Online PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision
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Online PhD programs in counselor education and supervision teach students how to become educators and leaders in the counseling profession. Through a blend of didactic learning and hands-on experiences, graduates of these programs will be able to educate and lead new counselors and counselor students; they will also gain an advanced understanding of clinical counseling practice.
Online PhD programs in counseling education and supervision will vary in length, based on each individual student’s pace of progress. Some students finish their PhD in 3.5 years, others take seven years or longer. Generally speaking, these programs include several core courses, a dissertation, internship, and practicum. While much of an online PhD program can be completed remotely, there may be some face-to-face components, either at the program’s physical campus or in a student’s home area.
Online PhD programs in counselor education and supervision usually require applicants to have a master’s degree from an institution accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Most programs also ask their applicants to already be licensed professional counselors. PhD programs themselves should be accredited, too: CACREP accreditation is always preferred, but some programs with regional accreditation may suffice if their curricula align with CACREP standards.
According to a 2020 article in The Professional Counselor, there’s a growing pipeline problem in doctoral counselor education and supervision programs, due to their uneven distribution between states. Online PhD programs can solve that issue, making it easier than ever before for a counselor to become a leader and educator in the profession.
To learn more about online PhD programs in counselor education and supervision, read on.
| Featured Doctoral Programs in Counseling | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Behavioral Health (Clinical) (DBH) | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Behavioral Health (Management) (DBH) | Visit Site |
| Capella University | PhD - Counselor Education and Supervision | Visit Site |
| Walden University | PhD - Counselor Education and Supervision | Visit Site |
| Walden University | PsyD - Behavioral Health Leadership | Visit Site |
| Sponsored | ||
Featured Online PhD Programs in Counselor Education & Supervision
Walden University offers an online PhD in counselor education and supervision that prepares students to drive positive social change as counseling educators, supervisors, leaders, and researchers. The core program can be customized with five different specializations: addiction counseling; clinical mental health counseling; marriage, couple, and family therapy; school counseling; and trauma and crisis.
The curriculum includes core courses, research courses, field experience courses (practicum and internship), and the completion of a doctoral dissertation. Walden’s Doctoral Degree Coach helps candidates map and track milestones, meet weekly targets, connect with faculty, and access additional resources.
While most of the program can be completed online, one face-to-face residency and two pre-practicum labs have on-site components. The program consists of 85 quarter credits.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Tuition: $574 per credit
- Accreditation: CACREP
Capella University’s PhD in counselor education and supervision program combines online learning and in-person experiences to help students develop into leaders in counseling. The curriculum is aligned with the values, principles, and ethical standards of professional counseling associations and honors societies. It includes core courses such as advanced counseling practice; counselor education teaching and practice; counselor supervision; leadership and advocacy in counseling; and research theory and philosophy.
Students must also complete a minimum of 100 practicum hours, 600 internship hours, and a dissertation. Capella’s GuidedPath program structures learning with an active peer community and faculty guidance, helping students meet deadlines and stay on track. The program consists of 60 credits.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Tuition: $715 per credit
- Accreditation: CACREP
The University of the Cumberlands offers an online PhD in counselor education and supervision covers three main domains: leadership, professional research, and clinical coursework. Students may also choose to add a specialization in addiction or advanced counseling. As an institution grounded in Christian principles, the University of Cumberland puts an emphasis on strong ethical values for its students.
The curriculum includes courses such as advanced counseling theories and skills; neuroanatomy and behavioral medicine for professional counseling; leadership and advocacy in professional counseling; and theories and techniques of clinical supervision. Students will also need to research, write, and defend an original dissertation that advances knowledge in the counseling profession. The program consists of 66 credits.
- Location: Williamsburg, KY
- Tuition: $400 per credit
- Accreditation: CACREP
The Chicago School offers an online, accelerated PhD in counselor education and supervision that engages students in evaluating the theoretical and practical aspects of counseling through qualitative and quantitative research. It is intended for licensed professional counselors who wish to advance their careers through leadership, teaching, and/or supervision.
