More than just multiculturally competent: Doctoral student competency and preparedness to work with individuals with disabilities

Authors

• Kristen N. Dickens, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
• Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson, Nicholls State UniversityFollow
• Synthia Best, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow

Abstract

Phenomenological inquiry was used to interview counselor education doctoral students about their experiences and perceived competency and preparedness to counsel individuals with disabilities. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) continuous self-directed learning, (2) disability is multifaceted, misunderstood, and evolving, and (3) influential learning factors. Implications and recommendations for counselor educators and training programs are provided.

Recommended Citation

Dickens, Kristen N.; Varnado-Johnson, Chantrelle; and Best, Synthia (2026) "More than just multiculturally competent: Doctoral student competency and preparedness to work with individuals with disabilities," Georgia Educational Researcher: Vol. 22: Iss. 2, Article 1.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gerjournal/vol22/iss2/1