online phd mental health counseling

• Best Online Ph.D.s In Counseling

Best Online Ph.D.s In Counseling Of 2024

Updated: Mar 21, 2024, 1:45pm

For aspiring counselors, psychologists and therapists, a Ph.D. in counseling is the last rung of the educational ladder—the springboard to an advanced role in the field.

A doctorate in counseling requires specialized understanding and training that can lead to positions in clinical practice, consulting, research and administration. And if you want to teach at a higher learning institution, a Ph.D. can qualify you for prestigious academic roles like tenured professor, department head or dean.

Earning a doctorate is a major commitment that entails years’ worth of classroom study, clinical practice and fieldwork, and researching and writing a dissertation. That’s why an online Ph.D. in counseling can be a practical and attractive option.

Online programs offer learners the flexibility to study at their own pace at their convenience, and they can also be a much more affordable alternative to traditional on-campus learning.

Below, we survey the best online counseling Ph.D. programs as determined by key criteria like affordability, flexibility and student outcomes. We also explain the importance of accreditation and explore factors to consider before earning a Ph.D. in counseling online.

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Our Methodology

We ranked five accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online Ph.D. in counseling degrees in the U.S. using 15 data points in the categories of student experience, credibility, student outcomes and affordability. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.

Data is accurate as of February 2024. Note that because online doctorates are relatively uncommon, fewer schools meet our ranking standards at the doctoral level.

We scored schools based on the following metrics:

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Availability of online coursework
• Total number of graduate assistants
• Portion of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Programmatic accreditation status
• Nonprofit status

Student Outcomes:

• Overall graduation rate
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation

Affordability:

• In-state graduate student tuition
• In-state graduate student fees
• Alternative tuition plans offered
• Median federal student loan debt
• Student loan default rate

We listed all five schools in the U.S. that met our ranking criteria.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

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Best Online Ph.D. in Counseling Options

Should you enroll in a ph.d. in counseling online, accreditation for online doctorate programs in counseling, how to find the right online ph.d. in counseling for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about online ph.d.s in counseling, concordia university-irvine, university of the cumberlands, the chicago school at los angeles, colorado christian university, denver seminary.

Graduate Tuition

$795/credit (in-state)

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Overall Graduation Rate

The Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Concordia University Irvine , a private Christian college located in Southern California’s Orange County, is a hybrid program that requires coursework, two in-person residencies and an internship before concluding with a dissertation project that draws on original research.

Noteworthy in CUI’s approach is an “integrated dissertation track” that involves students in research from the outset of the program. Introducing the dissertation process at the start of the program lets students integrate their coursework subject matter with dissertation seminar discussions.

The doctorate is meant for licensed professional counselors and does not lead to licensure. Applicants need a master’s in counseling or a related field, preferably from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: $50
• Degree Credit Requirements: 60 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated, part-time, full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Advanced multicultural issues in counselor education and supervision, models and application of trauma-informed practice
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for in-person residencies and campus-based courses

$415/credit (in-state)

The University of the Cumberlands ’ Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision is a three-year program designed to accommodate students who work full time. A private Christian institution, the University of the Cumberlands demonstrates its commitment to affordability through a “One Price Promise” pledge, which makes all textbooks free.

The curriculum encompasses advanced clinical work, leadership and advocacy, research and scholarship, supervision and teaching. All students enroll in the same core courses before choosing a specialization such as leadership, addiction counseling or advanced counseling.

Applicants to this program must have a valid professional certificate or license in their home state.

• Application Fee: $30
• Degree Credit Requirements: 66 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Theories and techniques of clinical supervision, online teaching and learning in counselor education
• In-Person Requirements: No

$1,703/credit (in-state)

Designed for students who are already licensed counselors or are eligible for licensure, the Chicago School ’s online Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision is a full-time program that usually takes three years to complete.

Touted as “sensitive to difference,” the program trains students to apply best practices and principles toward specific populations, with the goal of being able to serve those communities more effectively.

Doctorates require 60 credits of coursework, a 600-hour internship and a dissertation. Two in-person residencies at the school’s Los Angeles campus are also mandatory. California residents are eligible for financial aid through the state’s Cal Grant.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Advanced multicultural/diversity issues in counselor education and supervision, telebehavioral approaches in counseling and supervision
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for an internship

$698/credit (in-state)

A fully accredited, non-licensure program rooted in biblical teaching, Colorado Christian University ’s Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision prepares students for various leadership roles in the counseling profession.

Degrees are contingent on completing a 600-hour internship, two in-person residencies at the school’s Lakewood, Colorado, campus, and a dissertation. Students usually take two courses at a time, in seven- or 14-week blocks, and the program can be completed in nine semesters of consecutive coursework.

On top of tuition, all students pay a resource fee that covers technology resources, course materials and textbooks.

• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements:60 credit hours
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Leadership, ethics, and advocacy in CES, research skills I and II
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for an internship and two residencies

$870/credit (in-state)

Rooted in Christian precepts, Denver Seminary ’s Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision promotes a “cohort” learning model wherein students bond in a close-knit group that studies and ultimately graduates together.

Faculty mentoring is also a program priority. Faculty mentor students primarily virtually but also in person during three required residencies on Denver Seminary’s campus, located in the foothills of the Rockies.

Coursework for the four-year, full-time program centers around two live online evening sessions plus two hours of asynchronous learning activities and assigned reading and writing every week. In addition to the core coursework, requirements include a 600-hour internship, a clinical practicum and a fourth-year dissertation.

• Application Fee: $45
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Advanced cultural foundations in counseling, advanced marriage and family counseling
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for three in-person residencies and an internship

Several factors will determine whether enrolling in a Ph.D. in counseling online makes sense for you. Important points to consider include:

• Career goals. Weigh whether a Ph.D. in counseling matches your career aspirations. For instance, if you’ve set your sights on academia, clinical practice, research or some other goal in the counseling field, talk to a program representative about how their program will help you get there.
• Accreditation. Confirm that an accrediting body vetted by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education has accredited the online program you’re considering. This ensures the program meets certain quality standards and that your degree will be recognized by licensing boards and potential employers.
• Licensing. If your goal is to become a licensed counselor, make sure the program fulfills the education requirements for licensure in the state where you plan to practice.
• Flexibility. Online college offers flexibility, but not everyone has the self-discipline and time management skills needed to succeed in a distance program. Conduct an objective assessment of whether your learning style would suit online learning. Then research whether your prospective program offers support services like academic advising and counseling.
• Financial considerations. Evaluate the total cost of the program, including tuition, fees and all additional expenses. Explore whether you’re eligible for funding options like grants, scholarships, assistantships or employer tuition reimbursement programs.
• Admissions requirements. Many counseling doctoral programs require applicants to hold a master’s in counseling or a related field. Make sure you meet the admissions criteria for any program you apply to.

Institutional accreditation verifies the overall quality and effectiveness of an entire college or university. This accreditation status depends on a rigorous third-party assessment of an institution’s mission, educational programs, faculty qualifications, student services and financial governance, among other factors.

To qualify for federal student aid, you must attend an institutionally accredited university. Employers, credentialing bodies and other higher learning institutions may not recognize your degree if it comes from an unaccredited school. You can confirm a college’s accreditation status by looking for the accreditation page on its website or searching the directories on CHEA’s website .

Programmatic accreditation applies to specific programs and departments within broader educational institutions. Any program receiving programmatic accreditation must be part of an institutionally accredited college or university.

CACREP accredits counseling programs in the United States. Check whether your prospective online Ph.D. in counseling program is accredited by using CACREP’s online directory. Some states require counselors to hold a CACREP-accredited degree to qualify for licensure.

Ready to start your search for an online counseling doctorate? Let’s narrow down your options.

Consider Your Future Goals

Several factors will influence your choice of an online Ph.D. in counseling program. Of these, arguably the most important are your career expectations and how they align with what the program provides.

If you intend to pursue counseling licensure after earning your doctorate, make sure the program meets your state’s educational requirements to become a licensed clinical professional counselor .

Do you want to specialize in a particular area of counseling? Prioritize programs that offer coursework focused on your area of interest or whose faculty have similar specialties. Also, consider whether each program helps students find local practicum and internship opportunities in your desired counseling field.

At a more general level, look for facts and figures on student outcomes from your program. Graduation rates, job placement rates and citations in academic research can all indicate a program’s quality and the potential career opportunities it offers.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Total tuition for the online Ph.D. in counseling programs ranked on this page ranges from approximately $27,000 to more than $100,000. Financing possibilities for these programs vary from school to school—and your personal financial situation will determine your eligibility for financial aid. To find out what you may qualify for, you’ll need to do some research.

Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine your eligibility for federal student aid programs, such as direct PLUS loans , direct unsubsidized loans and federal work-study programs . Online students are usually eligible for federal aid, but some programs may have specific eligibility requirements, so check with your school’s financial aid office. (It’s a good idea in general to consult with your school’s financial aid office for personalized guidance.)

Other financing options to consider include:

• Scholarships. Some schools offer scholarships and grants specifically for doctoral students, including those enrolled in online programs. They can be merit-based, need-based or specific to certain disciplines.
• Fellowships. Some Ph.D. programs offer fellowships—financial support in the form of a stipend or tuition remission in exchange for research or teaching assistance.
• Employer sponsorship. If you currently have a job, check with your employer to see if they offer tuition reimbursement or sponsorships. If your Ph.D. program is relevant to your present role or a potential future role at the company, some employers may be willing to cover part of its cost.
• Private student loans. Private student loans from banks, credit unions and online lenders are available if you need additional funding beyond federal and institutional aid.

Before you commit to any financing option, carefully review all terms and conditions, including interest rates and repayment terms. Stay on the lookout for any potential impact on your financial situation after you graduate.

Is getting a Ph.D. in counseling worth it?

A Ph.D. can lead to more and better career options. It’s usually necessary, for instance, if you aspire to become a licensed psychologist, counselor educator or leading researcher. If tuition costs seem like an insurmountable hurdle, explore whether you can get funding through research grants, scholarships or an assistant position. Ultimately, only you can decide whether a Ph.D. program’s potential benefits justify the time and money you’ll commit.

Can you do a Ph.D. completely online?

It’s possible to earn a Ph.D. in counseling entirely online through accredited institutions that offer distance learning programs. Programs like those above feature the same rigorous curriculum and academic standards as in-person programs along with the flexibility of distance learning.

What is a Ph.D. in counseling called?

A Ph.D. in counseling is commonly known as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in counseling psychology , general counseling, or counselor education and supervision. The exact degree title depends on its specialization.

How hard is a Ph.D. in counseling?

Earning a Ph.D. in counseling requires a major investment of time and intellectual effort. In advanced coursework, students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of challenging subject material. Many doctoral programs also incorporate clinical training, in which students work directly with clients under the supervision of licensed professionals. Additionally, Ph.D. programs usually require you to complete a dissertation and defend it in front of a committee.

How long does it take to get your Ph.D. in counseling?

Ph.D. programs usually require four to six years to complete, if you enroll full time. Part-time students may need longer. The time needed to research, write and defend a dissertation varies and can impact program length.

Jeff Tompkins is a writer and teacher of English as a Second Language living in New York City. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1967 and was educated at Brown University and University College London. His articles and reviews have appeared in CHA Review of Books and Films, the Brooklyn Rail, the Chicago Review of Books, PopMatters, Words Without Borders, and other outlets.

Online PhD Programs in Mental Health Counseling

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Most people know the terms counselor, therapist, and psychologist . But many want to know: what are the differences between these professions? 

Counselors, also known as mental health therapists, are trained to work with patients and have master’s or doctoral degrees in psychology, marriage and family therapy, and counseling. 

Psychologists, on the other hand, often require a doctoral degree in psychology for clinical research work, but a master’s degree can be sufficient for some client-based practices. Doctoral degree holders in counseling have people-oriented skill sets that qualify them to work with patients and teach and advise students in higher education. 

What does it take to earn a PhD in mental health counseling? After earning a master’s degree, most graduates choose to begin work in a clinical setting or apply for a PhD program. Accredited online doctoral degrees are available in counselor education and supervision and typically require three to four years of coursework and a clinical internship. 

Earning a PhD in counselor education and supervision gives professionals options to continue to see patients in a clinical setting or pivot their skills into teaching and mentoring roles in higher education to prepare the next generation of mental health counselors. 

A commonly asked question is: why pursue a PhD? The two biggest reasons are expanded opportunities and higher salaries. 

For starters, careers in psychology and postsecondary education are growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that between the years 2021 and 2031, job openings for psychologists are projected to grow by 6 percent—which is as fast as the national average, while postsecondary teaching jobs will increase by 12 percent—a rate much faster than the national average for all occupations at 5 percent (BLS 2022). 

Secondly, doctoral degree holders earn higher salaries than those with master’s degrees. The BLS shows the average annual salary for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists is $102,740 ( BLS May 2022). The salary percentiles based on employment location, education, and work experience range from $42,760 in the bottom 10th percentile to $168,790 in the top 90th percentile. 

While it’s possible to see clients with a master’s degree, most clinical counselors have a doctoral degree. According to CareerOneStop (2023), a resource from the US Department of Labor, 66 percent of clinical and counseling psychologists have a PhD, putting those with a doctoral degree at a competitive edge with regard to opportunity access and salary negotiations. 

In short, pursuing an online PhD program enables students to expand their knowledge, grow their careers, and increase their earning potential in the future without sacrificing their earning potential in the present. 

Read on to learn more about online PhD programs and career opportunities in mental health counseling.

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Typical admissions requirements for mental health counseling phd programs.

Every educational program has unique admissions requirements, and most online PhD programs in mental health counseling require the following for admission: 

• A master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited counseling program 
• Criminal background check 
• Current counseling license or be eligible to apply for licensure in the state of residence 
• GPA of 3.0 or higher from a master’s degree program
• GRE scores 
• Interview with an admissions committee
• Official transcripts for undergraduate and graduate coursework
• One year of full-time post-master’s degree counseling experience
• Statement of career or research goals
• Three letters of reference

Courses in Mental Health Counseling PhD Programs

• Capstone in counseling
• Clinical supervision
• Diversity and social justice in counselor education
• Ethical and legal issues in counselor education and supervision
• Neuroanatomy & behavioral medicine
• Online teaching and learning
• PhD residency
• Program evaluation & grant writing
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Supervision & consultation

Supervised Clinical Hour Requirements & Internships – Mental Health Counseling

In CACREP-accredited programs, students must complete their skill development preparation to be eligible for a minimum of 700 hours of supervised clinical experience . 

Clinical hours are divided into two categories: practicum and internship. A minimum of 100 practicum hours are required, with 40 hours spent in direct service with clients. A minimum of 600 internship hours are also required, with a minimum of 240 hours spent in direct service with clients. Direct service hours include time spent with actual clients and activities such as assessment, counseling, psycho-educational activities, and consultation. 

In general, observation and administrative tasks generally do not count toward the direct service supervised clinical hours requirements.

Program Accreditation for Mental Health Counseling – CACREP

As previously mentioned, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the leading accrediting organization for master’s and doctoral counseling degree programs. 

As of 2023, 916 programs hold CACREP accreditation status, earned through a two-part process: a self-assessment and a peer assessment. Programs are evaluated and must demonstrate that their mission, curriculum, and teaching standards meet the high standards of excellence. 

Notably, CACREP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Nine of the 90 CACREP-accredited PhD programs in counseling are offered online, and six are featured below.

Featured CACREP-Accredited Online PhD & EdD Programs in Mental Health Counseling

Here are six featured CACREP-accredited online PhD programs in counseling. 

Adams State University

The PhD in counselor education and supervision program at Adams State University is designed to prepare counseling professionals for future positions in leadership. Through academic and clinical coursework, graduates are prepared for future clinical, research, or leadership careers in counseling. 

Students in this 66-semester hour, fully-online program begin their program in a cohort and must complete four one-week summer residencies. This curriculum meets Colorado state standards for licensure, but prospective students are urged to research the requirements for counseling licensure in the state they plan to work after graduation. 

• Location : Alamosa, CO
• Duration : Four years
• Accreditation : CACREP
• Tuition : $357 per credit 

Oregon State University (Hybrid)

Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Oregon State University offers a PhD program in counseling that prepares graduates to work as advanced practitioners, clinical supervisors, and counselor educators. This doctoral program emphasizes academic, professional, and research mastery. 

Applicants to this program must have a master’s in counseling or a closely-related discipline to complete their PhD coursework. Taught in a cohort model, this hybrid program requires online coursework and face-to-face classes twice each quarter, which meets on weekends. Graduates from this program go on to work in clinical and academic settings.

• Location : Corvallis, OR
• Duration : 3-5 years
• Tuition : $590 per credit 

Regent University

Regent University offers a fully-online 66-semester-hour PhD program in counselor education and supervision to teach students to explore, research, and innovate to transform mental health. This Christian program features three instructional residencies and real-world experience to help graduates apply faith-based interventions as educators, scholars, and clinical practitioners. 

Residency requirements are two weeks long and provide in-person networking and mentoring opportunities for students and faculty. 

• Location : Virginia Beach, VA
• Duration : Approximately three years
• Tuition : $900 per credit

Shippensburg University (Hybrid)  

Offering a part-time 60-credit program, Shippensburg University offers an EdD in counselor education and supervision. This hybrid program features online classes and on-campus courses on Saturdays—a format that allows current clinical practitioners with master’s degrees to maintain part-time or full-time employment while pursuing a doctoral degree. 

Students in this program take courses together in a cohort model for three years, and additional semesters may be required to complete dissertation defense requirements. This program meets the requirements for counseling licensure in Pennsylvania. 

• Location : Shippensburg, PA
• Tuition : $699 per credit (residents); $1,046 per credit (non-residents)

University of the Cumberlands  

Focused on preparing graduates for research and higher education careers, the University of the Cumberlands offers a 66-credit PhD program in counselor education and supervision. Students in this program can specialize in addiction counseling, advanced counseling, or leadership. 

The curriculum consists of three essential components: leadership, professional research and clinical, and specialty area content courses. Graduates from this program pursue careers as research and counseling psychologists, compliance officers, and post-secondary instructors in higher education. 

• Location : Williamsburg, KY
• Tuition : $449 per credit

Walden University  

Since 1970, Walden University has offered distance learning opportunities, so it is no surprise that it is one of the eight accredited universities offering an online PhD in counselor education and supervision. This program is designed for CACREP-accredited master’s degree holders in counseling who want to pursue roles in administration, teaching, private practice, or research. 

To help students meet their professional goals, Walden University offers seven areas of specialization: general program, advanced methods, consultation, counseling and social change, forensic mental health counseling, leadership and program evaluation, and trauma and crisis. 

• Location : Minneapolis, MN
• Duration : Three to five years
• Tuition : $605 per credit

Professors to Know in Mental Health Counseling

Dr. Laura Bruneau  

Dr. Laura Bruneau has a BA in psychology from Miami University, an MEd in community counseling, and a PhD in counselor education and supervision from Kent State University. 

Her specialty areas of interest at Adams State University include creativity in counseling, therapeutic reading, animal-assisted therapy, women’s issues, and counseling children. She has held counseling licenses in Ohio and Colorado and is registered with Pet Partners Team and Registered Reading Education.

Dr. Shay Carper  

University of the Cumberlands

Dr. Shay Carper is an adjunct professor at the University of Cumberlands Department of Counseling. She is a licensed counselor educator and licensed professional counselor. She earned a PhD in counselor education from Sam Houston University in 2019. Dr. Carper holds certification as a Global Career Development Facilitator. 

Dr. Carper’s research focuses include accessing and addressing implicit racial bias in higher education and mental health awareness. Her dissertation, published in 2019, is titled: “The lived experiences of Black master-level graduate students enrolled in predominantly White counseling programs in Texas: A transcendental phenomenological approach.”

Dr. Kok-Mun Ng  

Oregon State University

Specializing in mental health counseling and couples and family counseling, Dr. Kok-Mun Ng is a professor and core faculty member of the College of Education at Oregon State University. He holds a BS in applied geology from the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, multiple master’s degrees (including an MEd in community counseling from the University of North Texas), and a PhD in counselor education and supervision from Texas A&M University. 

In addition to his credentials, his area of research and teaching emphasis includes training, supervision, and professional identity in the development of counselors, theories, and practices of multicultural and social justice advocacy in counseling, and the internationalization of counseling. 

Jobs for Mental Health Counseling PhDs

As previously mentioned, those with a PhD in counseling can look forward to various career paths in teaching, administration, and clinical counseling. Here are three jobs for graduates of counselor education and supervision programs. 

Become an Assistant/Associate Professor of Counseling Education and Supervision 

Colleges of arts and science and education hire PhD degree-holders to teach courses for their counselor education and supervision programs. Assistant professors are responsible for teaching, research, and professional development. Some tenure-track positions may lead to permanent associate professor positions. Visiting assistant professor positions are also available for those who want to explore teaching options at different universities. 

Depending on job requirements, applicants may need proof of licensure and previous teaching and research experience. The BLS (2022) shows that opportunities for postsecondary teachers nationally are growing 12 percent (2021 to 2031), more than twice as fast as the national average.

Become a Compliance Officer

A career that spans several sectors and disciplines, compliance officers are responsible for examining, evaluating, and investigating eligibility for laws and regulations concerning contracts, licenses, inspections, and permits. Degree holders in counseling education and supervision may be qualified to work in public schools or healthcare facilities to ensure that educational and mental health services are administered fairly and within the prescribed scope of practice at the state and federal levels. 

Depending on the employer, certification may be required for these positions. The BLS (May 2022) shows that most compliance officers work in the federal executive branch of the government and earn an average annual salary of $76,980.

Become a Psychologist

In a career that can include clinical and research components, psychologists work one-on-one with individuals or families in private practice or mental health facilities, or research facilities. Depending on qualifications, a clinical psychologist may provide general behavioral health support or specialized services through educational counseling, couples counseling, addiction issues, grief and loss, or eating disorders. Research psychologists may evaluate patients individually for cognitive assessments for patient or research purposes. 

