Matthew Joseph

Matthew Joseph, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Director of Counselor Education at Duquesne University's School of Education. He teaches graduate courses in lifespan development, career counseling, and research design. His work bridges academia and practice, drawing on prior roles as an academic advisor and career counselor at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Joseph holds a Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University (2009), an M.Ed. in Higher Education Management from the University of Pittsburgh (2005), and earlier degrees from Northeastern University (M.A., Experimental Psychology, 1999) and the University of Notre Dame (B.A., Psychology, 1997).

His research focuses on purpose development across the lifespan, particularly in emerging adulthood and later life. Key areas include the role of purpose in career decision-making, prosocial orientation, and how educators can foster identity and meaning. He is preparing a book manuscript (PreMortem: Why Things Go Wrong on the Path to a Purposeful Life) and has authored/co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

His work addresses systemic barriers to equitable education, LGBTQ+ youth well-being, and counselor efficacy in college access initiatives. He collaborates internationally, with studies in the U.S. and Finland exploring purpose development and teacher competencies.