Education Commons^™

African American Students In Counselor Education Programs: Perceptions Of Their Experiences, Malik S. Henfield Ph.D., Delila Owens Ph.D., Sheila Witherspoon Ph.D.

Sheila Witherspoon Ph.D.

The authors explored 11 African American doctoral students' perceptions of their experiences in counselor education programs, and their findings are presented. Using a phenomenological methodological framework, the authors investigated the various systems of support that students use as they navigate their respective programs. Human agency was the theoretical framework for this study, and 4 themes emerged from the data: assertiveness. more experienced African American students, race-based organizations, and personal and professional care from advisors. Implications for students and counselor education programs are discussed.