation. Notable courses include a practicum, an internship, a residency component, advanced multicultural counseling, and advanced theory and practice of counseling.
The program gives preference to applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on previous graduate coursework and strong GRE scores.
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $349
Out of State | $349
Credits to Graduate
90-93
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
Based in Iowa City, UI offers a Ph.D. program in educational policy and leadership with a focus in higher education and student affairs. The program awards quarter-time and half-time assistantships, and all students who receive them also receive full tuition scholarships. Notable core courses in the program's curriculum include finance in higher education, history of higher education, diversity and equity in higher education, and college students.
Prospective students must submit a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and GRE scores.
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What Is a Student Affairs and College Counseling Program?
A student affairs and college counseling program can include a number of doctoral degree types, including psychology and counseling, education, and more. Programs can also include more specific focus areas.
Counseling Psychology
Counseling psychology is a large specialty area and can include specializations like school psychology. Counseling psychology with a focus on college and education can prepare you to take on leadership roles at school counseling services. On-campus mental health counseling services are a key component of student affairs, and demand for counselors is on the rise nationally.
Counselor Education and Supervision
A doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision prepares students for leadership roles at mental health practices. With mental health and counseling services being a core piece of student affairs and student success, a degree in counselor education and supervision can prepare you to lead a school's counseling program and innovate to better serve students.
Educational Policy and Leadership
A doctoral degree in education policy and leadership can prepare you to work at the highest levels of university administration, including student affairs. A number of programs even offer a student affairs specialization to help you become more capable of supporting students from an educational leadership perspective.
What Can I Do With a Doctorate in Student Affairs and College Counseling?
There are a number of jobs available with a doctoral degree in student affairs and college counseling, both in higher education and beyond.
Your job may depend on your specific doctoral program. A doctoral degree in educational policy and leadership, for instance, could help you become an analyst or administrator. A degree in counselor education, on the other hand, might lead to a job as a mental health supervisor.
It's possible to make in excess of six figures in the field of student affairs. Leadership roles and terminal degrees can lead to higher earnings: postsecondary administrators had a 2023 median salary of $103,840, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
| Jobs | Median Salary (2023) |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Supervisor | $60,640 (as of April 2024) |
| School and Career Counselors and Advisors | $61,710 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,620 |
| Professor | $84,380 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $92,740 |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | $102,610 |
| Elementary, Middle, and High School Principal | $103,460 |
| Superintendent | $103,840 |
| Education Public Policy Analyst | $132,350 |
What Can I Expect From a Doctorate in Student Affairs and College Counseling Program?
Because student affairs is such a broad area of study, each doctoral degree will vary based on your focus area and career goals. A degree in counseling psychology will likely include a different curriculum than a degree in educational policy and leadership.
Counseling Psychology
A doctoral degree in counseling psychology usually includes a mix of research and psychology, as well as practicum sequences where you receive an on-site placement and get real-world counseling experience as part of your studies. Some programs also include a year-long internship requirement.
A counseling psychology program typically requires a bachelor's or master's degree, depending on the university, and usually has a minimum undergraduate or graduate GPA requirement.
Counselor Education and Supervision
Counselor education and supervision doctoral programs include a mix of leadership, advocacy, and counselor education courses to help prepare you to step into leadership roles in the counseling field.
Programs also require internships and practicum in the field of counselor supervision. Practicum experience usually takes place near students' communities, while internships are usually coordinated through the university.
Programs typically require a master's degree with a minimum GPA, letters of recommendation, and other documents for admission.
Educational Policy and Leadership
Educational leadership programs feature a heavy focus on the structure of higher education and dealing with various stakeholders in a college setting. Programs cover trends in education, strategic planning, and instruction on responding to ethical dilemmas and challenges within higher education.
Some programs also offer concentrations in student affairs. Those concentrations cover best practices, ways to improve student outcomes, and strategies for student engagement.
Admission requirements typically include a master's degree with a minimum GPA requirement, as well as professional experience that can apply to educational leadership.
Where Can I Find Work With a Doctorate in Student Affairs and College Counseling?
A doctoral degree with a focus on student affairs and college counseling can lead to jobs within college student affairs departments, but the expertise required for a student affairs job has applications well beyond the world of education.
Other industries with opportunities for student affairs and college counseling experts include:
- Mental health and counseling
- Rehabilitation centers
- Hospitals and healthcare
- State, local, and federal governments
- Nonprofit organizations
- Private sector businesses
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Affairs and College Counseling
What is the role of student affairs in college?
Student affairs works to ensure student success through various programs and on-campus services for students.
Is student affairs a good career?
Student affairs is a wide field with a number of specializations to boost student success. That can include educational policy roles, student support positions, and counseling roles. Student affairs is key to student success on college campuses and is a highly demanding but also rewarding field of study.
How difficult is a Ph.D. in educational policy and leadership?
A Ph.D. in educational policy and leadership can be challenging because it mixes both current best practices in educational policy with organizational leadership and research.
Is a Ph.D. in counseling the same as a psychologist?
Holding a Ph.D. in counseling is not the same as being a psychologist. Psychologists have not only educational credentials but are also licensed in their state.
Why get a Ph.D. in counselor education?
A Ph.D. in counselor education can prepare you for leadership roles at counseling organizations, helping you to educate counselors and manage a practice.