Psychologists may have state licensing requirements to fulfill before applying for certain jobs. The BLS (2022) shows job openings in psychology are growing as fast as the national average at 6 percent between 2021 and 2031, creating a demand for 11,300 new positions.

Rachel Drummond, MEd

Rachel Drummond has used her expertise in education and mindfulness to guide aspiring counselors since 2020. Her work emphasizes the importance of integrating reflective mindfulness into counseling techniques, helping readers understand how mental and physical well-being can enhance their professional practice and personal development in counseling.

Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog , inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.

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Home / Counseling Degree / Online Ph.D. Doctorate Degree in Counseling

Online Ph.D. Doctorate Degree in Counseling

A doctorate degree is known as a “terminal” qualification. That is, you cannot go higher than this – it’s the top qualification for experts in any field. It can take many years to complete, is research heavy (though there will be some degree of seminar discussions and teaching), and is student-led. Doctorate degrees are typically taken after a master’s degree, though some exceptional students can jump straight to a doctorate from a bachelor’s degree. To enter into the most prestigious counseling careers, completing a doctorate degree such as a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology is an excellent pathway.

2024 - Best Ph.D. Doctorate Degree in Counseling Programs

What are the various doctorate degree in counseling specialties, can i get a ph.d. doctorate degree in counseling online, counseling degrees at every level, what can i expect in an online doctorate degree in counseling program, how much does a ph.d. doctorate degree in counseling cost, popular counseling specialties, list of counseling doctorate degree programs.

Researching and applying to online psychology doctorate degree programs can get pretty exhausting pretty fast. College websites aren’t always the easiest to scan for information, and even after reading about a particular program, you may still be left with many questions. Luckily, we’ve been doing this for a while and we’ve developed a few methods along the way that make researching programs a little easier. If you’re interested in the ways we accomplish our research, feel free to take a look at our Rankings Methodology page for more information.

Georgia State University

Learners seeking to teach in the counseling profession can obtain their Counselor Education and Practice Ph.D. from Georgia State University. The on-campus offering includes experiences in human growth and development, psychological assessment, and multicultural counseling.

University of the Cumberlands

Practicing counselors looking to teach or lead can transition careers with an Online PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of the Cumberlands. The research-heavy doctorate program includes clinical supervision and leadership components.

Florida Atlantic University

Experienced, licensed counselors seeking to advance to leadership roles within their larger profession can attain their PhD in Counseling from Florida Atlantic University. The degree has specialties in Leadership and Supervision, School Counseling, Children and Family, and more.

Ph.D. doctorate degrees in counseling come in several specialty areas. These include:

• Doctorate in Addiction Counseling
• Doctorate in Biblical Counseling
• Doctorate in Genetic Counseling
• Doctorate in Marriage & Family Therapy

You can complete a doctorate via distance learning. In fact, it's highly suited to attaining a terminal degree due to the level of self-guidance and research. Seminars and contact time with professors can be accomplished via the internet.

If you've worked in the field for many years and now have a family or full-time job that you wish to work the doctorate around, it's entirely possible. Again, with the flexibility of a counseling Ph.D. program, you can spread this over eight or many more years.

The main disadvantage, as with any other type of qualification, is the lack of contact time with peers and other doctorate students.

From entry-level to advanced, there's a counseling degree for your needs.

Learn more about the different online and campus-based counseling degrees available to you.

All Counseling Degrees

Doctorates (or doctoral degrees) are targeted to specific niche areas. They go even deeper than a master's degree to develop expert-level knowledge of niches. Doctorate research subjects are chosen by the student who has identified either a gap in the knowledge or a problem that they think they can research and answer.

Counseling Ph.D. programs don't follow the typical pattern of study through coursework – most of the work is self-guided with professors on hand. However, most will have group seminars and one-on-one guidance.

What Are the Doctorate Degree in Counseling Admission Requirements?

Doctoral programs expect applicants to have minimum entry requirements which differ slightly from other degree types:

• A master's degree ( bachelor’s degree in exceptional circumstances) in a relevant subject – counseling, psychology etc.
• Academic transcripts
• A GRE may be required in some cases
• Letter of recommendation for a Ph.D. from a university professor
• A statement of purpose detailing what you intend to research (and how) to obtain your doctorate
• You may be required to submit your MA dissertation and any other project work
• Applicants from outside the US will be required to provide proof of English proficiency ( TOEFL , IELTS , etc.) unless they come from an exempt country
• International students may also be asked to formally translate their qualifications to equivalents relevant to the U.S. education system

What Is the Length of a Doctorate Degree in Counseling?

A Ph.D. in counseling can take many years, though five or six years is fairly typical for doctoral candidates working at a regular pace. The most commonly cited term is seven to eight years. Due to its flexible nature, you may work around full-time employment and family commitments while your thesis progresses.

Doctorate programs are the highest level of qualification in any field. Due to their intensity and earning capability, they are therefore the most expensive programs you can study. Typically students pay per year, or a total amount spread out over the duration of the program.

Students can expect to pay anywhere from $35,000 to upwards of $100,000 for a counseling Ph.D. program, with most falling in the $50,000 range. Tuition costs fluctuate based on school, location, in-state or out-of-state residency, specialty/concentration, and many other factors. Military veterans may be eligible for discounted tuition rates.

There are many ways for doctoral students to pay for their counseling Ph.D. program. Most of the funding will come in the form of research grants and funding from the university. The figures are high, but you will rarely pay the total cost yourself – you may also "pay" in the form of your labor, working for the university in teaching support or as a research assistant.

There are also full scholarships that will essentially cover everything – living costs, research funding, and other necessary expenses for those who are eligible. Check your school of choice for scholarship and financial aid information.

Counseling careers are available in a range of specializations, whether you are interested in working with groups, individuals, couples, and more. The following are some popular specialties - visit our Counseling Careers page for more.

School Counselor

School Counselors provide academic, career, and personal counseling services to students in elementary, middle, and high schools. They also collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to promote student success and support their emotional and social well-being.

Couples Counselor

Couples Counselors help partners through difficult life periods such as infidelity, separation, divorce, and other relationship strains.

Substance Abuse Counselor

Those needing help with addictions to alcohol, drugs, and more can find help and support by working with a Substance Abuse/Addictions Counselor .

Find an online or campus-based Ph.D. doctorate degree program in Counseling today – our state-by-state listings make it easy to find a great program near you.

Jump to Your State Listings

Eastern university.

• PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy Online

Texas Wesleyan University

• Marriage and Family Therapy, Ph.D Campus

University of Minnesota.

• PhD in Couple & Family Therapy Specialization Campus

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universit

• Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration Campus

Amridge University

• Doctor of Ministry in Family Therapy II Online
• Doctor of Ministry in Family Therapy I Online
• PhD in Professional Counseling Online

Huntingdon College

• Doctor of Occupational Therapy Campus

University of West Alabama

• Education Specialist (Non-Certification) Counseling Online

Fuller Theological Seminary

• Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy Campus

Loma Linda University

• Systems, Families, and Couples (PhD) Campus

Atlantic Coast Seminary

• Doctor of Pastoral Counseling Campus

Colorado Theological Seminary

• PhD in Clinical Pastoral Counseling Online

Florida State University

• Marriage and Family Therapy Campus

Nova Southeastern University

• Serious Mental Illness Concentration Campus

University of Georgia

• Behavioral and Brain Sciences Doctoral Program-Health Psychology Concentration Campus

Atlantic International University

• Doctorate in Addiction Counseling Online

Chaminade University of Honolulu

• Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology - Mental Health Counseling Online

Boise State University

• Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision Campus

Northern Illinois University

• Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision Campus

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago

• Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision Online

Indiana State University

• Counselor Education & Supervision (Ph.D.) Campus

Iowa State University

• Counseling Psychology Campus

University of Iowa

• Couple and Family Therapy Campus

Murray State University

• EdD in P-20 and Community Leadership Online

University of Kentucky

University of louisville.

• Ph.D. in Counseling & Personnel Services (College Student Personnel) Campus
• Ph.D. in Counseling and Personnel Services: specialization Counselor Education and Supervision Campus
• Ph.D. in Counseling & Personnel Services (Educational Psychology, Measurement, and Evaluation) Campus
• Online Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision Online

University of Louisiana at Monroe

• Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with a concentration in Systemic Studies Online

Loyola University Maryland

• Pastoral Counseling, PhD Hybrid

Massachusetts

Lesley university.

• Counseling & Psychology: Transformative Leadership, Education, & Applied Research Campus

Capella University

• Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision Online

The University of Montana

• Counselor Education & Counseling PhD Campus

Kean University

• Counseling and Supervision (Ph.D.) Campus

University of New Mexico-Main Campus

• Counselor Education, Ph.D. Campus

North Carolina

Gardner-webb university.

• Doctorate of Pastoral Care and Counseling Campus

North Carolina A & T State University

• Rehabilitation Counseling and Counselor Education Campus

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

• Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy and Human Development with a-Concentration in Counseling and Counselor Education Campus

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

• Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision i Campus

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

• Counseling and Counselor Education, Ph.D. Campus

Ohio State University-Main Campus

• Counselor Education, Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies Campus

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

• Counselor Education PhD Campus

University of Toledo

• Counselor Education Program Campus

Oregon State University

• PhD in Counseling Campus

Pennsylvania

Indiana university of pennsylvania-main campus.

• Counselor Education and Supervision, PhD Campus

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

• Counselor Education and Supervision, EdD Campus

University of Pittsburgh

• PhD in Human Genetics with a focus in genetic counselingU Campus

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

• Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Campus

South Carolina

University of south carolina-columbia, belmont university.

• Mental Health Counseling, Ph.D. Campus

Lee University

• Doctor of Philosophy, Marriage and Family Therapy Campus

Tennessee Technological University

• Counseling & Supervision Ph.D. Campus

Trevecca Nazarene University

• Clinical Counseling: Teaching and Supervision Online

University of Memphis

• Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Campus

Christian Bible Institute and Seminary

Sam houston state university.

• Ph.D. program in Counselor Education Campus

Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

• Counselor Education, PhD Campus

Texas Christian University

• Ph.D. in Counseling & Counselor Education Campus
• Educational Studies: Counseling and Counselor Education Ph.D. Campus

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

• Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Counseling Campus

The University of Texas at San Antonio

University of houston, brigham young university.

• Marriage, Family, & Human Development Campus
• Marriage & Family Therapy Campus

Hampton University

Liberty university.

• Counselor Education and Supervision Campus

Old Dominion University

• Ph.D. in Education - Counseling Concentration Campus

Regent University

• Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Addictions Counseling Online
• Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies - Biblical Counseling Online
• Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies - Pastoral Counseling Online
• Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision Campus
• Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Marriage & Family Ministry Online

University of Virginia-Main Campus

• Community Psychology Campus

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral Program Campus

William & Mary

• Ph.D. - Counselor Education Campus

Antioch University-Seattle

• PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision Campus

Mount Mary University

University of wyoming.

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.

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Mental health counseling, phd.

• Westchester

This PhD in Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Next Generation Leaders

This program is designed to train mental health counselors in advanced clinical and supervisory skills, prepare counselors to conduct research that will further the profession’s knowledge base, and foster the next generation of leaders who will be teachers and advocates for the mental health counseling profession across the country.

Advance your education

• Students emerge as highly skilled professionals in therapeutic practice and research, well-positioned to be leaders in the field and advocates for their clients and the profession.
• Master-level students gain advanced professional training, opportunities for intensive research, and opportunities to significantly advance the field of mental health.
• Specializations include grief counseling, substance abuse counseling, and positive psychotherapy and counseling.

Take Courses Like…

Throughout the curriculum, you’ll receive intensive training focused on advanced clinical issues, counseling education, supervision, and research focused on the promotion of mental health and the counseling profession.

Graduates leave the program equipped with a solid foundation in counseling built upon a combination of coursework, fieldwork, seminars, and guided research.

• MHC 731 Theories and Methods of Counselor
• MHC 732 Theories and Methods of Counselor Supervision
• MHC 831 Doctoral Dissertation Seminar I

Add Opportunities And Experiences

A small and selective program—accepting approximately 10 students per academic year—means small classes, in which students are exposed to evidence-based counseling approaches for demographically and clinically diverse populations.

Students work closely with faculty to develop and carry out independent research projects culminating in a doctoral dissertation. These activities are designed to integrate counseling intervention and research skills training, preparing graduates for a variety of counseling, policy-based, advocacy, teaching, and research careers.

The Department of Psychology’s strong community of faculty, professionals, and alumni in the field of mental health equip doctoral students with an established network of support. Both faculty and alumni hold key leadership positions in the New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA).

Each semester, the department offers a speaker series inviting leading researchers and professionals to talk about current and pertinent issues in the field.

“This unique doctoral program will provide mental health professionals with the opportunity to take their training and knowledge to the next level in a way that will help them stand apart from the crowd. In essence, we are seeking to develop the next wave of leaders in counseling that will help significantly advance the study and treatment of mental health.” –Paul Griffin, PhD, Department Chair

Professional Associations

Students and faculty can interact, join, and present at regional, state, and national association conferences. This includes developing partnerships to conduct critical research on topics impacting individuals seeking mental health counseling services and beyond. Faculty have a longstanding and collaborative relationship with the following key organizations, allowing them to guide students in establishing professional connections during their time in the program.

• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• American Counseling Association-New York (ACA-NY)
• American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
• New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA)
• Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
• North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NARACES)
• New York Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)

Choose Your Career

Career options.

The PhD program prepares candidates for a multitude of growing careers, including:

• Community mental health
• Mental health policymaking
• Private practice
• University teaching

What You Need to Know

Students who substantially meet the following requirements will be invited to an interview with the departmental admission screening committee:

• An earned master’s degree in mental health counseling with a curriculum equivalent to that of Pace University’s 60-credit graduate master of science program in mental health counseling.
• Earned graduate-level GPA of 3.6 or higher.
• Submitted letters of recommendation, personal statement, and official academic transcripts.
• Students are required to complete 100 clinical hours in a supervised clinical setting for MHC 710: Doctoral Practicum in Mental Health Counseling
• Students are required to complete 600 internship hours of supervised experiences in at least three of the five doctoral core areas (counseling, teaching, supervision, research and scholarship, leadership and advocacy) for MHC 725 & MHC 726: Doctoral Internship I & II
• Be eligible for New York State limited permit in mental health counseling.
• Obtained a limited permit in New York State.
• Be licensed in mental health counseling in New York State.
• Be licensed in mental health counseling in a state other than New York.

CACREP Annual Assessment Reports

MS and PhD Programs in Mental Health Counseling-Field Placement Site Supervisor Training (PDF) Please read and review the PowerPoint Training and the MS and/or corresponding PhD Field Placement Practicum and Internship Handbook as part of our CACREP Accreditation Requirement.

MS and PhD Programs in Mental Health Counseling Field Placement Site Supervisor Training Verification (PDF) Site supervisors are required to complete this form each semester that they sponsor MS and/or PhD Practicum or Internship students as part of our CACREP Accreditation Requirement.

• Meet Program Faculty
• PhD Student Handbook
• PhD Field Placement Practicum and Internship Handbook
• PhD Program of Study Curriculum Worksheet
• Dissertation Template

The following is Pace University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program's annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five-point scale which is constituted as:

• Ineffective
• Somewhat Ineffective
• Very Effective

Program goals are baselined at a minimum standard of 80% to designate “meeting standard” or above. Our students continued to receive high quality academic instruction, strong clinical practicum experiences, and internship professional roles among five doctoral core areas, including:

• Supervision
• Research and scholarship
• Leadership and advocacy.

99% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives. Again, 99% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective, or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2022–2023 (PDF)

99% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives. 100% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective, or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2021-2022 (PDF)

The following is Pace University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program’s annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

• Somewhat Effective

Our previous program goals have been baselined at a minimum standard of 85% to designate “meeting standard” or above. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, while students continued to receive high quality academic instruction, strong clinical practicum experiences, and internship professional roles among five doctoral core areas, including: (1) counseling; (2) supervision; (3) teaching; (4) research and scholarship; (5) leadership and advocacy, all transitioned to remote platforms. The results of our annual Program Objectives assessment were impacted due to classes and field placements transitioning to remote platforms. This resulted in all of our constituencies adapting to multiple modalities, including academic instruction, clinical telehealth services and provisions, and remote supervision. Several of our students needed to secure new practicum placements and/or professional roles for internship as their original sites either fully paused services or could not support the requirements associated with CACREP standards and/or New York State Office of the Professions regulations. As such, we have adjusted our baseline minimum standard from 85% to 80% for this academic year to reflect these adjustments. Additionally, we have also included Adequate, Effective, and Very Effective in the five-point scale to calculate our aggregate outcome. While this baseline adjustment has been made, the program will continue to document, review and report any changes based on the 85% original baseline.

97% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2020-21 (PDF)

The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five point scale which is constituted as:

• Very Effective.

Program goals are baselined at a minimum standard of 85% to designate “meeting standard” or above.

97% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2019-20 (PDF)

Part I: Narrative

During the 2018-2019 academic year, the faculty and staff of the Doctor of Philosophy programs in Mental Health Counseling at Pace University conducted an annual review of the program. The program’s core objectives remain focused on fostering student development in advanced clinical and supervisory skills, training them to become proficient researchers that will advance knowledge on issues pertaining to mental health and counseling, and to promote future leaders of the profession who will serve as both educators and advocates. Past and current students’ dissertations have examined key issues in clinical mental health counseling and counselor education. To assist them in their studies, graduate assistantships and adjunct teaching assignments continue to be offered to doctoral students in the department. Based on the feedback that we received during the CACREP Site Visit in May 2018, the changes outlined below were implemented:

• MHC 707: Qualitative Methods in Counseling Research (4 credits)
• MHC 710: Doctoral Practicum in Mental Health Counseling (4 credits)
• MHC 726: Doctoral Internship II in Mental Health Counseling (0 credits)
• MHC 734: Advanced Theory & Practice of Counseling (4 credits)

Additionally, the department modified the following course curriculum to include Leadership and Advocacy (CACREP Section 6 Standard B 5.d.-Accreditation): MHC 733: Leadership & Advocacy in Mental Health Counseling

Further, the MHC 710: Doctoral Practicum in Mental Health Counseling course at the master’s level is now a significant preparation for our program. Michael Tursi, Ph.D. (from the counselor education doctoral program at the University of Rochester) continues to advance our practicum and internship courses, including MHC 725: Doctoral Internship I in Mental Health Counseling and MHC 726: Doctoral Internship II in Mental Health Counseling. Both courses are significantly structured and students’ progress is documented throughout.

Part II: Graduates and Pass, Completion, and Job Placement Rates

• Number of Graduates: 6
• Program Completion Rate: 100% for the 2018-2019 academic year
• Estimate of Job Placement Rates: Many of our students enter our program either as licensed and/or certified counselors, limited permit holders, and/or apply for permits in mental health counseling while enrolled. The graduates who complete their doctorate in May 2019, are employed either full time or part in mental health counseling settings, school setting, and/or teach as adjuncts in counseling or related areas.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2018-19 (PDF)

During the 2017-2018 academic year, the faculty and staff of the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Pace University conducted an annual review of the program.

We focused on following up on emphasizing ethical standards in the key practice courses within the program. We have included this focus as it relates to internships, practicum experiences, as well as other courses. We stress the importance of ethics and multicultural diversity in the foundations course, the introductory counseling courses, as well as the group counseling, family counseling, social and cultural foundations, and the elective LGBTQA+ course.

In the past year, the practicum course has evolved into a robust preparation for the internship courses. Dr. Michael Tursi, a new addition to our department with a doctorate in counselor education from the University of Rochester, has brought fresh perspectives into this course as well as into the doctoral-level internship course.

Finally, the department determined that additional faculty in the field of mental health counseling was needed. We have hired two new full-time faculty in the counselor education field to start in the Fall 2018 semester.

• Number of Graduates: 27
• # tested: 5
• # passed: 3
• # passed: 5
• Program Completion Rate: 100% for 2017-18 Academic Year
• Estimate of Job Placement Rates: Approximately 60% of our graduates are currently employed in a counseling or a counseling-related capacity.

View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2017-18 (PDF)

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Select your program and we'll help guide you through important information as you prepare for the application process.

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Connect with us

A team of dedicated enrollment counselors is standing by, ready to answer your questions and help you get started.

• PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision

Counselor Education and Supervision Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision

As a counselor, you know how important mentors and positive professional role models can be. Capella University offers groundbreaking online learning combined with in-person experiences that can help you develop your inner mentor and advance as a leader in counseling.

Our CACREP-accredited PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program can help you advance as a practitioner, leader, clinical supervisor, educator, and researcher. This program offers you a way to practice real-world application of theories with hands-on experience during your practicum and internship courses. You'll build your skills in counseling, teaching, research, leadership, advocacy, and supervision.

Begin dissertation prep early

Take what you learn and apply it to real-world situations in your practicum and internships.

Practicum/internship

Focus on developing advanced counseling, clinical supervision, teaching, leadership, and research skills.

Strategic alignment

Our curriculum is designed to incorporate the values, principles, and ethical standards of national, regional, and state professional counseling associations and honor societies.

Apply today with no application fee.

At a glance

• Online and in-person
• 12 core courses
• Internships
• Advanced doctoral phase
• CACREP-accredited

Reduce your tuition by $5,000

Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree.

Courses and skills

Explore counselor education and supervision courses.

• This program requires a total of 72 quarter credits
• You’ll need to complete 12 core courses in addition to two internship courses, a practicum, and dissertation requirements.

Your work toward completion of this CACREP-accredited counselor education and supervision PhD features an in-depth study of doctoral-level instructional delivery in advanced counseling practice/therapy, counseling supervision, teaching, research, leadership, and advocacy.