Students complete a minimum of 700 hours of practical experience through practicums and internships, in the five CACREP domains of counseling. Students also have access to an internal placement at the Virtual Clinical Training Center (VCTC) to gain further experience. While the program is only regionally accredited, its curriculum aligns with CACREP standards. The program consists of 60 credits in total.
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Tuition: $1,560 per credit
- Accreditation: WASC
Saybrook University offers an online PhD in counselor education and supervision that prepares the next generation of counselor leaders to address the most pressing challenges in their communities. Graduates can support counselors in training, develop their own professional identity, and understand how to best serve diverse clients. The program includes an examination of privilege, marginalization, and the dynamics of power.
The core curriculum includes courses such as qualitative research methodology; advanced quantitative analysis; community engagement and leadership; cultural responsiveness and advocacy; and advanced theories and practice. Students will also need to complete a practicum, internship, and dissertation. While the Saybrook program is only regionally accredited, the curriculum aligns with CACREP standards. The program consists of 54 credits in total.
- Location: Pasadena, CA
- Tuition: $980 per credit
- Accreditation: WASC
The online PhD in counselor education and supervision at Liberty University sharpens graduates’ clinical skills and prepares them to lead, teach, and nurture new counseling students. The curriculum provides advanced training in counseling techniques; counselor education and supervision; leadership and advocacy; and research and scholarship. As a Christian institution, Liberty University imparts a biblical worldview while preparing students to effectively serve diverse cultures.
The program is intensives-based, with a practicum, internship, and dissertation in addition to core and elective courses. Each course includes a one-week intensive portion that fosters mentoring relationships between students and faculty. The program consists of 57 credits in total.
- Location: Lynchburg, VA
- Tuition: $595 per credit
- Accreditation: CACREP
The online PhD in counseling education and supervision at Regent University prepares graduates to take on leadership roles in the world of mental health. Presented from a Christian perspective, the curriculum emphasizes the application of biblical and spiritual interventions as a teacher, scholar, and practitioner.
Core courses include advanced multivariate statistics; multicultural issues in counseling; qualitative research methodology; quantitative research methodology; and preventive counseling. Students must also complete an internship, a practicum, and a dissertation. While most of the program may be completed online, there are three in-person weeklong residencies at the start of each academic year. The program consists of 66 credits in total.
- Location: Virginia Beach, VA
- Tuition: $900 per credit
- Accreditation: CACREP
Professors to Know in Schools with Online PhD Programs in Counselor Education & Supervision
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Susan Foster, PhD, NCC, LPC - The Chicago School
Dr. Susan Foster is department chair of the Online Counselor Education Department at The Chicago School. She earned her MEd in counselor education from Southeastern Louisiana University, and her PhD in counselor education and supervision from the University of New Orleans.
Dr. Foster’s research interests include technology-assisted supervision, consultation and collaboration; collective self-esteem in diverse populations; assessment metrics for counselor educator programs; and ethics and law in counseling and supervision. -
Jennifer Preston, PhD, NCC, LPC - Saybrook University
Dr. Jennifer Preston is the program director and department chair in the Department of Counseling at Saybrook University. She earned her MS in counseling psychology from Avila College, and her PhD in counselor education and supervision from Oregon State University.
Dr. Preston’s areas of expertise include child and adolescent development, identity development, and issues of sexuality and gender. Her work leans upon qualitative research, from a feminist and critical theory lens, often employing non-traditional research methodologies. She has published in the areas of addiction treatment for women, LGBT ally development for K-12 schools, LGBT homeless youth, and women's mentoring. -
Brandon Wilde, PhD, NCC, LPC - University of the Cumberlands
Dr. Brandon Wilde is an associate professor in the University of the Cumberlands Department of Counseling. He earned his MS in marital, couple, and family counseling from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and his PhD in counselor education & supervision from Idaho State University.
Dr. Wilde has published in The Qualitative Report, Counseling & Values, The Family Journal, The Romanian Journal of Counseling, and The Practitioner Scholar: Journal of Professional Counseling & Psychology. He received the CACREP Martin Ritchie Award for Excellence in Advocacy in 2017.
