Am I My Peers’ Keeper? Problems of Professional Competency in Doctoral Students

Abstract

Addressing problems of professional competency (PPC) among doctoral students is essential given that doctoral students will become our future counselor educators. In this study, doctoral students (N = 345) in programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs were surveyed about their knowledge of peers’ PPC. The findings from this study indicate that doctoral students are aware of peers with PPC (68.1%), which include inadequate skills to deliver counseling services and problematic behaviors related to personal or psychological issues. The findings suggest that respondents are negatively affected by being in a program with a peer they perceive has a PPC (47.9%) and are frustrated with educators for allowing problematic peers to continue their doctoral training (70%). The findings of this study show that faculty members need to place more emphasis on educating doctoral students about competency issues and assessing for PPC.