View all courses

What you'll learn

This program is designed to prepare counseling professionals for advanced clinical practice, leadership, teaching, and supervisory roles. Build your skills in multiple methods of graduate-level instructional delivery in counseling, clinical supervision, leadership, and advocacy.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

• Apply principles supporting personal and professional development, modeling exemplary comportment
• Conduct valid, reliable, and ethical research that contributes to the knowledge base for the field of counselor education and supervision
• Evaluate current theories and practices of the counseling profession to promote evidence-based practice, supervision, and teaching
• Advocate for social justice and the advancement of professional counseling
• Apply professional codes of ethics, cultural competence, and legal standards to counselor education and supervision practice
• Communicate professionally and effectively with diverse individuals and groups through written, verbal and electronic formats

Review the Capella career exploration guide  to learn more about this program and professional paths to explore.

Tuition and learning format

How much does the phd in counselor education and supervision cost.

The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.

A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

• Based on the quarter system; 1-2 courses per 10-week quarter
• 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
• Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
• Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term

$730  per credit, 60  coursework credits, 0 max transfer credits

Learn more about GuidedPath »

Tuition breakdown

Program phases.

$730 Per quarter credit

60 coursework credits

Per quarter credit

12 credits of practicum and internship included in program costs. Travel, lodging, meals and other expenses not included.

Dissertation

$2,920 Per quarter

Per quarter

Resource kit fee

$175 Per quarter

Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials

Application fee

$0 no application fee

no application fee

Tuition and program length are unique to you

Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:

• The program specialization you choose
• Scholarships and finances
• Prior coursework
• Employer and/or military benefits
• Amount of time spent working on practicum
• Number of quarters spent working on dissertation
• Complexity of your dissertation
• Academic performance
• School/work/life balance
• Unexpected life events

About cost scenarios

The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2024–25 Capella tuition rates and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing and pricing information is current as of Jan. 1, 2024. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel, and food expenses.

To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.

Cost scenarios

*Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details.

Get the details

Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.

Scholarships and savings

Are there scholarships available for doctoral degrees.

Your education is an investment in your future that's within reach. There are  more ways to save  than you might think.

Federal grants

The U.S. Department of Education provides grants that can be used to pay for education expenses, including doctoral program tuition and fees.

Employer & association discounts

If your employer or organization is a Capella network partner, you may be eligible for a discount. Ask your employer what offers are available.

$5K toward your doctorate

Apply for a  $5K scholarship Capella Progress Reward , a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree.

Accredited and recognized

Capella is accredited by the higher learning commission..

Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our  accreditations  and  recognitions .

CACREP Program/Learner Outcomes Data for Capella University 2022-2023 CEU Annual Report

How to apply, phd in counselor education and supervision admission requirements.

Applicants must provide the following information for  admission  to Capella programs and specializations:

• A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
• Completion of a CACREP-accredited curriculum equivalent master's degree program 
• Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
• 2 Letters of recommendation completed by supervisor, faculty member and professional colleague
• An extended goal statement and writing sample. Your Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

International Student Requirements

If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.

In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:

• Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
• Transcript evaluation

Learn more about  international student admissions .

Faculty and support

What support does capella offer online students.

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces that build on one another to help you earn your doctorate. You’ll have support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.

Doctoral faculty

Work with faculty members who have years of experience and specialize in their areas of expertise throughout each phase of your program, including literature review and implementation planning.

Enrollment counselors

These experts will set you up for success. They’ll help you find the right degree program and answer all your questions about Capella.

Academic coaches

Through quarterly appointments and as-needed counseling sessions, these specialists introduce you to Capella and help you tailor your program to your personal goals and experiences.

Articles and resources

Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.

How to Choose a Career in the Helping Profession

The options for working in the helping profession are seemingly endless, but if you’ve done some exploration, you know that each professional path requires a different type of educational focus.

Collaborative Efforts in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, and Social Work

An overview of similarities, differences, and collaborative opportunities in these related fields.

What’s it like to be a doctoral student?

What does it take to earn a doctoral degree? Learn more about the experience and explore each step of the journey.

Career exploration

What can you do with a phd in counselor education and supervision degree.

Graduates of this program are prepared to work as counselor educators, clinical supervisors, leaders, researchers, and advanced practitioners in academic and clinical settings. This specialization requires coursework and clinical experience.

Related job titles to explore*

• Counselor educator
• Adjunct or part-time counseling faculty
• Full-time counseling faculty
• Counselor supervisor

Employment settings to explore

• Inpatient facility
• Government – local, state, federal
• Community mental health center
• Day treatment hospital
• Psychiatric hospital
• Land-based or online college or university
• College counseling center
• Residential treatment center
• Mental health agency
• Private/group practice

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.

Take the first step toward earning your degree and achieving your goals. {page-tel}

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Mental Health Counseling, Ph.D.

• Mental Health Counseling, PhD

In This Section

• Admissions & Aid

Why a Ph.D. in Counseling? 

Keeping with Belmont’s understanding of its mission within the context of Christian higher education, this degree program will train master’s level mental health professionals to accomplish their goals—becoming doctoral level professors and/or practitioners ready to train tomorrow’s mental health professionals or highly-skilled clinicians who work with clients within a variety of settings across the mental health care continuum.

The program helps mental health professionals enhance their counseling and research skills to improve treatment efficacy while exploring connections between personal spiritual beliefs, biases and client diversity.

Drawing students from a variety faith backgrounds, Belmont’s diverse faculty and staff with varied life experiences and educational backgrounds represent an ecumenical approach to the Christian faith which focuses on hospitality and inclusion. Their diversity of thought will challenge you to think differently and prepare you for the variety of clients you will encounter in professional practice.

This degree is distinctive among contemporary doctoral counseling programs in that it embodies advanced spiritual and pastoral theological understandings of the care of human beings in addressing the depth and complexity of human suffering.

What You'll Learn 

The PhD in Mental Health Counseling is designed to train leaders, teachers and researchers in the field of mental health counseling who can integrate the most advanced scientific resources of the field with a comprehensive understanding of human spiritualities and their impact on the health and wellness of the diverse populations composing society.

The program consists of two tracks, each leading to a different professional field of service. The Advanced Clinical Practice track is designed to allow currently licensed mental health professionals to become leaders in the field of clinical practice by advancing their knowledge and skills to the doctoral level and by developing the specialty area of spiritually integrated counseling/psychotherapy in their practice. The Counselor Education and Supervision track is designed to prepare persons for careers in higher education and research with specialization in the role of spirituality in human life and development.

Available Tracks

Advanced clinical practice add.

Advanced Clinical Practice: 55 Semester Credit Hours This track provides academic training for practicing mental health professionals to serve as highly skilled clinicians in many settings including private practices, community mental health agencies, addiction recovery centers, research agencies, behavioral health agencies, government mental health positions and research centers, among others. Students will learn advanced skills and research practices beyond those achieved at the master’s and basic licensure level to assist families, children and individuals facing a variety of mental health challenges.

Download the degree plan

Counselor Education & Supervision add

Counselor Education & Supervision: 57 Semester Credit Hours

This track provides the academic training for counselors to work as faculty in higher education, serve as clinical supervisors training the next generation of counselors or serve as highly skilled mental health practitioners in a variety of mental health counseling practices.

Emphasis is placed on teaching, researching, supervision and practice.

Method of Instruction

The Ph.D. in Counseling at Belmont University is primarily taught online with some face-to-face components. At least once each semester, students will come to Belmont’s campus for an intensive weekend of face-to-face instruction. All other components of the program will be conducted virtually.

Career Possibilities

• Private Practice Therapist
• Counselor in a non-profit
• Counselor in a school setting
• Therapist in an agency

Program Details

Minimum degree requirements & courses add.

The program consists of two tracks, each leading to a different professional field of service. There is a range of 55-57 hours required to complete the program.

• Foundational Courses: 33 hours
• Practical Courses: 6 hours
• Counselor Education: 18 hours
• Advanced Clinical Practice: 16 hours

Students in the Counselor Education track are required to complete a practicum and internship consisting of 700 clock hours of counseling and counseling related activities in an approved site or agency as a part of the program. Normally, students will complete 24 semester hours of course work prior to beginning their practicum experience. Students will be required to pass a background check and show proof of approved professional liability insurance prior to beginning the clinical experience component of the program.

See All Program Requirements

 Download the degree plans

Download the Student Handbook

Courses You'll Take

• CTM 6013 Spiritual Development and Religious Experience 

This course is an advanced study of human development focusing on the spiritual and religious dimensions of that process. Students will explore the psychological, sociological, anthropological, historical, phenomenological and theological research and literatures that have contributed to our understandings of this dimension of human life. Special attention will be given to the application of research to clinical practice.

• CTM 6016 Advanced Group Therapy - Theory and Practice 

Building on prior study of group dynamics and therapy, this course is an advanced study of the theory and techniques of group psychotherapy. Students will explore current research and literature in group therapy as well as emerging trends. Special emphasis with be placed on application of research to clinical practice.

• CTM 6015 Mental Health Care in Contemporary Society 

This course is an advanced exploration of the ways in which cultural and contemporary social influences shape how mental health care is conceptualized and practiced. From the taxonomy of mental disorder and its various treatments to the economic and political influences, mental health care is shaped by powerful forces in our society. The course will especially focus on the practitioner’s ethical competencies and professional advocacy responsibilities.

• CTM 6014 Clinical Supervision and Leadership: Theory and Practice

Competent clinical practice requires an intense and extended experience of practice under qualified supervision. This course explores the nature, theories, methods and skills required to provide ethically competent supervision in a culturally diverse society. The course pays particular attention to the supervisor’s responsibilities to the well-being of both clients and the profession of mental health care.

• CTM 6017 Advanced Human Systems in Clinical Practice 

This course is an advanced study of the application of human systems theory in counseling and psychotherapy. Students will explore current research in marital and family therapy. Emphasis of the course is the conceptualization of human suffering and its amelioration from the perspective of the ecology of living systems.

• CTM 6630 Advanced Internship II 

This course provides for counseling expertise in the clinical, supervision, research and teaching setting. The experience includes a minimum of 300 clock hours in this course. Students experience both direct delivery and weekly individual and group supervision.

• CTM 6610 Advanced Practicum 

This course provides for counseling expertise in the clinical, supervision and teaching setting. The experience includes a minimum of 100 clock hours. Students experience both direct delivery and weekly individual and group supervision.

• CTM 6008 Advanced Psychometrics and Assessment 

This course builds on basic psychometric and assessment training. The course will explore advanced principles of test design and clinical use. Multicultural competencies with instrument selection and administration will be emphasized. Different types of assessment are evaluated and conducted. Particular attention is devoted to the psychometric principles of test construction and assessment's use in research.

• CTM 6220 Advanced Qualitative Inquiry

This course allows students the opportunity to apply knowledge of qualitative research methodology. Students apply knowledge of qualitative research designs, sampling methods and other such topics related to research conceptualization, data collection processes, and problem investigation in counseling. Students design and conduct a qualitative research study in this course.

• CTM 6019 Advanced Quantitative Statistical Analysis

This course introduces students to advanced quantitative research methodology and statistics. Students conduct and interpret statistical analysis using SPSS for a variety of quantitative research designs. Students are exposed to ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, MANCOVA, factorial analysis and a variety of other parametric and nonparametric statistics and mixed methods in this course. Special attention is given to choosing appropriate research statistics based on research questions and conducting an appropriate analysis.

• CTM 6007 Advanced Theories of Change 

This course is an advanced inquiry into the theories of change undergirding the many methods and techniques employed by mental health professionals. The course will explore the theories of change in counseling and psychotherapy approaches such as psychodynamic therapies, behavioral therapies, cognitive-behavioral therapies, family systems therapies, as well as newer approaches such as neurolinguistic programing, brain spotting and EMDR.

• CTM 6009 Advanced Vocational Discernment & Counseling 

This course teaches advanced career counseling principles and examines connections between life career development, vocational discernment, spirituality and mental health. Students apply the world of work, career decision-making theories, the process and techniques of career counseling, the interrelationship between career and life balance issues and theories of mental health with clients. Special attention focuses on career development with regard to issues of diversity and multicultural and social justice frameworks.

• CTM 6999 Dissertation

During this course, students work on a major research project, the dissertation, in conjunction with a faculty dissertation committee. Students design a research proposal, submit an IRB, conduct ethical research, analyze data, devise findings and conclusions, and submit a final dissertation manuscript while meeting regularly with the dissertation committee chair and committee members. This course may be repeated for credit until the dissertation committee designates student completion.

• CTM 6018 Qualitative Inquiry 

This course introduces students to qualitative research methodology. Students become familiar with qualitative research designs, sampling methods and other such topics related to research conceptualization, data collection processes, and problem investigation in counseling. Special attention is given to choosing appropriate research designs and methods in qualitative research.

• CTM 6019 Quantitative Statistical Analysis

This course introduces students to quantitative research methodology and statistics. Students become familiar with quantitative research designs, sampling methods and other such topics related to research conceptualization, data collection processes and problem investigation in counseling. Special attention is given to choosing appropriate research designs and methods in quantitative research and analyzing/computing statistical data.

• CTM 6225 Research Seminar 

This seminar allows students to focus on and develop their major research project. Students will be expected to present a formal research proposal during the seminar. Emphasis of the seminar is to identify a researchable problem, design a research project, write a lucid and concise scholarly proposal, and present the research proposal and findings in appropriate technical form. Each student will produce a first draft of a dissertation research proposal.

• CTM 6012 Seminar: Advanced Clinical Practice 

This seminar is an advanced study of mental health practice through an in-depth exploration of the actual practices of the students enrolled. Foci of the seminar will vary from semester to semester depending upon the needs of the group. Topics may include the practice of spiritually integrated psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, the practice of clinical supervision, couples therapy, clinical practice as research laboratory, etc. Students must be engaged in an acceptable clinical practice site throughout the course of the seminar. Adherence to HIPAA regulations will be required.

• CTM 6006 Spiritual Traditions in Global Perspective 

We live in a diverse society saturated with a variety of spiritualities. This course is an advanced study of the diverse manifestations of spirituality brought to the clinical encounter by clients and clinicians alike. Students will engage in an in-depth exploration of the historical backgrounds as well as the diverse social manifestations of spiritualities associated with the wisdom traditions of the world such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity and Indigenous traditions. The course will give special attention to the interface between the clinician’s spirituality and that of the client.

• CTM 6005 Spirituality in the Clinical Encounter 

This course is an advanced study of human spiritual dynamics as they are present in the clinical encounter of mental health counseling. The course will explore ways in which client spirituality informs and is related to assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and techniques adapted to specific client needs. Students will also explore methods for increasing awareness of how their own spiritual development, convictions and identity impact the clinical encounter and outcomes. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of this dimension of clinical practice, the impact of cultural diversity on spirituality and principles of ethical competence in practice.

• CTM 6011 Teaching, Writing & Publishing in the Counseling Field

This course offers practical knowledge on teaching in higher education and teaches professional writing and presenting skills. Students learn how to evaluate topics, submit a conference proposal, design a dissertation proposal, write a dissertation, write a grant proposal, author journal articles and be an effective teacher. The role of a counselor educator with regard to writing and teaching will be examined.

• CTM 6620 Advanced Internship I 

This course provides for counseling expertise in the clinical, supervision, research and teaching setting. The experience includes a minimum of 300 clock hours. Students experience both direct delivery and weekly individual and group supervision.

• CTM 6404 Seminar: Special Topics in Counselor Education 

Special topics in counselor education. This seminar may be repeated for credit with a change in topic.

• CTM 6405 Seminar: Special Topics in Spirituality and Mental Health Practice

Special topics in the relationship of spirituality and mental health practice. This seminar may be repeated for credit with a change in topic.

Matriculation Requirements add

In order to matriculate through the program, students must be admitted, complete all degree and assessment requirements, and apply for graduation.

The following links assist with matriculation through the 55 to 57-hour PhD program from admission to graduation.

• Admissions Requirements
• Courses and Graduation Requirements
• Downloadable Degree Plans
• Student Handbook

Accreditation add

The program is preparing to seek accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Request Information

Ready to apply.

Start Your Application

College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Linda Arce Senior Admissions Coordinator 615.460.6107 Email Linda   Schedule a Call

College Links

Top 10 Best Online Counseling PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)

We rank the best online PhD degree programs in counseling.

Key Takeaways

• A growing number of doctoral level counselor education degrees are available through online programs.
• Students seeking online doctoral-level counselor education and supervision have a number of excellent options to choose from.
• An online counseling PhD program prepares students for careers in marriage and family counseling, community mental health counseling, professional counseling, and more .

Featured Programs

Aspiring counseling PhDs with an interest in becoming mental health counselors, working in marriage and family therapy, providing school counseling services and program evaluation, or providing mental health services through a private practice have several online programs to choose from.

A PhD is considered a terminal degree in counseling education, which means it is the highest degree that you can earn in your field. This means that online doctoral counseling programs can lead to opportunities for leadership, public consultation, research, and post-secondary education in your field.

Online PhD in counseling candidates are typically already working at a high level in the counseling profession. This means that students seeking their doctorate must balance existing work and personal responsibilities with the demands of an advanced counseling program. For many graduate students, online courses and fully online programs provide a way to achieve this balance.

For a look at how the online PhD in counselor education stacks up against traditional on campus programs, check out our look at the Best Research Universities for Psychology Degrees.

Or see the complete List of College Rankings .

Otherwise, read on and learn more about how you can earn a PhD in counseling online through a top-ranked counselor education program.

About Online Doctoral Degree in Counseling Programs

Online doctoral students have plenty of options, but quality and credibility are important when it comes to finding an online PhD. The best online doctor of counseling programs will have proper accreditation:

• Institutional Accreditation : Accreditation is vital for online doctoral programs. It signifies that the online PhD programs offered by the graduate school are in compliance with the standards of a Department of Education-approved accrediting body. A school must also be accredited in order to offer federal financial aid to its online PhD candidates.

When looking for an online doctoral program, seek out options with accreditation from a colleges and schools commission in your region. This stamp of approval is critical for ensuring the quality and credibility of your online program.

• Programmatic Accreditation : In addition to institutional accreditation, be sure that you are only considering online doctorate degree programs with programmatic accreditation. In the field of counseling, graduate degree accreditation is typically granted to both master’s degree and doctoral degree programs by CACREP. Look for CACREP accreditation to identify online graduate programs in counseling.
• Carnegie Classification : The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, or as it is more commonly known, the Carnegie Classification, is a framework for categorizing all accredited, degree-granting institutions in the United States. Originally formulated in 1970 by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and administered through the University of Indiana’s Center for Postsecondary Research since 2014, the Carnegie Classification is “the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education.”

Under this classification, top research universities for doctoral degrees and PhD candidates are identified as either R2: Doctoral Universities for “high research activity” or R1: Doctoral Universities for “very high research activity.” Look for these classifications when considering options for your online Phd programs.

Key Point: The best online doctoral programs will have both institutional and programmatic accreditation.

Admission Requirements for Doctoral-Level Counselor Education

Prospective students will typically be required to submit the following in order to qualify for admission into online counselor PhD programs or related educational programs in psychology:

• A completed online application
• Official undergraduate college transcripts
• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• GRE scores, MAT scores, or GMAT scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal interviews
• Personal statement or essay
• Plan of study

Key Point: In most cases, you’ll be eligible to enter a doctoral degree online after earning a bachelor’s degree. However, some specialized online PhD programs may require you to have earned a master’s degree as well. Be sure you’ve completed all required undergraduate and graduate coursework before applying to your doctoral degree program.

Curriculum and Courses

As with other advanced degree and graduate programs, research is the central component of your online counselor education program. This is true for fully online doctorate degrees as well as hybrid degrees combining online education with traditional on-campus courses. Regardless of whether you complete a traditional, hybrid or online program, the typical time to completion is five to seven years.

The typical components of your online counselor education program may include:

Foundational Courses

Core courses will typically include courses aligned with your concentration including family therapy education, clinical counseling, counseling psychology and more. Other foundational courses will focus on research methods, experimental design, training for leadership positions, ethical and legal issues in counseling, and more. You may be able to complete many of these requirements through online classes.

Examinations for PhD Candidacy

Many online doctoral students are required to complete certain examinations to enter into online PhD candidacy. This will typically occur after you’ve completed one to two years of foundational courses.

Dissertation

In most cases, the central component of your online PhD program will be the completion of your dissertation. After gaining status as an online PhD candidate, you will typically work closely with a professorial advisor or mentor to develop an original research question.

This research question will form the basis of your dissertation—an ongoing project designed to address this research question through applied research. While you will work closely with your advisor or mentor, much of your dissertation will be rooted in independent research. This is especially true for students pursuing an online PhD.

Oral Defense

Upon completion of the written portion of your dissertation—which will typically present the findings from your original research project—you will be expected to defend your findings. This “oral defense” will typically be conducted by a commission of professors and experts in your field. PhD candidates in some online degree programs may be able to conduct this defense via teleconferencing.

Teaching Requirements

Some online PhD programs will also include a teaching component, which will require you to work as an adjunct professor or teacher’s assistant in an undergraduate or graduate school. It may be possible for students in the online doctoral degree program to also serve teaching requirements by instructing online students.

Professional Development

Many accredited programs in counseling require PhD candidates to complete a field practicum as well. This will typically be an internship or residency under clinical supervision in the mental health field. For students otherwise completing their PhD through online coursework, one week summer residencies may be available to complete this component.

Key Point: The online PhD in counseling is a research-focused degree. Your dissertation will be a central part of your online doctoral degree program.

Careers for Students Who Complete an Online Doctoral in Counseling

Online PhD in counseling programs are generally terminal degree programs. This means that students who complete an online PhD in counseling program from a regionally accredited institution are generally eligible for top positions and opportunities in their field. Indeed, many practicing marriage and family therapists, substance abuse counselors, and advanced group counseling professionals do engage in counseling practice with just a master’s degree.

However, many of the top earners in the field are those who apply their counseling education to research endeavors for government agencies as well as those who apply their clinical and supervisory skills in post-secondary educational settings.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , these individuals account for the top 10% of earnings in the field. In 2021, the highest earning counseling professionals earned more than $98,000.

