The 8 Best Online Doctorate in Counselor Education Programs

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An online Doctorate in Counselor Education equips graduates to lead, educate, and supervise other counselors, as well as improve their own counseling practice. The programs broaden their ability to advocate for the profession and clients. The programs prepare professionals for careers in clinical, academic, and research settings. Counseling professionals with a PhD in Counselor Education or an EdD in Counselor Education can work in a variety of settings, including clinics, hospitals, schools, nonprofits, and independently.

Online programs offer individuals the opportunity to acquire counselor education knowledge and skills from home; the programs usually incorporate several short, in-person residencies so students can connect with instructors and benefit from face-to-face feedback and personal insight.

What is a Doctorate in Counselor Education?

A Doctorate in Counselor Education program teaches the practical and theoretical skills needed to work in a leadership position in the counseling profession. Programs usually best serve already licensed/licensable and/or practicing counselors, building on basic knowledge and helping students specialize in counselor education and supervision. Graduates of a Counselor Education Doctoral program gain the knowledge and experience to assume a leadership role in a clinical, community, academic, nonprofit, or research setting.

EdD vs. PhD Counselor Education Programs

This list includes both Doctor of Education (EdD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision degrees. One of the major difference between the EdD and PhD programs is the type of research students must conduct. In their research, EdD students draw from previous experiences and knowledge and practically apply the information to problems in the real world, while PhD students create theoretical solutions based on the knowledge gained in their particular field to solve a real-world problem. PhD candidates usually find themselves more drawn to research, while EdD students usually seek to practice in the counseling profession.

How long does it take to complete a Doctorate in Counselor Education program?

PhD in Counselor Education and EdD in Counselor Education programs typically last from two-and-a-half years to four years, and consist of between 60 and 70 credit hours. Most of these doctoral programs require applicants to have a master’s degree in counseling or a closely related degree from an American Counseling Association’s Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited or equivalent program. In most cases, students with an applicable master’s degree can often receive credit for completed degree work, and complete their PhD or EdD in Counselor Education and Supervision in less time.

Online Doctorate in Counselor Education Program Ranking Guidelines

We selected the programs based on the quality of the program, the types of courses offered, the faculty, rankings, awards, and reputation, including the school’s reputation for effectively providing online degree programs.

RANKING METHODOLOGY

Methodology for College Rankings

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The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.

To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet—TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):

1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]

• Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
• Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
• Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
• Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
• Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
• Considers range of electives within that discipline
• Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline

2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]

• Considers education background of the faculty
• Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
• Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
• Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
• Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources

3. Reputation [weight = 20%]

• Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
  • Faculty
  • Curriculum
  • “Freshness” of academic knowledge
  • Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
  • Suitability of graduates for the workplace

4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]

• Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
• Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants

5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]

• Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
• Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business

6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]

• Considers the following of the online classes:
  • Types of online technology used to deliver content
  • Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
  • Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
  • Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
• Considers the following of instructors:
  • Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
  • Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
  • Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
  • Ratio to number of students in a class
• Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees

Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.

To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:

• Accreditation
• Public or private status
• Acceptance rate
• Retention rate
• Graduation rate
• ACT/SAT requirements
• Cost in-state / out of state
• Undergrad, grad, or both offered
• Region
• State
• City

Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!

If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.

Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!

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The Best Online Doctorate in Counselor Education Programs

1 Hampton University–School of Liberal Arts Education

Hampton,Virginia

Hampton University, which prides itself in being a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, provides a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degree programs. The School of Liberal Arts Education at Hampton University focuses on helping students learn to use research, scholarship, and art to improve human life conditions, uplift communities, and serve the under-served.

Within the School of Liberal Arts Education, the Department of Psychology offers undergraduate and graduate programs that provide students with knowledge of psychology and counseling through the study of significant theories, research, and applications.

Through the Hampton University Online platform, the Department of Counseling offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision degree program for professionals seeking to gain the necessary experience to lead in the counseling field. Students can choose between concentrations in School Counseling or Community Mental Health Counseling.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision program, designed for licensed counselors, builds on foundational counseling principles, while cultivating clinical and supervisory skills. Graduates complete the program prepared to advocate for counselors and clients, as well as facilitate effective change in clinical, academic, and research contexts.

The online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program requires 64 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Advanced Counseling Theory and Techniques
• Advanced Group and Systems Theory
• Analysis of Behavioral Data
• Counseling Leadership and Advocacy
• Ethics and Legal Aspects of Counseling
• Theories and Practice of Counseling Supervision
• Theory and Practice of Counseling Education

Students must complete a practicum, internship, and dissertation.

