By: Conrad Thomas
Amberton University has served working adults with bachelor’s and master’s degrees for 55 years. Now the Texas institution offers the highest academic credential. Amberton University has launched its first doctoral program, the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Counseling.
“This marks a significant milestone in advancing our academic excellence,” said Dr. Ken Johnson, who led the effort and chairs the new program.
The approval marks a defining milestone for the Garland-based private university. Dr. Johnson authored the program proposal, the student handbook, and the handbook for the program’s capstone project.
A Program Built on Amberton’s Strengths
Choosing the right field came first. The counseling programs are extremely popular at Amberton University, making the new Ed.D. in Counseling a logical choice. According to Dr. Johnson, “Why not play up to our strengths?”
Student demand also shaped the decision. “We had a lot of inquiries,” Johnson said. “Our students constantly asked us. When are you going to offer a doctorate?”
Dr. Carol A. Palmer, Amberton’s President, championed the doctorate. She then asked Dr. Johnson, who worked with the Academic Dean, Dr. Paul Burton, and a group of very talented counseling faculty members, to develop the curriculum for this new and exciting program.
Why Few Universities Take This Step
Many students assume a university can simply add a doctorate. Dr. Johnson said the reality is far more demanding. Accrediting bodies examine doctoral proposals closely because the degree sits at the top of academia.
“You can’t get any higher than a doctorate,” Dr. Johnson said.
The work reached every level of Amberton. Faculty wrote new courses and course competencies. A committee made up of faculty and staff members guided the process alongside Dr. Palmer. A colleague with years of accreditation experience reviewed each draft.
“It’s very demanding for faculty, staff, and administrators,” Dr. Johnson said. He added that the effort takes “a lot of time, a lot of work, and a lot of resources.”
That burden explains why many schools stop at the master’s level. “The commitment has to be from the top to the bottom of that university,” Dr. Johnson said. “And many universities choose not to do that.”
Practice Over Theory
The new program replaces the traditional dissertation with an Applied Doctoral Project. Dr. Johnson studied other universities that use similar applied capstones. Most Amberton counseling students already work as practitioners. The project lets them build solutions for clinics, hospitals, schools, and private practices.
“We’re focusing on practice rather than theory, and students will love that,” Dr. Johnson said.
Students will research real problems tied to their jobs. Dr. Johnson said they will produce “practical ideas that they can actually apply to their clinical and work settings.”
The curriculum also stresses ethical, spiritual, and cultural awareness. Dr. Johnson said this reflects the clients counselors now serve. “We live in a multicultural society,” he said. He noted that culture covers political views, social background, and age, not only ethnicity.
“In order to be effective as mental health providers, we must be effective as multicultural providers,” Dr. Johnson said.
New Doors for Counseling Professionals
This program prepares graduates to teach at the college level and compete for senior roles within counseling centers. A Texas state counseling license allows private practice and agency work. It does not qualify a counselor to teach graduate students. Licensed counselors also face stiff competition when they apply for senior positions within agencies.
“Our graduates will be competing with a person who has the same thing that they have, except they’ve got one more thing… a terminal degree,” Dr. Johnson said.
The doctorate closes that gap. Graduates can pursue administrative posts in both universities and counseling centers. “Traditionally, they would not have been competitive in that market, but now they will be,” Dr. Johnson said.
The program is a non-licensure track. Students who already hold a license gain a higher credential. Students without one still have options. Amberton offers a path to take courses that meet Texas licensure requirements.
Affordability Stays Central
Amberton built its reputation on low-cost, flexible education for working adults. Dr. Palmer made cost control an early priority for the doctorate. According to Dr. Johnson, she told the university’s financial expert, “We want to keep true to our mission.”
Doctoral tuition will be higher than Amberton’s master’s tuition, but Dr. Palmer has said it remains reasonable compared with other programs.
The university’s finances support that approach. Amberton does not depend on presidential fundraising. Tuition was held flat for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Interest Beyond Texas
The doctorate will be offered 100% online. Inquiries from different states and countries arrived soon after the announcement.
Asked what excites him most, Dr. Johnson pointed to Amberton’s size. “The idea that a small private university can pull this off,” he said.
Students no longer need a large university to earn a doctorate. Dr. Johnson said. “We’re able to give them what they’ve been asking for for many years,” he said.
About Amberton University
Founded in 1971, Amberton University specializes in affordable, flexible degree programs for working adults. Programs are offered online and on campus, taught by practitioner-faculty, and anchored in career relevance and service excellence.
