Online PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“Online or hybrid PhD programs in counselor education and supervision can prepare folks to be counselor educators, supervisors, researchers, and administrators in a variety of mental health, school, or rehabilitation counseling areas.”
Andrew Wood, PhD, Senior Instructor and Counseling Program Chair, Oregon State University
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) or equivalent. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Walden University | PhD - Counselor Education and Supervision | Visit Site |
| Walden University | PsyD - Behavioral Health Leadership | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Behavioral Health - Clinical (DBH) | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Behavioral Health - Management (DBH) | Visit Site |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Meet the Expert: Andrew Wood, PhD, LPC
Dr. Andrew Wood is a senior instructor and the counseling program chair at the College of Education at Oregon State University. He has worked as a counselor educator since 2015 and worked previously at Antioch University Seattle and the University of Cincinnati. He received his MS in mental health counseling from the University of North Florida and his PhD in education with a specialization in counselor education and supervision from the University of Central Florida.
Dr. Wood’s primary research interests revolve around psycho-oncology, stigma, radical focuses in teaching and practice, and spirituality and religion in counseling. He focuses his clinical work on low-fee counseling and the intersection between mental health and class. At OSU, he helps to create a place for counselors and counselor educators to engage in praxis toward a new mental health future, focusing on community and liberatory efforts.
MHAOnline.com: What would you like the public to understand about online PhD programs in counselor education and supervision?
Dr. Wood: Online or hybrid PhD programs in counselor education and supervision can prepare folks to be counselor educators, supervisors, researchers, and administrators in a variety of mental health, school, or rehabilitation counseling areas. They prepare everyone to the same standards as in-person programs, as long as they’re accredited by the same body (usually the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, or CACREP).
Some might focus a little more on teaching or a little more on research, but they all prepare new counselor educators in research, teaching, supervision, counseling, leadership, and advocacy.
If you have a master’s degree in counseling and are interested in doing more work in these areas, a counselor education PhD might be the right move forward in your career. An online program will allow for more flexibility in having some control over the flow of your education (e.g., when to complete coursework in a week). This coincides with a lot of our students working full or part time to support themselves through a program, rather than having to discontinue work with programs that might be more inflexible in their scheduling. Some programs will offer funding and some won’t, but you can enquire about this before you apply.
I think that online or hybrid programs are a good option for people who are looking for a little more flexibility and work well in an online educational environment. A hybrid option provides you with some of the more traditional in-person meetings on a regular or semi-regular basis as well.
MHAOnline.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online PhD students in counselor education and supervision?
Dr. Wood: Getting a PhD is a lot of work, regardless of whether you’re in an online or in-person program. Really consider if you thrive in an online and/or hybrid environment for education. It can be very effective for someone who can be self-motivated or has a full-time job and needs some more flexibility in how they approach their education.
While our program here at OSU has great advisors, you should be examining the program you’re applying for to identify some individuals you’d like to work with. The advising relationship is still a core component of counselor education programs. In an online/hybrid program, the advisor can be especially helpful in aiding a student in transitioning to an online/hybrid educational experience. If you’re already used to online/hybrid work, you’ll know a lot of what to expect! Just remember that the flexibility provided also asks a lot in self-guided work.
At the end of the day, though, most PhD programs will be geared toward self-guided work as you approach a dissertation and becoming an active counselor educator. But let us help you demystify the process—reach out for a chat. We want to make sure that you’re in the right place for your education, so if you have any questions about online/hybrid programs vs in-person programs for your specific needs, reach out and ask questions. Some people are better at replying to emails than others, so don’t let that be the deciding factor; just reach out to another person to help answer your questions so you’re using your time and money effectively.
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, trauma and crisis, and telehealth counseling, private practice, and supervision.
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
- 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 72 quarter credits.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Accreditation: CACREP
The University of the Cumberlands offers an online PhD in counselor education and supervision that covers three main domains: leadership, professional research, and clinical coursework. 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
- 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. The program consists of 60 credits in total.
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Accreditation: CACREP
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. The program consists of 60 credits in total.
- Location: Pasadena, CA
- Accreditation: CACREP
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 intensive-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 60 credits in total.
- Location: Lynchburg, VA
- 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
- Accreditation: CACREP
Arizona State University’s online doctor of behavioral health (DBH) management concentration and its clinical concentration are advanced, practice-focused doctoral programs designed for professionals working in or aspiring to lead within integrated healthcare systems. Both tracks emphasize the growing importance of behavioral health in improving patient outcomes and lowering healthcare costs, but each serves a distinct purpose.
The management concentration prepares graduates for leadership roles in settings such as hospitals, health systems, and clinics. It focuses on entrepreneurship, health care innovation, and quality improvement, culminating in a 135-hour internship and capstone business plan. In contrast, the clinical concentration is tailored for licensed behavioral health professionals and emphasizes clinical practice within primary care environments.
Students in this track engage in advanced coursework on brief interventions, functional assessments, and population-based behavioral health strategies. Both programs are fully online, offer flexible scheduling, and equip students to drive meaningful change in today’s integrated care landscape.
- Location: Tempe, AZ
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