Applicants must submit undergraduate or graduate transcripts that include a graduate-level course in abnormal psychology and ethics.

Hampton University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

2 Regent University–School of Psychology and Counseling

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Specializing in graduate and professional degree programs, the School of Psychology and Counseling at Regent University serves students seeking advanced education in the areas of Counseling, Human Services, and Psychology. The School offers the benefits of research centers and initiatives, focusing on topics such as couples counseling and trauma therapy, as well as hands-on learning opportunities, internship and scholarship opportunities, and more.

In keeping with the mission of Regent University, the School of Psychology and Counseling maintains a commitment to a core of Christian values in its programs. With many online programs, the School of Psychology and Counseling meets the unique needs of busy adults who wish to advance professionally through pursuing higher education.

Through the Regent University online platform, the School of Psychology and Counseling offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision degree program for students wishing to advance their counseling career. The program, designed for currently licensed counselors who will complete an internship and dissertation, integrates science and Christian faith into the curriculum.

Career opportunities for graduates include licensed professional counselors, university faculty and leadership, clinical practitioners, directors of mental health services, leadership positions in school counseling and supervision, administrators, researchers, and writers.

The online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program requires 66 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Advanced Assessment
• Advanced Counseling and Career Theories
• Advanced Marriage and Family Counseling and Consultation
• Advanced Multivariate Statistics
• CES Capstone: Counseling and Christian Thought
• Multicultural Issues in Counseling
• Preventative Counseling
• Program Evaluation
• Statistics
• Supervision and Consultation

Students in the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision online program must also complete an internship, a dissertation, and three one-week residencies at the Regent University campus in Virginia Beach, VA.

Applicants must hold a licensure-track, 48-hour master’s degree in counseling, or a significantly related field such as psychology or social work, from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants with fewer than 48 hours or non-CACREP-accredited degrees may have to take additional coursework as a prerequisite to admission or concurrently with their first year in the program. Applicants have a higher chance of acceptance if they apply with at least one year of experience in a mental health field.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision program at Regent University is accredited by the American Counseling Association’s Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

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3 University of the Cumberlands–Department of Education

Williamsburg, Kentucky

The Department of Education at the University of the Cumberlands offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees designed to equip educators for successful careers. The online degrees offered through the Department of Education focus on innovative solutions and flexible options for busy learners pursuing higher education. The Department of Education operates according to the philosophy that teachers and administrators have a responsibility to ensure the welfare and enrichment of society.

Through the University of the Cumberlands Online platform, the Department of Education offers an online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree program and an online Doctor of Philosophy degree program, both with concentrations in Counselor Education and Supervision. The programs prepare ethically sound and advocacy-driven counselor educators, administrators, supervisors, researchers, clinicians, and leaders. Both programs focus on equipping graduates for a career in higher education instruction. The programs cover everything from the advanced leadership skills administrators of behavioral health agencies need, to delivering advanced clinical training which enable graduates to function in private-practice settings or other innovative clinical environments.

The online Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision program requires 60 credit hours, while the Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision requires 66 credit hours. Both include the following core courses:

• Advanced Counseling Theories & Skills
• Ethical & Legal Issues in CES
• Grant Writing & Proposal Development
• Historical Development of Leadership Theories
• Leadership & Advocacy in Professional Counseling
• Learning in Adulthood
• Multicultural Issues in Counseling & Education
• Online Teaching and Learning
• Program Planning and Assessment
• The Change Process
• The Politics of Educational Decision Making
• Theories & Techniques of Clinical Supervision

Students in the online Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision programs must complete a practicum, internship, and dissertation.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

The Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision programs at University of the Cumberlands are accredited by the American Counseling Association’s Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

4 University of West Georgia–College of Education

Carrollton, Georgia

The College of Education at the University of West Georgia houses a wide variety of departments and centers, including the Department of Communication Sciences and Professional Counseling. The Department offers a broad spectrum of school- and community-related undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The Department promotes an overarching emphasis on preparing exemplary practitioners who make meaningful contributions to the community and lives of the individuals with whom they work, whether as education, counseling, or community-focused professionals.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Professional Counseling provides a Doctor of Education in Professional Counseling and Supervision online degree program through the University of West Georgia online platform. The program emphasizes the application of knowledge through continued practice. Graduates emerge as professionals ready to positively impact their clients and communities of service through effective practices and programs, leadership, and advocacy.