These higher earnings are reflective of the rarified professional opportunities that await those with a PhD in counseling. Working professionals who earn an accredited online doctorate may be eligible to work in the following areas.

• Counseling Practice Research
• Journal Publishing
• Post-Secondary Counselor Education
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Mental Health Policy Consultation
• Clinical Practice
• Organizational Psychology
• Conflict Medication

Key Points: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, counseling students with a doctorate will earn more than graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

What’s the difference between online doctoral degrees and online PhD programs?

Technically, a PhD is a type of doctorate degree. This means that all online PhD candidates are doctoral students. By contrast, not all doctoral students are PhD candidates.

The primary distinction is that doctoral students are primarily focused on putting existing theories into practice. Depending on your chosen field, your online doctoral degree may require participation in an educational leadership program, engagement in clinical practice, work as a resident in a nursing program, and much more.

By contrast, online PhD students are focused on creating new knowledge in their area of study. This usually means that online PhD candidates are focused on introducing new theories, creating research projects around these theories, and presenting new findings that demonstrate a mastery of existing knowledge and the insight to introduce new ideas into the field.

Today, more working professionals than ever before are pursuing both online doctoral degrees and online Phd programs.

The Best Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)

The online counseling PhD programs identified here are ranked based on influence, with weighting for graduation rate and full-time online enrollment.

Liberty University

• #1 Best Christian Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #7 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2024
• #8 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2024
• #9 Best Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #19 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #21 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Math Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
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• #1 Best Online Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Virginia 2024
• #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of Christian Ministry Degree Programs for 2025
• #1 Best Online Associate in Economics
• #1 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Music Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Christian Counseling Degree Programs
• #1 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2024
• #1 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Economics PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #1 Best Online Associate in Education
• #1 Best Online Associate in Mathematics
• #1 Top 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Nursing (BSN) Programs 2025
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2025
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies
• #2 Best Online Associate in Biblical Studies
• #2 Accelerated Online Business Administration PhD Programs (Doctorates)
• #2 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Forensic Psychology Programs
• #2 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Psychology Degree Programs 2024
• #2 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
• #2 How To Get an Online Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Religious Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s of Graphic Arts Degree Programs for 2025
• #2 Top 3 Best Online Economics PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #2 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Psychology Programs
• #2 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Information Technology
• #3 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of English
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Virginia
• #3 Best Online Degrees for a Career in Teaching Ranked 2024
• #3 Best Online History Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
• #3 Best Online Master's in Theology
• #3 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies
• #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Healthcare Administration Masters
• #3 Top 5 Best Online Criminal Justice Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in the District Of Columbia
• #3 Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice PhDs (Doctorates)
• #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2025
• #4 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
• #4 Best Online Associate in Accounting
• #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Virginia
• #4 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
• #4 Top 8 Fastest Accelerated Online Psychology Doctorates (PhDs)
• #4 Best Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Illinois
• #4 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Information Technology PhD Programs
• #4 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #4 Best Online Associate in Psychology
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2025
• #5 The Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Bachelor's Degrees
• #5 Top 20 Easiest Online Degrees from Accredited Schools in 2024
• #5 Top 10 Fastest Accelerated Online PhD in Criminal Justice (Doctorates)
• #5 Best Online Master's Programs in Virginia 2024
• #5 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Information Technology
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Sports Management Degree Programs for 2025
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 2024
• #6 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Accounting Programs
• #6 Best Online Master’s in Biblical Studies
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs
• #7 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
• #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2025
• #7 Best Online Doctorate of Educational Psychology (PhDs) 2024
• #7 Online Colleges That Start Anytime and the Benefits of a Self-Paced Education
• #8 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity 2025
• #8 Best Online Master's in Project Management 2025
• #8 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #8 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
• #8 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates
• #8 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2025
• #9 Most Unusual Doctoral Degrees You Can Earn Online (PhDs)
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
• #9 Best Online Associate's in Physics
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
• #9 Best Online Master's in Biology
• #9 Best Online Associate in Business Administration
• #10 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
• #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Network Administration Degree Programs for 2024
• #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #11 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #11 Best Online Doctorate in Business Administration Degree Programs
• #11 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs
• #11 Best Online Bachelor's of Finance Degree Programs for 2024
• #12 Best Online Master's in Sports Management
• #12 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs
• #14 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting 2025
• #14 Best Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs for 2024
• #14 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs
• #15 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Master's Degrees
• #16 Best Online Associate in Criminal Justice
• #17 Best Online Bachelor’s in Marketing and Advertising Degree Programs for 2024
• #17 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
• #18 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs)
• #18 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #18 Best Online Bachelor's in Computer Science Degree Programs
• #18 Best Online Master’s in Finance
• #21 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity
• #23 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
• #25 Best Online Bachelor's of Economics Degree Programs for 2024
• #25 Best Online Associate in Christian Ministry
• #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Associate's of Counseling Degree Programs
• #2 Fastest Accelerated Online PhDs in Education Degree Programs 2024
• #5 20 Fastest Online Bachelor's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2024
• #5 Top 20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Counseling
• #6 10 Best Accelerated Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #6 How to Earn Your Master's Degree Without Your Bachelor's Degree
• #6 Best College Majors that Offer Accelerated Degree Programs
• #8 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024
• #14 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024

Tuition + fees

Student body

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Liberty University

What do we love about liberty university.

Liberty University is one of the largest Christian universities in the world as well as one of the largest private non-profit universities in the U.S. Much of this size is based on its online enrollment.

Liberty enrolls roughly 15,000 residential students across its 17 colleges, and an additional 80,000 through its extensive online course and degree offerings.

Liberty is noted for the sheer volume of advanced degrees and online degrees earned by its student body. With more than 47,000 students pursuing advanced degrees, Liberty offers an extremely wide range of doctoral programs, including online PhDs in many different disciplines.

One of the top online programs at Liberty is their Online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision.

Wish to attend the world’s largest seminary—Liberty’s Rawlings School of Divinity.

Students who do not identify with Evangelical Christianity.

Hampton University

• #4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #7 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2024
• #8 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2024
• #1 Best Online Associate in Biblical Studies
• #1 Top 3 Best Online Economics PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #2 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
• #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Virginia 2024
• #2 Best Online Associate in Business Management
• #2 Best Online Associate in Business Administration
• #3 Top 20 Most Affordable Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Programs
• #4 Best Online Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #5 Best HBCU Online Programs
• #5 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
• #5 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2024
• #6 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2025
• #7 Best Online Master's Programs in Virginia 2024
• #8 Best Online Bachelor's in Religious Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #8 Best Online Associate in General Studies
• #8 Best Online Master's in Sports Management
• #9 How To Get an Online Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
• #12 Best Online Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
• #12 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #16 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
• #25 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
• #5 10 Best Accelerated Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #16 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Median SAT/ACT

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Hampton University

What do we love about hampton university.

Hampton University is a private HBCU based in Hampton, Virginia. Founded in 1868 by a joint commission of Black and White leaders, Hampton was established with the mission of educating freedmen in the immediate aftermath of the U.S. Civil War.

Today, Hampton University is home to 16 leading research facilities, including the largest free-standing Proton Therapy Institute in the world.

Hampton is also noted for its four unique PhD programs, each of which is hybrid in nature. While students in programs such as the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision will complete their coursework online, a brief on-campus summer residency is also required.

Hampton offers a fully online Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision degree. The program takes approximately 3.5 years to complete.

Wish to attend an HBCU that consistently ranks among the top ten Historically Black institutions.

Prefer a college with a major athletics program.

Regent University

• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2025
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Virginia
• #2 Best Online Associate in Christian Ministry
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's of Theology Degree Programs in 2025
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in the District Of Columbia
• #2 Best Online Doctorate of Educational Psychology (PhDs) 2024
• #3 How To Get an Online Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
• #3 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
• #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Virginia 2024
• #3 Best Online Bachelor’s of Graphic Arts Degree Programs for 2025
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Music Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #4 Best Online History Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Christian Ministry Degree Programs for 2025
• #5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies
• #5 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
• #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Virginia
• #5 Best Online Associate in Psychology
• #6 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Information Technology
• #7 Best Online Bachelor’s of Digital Media for 2025
• #7 Best Online Master's in Organizational Psychology
• #7 Best Online Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #7 Best Online Master's in Theology
• #7 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Psychology Programs
• #8 Best Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Ranked for Students in 2024
• #8 Fastest Online Associate Degrees Ranked for 2024
• #8 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2024
• #8 Best Online Master’s in Human Services
• #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Sports Management Degree Programs for 2025
• #9 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
• #9 Top 20 Easiest Online Degrees from Accredited Schools in 2024
• #9 Best Online Master's Programs in Virginia 2024
• #9 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #10 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity 2025
• #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2025
• #10 Fastest Accelerated Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
• #10 Best Online Associate in General Studies
• #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Computer Science Degree Programs
• #10 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs
• #12 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2025
• #13 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #14 Best Online Bachelor's of Economics Degree Programs for 2024
• #14 Best Online Master’s in Biblical Studies
• #15 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #16 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #17 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 2024
• #19 Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs for 2024
• #21 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management
• #24 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
• #8 Top 20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Counseling
• #10 20 Fastest Accelerated Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #13 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Regent University

What do we love about regent university.

Regent University is a private Christian University that provides an array of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Founded in 1977 by Southern Baptist Minister Pat Robertson, Regent University offers a wide range of both online and on-campus degree programs.

Regent University serves more than 10,000 students today, with many pursuing online degrees at the master’s and doctoral degree levels.

Regent University is also noteworthy for its extremely diverse range of online PhD programs, including its faith-based counseling PhDs.

Regent offers a fully online SACSCOC accredited PhD in Counseling & Psychological Studies degree.

Are pursuing advanced degrees online. More than 60% of Regent’s students are in post-graduate programs.

Prefer a secular educational experience.

Jackson State University

• #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #4 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024
• #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2024
• #4 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Mississippi
• #2 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
• #3 HBCU MBA Programs Online
• #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2025
• #4 Best Online Master's in Biology
• #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
• #10 Best Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs for 2024
• #12 Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration
• #13 Best HBCU Online Programs
• #15 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Jackson State University

Jackson State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Criminal Justice
• Social Work
• Political Science
• Mathematics
• Earth Sciences
• Communications

Most Influential Alumni

• James Meredith
• Walter Payton
• Kiese Laymon
• DeMarco Morgan
• Bennie Thompson
• Cassandra Wilson
• Junaid Hafeez
• Virgia Brocks-Shedd

What do we love about Jackson State University?

Jackson State University was founded in 1877, and began history as the Natchez Seminary. Today among the largest historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the U.S., Jackson State was initially designed to help educate recently freed slaves in Christian leadership.

Jackson State University has undergone roughly half-a-dozen name changes since its founding. Currently located in Jackson, Mississippi, the public research university serves more than 7000 undergraduates and postgraduates.

Jackson State University is listed among R2: Doctoral Universities, those noted for their high level of research activity. This makes it an excellent draw for students pursuing their PhD. While Jackson State does not technically offer a doctoral degree in counseling entirely online, the school of education is home to several online post-masters professional programs including the online Ed.S. with a Concentration in School Counseling .

Are looking for an affordable educational experience. Students describe Jackson State as an excellent education and experience for a modest tuition.

Are looking for state of the art facilities. Some students note that campus buildings are in need of updating.

Mississippi College

• #1 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
• #5 Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2024
• #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #5 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024
• #7 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024
• #3 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
• #5 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2025
• #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
• #8 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2025
• #9 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2024
• #11 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2025
• #14 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
• #23 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity
• #23 Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration
• #25 Best Online Master's in Sports Management

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Mississippi College

What do we love about mississippi college.

Mississippi College was founded in 1826, which makes it the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Mississippi. Mississippi College is also the second oldest Baptist college in the United States.

Mississippi College has grown rapidly in recent years, with the rate of enrollees jumping 60% between 2002 and 2015.

Mississippi is also noted for several groundbreaking online doctoral degree programs, including its Doctor of Professional Counseling (D.P.C.), which is described as the first clinical doctorate to be developed for professional counselors.

Mississippi College offers the first clinical doctorate to be developed for professional counselors. The online program results in an Online Doctorate in Professional Counseling (DPC) .

With an interest in public service. Mississippi College places an emphasis on student and staff participation in local community service opportunities.

Prefer a secular learning environment.

Jacksonville State University

• #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Alabama
• #8 Best Online Colleges in Alabama 2024
• #8 Best Online Master's Programs in Alabama 2024
• #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degree Programs for 2024
• #10 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management
• #12 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
• #15 Best Online Bachelor’s of Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2025
• #15 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #16 Best Online Master's in English

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Robert J. Tierney
• Herman Clarence Nixon
• Danny Willett
• John Edwards
• Teresa Cheatham

What do we love about Jacksonville State University?

Jacksonville State University was founded in 1883 as the Jacksonville State Normal School. Over the course of the next century, the Jacksonville, Alabama teachers college evolved into a top-ranked public university.

Today, Jacksonville State University enrolls more than 9000 students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Among its most noteworthy programs are its nursing, business, education, and communication degrees, all of which enjoy specialized programmatic accreditation.

Jacksonville State University began offering its first doctoral-level programs in 2018, and today offers an array of advanced Clinical Counseling and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees.

Jacksonville State offers a Counselor Education - Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Education Specialist) degree.

Are looking for a warm and welcoming campus. Many students say that Jacksonville State lives up to its reputation as one of the friendliest schools in the South.

Are looking for a community with a lot of nightlife and weekend activities. Students describe the surrounding area as a small, quiet town.

University of West Georgia

• #4 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
• #5 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #6 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
• #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia
• #9 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024
• #10 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
• #10 Most Affordable Online Master's of Music Education Programs
• #11 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
• #20 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs)
• #20 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at University of West Georgia

University of West Georgia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Anthropology
• Computer Science

What do we love about the University of West Georgia?

University of West Georgia formed as the 4th District A&M School in 1906. Gaining college status in 1933, and joining the public state school system in 1996, University of West Georgia is one of four comprehensive universities in the state today.

With a primary campus in Carrollton, Georgia and a satellite campus in Newnan, the University of West Georgia today serves more than 13,000 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

UWG is also noteworthy for its top-ranked doctoral degrees in areas such as counseling and psychology. Prospective students can access PhDs in areas such as Professional Counseling and Supervision; and Psychology: Consciousness and Society.

UWG offers a Doctor of Education in Professional Counseling and Supervision (EdD) .

Are looking for affordable options. Students describe UWG as a great deal for the money.

Prefer a lively campus on the weekends. Students describe the Carrollton campus as fairly quiet.

Valdosta State University

• #10 Best Colleges in Georgia 2024
• #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia
• #6 Best Online Master's in Healthcare Administration
• #6 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024
• #7 Best Online MBA in Healthcare Management Ranked for Students in 2024
• #7 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
• #11 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
• #11 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Valdosta State University

Valdosta State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Nancy Grace
• Elsie Quarterman
• Agnes Ellen Harris
• Pauley Perrette
• Marc T. Treadwell
• Donald Stoker

What do we love about Valdosta State University?

Valdosta State University was formed in 1913 as the Georgia State Normal College. In its first year of operation, the teaching college included three college level students and 15 prep level students. In the next decade, the institution evolved into the Georgia State Women’s College.

By 1950, Valdosta State had become a coeducational institution. Today, Valdosta serves more than 12,000 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Valdosta State offers a small array of fully only PhD and doctoral degrees, including a doctoral program in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) . With concentrations in areas like organizational leadership, higher education leadership, and special education leadership, this advanced degree can provide pathways for education-based counseling in a wide range of learning contexts.

Are pursuing careers in education, business administration, and health sciences. Valdosta offers excellent programs in each of these areas.

Are seeking a big city campus experience. Some students describe opportunities for off-campus activity as limited in the relatively small town of Valdosta.

Auburn University at Montgomery

• #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Alabama
• #11 Best Online Master's Programs in Alabama 2024
• #14 Best Online Colleges in Alabama 2024
• #19 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Auburn University at Montgomery

Auburn University at Montgomery’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Hugh Shelton
• Wesley Moodie
• Chris Haggard

What do we love about Auburn University Montgomery?

Auburn University Montgomery was formed in 1967 as the Montgomery-based campus in the Auburn university public school system. Today, AUM offers a full selection of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in more than 90 distinct academic programs.

Today, more than 5000 undergraduates and postgraduates are in pursuit of degrees at AUM. Among the most popular degree programs are AUM’s business administration, biology, and elementary education programs, as well as nursing and medical laboratory sciences programs with an exceptional 90% post-graduate job placement rate.

Auburn University Montgomery is also noted for its selection of only PhD and doctoral degree programs, including.

Auburn University Montgomery offers a Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling .

Adult learners. AUM offers a highly regarded continuing education program that enrolls more than 10,000 non-traditional students annually.

Are looking for a campus with a lot of recreational opportunities. Some students describe AUM as a commuter school with a limited number of clubs and events on campus.

University of West Alabama

• #12 Best Online Bachelor’s of Graphic Arts Degree Programs for 2025
• #13 Best Online MBA Programs in Alabama
• #15 Top 20 Easiest Online Degrees from Accredited Schools in 2024
• #15 Best Online Doctorate in Business Administration Degree Programs
• #16 Best Online Master's Programs in Alabama 2024
• #17 Best Online Colleges in Alabama 2024
• #19 Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2024
• #22 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2025
• #19 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at University of West Alabama

University of West Alabama’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Jeremy Pruitt
• Lois Wilson

What do we love about University of West Alabama?

University of West Alabama was formed in 1835 as the Livingston Female Academy. The Livingston, Alabama-based public university began with the goal of educating teachers, and became coeducational in 1915.

Becoming University of West Alabama in 1995 to better reflect its public status, the school today serves more than 5000 students.

The University of West Alabama is also noted for offering an online Education Doctoral Degree (Ed.D.) in Rural Education . The only program of its kind in the nation, this advanced degree includes a counseling track for students interested in working as advocates for diverse student populations and their families.

Are looking for a residential campus experience. Students are encouraged to live on campus for their first two years of attendance.

Are seeking a large campus experience. Students describe the campus and the surrounding west-central Alabama region as relatively quiet.

Other Options for Aspiring Counseling PhDs

Students considering an online doctoral in counseling should also check out the best on-campus options to compare features like cost, curriculum, acceptance rate, and more.

Boston University

• #3 Best Research Universities in Massachusetts 2024
• #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #3 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #13 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
• #24 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
• #25 Best Research Universities for Religious Studies Degrees
• #1 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2025
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Massachusetts 2024
• #1 Best Online Master's in Marketing and Advertising
• #1 Best Online Master's in Art Education and Art Administration
• #1 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts 2024
• #1 Best Online Degree Completion Programs for Returning Students
• #2 Best Online Master's in Project Management 2025
• #2 10 Best Online Master's of Music Education Degree Programs
• #2 Best Online MBA Degree Programs No GRE Required Ranked for 2024
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Finance
• #3 Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs 2025
• #3 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #3 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #3 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
• #3 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required
• #3 Fastest Online Doctoral Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #4 Most Unusual Doctoral Degrees You Can Earn Online (PhDs)
• #5 Best Online PhD of Computer Science Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #6 Fastest Accelerated Online Computer Science Doctorates (PhDs)
• #7 Best Online Master's in Management
• #7 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
• #7 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice
• #13 Fastest Online Master's Degrees Ranked for Students in 2024
• #1 How to Earn Your Master's Degree Without Your Bachelor's Degree
• #15 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students
• #22 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Boston University

Boston University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Religious Studies
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Sheldon Glashow
• Neal Stephenson
• Norman Vincent Peale
• Tipper Gore
• Albert-László Barabási
• Steven M. Wise
• Kim Stanley Robinson
• Bernard Berenson
• Daniel C. Tsui
• Bill Simmons

Virginia Tech

• #3 Best Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #4 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2024
• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Virginia
• #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Virginia 2024
• #4 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Information Technology
• #5 Best Online Master's in Agriculture and Agribusiness Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Engineering
• Edward F. Moore
• Gladys West
• Robert Coleman Richardson
• Lewis Binford
• Charles Camarda
• Kirk Schulz
• Carol M. Swain
• Benjamin K. Sovacool
• Randall G. Holcombe

New York University

• #13 Best Universities in the World 2024
• #23 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
• #2 Best Colleges in New York 2024
• #2 Best Research Universities in New York 2024
• #2 Best Grad Schools in New York 2024
• #2 Best Private Colleges in New York 2024
• #3 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
• #3 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
• #7 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees
• #7 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees
• #8 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
• #8 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #12 Best Research Universities for Psychology Degrees
• #12 Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees
• #12 Best Research Universities for Economics Degrees
• #14 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Anthropology Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Religious Studies Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Political Science Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Math Degrees
• #18 Best Research Universities for Computer Science Degrees
• #18 Best Research Universities for Biology Degrees
• #23 Best Research Universities for Engineering Degrees
• #23 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
• #1 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in New York 2024
• #1 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
• #1 Top 5 Best Online English PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #2 Best Online Master's in Management
• #2 Top 6 Best Online Clinical Nutrition PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #3 Top 5 Best Online Sociology PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #3 Fastest Online Master's Degrees Ranked for Students in 2024
• #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024
• #1 Fastest Accelerated Online PhDs in Education Degree Programs 2024
• #5 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students
• #10 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at New York University

New York University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Erich Fromm
• Robert Mueller
• Martha Nussbaum
• John Archibald Wheeler
• Glenn Greenwald
• Howard Zinn
• Eric Kandel
• Lewis Mumford
• Alvin Toffler
• Louis Nirenberg

University of Minnesota

• #21 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024
• #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #1 Best Research Universities in Minnesota 2024
• #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota 2024
• #1 Best Colleges in Minnesota 2024
• #1 Best Grad Schools in Minnesota 2024
• #1 Best Public Colleges in Minnesota 2024
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Minnesota 2024
• #1 10 Best Online Master's of Music Education Degree Programs
• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Minnesota
• #1 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota 2024
• #1 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2024
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Minnesota
• #3 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #4 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2024
• #5 Top 8 Best Online Public Health PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #8 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Economics PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #11 Best Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Degree Programs
• #7 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students
• #14 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Arthur Compton
• Deke Slayton
• Ernest Lawrence
• Norman Borlaug
• Thomas Friedman
• Melvin Calvin
• John L. Holland
• Christiaan Barnard
• Edward B. Lewis
• Roy Wilkins
• Alexander Wendt
• Lars Peter Hansen

Walden University

• #2 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
• #3 Accelerated Online Business Administration PhD Programs (Doctorates)
• #3 Top 8 Fastest Accelerated Online Psychology Doctorates (PhDs)
• #4 Best Online Doctorate of Educational Psychology (PhDs) 2024
• #5 Top 5 Best Online Sociology PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #6 Top 5 Best Online Criminal Justice Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #7 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Information Technology PhD Programs
• #7 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs
• #8 Top 8 Best Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhDs (Doctorates)
• #10 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
• #10 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates
• #10 Most Unusual Doctoral Degrees You Can Earn Online (PhDs)
• #10 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #10 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Information Technology
• #12 15 Most Affordable Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
• #2 The Fastest Traditional MBA Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #6 Fastest Accelerated Online PhDs in Education Degree Programs 2024
• #8 How to Earn Your Master's Degree Without Your Bachelor's Degree
• #11 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
• #18 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for Counseling degree at Walden University

Walden University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• John Antonakis
• Eboni Edmonson Haynes

Find out what your options are with a look at our full Online Program Ranking List .

