The PhD Program in Guidance and Psychological Counseling is the highest level of academic process aimed at elevating master's level expertise to the level of academic leadership and scientific originality. The primary objective of the program is to train scholars who can design, conduct, and report independent and original scientific research at international standards, while introducing innovative approaches to psychological counseling theories and practices. The curriculum encompasses advanced qualitative and quantitative research designs, mixed-methods research, contemporary psychotherapy paradigms, and ethical leadership, alongside a comprehensive doctoral dissertation process required to provide an original contribution to the field. In full alignment with the Turkish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (TQF-HE) Level 8 competencies, the program aims to maximize candidates' skills in analyzing and synthesizing complex problems and developing original solutions. Graduates, holding the title of "Doctor (PhD)," can pursue academic careers as faculty members at universities or take on roles as senior consultants and researchers in strategic decision-making mechanisms.
The mission of the PhD Program in Guidance and Psychological Counseling is to educate academicians and scientific experts who possess the highest level of theoretical and practical competence in education, mental health, family therapy, and advanced psychological counseling interventions, while embracing universal standards in scientific research methodologies. Our primary goal is to cultivate leading figures who are sensitive to individual and social differences, capable of integrating professional development with intellectual depth, and able to produce innovative solutions to changing social conditions. Our program is dedicated to training scholars who, from an interdisciplinary perspective, provide original and pioneering scientific contributions to the development of the GPC field as active members of the information society, guided by democracy, human rights, and the highest professional ethical values, and who hold significant influence on both national and international scales.
The vision of the PhD Program in Guidance and Psychological Counseling is to become a leading center at global academic standards, recognized as a scientific authority at the international level and shaping the GPC literature through original research. Our primary objective is to cultivate scholars who can critically evaluate fundamental concepts, theories, and approaches in the GPC field to generate new models; transform theoretical knowledge into strategic and innovative solutions in fields such as education, health, justice, and industry; and adopt the highest ethical standards and humanistic values as a compass in their academic endeavors. Our program is based on the development of academic leaders who integrate democracy and human rights with academic freedom, transform lifelong learning into a scientific discipline, and produce scientific responses to complex mental health issues at a global level.
Students who successfully complete all requirements of the program and fulfill the graduation conditions are awarded a "Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Guidance and Psychological Counseling." Graduates are entitled to use the title of "Doctor" (PhD) to conduct independent research at the highest level, serve as faculty members in academic units, and lead the theoretical development of the field within the framework of relevant legislation.
The PhD Program in Guidance and Psychological Counseling is positioned within the Turkish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (TQF-HE) Level 8 and the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA) Level 3 (Third Cycle). The program also maintains full compatibility with the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF-LLL) at Level 8.
To obtain a PhD Degree in Guidance and Psychological Counseling, students must successfully complete all academic obligations totaling 240 ECTS, consisting of a 90 ECTS coursework stage, a 30 ECTS proficiency stage, and a 120 ECTS dissertation stage. During the coursework stage, attendance is mandatory for 70% of theoretical hours and 80% of practical hours; students who exceed this limit are considered unsuccessful with a failing grade (DVZ). The academic process includes passing the Doctoral Proficiency Exam following the successful completion of courses, submitting the Doctoral Dissertation Proposal, and completing at least three successful Thesis Monitoring Committee (TMC)evaluations throughout the dissertation period. Additionally, for graduation, the doctoral dissertation must be successfully defended before a jury, and at least one academic publication (article, conference paper, etc.) related to the dissertation topic must be completed prior to the defense. Throughout the educational process, students are subject to the provisions of the "Student Disciplinary Regulations of Higher Education Institutions" and the "Düzce University Graduate Education and Training Regulations."
The PhD Program in Guidance and Psychological Counseling is the highest level of academic education that integrates advanced theoretical synthesis with innovative research methodologies, aiming to elevate the expertise gained at the master's level to the stage of academic leadership and scientific originality. The curriculum structure consists of a coursework stage, which elevates the student's theoretical depth to a philosophical and methodological dimension, a doctoral candidacy process, and a dissertation stage that requires an original contribution to the literature. The program enables the candidate not only to utilize existing knowledge but also to develop new theoretical models as an independent scholar and to analyze complex psychosocial dynamics using advanced statistical or qualitative methods. Fully aligned with TQF-HE Level 8 competencies, this process prepares graduates with full proficiency for academic careers as faculty members at universities and for scientific production at an international level.