The online EdD in Professional Counseling and Supervision program requires 60 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Ethics in Educational Leadership
• Leadership and Diversity in the 21st Century
• Professional Writing
• Seminar I: Professional Issues
• Seminar II: Advocacy for Marginalized and Underserved Persons

Students in the online program must also attend a required on-campus orientation at the beginning of the first summer term of enrollment and complete a practicum, internship, and dissertation.

Applicants must be licensed or licensable in counseling or a related field, and must hold a Master’s in Counseling or in a related field. The University places accepted applicants who already hold an Education Specialist degree (EdS) in the accelerated track requiring only 39 credit hours.

The University of West Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

5 Liberty University–School of Behavioral Sciences

Lynchburg, Virginia

The School of Behavioral Sciences at Liberty University prepares future graduates to contribute to the fields of Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work with undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees dedicated to both scientific competence and teachings influenced by a Christian worldview. The Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies provides professional training of mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists from a Christian faith — based perspective.

Housed in the School of Behavioral Studies, the Department offers a number of graduate and professional degrees, with a particular focus on distance learning and technology, making its programs more accessible for non-traditional students and busy professionals.

The Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision online degree program through the Liberty University Online platform. The curriculum focuses on mentoring and preparing students to practice ethical and effective counseling, counselor education, and supervision through research and scholarship. The program prepares graduates for careers as advanced clinicians, program directors, managers, developers, supervisors, and faculty members.

The online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program requires 66 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Advanced Career Counseling
• Advanced Group Counseling
• Advanced Multivariate Statistics & Quantitative Research
• Advanced Research Design
• Advanced Theory Application
• Counseling Leadership & Advocacy
• Dissemination of Research & Scholarship in Counseling
• Issues in Integration
• Instruction in Counselor Education
• Qualitative Research
• Supervision & Consultation

Students in the online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program must also complete a practicum, an internship, a dissertation, and required on-campus intensives at the Liberty University campus in Lynchburg, VA.

Applicants must possess a regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree that reveals evidence of fulfilling the current program prerequisite courses with a minimum 3.25 GPA. Applicants who have a regionally accredited master’s degree in a related field (such as counseling, psychology, or human services) may apply, but, if admitted, the university requires them to complete prerequisite courses.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

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6 Adams State University–Department of Counseling Education

Alamosa, Colorado

The Department of Counseling Education at Adams State University offers several programs that equip students for careers in the counseling profession. The Department also hosts workshops and symposiums that cover a variety of topics concerning counselors and therapists.

Students of the Department of Counseling Education learn through theory and study, as well as practicums and internships, providing them with diverse preparation for work as counselors and other professionals in the counseling field.

Through the Adams State University online platform, The Department of Counseling Education offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision degree program. The curriculum emphasizes research, encouraging students to expand the knowledge base of the counseling profession.

Graduates complete the program prepared to work as counselor educators, supervisors, researchers, and practitioners in diverse academic and clinical settings.

The online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program requires 66 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Advanced Assessment
• Advanced Group Counseling
• Advanced Multicultural Issues
• Advanced Statistics
• Advanced Theories and Career
• Instructional Theory in Counselor Education
• Seminar in Counselor Education
• Seminar: Leadership, Advocacy and Ethics in Counselor Education
• Seminar: Program Evaluation and Grant Writing
• Supervision and Consultation

Students in the online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program must also complete four one-week summer residencies, a practicum, an internship, and a dissertation.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited program and be license-eligible in their state of residence, or have a master’s degree in counseling, one year of full-time counseling experience, and meet the graduate coursework curriculum requirements in all of the CACREP common core areas.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision program at Adams State University is accredited by the American Counseling Association’s Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Adams State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

7 Grand Canyon University–College of Doctoral Studies

Phoenix, Arizona

The College of Doctoral Studies at Grand Canyon University provides students with a variety of doctoral programs across diverse fields, including business, psychology, and education. Placing a strong emphasis on the value of research, the College of Doctoral Studies seeks to prepare students through developing comprehensive understandings of the fields, and through commitment to continual growth and discourse. In accordance with the mission of Grand Canyon University, the College of Doctoral Studies integrates the Christian worldview into the core of its programs. The College provides students with a variety of flexible online programs.