• Partnerships

Counseling Psychology (PhD)

YOU ARE BOUVÉ

We’re training the next generation of mental health professionals

The Ph.D. Program in Counseling Psychology offers doctoral education and training in psychology and prepares students for entry-level practice in counseling psychology.

Doctoral-level counseling psychologists conduct research, teach at the university level, supervise students and professionals, consult with community agencies, and provide clinical services to people across the developmental lifespan.

Counseling psychologists also enhance the science of health promotion and health psychology and emphasize community-based interventions.

Unique Program Features

• Translational research related to health promotion of individuals, groups, families, and communities
• Empirically-based practice in urban community centers, agencies, schools, and hospitals
• Merging of science and practice within multicultural and urban contexts
• Development of consultation and leadership skills in researchers and practitioners

Program Emphasis

• Culturally and ethnically diverse faculty
• Ecological model
• Developmental emphasis throughout the lifespan
• Research teams where students gain valuable experience evaluating and conducting research
• Student-centered faculty
• Strong and supportive student cohort groups

Degree type: – Counseling Psychology PhD Study options: – Boston campus – Full-time

Application Deadline: December 6

Official TOEFL or IELTS* required

Please Note: PhD students in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences may not request enrollment deferrals. If you are admitted for a given term but wish to be considered for a future term instead, you must re-apply to the program in order to be considered for admission and funding. 

If you have questions or concerns regarding professional licensure, please contact program managers Laurie Kramer and Robin Codding .

Counseling Psychology PhD

Our clinical training prepares counseling psychologists to work in various settings with individuals presenting with a variety of psychological and health-related issues. We emphasize an ecological model that encourages the conceptualization of relationships and research across multiple systems: biological, cultural, and relational.

These relationships occur in various social contexts, including families, schools, neighborhoods, and communities. At least two years of intensive clinical training is required. This preparation includes advanced fieldwork at various mental health settings in the Boston area. Students are expected to be at their site for 20 hours each week. Approximately half of their time is direct service delivery.

Training goals include advanced skill development in behavioral observations, interviewing, psychological assessment, counseling, and treatment planning and practice, consultation, effective use of supervision, and an understanding of and commitment to the profession’s ethical codes. Students must complete a one-year, full-time pre-doctoral internship that has been approved by the program.

Accreditation and Licensure

The PhD in Counseling Psychology at Northeastern University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association and meets the “Guidelines for Defining ‘Doctoral Degree in Psychology’” as implemented by the ASPPB/National Register Designation Project.

Therefore, a graduate of this designated program who decides to apply for licensure as a psychologist typically will meet the jurisdictional educational requirements for licensing. However, individual circumstances vary, and, there may be additional requirements that must be satisfied prior to being licensed as a psychologist, potentially including specific clinical practice supervision requirements at the advanced practicum, internship, and post-doctoral level.

Students should contact the state/provincial/territorial licensing board in the jurisdiction in which they plan to apply for exact information. Additional information including links to jurisdictions is available on the ASP PB’s website. For questions about the PhD in Counseling Psychology as it relates to doctoral psychology licensure, please contact Program Director Christie Rizzo .

Handbooks and Tools

Sample curriculum.

Students will enter the program with a master’s degree. It is anticipated that the time to completion is a minimum of four years.

Total 62 Credits

The curriculum is subject to change so please also check the university catalog .

• Dissertation

CAEP 6390 History and Systems of Psychology

CAEP 6394 Advanced Multicultural Psychology

CAEP 7750 Biological Bases of Behavior

CAEP 7755 Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior

CAEP 775 6 Social Psychology in an Organizational and Ecological Context

Complete 8 semester hours from the following :

CAEP 77 41 Advanced Fieldwork 1

CAEP 77 4 2 Advanced Fieldwork 2

CAEP 77 4 3 Advanced Fieldwork 3

CAEP 77 4 4 Advanced Fieldwork 4

CAEP  6350 Introduction to Cognitive Assessment

CAEP  6352 Personality Assessment

CAEP 6360 Consultation and Program Evaluation

CAEP 7710 Advanced Clinical Assessment

CAEP 7720 Advanced Clinical Interventions

CAEP 7758 Doctoral Seminar in Contemporary Theories of Psychotherapy

Three semester hours can be chosen from any graduate level CAEP course or combination of graduate level CAEP courses outside of the PhD in Counseling Psychology program of study. Other electives may be chosen upon approval of the program director and faculty adviser:

Professional

Complete 6 semester hours from the following:

CAEP 7701 Doctoral Seminar in Counseling Psychology (Repeatable 3 times for 1 credit and 3 times for 0 credits)

CAEP 7732 Legal and Ethical Issues in Community and Educational Settings

CAEP 7711 Measurement: Advanced Psychometric Principles

CAEP 7712 Intermediate Statistical Data Analysis Techniques

CAEP 7716 Advanced Research and Data Analyses 2

Complete 3 semester hours. Prior to beginning internship consult with director, DCT, and/or the Doctoral Internship Seminar instructor.

CAEP 7798 Doctoral Internship

CAEP 9990 Dissertation Term 1

CAEP 9991 Dissertation Term 2

Admissions Requirements

Candidates for admission are expected to meet the following requirements:

Master’s degree in psychology or related field

Strong academic record (3.5 GPA and above preferred)

Demonstrated interest in and commitment to counseling psychology

TOEFL or IELTS for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English

Three letters of reference 

Personal statement. The applicant may wish to highlight:

• Specific research and clinical interests
• Long-term career goals.
• Current and past clinical and research experiences
• Fit with program emphasis

Completed application (due December 6)

Personal interviews with the faculty and current students will be held in February

Got questions?

Laurie Kramer, PhD Program Director 617-373-2333

Or contact our Graduate Enrollment team.

Applicants who have taken or are planning to take the GRE (General Test of the Graduate Record Exam) may submit their scores if they choose. Those applicants choosing not to submit GRE scores will not be negatively impacted in the admissions decision process. Applications will be evaluated based on all materials provided. 

Admission is based on evaluation of the above factors, previous relevant experiences, and your fit within our program. The program faculty reviews your credentials to assess the likelihood of your successful completion of the program and your potential for contribution to the field of counseling psychology and the community at large.

Student Admissions Outcomes and Other Data

Program details.

• Minimum of two years of advanced fieldwork
• At least 20 hours per week at an approved fieldwork site with supervision by a licensed psychologist or a licensed psychiatrist for a minimum of 600 hours per year
• Minimum of one hour of individual supervision per week by a licensed doctoral level psychologist
• Minimum of half (50%) of the 20 hours per week are required in direct service

Research Topics

Applied psychology program for eating and appearance research — appear, faculty leaders.

Rachael Rodgers Jessica Edwards George

Dating Violence and Relationship Risk Prevention Team

Faculty leader.

Christie Rizzo

Feminist Therapy and Theory; Feminist Ecological Model

William Sanchez

Intersectionality Lab in Applied Psychology

Tracy Robinson-Wood

Mindfulness for Health Behavior Change

Laura Dudley

Use of Technology and Games for Health Behavior Change

Babatunde Aideyan received a BA in Psychology from Emory University and an MA in Counseling from Northwestern University. Tunde began the Counseling Psychology program in 2018 and is a PhD candidate at Northeastern University. He has several years of work experience in corporate work environments where he developed data analysis and survey research skills.

At Northeastern, Tunde has researched with his advisor, Dr. Jessica Edwards George, the neurocognitive effects of gluten exposure in individuals with celiac disease. While obtaining his master’s degree, Tunde interned at a community mental health agency that supported group home and foster care residents, as well as in a private practice setting.

At the doctoral level, Tunde spent a year at Butler Hospital administering neuropsychological assessments for individuals presenting with memory problems; he is currently co-facilitating resilience training groups at the MGH Resilience and Prevention Program.

Clinically, Tunde is interested in breathwork practices, health psychology, and strength-oriented counseling. His research interests involve using artificial intelligence methods for improving mental health diagnosis and prognosis.

Payton Bruland has been a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Northeastern University since the Fall of 2019. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Gonzaga University.

At Northeastern, Payton works on the SNAP/Social Research team with Dr. Christie Rizzo and the More Fun with Sisters and Brothers (MFWSB) team with Dr. Laurie Kramer. Her research interests align with each of these labs, examining both protective and risk factors among children and adolescence in the areas of emotion regulation and interpersonal relationships.

Payton also has an interest in the ways childhood trauma affects outcomes in adolescence and later life. Clinically, she has worked with children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings, including outpatient and inpatient services.

Elizabeth (Libby) Collier enrolled in the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program at Northeastern in the fall of 2021. Prior to her move to Boston, Libby received an M.A. and Ed.M. in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. Libby’s clinical fieldwork placement was at Mount Sinai Hospital where she conducted group therapy and individual therapy sessions involving dual diagnosis patients.

During her master’s program, she also spent time in two research labs affiliated with New York University and Columbia University that focused on youth mental health. These studies focused on interventions for adolescents at clinical high risk for psychosis and systems-level interventions concerning youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

Libby is in the Adolescent Relationships and Risk Behavior Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Christie Rizzo. She hopes to continue to work alongside youth at-risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system and is interested in mentorship as a facilitator of positive youth development.

Jaylan Abd Elrahman , (She, Her) received her B.A. in Psychology from Wellesley College and her M.Ed. in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, with a concentration in Child Advocacy.

She is currently a member of the Intersectionality Research Lab and her primary research interests rest at the nexus of adolescent identity development, trauma, culture and social change. She previously served in various research roles at Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, Brookings Institution and Harvard University’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics.

She has been actively involved in facilitating healing justice, youth development and community-based work across the nation for the last nine years, primarily with and for refugee, migrant, and young women of color. She welcomes all connections and can be reached at  [email protected] .

Laura Fischer received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and an M.S. in Psychology from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

She has held positions across a variety of clinical, research, and community mental health settings, including the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Her primary clinical and research interests include empirically supported treatments for anxiety disorders, mindfulness-based interventions, and the implications of intersecting identities for mental and physical health.

Ruthann Hewett has been a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program since the Fall of 2021. She holds a dual BA from Brandeis University in Psychology and Health: Science, Society & Policy (2016), as well as an MS from Northeastern University’s Counseling Psychology master’s program (2020).

She is a member of the Intersectionality Research Team under the supervision of Dr. Tracy Robinson-Wood. She has worked on research projects with the Intersectionality team including a study of the racial socialization experiences of biracial adults.

Prior to beginning her MS, she worked as a research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit. She has also worked as an intern clinician at the Therapeutic After School Program at the Home for Little Wanderers, and as a clinician at the Therapeutic After School Program at the Italian Home for Children.

Her interests include examining oppressive power systems operating within mental health treatment facilities, particularly state funded institutions, and interrogating how these systems can be modified to better serve clients with intersecting marginalized identities.

Katherine Laveway is a Ph.D. student in Counseling Psychology and a member of the Applied Psychology Program for Eating and Appearance Research (APPEAR) team since the Fall of 2020. She received her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University and her B.A. in English and Music from Wellesley College.

During her master’s training, Katherine gained clinical experience working in inpatient and outpatient settings at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Katherine’s research interests include body image and eating concerns among queer and trans individuals. She is particularly interested in sociocultural constructions of gender, experiences of weight stigma, and the role of social media on the psychological health of young people.

Madeline Manning has been a PhD student in the Counseling Psychology program at Northeastern University since the Fall of 2017. She received her B.A. in Psychology and Communications from Stonehill College (2015) and her M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from Boston University School of Medicine (2017). She will be completing her pre-doctoral internship at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in the Neuropsychology Track with the goal of pursuing a career in Pediatric Neuropsychology.

Prior to beginning her doctoral training, Madeline worked as a mental health counselor in the adult inpatient psychiatric unit at Tufts Medical Center. She also worked as a clinical research assistant at the Pediatric Anxiety Research Clinic (PARC) at Bradley Hospital and the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Rhode Island Hospital where she helped conduct research on the dissemination of treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/other anxiety related disorders in children and exploring factors which impact adolescent suicidality post-inpatient level of care.

During her graduate training, she completed clinical practicum experiences at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Rhode Island Hospital Pediatric Neuropsychology Program, Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment at Butler Hospital Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Hasbro Children’s Sleep Disorder Clinic, Hasbro Children’s Partial Hospitalization Program, Boston Children’s at Martha Eliot Health Center (Mental Health Clinic and Early Intervention Program), and Franciscan Children’s Hospital Community Based Acute Treatment (CBAT) Unit.

She is part of the Adolescent Relationships and Risk Behavior Research Lab and the More Fun with Sisters and Brothers Research Lab, and also completed the Early Intervention Certification Program at Northeastern. Madeline’s primary research interests include exploring the protective factors that promote resilience in children and adolescents, as well as integrating community and individual resilience to violence and trauma. Madeline also has interests in the areas of adolescent dating violence prevention, pediatric psychology, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders.

Chantal Muse received an M.A. from Chatham University and a B.A. from Duquesne University. Previously, she worked on a study examining how employment status effects the health and well-being of Sub-Saharan African women. Also, she held a clinical position at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic Acute Adult Trauma Unit and the Comprehensive Services and Recovery Unit. Her primary research and clinical interests are working with cancer patients, examining the patient-provider relationship, specifically the relationship between African-American women with breast cancer and white doctors, and health communication.

Briana Paulo previously studied at the University of Rhode Island for a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, with a minor in Thanatology. She later earned a M.A. in Psychology Research from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2017. Briana came to Northeastern University in the Fall of 2020 with clinical experiences in a variety of settings with children and adolescents who experience a range of social, behavioral, and emotional difficulties. She also held a clinical research position at the Pediatric Anxiety Research Center (PARC) at Bradley Hospital, where she led outreach and collaboration efforts with schools, pediatric office, and other community partners, conducted semi-structured diagnostic assessments, and facilitated in-home/in-community exposure and response prevention (ERP) sessions with children and adolescents.

Briana currently works with the Dating Violence and Relationship Risk Prevention Team, led by Dr. Christie Rizzo. Her work in this lab involves studies that assess health-related behaviors and interpersonal communication patterns of juvenile-justice involved teens to understand risk and protective factors of dating violence. Briana’s research and clinical interests lie in socioemotional and behavioral issues in children/adolescents of traditionally marginalized populations and increasing awareness of and access to mental health resources.

Lisa Rines-Toth received her Master of Arts and Master of Education degrees in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. She also holds a BA in English Literature from Columbia University. Prior to beginning her doctoral studies at Northeastern, Lisa worked at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City as a clinician in the psychiatric emergency department. Lisa’s primary research and clinical interests are in the general areas of integrated behavioral care, crisis intervention, addiction and mindfulness & yoga. Lisa currently works as a counselor in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center.

Kaitlyn Schneider received an M.S. from Villanova University and a B.S. from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Her primary research interests are in the areas of domestic violence, attachment, and trauma. Her previous work has explored the development of a rater-based method to measure secondary attachment strategies enacted within the maternal-fetal attachment relationship. She has also previously worked clinically with clients experiencing domestic violence.

Isabella “Isa” Sereno has been a PhD student in the Counseling Psychology program at Northeastern University since the Fall of 2020. Isa received a BS in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and an MA in Counselor Education, Clinical Mental Health Track, from Virginia Tech. Isa worked as a treatment coordinator at the Latinas y Niño’s Center in Casa Esperanza Inc., a substance abuse residential program for Latinx women in recovery and their children, where she worked closely with monolingual Spanish-speaking women and their families. Isa also worked as a clinical research coordinator II at the Massachusetts General Hospital’s Cancer Outcome Research and Education program (CORE), helping conduct research in palliative care for patients diagnosed with advanced cancer and their caregivers. She is a part of the APPEAR lab and is working under the mentorship of Dr. Jessica Edwards-George and Dr. Rachel Rodgers. Isa will be completing her advanced fieldwork practicum at Martha Eliot Health Center/Boston Children’s Hospital. She is fluent in Spanish and is interested in understanding racial and ethnic disparities that affect the caregiver experience within health settings, particularly parents of children with complex care needs.

We train multiculturally competent counseling psychologists who are:

• Clinically adept in multiple settings with a variety of psychological and health-related issues
• Able to conceptualize, conduct, and evaluate research across biological, cultural, and relational systems in numerous social contexts, such as families, schools, neighborhoods, and communities.

(i) Research

• Demonstrate the substantially independent ability to formulate research or other scholarly activities (e.g., critical literature reviews, dissertation, efficacy studies, clinical case studies, theoretical papers, program evaluation projects, program development projects) that are of sufficient quality and rigor to have the potential to contribute to the scientific, psychological, or professional knowledge base.
• Conduct research or other scholarly activities.
• Critically evaluate and disseminate research or other scholarly activity via professional publication and presentation at the local (including the host institution), regional, or national level.

(ii) Ethical and legal standards

• the current version of the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct;
• Relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels; and
• Relevant professional standards and guidelines.
• Recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise, and apply ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve the dilemmas.
• Conduct self in an ethical manner in all professional activities.

( iii) Individual and cultural diversity

• An understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves.
• Knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.
• The ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles (e.g., research, services, and other professional activities). This includes the ability to apply a framework for working effectively with areas of individual and cultural diversity not previously encountered over the course of their careers. Also included is the ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership, demographic characteristics, or worldviews create conflict with their own.
• Demonstrate the requisite knowledge base, ability to articulate an approach to working effectively with diverse individuals and groups, and apply this approach effectively in their professional work.

(iv) Professional values, attitudes, and behaviors

• Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including integrity, deportment, professional identity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others
• Engage in self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning; engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
• Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.
• Respond professionally in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence as they progress across levels of training.

(v) Communications and interpersonal skills

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
• Produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal, and written communications that are informative and well-integrated; demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to manage difficult communication well.

(vi) Assessment

• Demonstrate current knowledge of diagnostic classification systems, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths and psychopathology.
• Demonstrate understanding of human behavior within its context (e.g., family, social, societal and cultural).
• Demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge of functional and dysfunctional behaviors including context to the assessment and/or diagnostic process.
• Select and apply assessment methods that draw from the best available empirical literature and that reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics; collect relevant data using multiple sources and methods appropriate to the identified goals and questions of the assessment as well as relevant diversity characteristics of the service recipient.
• Interpret assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while guarding against decision-making biases, distinguishing the aspects of assessment that are subjective from those that are objective.
• Communicate orally and in written documents the findings and implications of the assessment in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences.

(vii) Intervention

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services.
• Develop evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals.
• Implement interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity characteristics, and contextual variables.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply the relevant research literature to clinical decision making.
• Modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking.
• Evaluate intervention effectiveness, and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.

(viii) Supervision

• Demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practices.
• Apply supervision knowledge in direct or simulated practice with psychology trainees, or other health professionals. Examples of direct or simulated practice examples of supervision include, but are not limited to, role-played supervision with others, and peer supervision with other trainees.

(ix) Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills

• Demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of consultation models and practices.

To prepare graduates for the role of professional psychologists, to include advanced skill development in behavioral observations, interviewing, psychological assessment, counseling and treatment planning and practice, consultation, effective use of supervision and an understanding of and commitment to the profession’s ethical codes.

Objective 1A: Students will be exposed to various professional roles including student teaching, participation in research projects where they are mentored by faculty and mentor peers and/or junior colleagues.

• Competency 1A1: Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of their roles as clinicians.
• Competency 1A2: Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of their roles as educators.
• Competency 1A3: Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of their roles as community change agents ethically serving diverse populations and advocating for social justice.
• Competency 1A4: Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of their roles as researchers.

To foster understanding and application of the scientific basis of clinical practice in psychotherapy and clinical assessment

• Objective 2A: Students will acquire an understanding of the biological, cognitive and affective, and social aspects of behavior.
• Objective 2B: Students will acquire knowledge of the history and systems of psychology
• Objective 2C: Students will acquire knowledge of empirical research regarding effective clinical practice, assessment, and interventions.
• Objective 2D: Students will acquire knowledge of contemporary theories that explicate human behavior across the lifespan.
• Objective 2E: Students will study current evidenced based practices in psychotherapy, psychological testing, and biological bases of clinical practice.
• Objective 2F: Students will acquire knowledge and skills to implement evidence-based clinical interventions with diverse populations.
• Competency 2A: Students will understand the regulation of biological and emotional functions of the nervous system.
• Competency 2B: Students will understand the contribution of environmental factors to brain development, to the development of the mind, and to their functions.
• Competency 2C: Students will understand theories and research with respect to clinical efficacy.
• Competency 2D: Students will understand contemporary theories of human behavior from a lifespan developmental perspective.
• Competency 2E1: Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of current evidence based practices in psychotherapy, psychological testing, and the neuroscientific bases of clinical practice.
• Competency 2E2: Students will develop the ability to select and apply evidence-based interventions and to assess progress and outcomes.
• Competency 2F1: Students will demonstrate that they are familiar with outcome research for various intervention strategies.
• Competency 2F2: Students will develop the ability to implement a wide range of developmental, preventive, remedial, and psychoeducational interventions, including psychotherapy, crisis management, consultation and dealing with emergency psychological/psychiatric situations with people across sources of difference.