| No | Program Requirements |
|---|---|
| 1 | To have an expert-level knowledge of counseling theories, models, and approaches, and to be able to transfer this knowledge into clinical practice. |
| 2 | To critically analyze and synthesize theoretical knowledge, beginning to form personal insights into human nature with an eclectic approach. |
| 3 | To possess in-depth and comprehensive knowledge in sub-specialties of counseling (e.g., family therapy, career counseling). |
| 4 | To demonstrate counseling knowledge and skills with a multicultural and interdisciplinary understanding. |
| 5 | To design and conduct original, current, relevant, and functional research, report the results, and publish them in academic journals. |
| 6 | To have detailed knowledge of ethical principles and legal requirements in counseling and to adhere to these principles. |
| 7 | To demonstrate individual and group counseling skills at an expert level and to develop one's unique counseling style. |
| 8 | To provide supervision in individual, group, couple, and family therapy activities. |
| 9 | To conduct and teach advanced processes in individual assessment and psychological evaluation. |
| 10 | To design and implement counseling and guidance programs tailored to the local conditions of institutions and the community. |
| 11 | To lead teams responsible for conducting counseling and guidance programs and projects. |
| 12 | To be sensitive to cultural diversity and work effectively with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. |
| 13 | To provide preventive and protective mental health services in line with societal needs. |
| 14 | To demonstrate a positive attitude towards lifelong learning and continuously update professional knowledge and skills. |
| 15 | To follow the national and international literature in the field of counseling and to conduct research that contributes to the field. |
| 16 | To critically examine social relationships in the professional environment and the norms guiding them, and to improve them in line with ethical principles. |
| SKILLS | COMPETENCIES | ||||||||
Theoretical | Practical | Conceptual / Cognitive | Practical | Competence to Work Independently and Take Responsibility | Learning Competence | Communication and Social Competence | Field-Specific Competence | |||
PA-1 | X | X | X | |||||||
PA-2 | X | X | X | X | ||||||
PA-3 | X | X | X | |||||||
PA-4 | X | X | X | |||||||
PA-5 | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
PA-6 | X | X | X | X | ||||||
PA-7 | X | X | X | |||||||
PA-8 | X | X | X | |||||||
PA-9 | X | X | ||||||||
PA-10 | X | X | X | X | ||||||
PA-11 | X | X | X | X | ||||||
PA-12 | X | X | X | X | X | |||||
PA-13 | X | X | X | |||||||
PA-14 | X | X | X | |||||||
PA-15 | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
| X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
Graduates of the PhD Program in Guidance and Psychological Counseling attain the highest level of competence in scientific research and academic leadership through the title of "Doctor" (PhD). Graduates primarily hold the qualification to embark on academic careers as "Assistant Professors" in relevant university departments and to lead independent scientific projects. In the subsequent stage of academic advancement, graduates work towards the title of "Associate Professor" by producing scientific publications at international standards and providing original contributions to the theoretical development of the field. Beyond academia, graduates can serve as strategic decision-makers, senior consultants, and researchers in public institutions such as the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Family and Social Services. In the professional sector, they are employed as leading figures—such as "Supervisors" and "Expert Consultants"—capable of managing complex psychosocial dynamics within corporate structures and private mental health centers.
Graduates of the PhD Program in Guidance and Psychological Counseling, with their "Doctor" (PhD) title, primarily acquire the competency to start their academic careers as Assistant Professors in relevant university departments. In the associate professorship stage, which is the next level of academic advancement, graduates produce scientific publications at international standards and fulfill specific academic achievement criteria to undergo the processes organized by the Council of Higher Education (UAK); upon success, they attain the title of "Associate Professor," progressing toward becoming a scientific authority in the field. Beyond the academic track, graduates can serve as senior strategic consultants, researchers, and policymakers in public institutions such as the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Family and Social Services; they can also provide professional services as advanced intervention specialists and supervisors in private psychological counseling centers and corporate organizations.
The PhD Program in Guidance and Psychological Counseling has an academic structure spread over eight semesters (4 years), consisting of a total of 240 ECTS. The curriculum comprises 11 courses (selected from an extensive pool including 5 compulsory and 6 elective modules), a Seminar course, the Proficiency Exam (Doctoral Candidacy), and the subsequent Doctoral Dissertation stages. While the first two years of the program are dedicated to theoretical preparation and the proficiency process, the following stage focuses on the completion of the Doctoral Dissertation, which must be supported by at least three successful Thesis Monitoring Committee (TMC) reports and is expected to provide an original contribution to science. The normal duration of the program is 4 years (8 semesters), and students may be granted a maximum of 2 years (4 semesters) of additional time within the framework of the relevant regulations. In accordance with TQF-HE Level 8 standards, requirements for success include achieving the minimum required grade in courses and successfully defending the doctoral dissertation before a jury.
Student success in the PhD Program in Guidance and Psychological Counseling is measured through midterm exams, final exams, research projects, advanced seminar presentations, and critical literature analyses. Within the scope of the general evaluation policy, the contribution of midterm exams and midterm-equivalent assignments to the final grade is determined as 40%, while the final exam contributes 60%. To be considered successful in doctoral-level courses, students must achieve a minimum letter grade of BB (3.00). Specialization field courses, seminar work, the doctoral proficiency exam, thesis proposal, thesis monitoring committee processes, and the doctoral dissertation are not included in the grade point average and are evaluated as "Successful" (G) or "Unsuccessful" (K). In accordance with academic integrity principles, the similarity index (Turnitin/iThenticate) for all assignments, reports, and dissertations must be below the threshold determined by the institute. The conversion of scores into letter grades is based on the provisions of the "Düzce University Graduate Education and Training Regulations." Click here for the regulations.
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