The College of Doctoral Studies offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision degree program through the Grand Canyon University Online platform for students wishing to teach counseling students and supervise clinical counselors. Applying a Christian perspective of vocation and counseling, the program focuses on the areas of counseling, teaching, counselor supervision, leadership and advocacy, scholarship and statistics, and research. Upon completing the Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision program, graduates emerge prepared to serve as counseling professionals in roles such as faculty member; advanced clinician; couples, family, or school counselor; director of school guidance; and director of counseling agencies.

The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision online program requires 62 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Advanced Family Dynamics and Systems
• Advanced Group Dynamics and Processes
• Advanced Integrated Theories and Practices
• Analysis of Existing Research Total Credits
• Ethics, Laws, and Multicultural Issues
• Integrated Models of Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
• Leadership and Social Justice Total Credits
• Pedagogy of Counselor Education and Models of Supervision
• Special Topics in Counseling Education and Supervision
• Theories of Inquiry

Students in the online Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision program must also complete an internship, two residencies, and a dissertation.

Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision must have earned a doctoral or master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher. The University considers applicants with a lower GPA for admission with specifications.

Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

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8 Capella University–School of Social Work and Human Services

Minneapolis, Minnesota

The School of Social Work and Human Services at Capella University offers a variety of online graduate degrees and certificates that prepare learners to lead change for individuals, families, and communities. The doctoral programs offered by the School train students in effective research and data analysis.

The curriculum in the School of Social Work and Human Services aligns with professional standards and skills; graduates emerge prepared to work as successful social workers, advocates, educators, and other human service professionals.

Through the Capella University Online platform, the School of Social Work and Human Services offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision degree program for students seeking to work in leadership roles in counseling, academic, or research settings. The Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision focuses on the following outcomes for its graduates: evaluating current theories and practices of the counseling profession; demonstrating commitment; conducting and contributing valid, reliable, and ethical research; thinking critically; writing effectively; leading and advocating for inclusion, tolerance, and acceptance; and practicing social and professional ethics.

The School of Social Work and Human Services offers both financial and academic support, including military and employer tuition discounts and doctoral and career advising.

The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision online program requires 72 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Advanced Counseling Practice
• Advanced Study in Counselor Education Research Methods
• Advanced Qualitative Methods in Counselor Education Research
• Advanced Research in Human Development
• Counselor Education Teaching and Practice
• Counselor Supervision
• Foundations of Advanced Social Science Research and Design
• Leadership and Advocacy in Counseling
• Quantitative Methods for Counselor Education Research

Students must complete a dissertation and three four-day residencies at the Capella University campus in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Applicants must hold a CACREP-accredited or CACREP-curriculum-equivalent master’s degree from an institution accredited by a US Department of Education — recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution

The Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision program at Capella University is accredited by the American Counseling Association’s Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

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Important Counseling Education Degree and Career Information

What can you do with a Doctorate Degree in Counselor Education?

Individuals who obtain a Doctorate in Counselor Education finish the program prepared for a number of general and advanced careers in the counseling field. Those with a specialty in Counselor Education can practice counseling themselves and supervise, manage, educate, and lead other professionals in best counseling practices. They can work as researchers, professors, evaluators, and leaders in academic and clinical environments. A Doctorate in Counselor Education offers a variety of career advancements and possibilities for professionals passionate about counseling and mental health.

Individuals with a Doctorate in Counselor Education can work in settings such as:

• Government agencies
• Higher education
• Hospitals and clinics
• Mental health facilities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Public and private schools
• Rehabilitation centers
• Research

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Doctorate in Counselor Education Jobs

This section includes salary information for a selection of careers available to students holding a Doctorate in Counselor Education. Salary amounts reflect median pay for 2016, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov).

• Clinical Practitioner – $78,690
• Consultant – $62,560
• Counselor Educator – $59,020
• Counselor Supervisor – $96,540
• Director of Mental Health Services (Nonprofit) – $96,540
• Licensed Professional Counselor – $42,840
• Mental Health Administrator – $96,540
• Rehabilitation Counselor – $34,670
• University Administrator – $90,760
• University Faculty – $75,430
• Writer – $61,240

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Professional Organizations

• Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) — The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision is committed to quality education and supervision of counselors in all work settings. The ACES offers seminars, conferences, and other resources for professionals passionate about Counselor Education and Supervision.
• American Counseling Association (ACA) — The American Counseling Association dedicates itself to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. The ACA provides leadership, resources, conferences, and continuing education opportunities for students and professionals in the counseling field.

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