To produce graduates who possess advanced and applied research skills within an ecological perspective

• Objective 3A: Students will be involved in course work on advanced and applied research skills.
• Objective 3B: Students will become proficient in reporting research findings.
• Objective 3C: Students will be able to critically evaluate research from an ecological perspective.
• Competency 3A1: Students will demonstrate competency in research design and data analysis related to health and illness using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods models.
• Competency 3A2: Students will be able to develop meaningful research questions, based upon theories and models in the scholarly research literature.
• Competency 3A3: Students will be able to implement appropriate research design, methods, and statistical analyses, consistent with the research questions.
• Competency 3A4: Students will understand advantages and disadvantages of various research designs, modes of inquiry, data collection methods, statistical procedures, and measurement concepts.
• Competency 3B: Students will demonstrate the ability to report their research investigations appropriately, including knowledge of the socio-cultural contexts in the interpretation of the data.
• Competency 3C1: Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate and critically assess the methodology of empirical research and the validity of research conclusions within a multicultural/ecological perspective.
• Competency 3C2: Students will be able to integrate themselves in research projects on research teams that stress a multicultural/ecological perspective.
• Competency 3C3: Students will successfully complete their dissertation proposals grounded within a multicultural/ecological perspective.

To produce graduates who are committed to and demonstrate ethical practice as counseling psychologists.

• Objective 4A: Students will learn through courses, mentoring, and supervision in the ethical codes of the profession.
• Objective 4B: Student will learn through courses and supervised clinical experiences, local, state, and national laws affecting professional psychological practice.
• Competency 4A: Students will become competent in understanding the codes of ethics and professional conduct of APA and develop a competent ethical decision-making process.
• Competency 4B: Students will demonstrate understanding of the legal issues affecting practice and resolution of ethical/legal conflicts that may occur.

To produce graduates who are multiculturally competent across sources of difference, including race, ethnicity, gender, class, religion/spirituality, disability, and sexual orientation, in both clinical and research settings.

Objective 5A: Students will study, be mentored in, and be exposed to multicultural perspectives that stress the understanding of different worldviews and confronting forms of oppression.

• Competency 5A1: Students will be able to integrate multiple worldviews and important historical and political positions in their clinical and research activities.
• Competency 5A2: Students will be able to understand their own positions of privilege, related to race, gender, social class, ability, and/or sexual orientation and its effect on their work as professional psychologists.
• Competency 5A3: Students will be able to integrate and actively advocate for the elimination of racism, sexism, class oppression, homophobia, ageism, and other forms of oppression.
• Competency 5A4: Students will be able to conceptualize and advocate for social and economic justice as professional psychologists.

To advance the field of counseling psychology using program strengths: (a) an interdisciplinary and interprofessional approach to clinical services provision and enhancement of the science of health promotion and health psychology; (b) stress on urban, community-based interventions using an ecological approach.

• Objective 6A: Students will be exposed to interprofessional models of health promotion research within the Bouvé College of Health Sciences.
• Objective 6B: Students will study the strengths and challenges facing urban populations and work within health promotion and prevention.
• Competency 6A1: Students will develop an understanding of how health promotion research is conceptualized and undertaken by an interprofessional team.
• Competency 6B1: Students will understand the unique challenges facing urban populations and work within settings that provide health promotion and prevention efforts with multicultural populations.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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• Course/Section Numbers Explained
• Pathway Program with Goucher College
• The George G. Graham Lecture

About the PhD in Mental Health Program

The PhD degree is a research-oriented doctoral degree. In the first two years, students take core courses in the Departments of Mental Health, Biostatistics, and Epidemiology, in research ethics, and attend weekly department seminars. Students must complete a written comprehensive exam (in January of their second year), a preliminary exam, two presentations and a final dissertation including presentation and defense. Throughout their time in the department, we encourage all doctoral students to participate in at least one research group of the major research programs in the department: Substance Use Epidemiology, Global Mental Health, Mental Health and Aging, Mental Health Services and Policy, Methods, Prevention Research, Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetic Epidemiology, Psychiatric Epidemiology, and Autism and Developmental Disabilities.

PhD in Mental Health Program Highlights

One-of-a-kind.

We are the only department of mental health at a school of public health in the U.S.

WORLD-CLASS MENTORSHIP

Get research experience and mentorship from renowned public mental health experts

Research Opportunities

Students conduct original research with practical applications

Domestic and international opportunities

Conduct research in the U.S. or abroad

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Mental Health?

Visit the  Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Sample Careers

• Assistant Professor
• Postdoctoral Fellow
• Psychiatric Epidemiologist
• Prevention Scientist
• Social and Behavioral Scientist

Curriculum for the PhD in Mental Health

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue , explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

Current students can view the Department of Mental Health's student handbook on the Info for Current Students page .

Research Areas

The Department of Mental Health covers a wide array of topics related to mental health, mental illness and substance abuse. Faculty and students from multiple disciplines work together within and across several major research areas.

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are  not required and not reviewed  for this program. If you have taken a standardized test such as the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT and want to submit your scores, please note that they will not be used as a metric during the application review.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all required application components.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Judith K. Bass

Judith Bass, PhD '04, MPH, MIA, is an implementation science researcher, with a broad background in sociology, economic development studies, and psychiatric epidemiology.

Renee M. Johnson

Renee M. Johnson, PhD, MPH, uses social epidemiology and behavioral science methods to investigate injury/violence, substance use, and overdose prevention.

George W. Rebok

George Rebok, PhD, MA, is a life-span developmental psychologist who develops community-based interventions to prevent age-related cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk.

Heather E. Volk

Heather Volk, PhD, MPH, seeks to identify factors that relate to the risk and progression of neurodevelopment disorders.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms. Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU   starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Prospective Student or Applicant Inquiries [email protected]

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• Check out similar programs at the Bloomberg School to find the best fit.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Health
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Epidemiology
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Policy and Management

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• Colleges and Schools

Online Doctor of Behavioral Health – Clinical

Prepare for career advancement in the integrated health care field with a Doctor of Behavioral Health with a clinical concentration online from Arizona State University. This concentration is designed to elevate master’s-prepared clinicians by offering advanced learning opportunities in behavioral interventions, medical literacy and entrepreneurship. As a graduate, you’ll be equipped to meet the demands of doctorate-level leaders and clinicians in primary care.

Quick facts

Next start date: 01/13/2025

Total classes: 13

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours: 60

Degree questions, answered

Have questions about the Behavioral Health (Clinical) (DBH) ? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!

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By submitting my information, I consent to ASU contacting me about educational services using automated calls, prerecorded voice messages, SMS/text messages or email at the information provided above. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to receive services, and I may call ASU directly at 866-277-6589 . I consent to ASU’s mobile terms and conditions , and Privacy Statements , including the European Supplement.

Prepare for leadership roles in clinical settings

What you’ll learn in this doctor of behavioral health program.

• Medical literacy: Understanding the nuances of disease pathophysiology, progression and treatment.
• Integrated behavioral interventions: Learning how to coordinate the treatment of medical and behavioral conditions in primary care and other medical settings.
• Entrepreneurship: Leveraging your skill set to meet the demands of the 21st century health care market.

Who’s a good candidate for this clinical DBH?

Will my diploma say ‘online’.

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”

Learn about the DBH degree with a clinical concentration.

Clinical dbh courses.

This doctorate program combines evidence-based clinical practice, quality improvement and entrepreneurship courses and experiences. Your courses ensure that you gain both functional medical and behavioral health literacy to support your work in integrated health. This includes a 270-hour internship to hone your skills and build hands-on experience. The culminating project is an applied quality improvement project tailored to integrated health care practice that can be completed at your internship site.

The jobs you’ll be prepared for

As a clinical behavioral health professional, there are various career paths you can pursue in primary care settings and hospitals, federal agencies such as military health services, substance abuse treatment settings and more. Positions you’ll be an excellent candidate for range from behavioral health consultant and disease manager to prevention specialist and integrated health care entrepreneur. Additional potential roles you’ll be equipped for include, but aren’t limited to:

Learn from distinguished practitioners in behavioral health

The College of Health Solutions faculty displays a high level of research expertise, focused on creating a better future for all. Our faculty are lifelong learners dedicated to improving health outcomes for the communities we serve. Some of their research focuses on:

• Discovering the impact of the environment and policy on food security and community health.
• Exploring mechanisms involved in the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Harnessing big data to improve patient outcomes.
• Incorporating advanced technology to monitor and promote healthy lifestyles.
• Using state-of-the-art cognitive, behavioral and neuroscience techniques to study the components of human communication.

How to apply

Applicants to the clinical DBH program must have a master’s degree (in any field) from a regionally accredited institution, and must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions. Additionally, candidates must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor’s degree program or in their applicable master's degree education.

Application requirements

Students with a master’s degree in counseling, family therapy, nursing, occupational health and social work are encouraged to apply, though other fields of study are also considered. The most competitive candidates are master's degree-level professionals who are either currently employed or aspire to work in a clinical capacity in an integrated health care organization.

To apply, you must submit the following:

• Graduate admission application and application fee.
• Official graduate and undergraduate transcripts.
• At least one professional letter of recommendation.
• Personal statement
• Internship essay
• Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume.

Clinicians must possess an appropriate clinical license prior to admission to the program and are expected to work within the restrictions of their current license and professional scope of practice while completing all aspects of the DBH program, including clinical internship. Those not already licensed must be on a pathway to acquiring licensure within two years of being admitted (working on hours for the exam).

The terms “licensed” and “license eligible” refer to a license to practice, which are issued by state licensing boards like the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. Some examples include:

• Licensed or license-eligible behavioral health clinician with a master’s degree-level education.
• Master’s degree-level medical or ancillary health care providers, such as licensed nurses, dietitians and occupational therapists.

Additional admission requirements

• An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
• The GRE, GMAT or other test scores are not required for admission.

Developing tomorrow’s health workforce

In the College of Health Solutions, students learn and prepare to become the health workforce of the future. Faculty and students also collaborate to research solutions to pressing global health challenges. Partnerships with the medical community offer students access to professional resources and networking opportunities with Mayo Clinic, Banner Health, HonorHealth, Dignity Health and more.

Barrett honors scholars.

faculty members.

$14.5 million

in research expenditures.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

You might also be interested in

Certificates

Applied Behavior Analysis (Graduate Certificate)

Starts 10/16/2024

Behavioral Health (Management) (DBH)

Starts 01/13/2025

Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis) (MA)

Psychology (MS)

ACCESS • OPPORTUNITY • DIVERSITY • BELONGING • COMMUNITY

• Application Deadline: December 6, 2024
• Classes Start: January 19, 2025
•   Streamlined pathway to a doctoral degree
•   We'll guide you through your field placements
•   Fully online coursework without campus visits

New England Commission of Higher Education

Top National College by U.S. News & World Report

A+ in Diversity from Niche

Get Started Now

Get more information to make the decision that's right for you. Learn more about:

Admission Requirements

• Enrollment Support
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• Program Features

Reach the highest level of counseling education

A reputable online program for working professionals to earn their EdD in Mental Health Counseling.

Flexible Pathways

Schedule your education around your life.

Virtual Classrooms

Study at your own pace with 100% online coursework.

CACREP-Aligned Curriculum

Gain valuable clinical skills and prepare for licensure.

Practicum Hours

Hands-on experience through your field practicum.

View Admission Requirements

About the program.

Support human well-being and contribute to the body of knowledge in mental health counseling

The online Doctorate in Education (EdD) in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) at American International College (AIC) offers a streamlined pathway to reach the terminal level of counseling education. With this degree, not only can you provide mental health counseling, but you will also be qualified for faculty roles in academia where you can contribute to the body of knowledge in the field through research.

AIC has a long-standing history of making education more accessible for people of all backgrounds, with a legacy centered around diversity, access, and inclusion. With this degree, you can become a part of this legacy by providing access to mental health care for diverse groups of people in need in your community and educating the next generation of mental health counselors.

• 100% online coursework : Study at your own pace
• No campus residencies:  Stay close to home
• Field practicum hours : Put classroom theory into real-world practice
• Enroll full-time or part-time : Schedule your education around your life
• CACREP-aligned curriculum : Get prepared for licensure in most states

The program is based on an integrated curriculum that trains you as a capable counselor and educator well-versed in theory, research, and clinical skills. It offers flexible enrollment options and no campus travel, making it an ideal choice for working professionals.

• 66 Credit hours
• 700 Practicum/internship hours
• 3 Intakes per year
• Full-time: 7 trimesters (2 years and 3 months)
• Part-time: 11 trimesters (3 years and 7 months)
• $830 per credit hour + fees*

*Please speak with your enrollment advisor about additional program fees.

Students from a number of states are welcome to apply to American International College’s EdD in Mental Health Counseling program. Please see our State Authorization page for more detailed information.

Students are responsible for ensuring that they meet all state licensing requirements as promulgated by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals or by the appropriate board in the state in which they wish to practice. For specific information, contact your state or provincial certification/licensing board.

AIC participates in the National Council State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), which establishes comparable national standards for the interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs.

American International College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The EdD MHC program’s curriculum is aligned with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) to prepare you for licensure in most states. (Students are responsible for ensuring they meet all state licensing requirements.)

Field Placement Practicum

How does the field placement process work?

Experiential learning in your community is one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of earning your degree. Practicum hours are guided and directed by AIC faculty in collaboration with your on-site field supervisor 

How do field placement services help me?

Concurrent coursework and field experiences connect theory with practice. Field placement provides 700 hours of real-world, hands-on mental health counseling experience. Your placement coordinator will guide you through the process and work alongside you. 

How should I prepare for my field placement? 

You will be an active participant in searching for your field experiences, letting you seek opportunities that fit your interests and career goals. You’ll be responsible for reaching out to agencies in your community. Your placement coordinator will guide you through the process and assist when possible. 

To be considered for enrollment in this program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Master’s degree in psychology or closely related field
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Personal statement 

Online EdD Counseling Curriculum

This course emphasizes diversity in relation to the theories, issues, and trends related to multicultural counseling and family consultation. The focus is on the impact of diversity on psychological, physical and social health and growth. Coursework covers studies of the attitudinal and behavioral patterns of diverse people based on life stage, religious beliefs and rituals, sexual orientation, gender identity, racial identity, ethnicity, cultural beliefs and rituals, familial dynamics, socioeconomic status, and intellectual and physical differences. Students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to provide competent counseling and consultation to diverse individuals, groups, and families. (3 credits)

This course encompasses the understanding of substance use disorder within the criteria of the current DSM and addiction as a disease within the medical model. Students will be introduced to contemporary theories on the social, physiological, psychological, and emotional components of addiction. The appropriate mental health counseling treatment modalities for addiction and co-occurring disorders will be reviewed and practiced through an understanding of the stages, effects, and processes of addiction. This course will cover prevention, interventions, and outreach strategies related to addiction and recovery counseling. Medically assisted treatment will also be discussed. (3 credits)

This course covers the major theories of human lifespan development in relation to the well-being of individuals and mental health counseling. Students will engage in a comprehensive study of major theories of physical, cognitive, affective, and social development and their application to mental health counseling and psychological interventions. Students will relate developmental theory to real-life developmental issues and to the understanding of learning and personality development. Through case studies and a review of literature, students will understand the nature of the developmental needs and potential issues of individuals and families at each developmental stage of life. (3 credits)

This course covers major theories and principles of psychopathology and intervention in relation to mental health counseling. Students will engage in a comprehensive study of the identification and diagnosis of psychopathology and mental health treatment planning for abnormal, deviant, or psychopathological behavior. This course includes the study of the assessment of psychopathology and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of crises, short-term mental health issues, and long-term mental health issues. Students will study the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) for the criteria of diagnoses in relation to intake, assessment, treatment planning, and counseling. Case studies will be examined to address the physiological, biological, and environmental factors related to psychopathology across the human lifespan. (3 credits)

Sally Van Wright EdD ’19

"I want to learn more, I want to study more, but I don’t want to stop doing what I’m doing to help people."

Eugene Isaak EdD ’19

"I really like the atmosphere here, and I really like the people. They’re really engaged here; they really care. I discovered that AIC is a big part of this community. I was amazed at the interconnection — not just the people, but the programs and outreach."

  3 intakes per year

  Full-time or part-time

  100% online coursework

MHC Program Outcomes

The doctoral Mental Health Counseling program is designed to meet the educational requirements for a licensed mental health counselor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and similar professional designations in other states. You will gain experience addressing mental health issues, human dynamics, and social justice for various individual or group cases, institutions, or workplaces. The program is based on a balanced, sequential scientist/practitioner model and emphasizes the interrelation of theory, research, and practice.

Numbers Tell the Story of Mental Health in America

Frequently asked questions.

It depends on your schedule, and the choice is yours. You can complete this program on a full-time basis and earn your degree in two years and three months (seven trimesters). Or, you can enroll in the program part-time and earn your degree in three years and seven months (eleven trimesters).

The online MHC program costs $830 per credit hour + fees* for a total investment of $54,780. Financial aid  may be available to our online students.

Yes. Our faculty members are experienced practitioners. They are experts in their field and dedicated to your success in diverse counseling settings.

Employment Outcome

161,588  median total annual wages*.

Job postings in 2021 (up 28% since 2018)

The most common industries employing mental health counselors, by the number of employees, are as follows:

Projected 10-year Growth  

Outpatient care centers (41%)

Individual and family services (16%)

Elementary and secondary schools (10.5%)

Colleges, universities, junior universities, and professional schools (6.35%)

• General medical and surgical hospitals and specialty hospitals (6.08%)
• Residential care facilities (3.13%)
• Administration of human resource programs (2.64%)
• Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals (2.47%)
• Justice, public order, and safety activities (1.68%)

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lightcast, DataUsa.io

Doctor of Education: Educational Leadership and Administration Webinar

From Boomers to Zoomers: Cross-Generational Challenges for Future Counselors

Conquer the Curveballs: Overcoming Seven Common Hurdles in the World of Family Nurse Practitioners

Dedicated Student Support

An AIC Enrollment Advisor can answer your questions and guide you through the application process. Click the button below to fill out a form and start the conversation.

Your advisor can help with:

•   Admission Requirements
•   Curriculum details
•   Field placement
•   Enrollment support
•   Tuition costs
•   Financial aid

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Online CACREP Accredited

Credit Hours

View Courses

Online* with required intensives

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Empower Others to Create Positive Change by Earning a Licensure-Track Master’s in Counseling Online

Liberty University’s Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree online is designed to equip you with the specialized training you need to gain state licensure and become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).**

An LPC is a licensed mental health professional who is trained to work with individuals, families, and groups in treating mental health and behavioral problems. By earning this online counseling degree, you can enhance your understanding of human psychology through field-tested techniques and learn best practices for promoting the mental health and holistic wellness of clients in diverse communities.

Our master’s in counseling degree online can help you become an ethical, well-trained mental health counselor with the knowledge, values, and skills you need to empower others to make positive changes in their lives. Completing Liberty University’s counseling degree online prepares you for counseling practice through rigorous academic courses, dynamic interaction with mentors and faculty, and a carefully structured practicum and internship process.

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

**Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our  licensure/certification requirements  webpage.

What is an LPC degree?

An LPC degree is a “license for professional counseling” degree, or a degree designed to help graduates obtain a professional counseling license. Liberty’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is an LPC degree.

You may also be able to use your state’s approved pathways to transition from a general LPC to a specialized field. See your state’s board of counseling website for details.

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• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling?

Do you want to empower others to conquer their challenges and become healthy and productive? Liberty University’s online clinical mental health counseling degree can help prepare you for a rewarding career as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Learn evidence-based, field-tested skills from professors who not only have years of real-world counseling experience but who are also committed to mentoring their students.

Counseling is a unique calling that requires a special kind of person. As a counselor, you’ll seek to help people overcome challenges that can seem insurmountable. At times, you will serve as a place of solace for your clients – a beacon of hope in a world that can seem ruthless, endless, and devoid of meaning.

The clients you serve may have just come stateside from a long tour in the Middle East, from an impoverished area, or from the highest echelons of society. Indeed, mental health challenges don’t discriminate – they affect people from all walks of life. Your clients may be broken, disheartened, depressed, or angry. They may also appear to be high on life – but on the inside, masquerading deep, shut-away feelings of insecurity, mental duress, and regret.

Fortunately for your future clients – and for you – people do not have to face their challenges alone. Just as your clients will depend on you, you can depend on Liberty University to help equip you with the skills, knowledge, experience, and credentials needed to offer hope to the hopeless and refuge to the restless.

At Liberty, our professors can be a tremendous asset to you. You’ll have the opportunity to meet with some of them personally during your visits to Liberty’s beautiful campus, located in Central Virginia, for 2 on-campus intensives. You’ll also observe professional counselors in their own practices during your counseling practicum and start honing your counseling skills throughout a 2-semester internship.

Once you complete your master’s degree in counseling online and pass your state licensure exam, you’ll be equipped to pursue a fulfilling professional counseling career. You may be able to pursue roles in many areas such as healthcare, community agencies, education, social services, or private practice. Liberty University’s online master’s in professional counseling degree provides you with a flexible, effective pathway to licensure – while preparing you for a rewarding career.

CACREP Accreditation

Our online mental health counseling degree is also  CACREP-accredited . You may be wondering what this means for your degree and why CACREP accreditation is important.

Here are a few reasons why:

• The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the nation’s foremost accrediting group for determining the quality and rigor of a graduate-level counseling program. 
• In order to earn CACREP accreditation, a graduate program must be evaluated by CACREP and found to meet or exceed national academic standards set by the counseling profession. Liberty’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling online degree fits that bill.  
• CACREP accreditation also ensures that a degree program can help prepare you for licensure. Though licensure requirements may vary by state, earning a CACREP-accredited MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling can help you pursue a career as a licensed mental health professional. 
• Though it may be possible to pursue a career as a licensed mental health professional without a CACREP-accredited graduate degree, CACREP is largely accepted as the standard that employers in counseling professions require. Becoming a professional counselor is much simpler with a CACREP-approved degree under your belt. 

If you’re looking for a CACREP-accredited mental health counseling degree online that allows you to prepare for a career as a licensed professional counselor and gain valuable skills from the comfort of home, look no further than Liberty’s master’s in clinical mental health counseling.

What Will You Study in Our Master’s in Counseling Online?

Our master’s in clinical mental health counseling degree online provides a foundational series of courses designed to cover the most essential studies in human behavior. These courses are designed to train you in ethical and legal issues in counseling, multicultural counseling, theories in counseling, and many other areas of study for evidence-based best practices. To meet private counseling practice requirements and become a licensed clinical counselor, your online counseling classes meet specific advanced counseling content areas. Our program is designed to help you receive the hands-on training you need.

Our online LPC degree focuses these critical knowledge areas into group counseling, psychopathology, and other important assessment and practical skill areas. With these skills, you can become equipped for another part of the degree program: your practicum and internship requirements.

The practicum and internship requirements embedded into our LPC online program allow you to gain valuable, real-world experience under the supervision of a professional counselor. At Liberty, we believe in the value of real-world experience because it allows you to see, experience, and learn things that may not be fully covered in a textbook or a lecture.

These courses are designed to give you the necessary skills and knowledge to be an effective mental health caregiver in your chosen field. By pursuing our clinical counseling degree online, you can earn a career-enhancing credential and confidently pursue careers in the helping professions.

Potential Career Opportunities

• Addictions and recovery counselor
• Community counselor
• Ministry-based counselor
• Private practice counselor

Featured Courses

• COUC 502 – Human Growth and Development
• COUC 546 – Psychopathology
• COUC 604 – Crisis Counseling
• COUC 667 – Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

Degree Information

• This program falls under the School of Behavioral Sciences .
• View our Graduate Behavioral Sciences Course Guides (login required) .
• Two 3-credit hour intensives with flexible scheduling are required.
• One 3-credit hour practicum that requires 100 hours – 40 of which are direct contact hours.
• 6-credit hour internship taken in two 3-credit-hour courses over 2 semesters. For more information, please contact academic advising at (800) 424-9596 .
• Review the background check and comprehensive exam information.
• The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program may lead to licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in most states. See which states have unique board requirements .
• You can read more about the National Counselor Examination on our counselor education page.

Degree Completion Plan

Licensure Information

The 60-hour Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is designed to lead to professional licensure as outlined by individual state boards of counseling. Before enrolling in a licensure program at Liberty University, students should consult the rules and regulations regarding professional counseling for their particular state . More specifically, students should be aware of the following before enrolling in one of Liberty University’s counseling programs:

• State regulations regarding licensure opportunities if an applicant has a previous felony conviction.
• State regulations regarding the type and number of academic courses and practicum/internship hours.
• The state accreditation requirements for educational institutions.
• The state regulations and requirements for online graduate education programs.

State Licensure Requirements

Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements .

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Online

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form .
• Students must have 3 credit hours in statistics (can be MATH 201) either on their transcripts or must complete this requirement as a prerequisite to specific graduate courses.
• Contact information for 2 recommenders from professional sources (i.e., not family/friends). This form can be submitted online (login required) or to [email protected] – 1. Name 2. Position/Title 3. Email 4. Phone 5. Place of Employment 6. Mailing Address. These individuals should be qualified to address the applicant’s ability to complete the graduate-level work, disposition, ability to become a counselor, and their maturity, motivation, and ethics. Some examples of individuals that may be suitable include professors, employers, or leaders in an organization where the applicant volunteers. Please note: This contact information must be less than 1 year old.
• Please describe in 200-250 words why you desire to become a counselor and indicate the type of counselor certification you plan to seek after graduation.
• Describe in 200-250 words an occasion in which you have interacted with an individual or a group of individuals from another culture. Identify the cultural differences which were present and how you demonstrated respect for those differences.
• Describe in 200-250 words how you form effective interpersonal relationships with others in individual and group settings.
• Complete the form agreeing to the Department of Counselor Education and Family Study’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Mission Statement and Diversity Statement .
• Students seeking to be admitted into this program and planning to finish it outside of the U.S. will be required to sign an International Disclosure Agreement (login required).
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Bridge Program

Students who do not meet the required 2.7 GPA can potentially be placed into the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Studies .* Upon successful completion of this certificate with at least a 3.0 GPA, these students can be reevaluated for the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

*In order to be eligible for the alternate pathway, admission requirements for the graduate certificate must still be met.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
• Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
• If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application .
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Transcript Policies

Unofficial college transcript policy.

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

• Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
• Cumulative GPA
• A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
• Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

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*Not applicable to certificates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of liberty university’s clinical mental health counseling degree online.

One benefit to Liberty’s online clinical mental health counseling degree is that it can help you prepare for in-demand careers. The U.S. Department of Labor projects overall growth for mental health counselors – learn more .* Insurance companies offer more coverage for mental health services than in the past. This change means that the federal government, community clinics, and local hospitals are expanding their mental health counseling staff to provide effective treatment for patients.

After completing Liberty University’s master’s in clinical mental health counseling degree online, you will have many opportunities to choose your preferred area of practice or specialize your field of expertise. This change can be completed later through state-specific alternate pathways.

Highlights that set Liberty’s clinical mental health counseling degree apart from others:

• Our award-winning online learning environment means you can complete your coursework on a schedule that fits your life.
• Our flexible, on-campus intensive options give you the opportunity to visit Liberty University’s beautiful campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia when it fits into your schedule. You also may be able to use financial aid to pay for a hotel room during your week-long  intensive . For more information, contact academic advising at  (800) 424-9595 .
• The practicum and internship provide hands-on, marketable experience working directly with hurting people in your community.
• Our mental health counseling degree is taught by a cadre of expert professors with years of experience in the helping professions.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,  Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors , (Viewed online October 26, 2021). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

How do I know the master’s in clinical health counseling is right for me?

• You need flexibility.  Liberty’s online mental health counseling degree is offered in mostly 8-week sections. You’ll be able to complete the vast majority of your degree from the comfort of home, and you’ll be able to complete your field experience requirements at a location near you. 
• You want to gain experience.  Our online mental health counseling degree features a practicum and an internship — allowing you to gain real-world experience, learn valuable skills, put what you learn into practice, and build professional connections. 
• You want an online counseling degree that is CACREP-accredited .  This means that you can have confidence that your online counseling degree from Liberty has met the highest academic standards. A counseling degree from Liberty can help you stand out to hiring managers, serve clients with excellence, or equip you with the confidence to start your own counseling practice. 
• You want to study under industry experts.  Our clinical counseling degree is taught by a group of expert professors with years of experience. Our instructors are passionate about the subjects they teach, but they’re even more passionate about helping you achieve your goals. By choosing Liberty for your MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, you choose professors who have a vested interest in your success.
• You want to become a Licensed Professional Counselor.  Our clinical mental health counseling degree online is designed to help you become a licensed mental health professional.
• You want a Christ-centered education.  Since 1971, Liberty’s mission has been to  Train Champions for Christ . We don’t want to just train the next generation of clinical mental health counselors – we want to train principled, ethical professionals whose dedication to clients is preceded only by a love of Christ. 

What can you do with a Master’s in Counseling Online?

Liberty’s online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling provides the training, knowledge, and experience you need to become a professional counselor. With a professional counseling licensure and an LPC degree that is accredited by CACREP, your training and expertise can be recognized as meeting a high standard of excellence. There are opportunities for counseling in many areas, including:

• Addictions and recovery counseling
• Community counseling
• Ministry-based counseling
• Private counseling practice

Our online counseling degree assists students in pursuing required state licensure areas of knowledge and practice. This allows students to pursue state-regulated counseling positions to work in private, public, and nonprofit roles where counseling and human services skill sets are required. After completing Liberty’s online degree in counseling and satisfying state licensure requirements, students may be able to start their own private practices in counseling.

As a licensed professional counselor (LPC), you may be qualified to work in the following types of treatment centers:

• Inpatient mental health treatment facility
• Mental health agency
• Private practice

With additional licensure requirements, graduates may also pursue roles as school counselors, addiction counselors, marriage and family therapists, and many other counseling roles. Please review your state’s  licensure requirements  for more information about counseling licensure requirements.

What is professional counseling?

Professional counselors or mental health counselors are licensed professionals who use expert knowledge in human psychology to help people heal from emotional trauma, overcome harmful behavior, and offer mental health guidance.

The act of counseling itself may be performed by non-licensed professionals who have experience in helping people overcome emotional and psychological struggles. However, licensed counselors have met specific, rigorous standards for training. LPCs have also undertaken a broad-based, in-depth study of psychological conditions and their treatment. This background better prepares counselors to handle a wider variety of issues, utilize one of several counseling techniques, and use the chosen technique to help clients get the help they need.

How can you earn a counseling degree online?

Many students looking for how to get a counseling degree are confused by online formats. While these programs are online, state-recognized counseling licensure requires hands-on experience showing many hours of counselor-patient experience. With Liberty’s online LPC program, the hands-on experience is handled through a practicum and internship in or near your local community.

Can you get a counseling license without a master’s?

No. If you want to become a licensed professional counselor, earning a master’s degree is a must. That’s why Liberty offers an online masters in mental health counseling — so you can take the next step towards your career goals without relocating. By partnering with us, you can earn your mental health counselor degree and pursue your dream of becoming a licensed professional counselor.

Can I start my own practice with Liberty’s master’s in professional counseling?

If you’re interested in starting your own counseling practice, Liberty’s online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree online is an excellent choice. This degree program is CACREP-accredited and designed to help you become a Licensed Professional Counselor – allowing you to work in several settings.

Is getting an LPC worth it?

Becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC) is a rewarding, in-demand career path that can empower you to guide struggling people through various difficulties. As an LPC, you’ll be able to diagnose and treat emotional disorders, and provide direct guidance to individuals and groups. You’ll also be able to work in a variety of settings such as mental health facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or your own private practice. 

If you’re interested in becoming a counselor and in the process of exploring LPC online programs, Liberty’s online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling can help you become a licensed professional counselor. While some masters in counseling online degrees may have not been created with licensure requirements in mind, our online mental health counseling degree was designed to satisfy licensure requirements. 

Through completion of this degree’s rigorous curriculum and field experience requirements, you can graduate from our mental health degree online as an ethical, principled professional who can confidently pursue licensure.

Will I be required to attend any courses on campus?

Our clinical mental health master’s in counseling online requires 2 residential courses. Occasionally these are also offered as synchronous online courses and offers can vary per semester. Please refer to the Course Registration Tool for current listings. The courses, COUC 505 and COUC 512, will still require online students to be present for class virtually between the hours of 8:00 and 5:00 pm EST for one week. For more information, please contact academic advising at  (800) 424-9596 .

What is the difference between a life coach and a counselor?

Though there are several differences between a life coach and a counselor, one of the largest differences is that counseling is more narrow in focus than life coaching. Counselors help their clients cope with issues such as addiction, eating disorders, and numerous other challenges. 

On the other hand, life coaches do not seek to help clients overcome serious mental challenges. Life coaches focus more on motivating their clients to reach certain goals while counselors seek to guide clients through their current life circumstances. 

What is the difference between a lay counselor and a licensed professional counselor?

While a licensed counselor must go through years of educational and professional training and testing to licensed, little to no training is required to become a lay counselor. Lay counselors are commonly non-degree-holding, non-credentialed, and non-licensed people who work in the helping professions.

Licensed counselors also tend to earn considerably larger salaries than lay counselors. 

How do our counseling degree’s field experience requirements work?

Our master’s in clinical mental health counseling has 1 practicum and 1 internship. Both are semester-long courses.

The practicum requires 100 hours of field experience – 40 of those direct client hours, and 60 of those related activities such as reading literature, creating and examining case notes, and crafting treatment plans. The practicum, which also requires a few set login times, should be completed near the end of our mental health degree online – but before the internship. In order to register for the practicum, students must complete all required prerequisites and have at least a 3.0 GPA. 

The internship requires 600 total hours of field experience. Because it may be difficult to complete all of these hours in 1 semester, students are required to complete the internship over the course of 2 semesters. One other difference between the practicum and the internship is that the internship requires group supervision while the practicum does not. However, we recommend group supervision as part of the practicum, if possible. 

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Malone University - Christ's Kingdom First

Clinical mental health counseling program.

Candidates from any undergraduate background have an opportunity to pursue a career in mental health counseling at Malone.

Excellence in counseling

Students may choose between a synchronous online format or an asynchronous online format. Both offer the same curriculum and prepare students to take the National Counselor Licensure Examination at the conclusion of the program.

The program is fully accredited by:  The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) .

The curriculum of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program includes coursework, practicum, and internships-- all of which can be completed within two to three years, depending upon the student's desired time frame. The curriculum also incorporates a variety of subject areas which gives graduates the opportunity to seek a career in a general setting or a more specific setting. 

Preparing you for the future

After receiving licensure, Clinical Mental Health Counseling students may serve in a mental health agency, substance abuse treatment center, hospital, school, church, and in other professional settings. 

Over the last 10 years, graduates of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program have had a National Counselor Licensure Exam pass rate of 65-100%. The employment rate upon completion of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is 99%. Frequently, our graduate counseling students are offered full-time positions while they are completing their internships.

It is our goal to make sure that graduates complete their Malone education with the knowledge, training, and skills they need to move forward into their careers with ease. 

View course curriculum

Each course and its description is listed in the official  Academic Catalog . 

Emily Indorf '14, LPC

“If you are considering Malone, you will not regret your decision. The Christian atmosphere, the community, the education, and the genuine professors & staff really make your experience well worth it…

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Online graduate studies.

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Ms in psychology: professional counseling psychology.

Our Master of Science in Psychology with a major in Professional Counseling Psychology prepares research-informed future therapists, counselors and consultants for the independent and licensed professional practice of counseling, psychotherapy and program evaluation. Our program offers students a solid foundation in psychology and opportunities for specializing in a range of clinical problems and diverse populations, with learning through faculty-guided mentorship and supervised clinical training.

The program is designed to provide instruction and training for advanced study in psychology and prepare students to become professional Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) in Florida. Students are trained to use scientific and applied behavioral science theories, methods, techniques, and evidence-based treatments for the purpose of describing, preventing, and treating psychological problems, enhancing mental health and human development. 

Students may pursue this program in a hybrid or fully online format. 

Applicants must apply to either the hybrid OR the fully online program. Only Florida residents are eligible for admission to the online program. See program structure or contact [email protected] for more information.

Our courses and clinical training are aligned to the current training requirements needed for licensure as a Mental health Counselor in the State of Florida. Beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant must have a master’s degree from a program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), or an equivalent accrediting body which consists of at least 60 semester hours to apply for licensure. Our program is currently under review for accreditation by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).

Most admissions questions are answered on our Admissions page and the associated FAQs. Our program holds two types of group pre-admissions advising sessions monthly to provide assistance and answer applicant questions.

1. Virtual Information Sessions with program faculty and the Office of Graduate Admissions.

2. Virtual Applicant Office Hours with program faculty.

Please use the link below to sign up for one of our monthly virtual information sessions: https://s.visitdays.com/fiu/ci/txgtxfnnvp

Individualized pre-admissions advising sessions are not available. Please send admissions and application questions to [email protected] .

Getting Licensed

Program Contact

Please send admissions questions to   [email protected] . 

Department of Psychology [email protected]

MMC: 11200 SW 8th Street, DM 256 Miami, FL 33199 Tel: 305-348-2880 Fax: 305-348-3879

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Clinical mental health counseling: trauma studies specialization.

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Promote healing in survivors of trauma.

Trauma affects the mind, the body, and the spirit. Without intervention, these effects can last a lifetime. Develop the skills and knowledge needed to foster healing in people across the lifespan. Through Lesley's Trauma Studies master's degree program, you can choose to pursue one or two internships where you'll gain 700 to 1,300 hours of clinical experience while training alongside practitioners who are driving new thinking in the field.

Advances in neurobiology and increased public awareness have turned a spotlight on the profound biopsychosocial consequences of traumatic experiences on the lives of people. At the same time, growing numbers of those in need of such services, including military veterans, international refugees, and domestic violence survivors, are unable to access the services they need.

At Lesley, our faculty practitioners work alongside you to address these urgent challenges so you can help people sustain hope and break out of unconstructive behaviors and patterns.

You’ll explore the emerging field of post-traumatic therapy, with a focus on counseling those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Discover culturally appropriate community and crisis interventions that foster resilience in the aftermath of violence. And investigate how art and play therapy can facilitate change in children and adolescents.

By completing clinical internships at one or two of Lesley’s 400+ approve sites throughout Greater Boston and across New England, you’ll have all the experience and expertise you need to apply to for your Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credential.

Program Structure

On-Campus Full- or Part-Time Program

• Required courses in developmental psychology, counseling and psychotherapy theory, clinical skills, research methods, and more.
• Required specialization courses in psychological trauma and post-trauma therapy, disaster mental heath and community crisis intervention, and trauma in the lives of children and adolescents and play therapy
• Students who choose the one-internship option will earn 6 credits through supervision courses that accompany their internship. Students who choose the two-internship option will earn 12 credits through supervision courses that accompany their internships.
• Students who choose the one-internship option will have 9 elective credits to take. Students who choose the two-internship option will have 3 elective credits to take.
• Through our clinical mental health counseling program, gain eligibility for Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credential in Massachusetts
• Full-time example: 6-11 credits/semester for 7 semesters, including summer. Complete in just under 3 years. Part-time examples: 5-7 credits/semester for 10 semesters, including summer. Complete in about 3.5 years.

Have questions about the clinical mental health counseling master's program? View our frequently asked questions to find your answer.

• When do the master’s degree programs enroll? The master’s degree programs enroll in the Fall and in the Spring. However, once in the program, students take courses during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
• What is the application deadline for the master’s degree programs? The master’s degree programs have two application deadlines. The application deadline to start in the fall semester is on May 1. The application deadline to start in the spring semester is on November 1.
• Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in psychology in order to apply for these master’s degree programs? No! All applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree, but it does not have to be in psychology, counseling, or a related area of study.
• Does the program have online courses? No. All graduate programs within the Division of Counseling & Psychology are on-campus here in Cambridge, MA. The Division does not offer online programs at this time.
• Can I take courses part-time? Yes! Part-time students will take one or two courses (3 or 6 credits) per semester. Full-time students will take three courses (9 credits) per semester.
• When are courses offered? Courses within the Division of Counseling & Psychology are all on-campus and offered in two different formats: weekday and weekend formats. Course format offerings/availability are subject to a variety of factors and can change from semester to semester. Some classes may be offered in both the weekday and weekend model, and in that case, you could choose which format you prefer. However, other courses may only be offered in one format for a given semester. Formats include weekdays, in which you will have class once a week for 2.5 hours for each class in which you are enrolled. Classes are usually offered from 1-3:30pm, 4-6:30pm, and 7-9:30pm. The second is a weekend format in which you will be on campus for only two weekends, with four weeks in between the two weekends for each class in which you are enrolled. Those two weekends consist of classes on Friday evening from 5-9:50pm, Saturday from 9-6pm, and Sunday 9-6pm. With the weekend format, you are only required to come to campus twice each semester for each class. Please note that it is not possible to complete the entire program in just the weekend model.

The Division of Counseling & Psychology does not currently allow class visits due to the sensitive nature of topics that can arise during class discussion. This is in an effort to make sure that classes are always safe spaces for the current students. We encourage you to schedule a tour of Lesley’s campus or request to speak with a current student.  Sign up for a campus tour hosted by a current graduate student.

This program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue their license as a Mental Health Counselor, School Counselor, of School Adjustment Counselor in the state of Massachusetts, depending on the program you complete. We strongly encourage prospective applicants who intend to pursue licensure or credentialing to  review our “Licensure and Credentialing Information for Prospective Applicants” document  prior to applying to our program.

Yes! There are two courses within the Division of Counseling & Psychology that are open to non-matriculated students. Your ability to enroll in the course will depend on if there is room in the course once fully matriculated students are registered. If you are interested in taking a course within the Division, please email Courtney Millette at  [email protected] .

One-Internship Option

The one-internship option is the most flexible way to complete your 60-credit master’s degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Trauma Studies or Holistic Studies. If you choose to do one internship, over 2 semesters, you’ll engage in 700 hours of supervised internship/field experience in a clinical setting. You’ll earn 6 graduate credits through the supervision courses you take while completing your internship and you will meet the minimum requirements for licensure in Massachusetts. Because you’ll be doing one internship, you’ll have 9 credits to take in electives.

Two-Internship Option

You might choose the two-internship option to gain experience in an organization that will only accept students who already have internship experience in a clinical setting, or if you want to gain experience in a variety of settings. Over 4 semesters, you’ll engage in 1,300 hours of supervised internships/field experiences in clinical or school settings. You’ll earn 12 graduate credits through the supervision courses you take while completing your internships and you'll exceed the minimum requirements for licensure in Massachusetts. Because you’ll be doing an additional internship, you'll take 3 credits in electives.

Expected Program Competencies and Outcomes

Learn more about the expected competencies and outcomes that our clinical mental health counseling programs meet:

Outcome 1: Professional counselor identity development integrating multicultural awareness, culturally competent counseling, and social justice advocacy interventions

Outcome 2: Capacity for empathic engagement, therapeutic alliance, and critical self-reflection as a counselor including the recognition of personal worldview and biases to enhance working with diverse groups in school and community settings

Outcome 3: Knowledge of cognitive, social, and emotional development across the lifespan including ecological, contextual, multicultural, and social justice foundations

Outcome 4: Understanding of a variety of counseling theories, prevention, intervention, consultation, and social justice advocacy strategies

Outcome 5: Knowledge of individual psychopathology, mental health assessment and diagnosis, as defined by classification systems such as Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) and the International Classification of Disease (ICD) and their relationship to treatment, prevention and knowledge of cultural biases associated with these systems

Outcome 6: Ability to conduct an intake interview, use biopsychosocial case conceptualization for treatment planning, and conceptualize and deliver a case presentation in both written and oral form  

Outcome 7: Knowledge regarding the use, limitations and interpretation of assessment tools with an awareness of the cultural bias in assessment protocols and use of assessment/evaluation instruments and techniques that foster social justice among diverse client populations

Outcome 8: Skills for training, consulting, and collaborating with families, school personnel, and healthcare providers for education, systems change, and social justice advocacy

Outcome 9: Understanding of ethical and legal professional standards of care grounded in federal and state laws, public policy processes, and ethical standards of ACA, AMHCA and ASCA

Outcome 10: Knowledge of principles and practices of career counseling including the study of vocational/career development theories and decision making models; career assessment instruments and techniques, and the application of social justice theories to people’s vocational/career development

Outcome 11: Understanding of how to critically evaluate and interpret traditional and social justice oriented research and apply relevant research in counseling practice with the knowledge of cultural biases associated with research practice

Outcome 12: Knowledge of group theory, effective group interventions, principles of group dynamics, group processes, and group leadership, and the application of group work theory and practice to organizational dynamics and social justice advocacy in difficult settings

Outcome 13: Neuroscience, physical and biological foundations of human development, behavior and wellness; including the use of neuro-scientific research findings for culturally competent counseling practices and social justice advocacy interventions

Outcome 14: Completion of supervised field placement experiences that focus on the promotion of mental health, human development, wellness, cultural competency, and social justice advocacy, under the clinical supervision of appropriately credentialed professionals

Cambridge, MA

A nexus for higher education and mental health counseling practice and research, each year 250,000 students arrive to Cambridge from around the globe. The intellectual and cultural capital runs deep, and so do your opportunities addressing barriers to wellness. From Lesley’s location, access innovative community, hospital, and school-based mental health programs.

• Inpatient psychiatric units
• Day treatment programs
• Mental health centers
• Private schools
• College counseling centers
• Public schools
• Residential programs
• Domestic violence shelters
• Homeless shelters
• Eating disorders clinics
• Substance abuse centers

6 Critical Skills for Counselors

The Counseling & Psychology Student Experience

How to Become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor

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Of our 2019 graduating class is employed or furthering their education..

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5 popular career paths for mental health counselors.

Graduate counseling students receive therapy fellowships

Depending on your professional goals, where you reside or plan to practice, and the licensure requirements within that state, there are different pathways toward licensure or credentialing that may be relevant. In accordance with Lesley University’s institutional participation in SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and with federal regulations, we strongly encourage prospective applicants who intend to pursue licensure in a state other than Massachusetts to visit the Lesley University Licensure and Credentialing webpage and review the “Licensure Information for Students and Applicants” document for their specific program.

• Mental Health Counselor
• Mental Health Specialist
• School Counselor
• School Adjustment Counselor
• Mental Health Clinician
• Senior Counselor
• Recovery Counselor
• Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitals
• Outpatient Clinics
• Therapeutic Schools
• Residential Homes
• Substance Abuse Clinics
• AIDS Treatment Centers
• Domestic Violence Shelters

Adam Meiselman

Assistant Professor of Counseling and Psychology

Sue Motulsky

Professor of Counseling and Psychology

Sue’s teaching, writing, and research interests are in developmental and relational psychology, including adult development, cultural psychology, gender issues and women’s psychology, identity and relational development, LGBTQ+ career and identity development, and career counseling and vocational development.

Research interests include feminist, relational psychology, identity development, career development and life/career transitions, specifically transgender and nonbinary adults’ career decision-making, and qualitative, constructivist and narrative research.

Joe Mageary

Associate Provost, Mental Health & Wellbeing

Joe Mageary, PhD, LMHC, CCMHC (he/him) is an Associate Professor in Lesley University’s Department of Counseling and Psychology. As a member of the core faculty, Dr. Mageary has also served as the Director of Field Training for Counseling and Psychology. He is a Massachusetts Licensed School Adjustment Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), as well as a nationally certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Connecticut. He has used his LMHC in inpatient, outpatient, and community-based clinical roles and has extensive experience as a clinical supervisor, having worked as the Director of Emergency Services and Jail Diversion for an eighteen-town catchment area as well as serving as a Clinical Director in therapeutic high school settings for nearly a decade prior to joining Lesley’s faculty.

Throughout his career, Dr Mageary’s clinical work has been rooted in trauma-informed efforts to decrease stigma and suffering associated with mental illness through providing creative, community-based, collaborative, and recovery-oriented services. His clinical approach is influenced by tenets of Narrative Therapy, trauma-informed approaches, critical psychology, and brief therapies as well as by transdisciplinary thinkers such as Gregory Bateson and Edgar Morin. He holds a certificate from the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma’s Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery program and is working interdisciplinarily on multiple projects related to supporting people who have been displaced and/or otherwise impacted by war, natural disaster, and other systemic stresses. Specifically, Dr. Mageary has worked with  Voces Arts and Healing , a group of expressive therapists, clinicians and advocates supporting asylum seekers and their allies in the Juarez, Mexico/El Paso, Texas metropolitan area. He is also actively partnered with the  Lesley University Institute for Trauma Sensitivity  (LIFTS) in weekly consultation and support for teachers and child psychologists in the Kirovohradska region of Ukraine.

Dr. Mageary is interested in exploring creative and body-oriented approaches to healing. He led a team that developed the Visual Reflection Team model: an arts-based version of the Reflecting Team technique used in Family Systems- and Narrative therapies.

In addition to having his LMHC, Dr. Joe Mageary is a:

• Nationally Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
• Licensed School Adjustment Counselor and Special Education Administrator in the state of Massachusetts
• Level one- and two-trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) clinician
• Member of the American Counseling Association (Massachusetts and Rhode Island Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Division) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association

Rakhshanda Saleem

Professor, Counseling and Psychology

Rakhshanda’s scholarship and pedagogy is informed by a transnational and interdisciplinary perspective with a focus on the impact of structural and systemic violence. Her philosophical frameworks are embedded in decolonial, liberatory, and the emancipatory consciousness and the potential of grassroots and community-engaged movements. She is invested in solidarity organizing aimed at dismantling oppressive sociopolitical structural determinants of harm to individual and communal wellbeing and radical reimagining of alternatives to neoliberal and depoliticized theoretical models and wellness industry.  

Examples of her most recent scholarship include understanding issues facing disenfranchised migrant communities and learning about solidarity from the perspectives of impacted community members, activist, and organizers, exploring structural violence and its impact on “undocumented” Latinos (as) immigrants, Muslims (immigrants and non-immigrants), and LGBTQIA+ persons who have experienced incarceration, and identifying pre and post migration factors impacting the wellbeing of South Asian immigrant women.  Another area of interest and a developing project is exploring the trajectory of individuals involved in grassroot movements and community organizing in solidarity and resistance to systemic and structural violence to further understand consciousness raising and change occurs at an individual level.  

Rakhshanda is a licensed psychologist and a clinical neuropsychologist. Her work as a Harvard Medical School clinical instructor included assessment and clinical care for patients with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds needing linguistic and culture specific assessment and care.

Donna San Antonio

Donna Marie San Antonio has worked as a community organizer, teacher in grades 7-12, school counselor, outdoor educator-counselor, nonprofit administrator, and university instructor. She came to Lesley University in 2011 after teaching for 8 years in the Risk and Prevention Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. For 26 years, she directed the Appalachian Mountain Teen Project, an activity-based counseling program that she founded in 1984 to serve low-income and struggling youth in central and northern New Hampshire. 

Dr. San Antonio’s research and practice focus on understanding and supporting social, emotional, and physical wellness during adolescence and emerging adulthood. She has published on topics including developmental transitions for rural adolescents and emerging adults; the influence of social class and trauma in life course design and aspiration; experiential education/adventure-based counseling; school-based and workplace mentoring; school climate and social-emotional development; cross-role and cross-institutional collaboration; and community and school-based participatory action research for social change. Her current research projects include an exploration into the lifelong impact of therapeutic adventure activities during adolescence, and an auto-ethnography on how schools and communities in low-income rural areas support the social integration and well-being of migrant youth and families.  

Dr. San Antonio collaborates with international practitioners and researchers on urgent issues in school and community counseling. She frequently consults with school and community programs seeking to address cultural and economic barriers to success. She serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Experiential Education and is a Founding Member of the International Society of Policy, Research and Evaluation in School Counseling. She coordinates Lesley University’s affiliation with the UNESCO-UNITWIN Project on Lifelong Career. 

About her on-going community work, Dr. San Antonio says, "I believe in involving youth as active participants in addressing issues that threaten their well-being, such as poverty, racism, trauma, sexism, and homophobia.” As a classroom instructor and community activist, Dr. San Antonio works to create contexts that offer a high level of active critical reflection and dialogue. She enjoys hiking, biking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.   

Elizabeth Barragato

Visiting Instructor, Counseling & Psychology

Liz Barragato , MA, LMHC, has been an adjunct faculty member at Lesley University since 2014 and is thrilled to be a member of the core faculty starting in the 2021-2022 academic year. Liz has a private counseling and consultation practice in Cambridge, MA, and Liz is also a managing co-owner of Crooked Tree Counseling, LLC , in Cambridge.

Being a masters-level instructor, instead of having areas of scholarship, Liz had areas of clinical interest. Liz is interested in holistic theories and counseling methods, with a special interest in the intersection of Eastern wisdom practices, mental health, and wellness.

Liz brings this interest to the coordination of the Holistic Studies Specialization in the Counseling and Psychology Department. Liz is also deeply influenced by existential and relational psychoanalytic counseling approaches. Through all of these theoretical lenses, Liz see critical theory and issues of social justice permeating the work of counseling and teaching.

• On-Campus, One-Internship Option
• On-Campus, Two-Internship Option
• Tuition $1,350 x 60 $81,000
• Fees Field Experience Fees $1,700 MAP Tevera Fee $200 Comprehensive Fee $1,500

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees , and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

• Tuition $1,350/credit x 60 $81,000
• Fees Field Experience Fees $3,400 MAP Tevera Fee $200 Comprehensive Fee $1,500

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• TCNJ News Releases Archive 2021-2018

TCNJ receives $4.25 million in grants to launch new online mental health counseling program, lower education costs for future professionals

Amid a shortage of mental health professionals nationwide , The College of New Jersey has launched a new online Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling program to bolster diversity within the workforce. This new offering is funded by a $3 million grant from The Tepper Foundation and a $1.25 million grant from Accelerate the Future .

The program, which is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree, will intentionally recruit and train paraprofessionals working in mental health, particularly those from historically underrepresented populations working in New Jersey counties that have been  designated mental health professional shortage areas .

“The primary mission of this program is to provide a high-quality education grounded in the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to those working in mental health agencies in New Jersey,” said Sandy Gibson , program coordinator and professor of online counselor education at TCNJ. “We believe we can provide a national model for institutions to deliver counselor preparation in an accessible, affordable, exceptional, and flexible manner.”

“To address the mental health epidemic, it is crucial to invest in a strong and equipped mental healthcare workforce,” said Randi Tepper, CEO of The Tepper Foundation. “Many paraprofessionals in our mental health system want to further their education, and reducing the cost of degree attainment will be essential to more individuals reaching that milestone. At The Tepper Foundation, we collaborate with organizations who are working on the frontlines of this issue to meet this growing need. We are excited to support TCNJ’s new program that will expand and diversify the mental healthcare system in New Jersey and nationwide.”

“Accelerate the Future is proud to be supporting TCNJ’s work to make mental health counseling degrees more efficient, affordable, and accessible to hard working paraprofessionals in the behavioral health field,” said Ross Lohr, managing director of Accelerate The Future. “We’re not going to address critical shortages of mental health clinicians without some really innovative new programs, and Sandy Gibson is a perfect example of someone willing to push the boundaries of what’s possible to fix a broken system of mental healthcare in this country.” 

There are two tracks available for the program:

• Generalist practice track: This option offers students customizable electives that provide broad clinical experiences.
• Addiction counseling track: This track prepares students to work across the addiction treatment spectrum and provides a strong foundation in harm reduction strategies.

TCNJ is partnering with several community agencies to collectively support paraprofessional staff to secure their degree, while also working full-time. Through some agencies, this involves tuition support, while others will allow course attendance during work time. This partnership can help build the workforce pipeline for behavioral health, and areas facing substantive workforce shortages.

“The unique structure of our academic calendar allows students to attend the program full-time, never taking more than two courses at a time, and completing their MA in counseling in only two years,” Gibson said. “No longer will this degree feel out of reach for working paraprofessionals.”

The program consists of three 15-week terms a year, each of which is divided into two carefully curated seven-week sessions. The practicum/field experience will span a full term, and the internship will span two terms.

Students will use cutting-edge technology to enhance the learning experience and gain essential skills for future counseling practices through interactive virtual classrooms, practical skills labs integrated into every course, multimedia resources, and real-time collaboration tools.

For all students, tuition for the program will be discounted from TCNJ’s standard rate. Paraprofessionals working in HPSA communities and HBCU graduates are eligible for additional reductions in cost.

The college will host an Open House information session on Thursday, July 11 from 6:30-7:30pm. Interested parties can  register for the event  to learn more about the program.

For more information, please visit the program’s website.

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Students can choose from the following certificates or emphases: TCNJ-Based Certificates

• Bilingual Endorsement Certificate
• Educational Leadership Certificate
• Environmental Sustainability Education Certificate
• Inclusive Literacy
• Integrative STEM Educational Methods Certificate*
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Teacher of Students with Disabilities
• Supervisor Certificate
• Teacher Leader Certificate
• Teachers of English as a Second Language Certificate

RTC-Based Certificates

• Brain-Based Teaching Certificate*
• Classroom Climate Certificate*
• The Differentiated Classroom Certificate*

The following certificates lead to eligibility for state endorsements:

*Certificate can be completed online

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• Application Info
• About Grad School
• EKU Main Site

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

60 Credit Hours

Up To 18 Hours

Empower Others to Accomplish Their Goals

Hone the competencies needed to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and engage in helping relationships with others as a responsible, growth-oriented professional. EKU’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares professional counselors to work in a variety of mental health settings, including comprehensive care centers, regional mental health centers, hospitals, and other settings in which mental health services are provided.

Career Outlook

Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2022 to 2032 .

–  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Info

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression. They provide support, including for prevention, to help clients recover from addiction, modify problem behaviors, or improve mental health.

Mental health counselors advise individuals, families, couples, and groups. Some work with specific populations, such as children or older adults. Mental health counselors treat clients who have a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, grief, and stress. They also help with emotional health and relationship problems.

EKU Career Services

The EKU Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all of your career and professional development needs.

Services include:

• Creating/Updating Your Resume and Cover Letter
• Interviewing Tips and Coaching
• Career Documents Review

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program empowers professionals to enhance the quality of lives of diverse individuals with mental health needs. EKU is committed to graduating leaders who work to establish and maintain a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship; strive to respectfully understand the client’s cultural and world views as well as their meaning-making system(s); and collaboratively explore, identify, and track progress toward a realistic wellness goal for the individual.

• Fully accredited, brick-and-mortar university
• Free textbooks for all students through EKU BookSmart
• No application fee
• CACREP accredited
• Hybrid instructional model of predominantly online courses
• Unique elective offerings, such a play therapy and mindfulness practices
• Highly supportive clinical model, especially to help place students for their practicum and internship experiences
• Personalized mentoring and guidance by faculty to help students make the most of their training experience

Kentucky has two levels of clinical counselor licensure: The initial level, which is Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA), and the advanced level, which is Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

All graduates – upon their degree conferral – of EKU’s 60-credit Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree track and its 60-credit School Counseling degree track are eligible to immediately apply for their LPCA. Graduates will independently do so by visiting the state’s Licensure Board website  here . The LPCA application includes an online application; an application fee; and verification of the individual’s degree, education, training, clinical hours, supervision, and criminal background check. All questions or technical assistance required with the LPCA application should be directed to the Board, and their contact information can be found on their home webpage.

Once graduates have obtained their LPCA, they may begin work toward their LPCC. The LPCC requires a minimum of 4,000 post-master’s hours of clinical counseling experience under board-approved supervision (i.e., an LPCC-S). Of these 4,000 hours, at least 1,600 hours must be in direct counseling practice and 100 hours must be of individual, face-to-face supervision. LPCAs must also, again, sit/have sat for the NCE and pass/have passed it as part of their LPCC application. Once LPCAs have completed these requirements, they may apply for their LPCC to the Board through their website.

EKU’s Counselor Education program has been accredited by CACREP since 2001. CACREP, the leader in the monitoring of Counselor Education programs for decades, sets and enforces those professional standards deemed necessary to adequately prepare professional counselors to serve the public effectively and safely. These standards address the structure of the institution/program, its faculty, and the curriculum and practices delivered to/enforced with its students. CACREP accreditation has also been increasingly used as the standard by which professionals are able to be credentialed for practice by their state or other governing entity. Students and graduates of EKU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree track will meet Kentucky’s state requirements for initial licensure immediately upon degree conferral. Students and graduates of EKU’s School Counseling degree track will have a much easier time pursuing clinical licensure in their futures – should they decide to – having graduated from a CACREP-accredit program. More information about CACREP and its standards may be found  here . 

The Counselor Education’s School Counseling degree track is further accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP ensures that professionals have the necessary competency and skill to work with students in the PK-12 educational setting based on their discipline/specialty. More information about CAEP and its standards may be found  here . 

• Program Outcomes Report
• Survey Outcomes

EKU’s clinical mental health counseling curriculum prepares you for a variety of rewarding career options that will allow you to improve the lives of others and become a leader in your field.

Clinical mental health counseling courses are taught by instructors with real-world experience and designed to provide skill sets that can be applied to diverse individuals with unique needs. Courses include counseling theory and practice, process and basic techniques of counseling, principles and practices of clinical mental health counseling, group counseling, child and adolescent counseling, addiction disorders counseling, family counseling, diagnosis and treatment, and tests and measurements.

Degree Requirements

A total of 60 credits are required to graduate.

View the program degree requirements:

• MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• EKU Academic Catalog .

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Students must again complete a supervised practicum experience that totals a minimum of one hundred (100) hours* over a minimum of a 10-week academic term. Based on CACREP (2024) standards, each student’s practicum experience must/will include the following: 

• Completion of at least forty (40) hours of direct, face-to-face counseling service that contributes to the development of their counseling skills.
• Weekly interaction that averages one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision throughout practicum by a Counselor Education Program faculty member, a student supervisor under the supervision of a Counselor Education Program faculty member, or a site supervisor in regular consultation with a Counselor Education Program faculty member.
• Attendance for an average of 1½ hours per week of group supervision provided by a Counselor Education Program faculty member or a doctoral student supervisor under the supervision of a Counselor Education Program faculty member.
• The opportunity to become familiar with a variety of professional activities and resources in addition to direct service (e.g., record keeping, assessment, supervision, information and referral, in-service and staff meetings, etc.).
• The opportunity to develop program-appropriate visual/audio recordings for use in supervision or to receive live supervision of interaction with clients.
• Evaluation of counseling performance throughout the practicum experience with feedback.

*Hours in excess of 100 in practicum cannot be carried over into internship. Only hours accrued both when enrolled in the internship course and during the days of semester in which the individual is enrolled in it may be counted toward internship hours requirements.

Internship is the final and culminating experience during students’ time in the clinical mental health counseling program. This 3-credit course requires completion of a minimum of six hundred (600) hours at a clinical mental health counseling site and bi-weekly attendance of class/group supervision sessions facilitated by the faculty/course instructor. Two-hundred and forty (240) of the 600 hours must be direct, face-to-face counseling services with the remaining three-hundred and sixty (360) hours be counseling related tasks outside of face-to-face counseling services. As students’ transition from practicum to internship, site supervisors typically begin to assign more complex client/student cases and offer the student increasing responsibility at the site. It is highly recommended that all student’s complete internship over two semesters regardless of whether or not their degree requires it. This allows students to accommodate the needs of their site and clients while managing their other life responsibilities without burning themselves out or missing important learning/skill development opportunities. Based on CACREP (2024) standards, each student’s internship experience must/will include the following: 

• Completion of at least two-hundred and forty (240) hours of direct, face-to-face counseling service that contributes to the development of their counseling skills.

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer up to 18 hours of credit from accredited institutions. Please note that a minimum of 15 credit hours in this degree program must be completed at Eastern Kentucky University.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to EKU for appropriate articulation.

Sample Courses

For a full list of course descriptions please see section 7 of the University graduate catalog .

COU 813 – Professional Orientation and Ethics An introduction and orientation to the counseling profession. This course will explore the professional roles, organization, training, and credentialing standards of the profession. It will also survey the ethical, legal and professional issues facing counselors.

COU 804 – Counseling Diverse Populations An examination of the application of counseling methods and concepts to non-majority groups. The lifestyle, values, customs and attitudes of non-majority population will be explored.

COU 822 – Lifestyle and Career Counseling Occupational information in educational and vocational planning; theories of vocational choice; sociology of occupations, and interpretation and utilization of current data pertaining to career fields.

COU 863 – Crisis and Grief Counseling An advanced counseling techniques class focusing on the process and skills need in crisis and grief counseling.

Shaker Ezaizat

Call or email Enrollment Advisor Shaker Ezaizat for information about the EKU Graduate Education programs.

Contact Info: 859-622-2316 [email protected]

Application Deadlines

Admission Requirements

Based on the Graduate School’s admissions requirements, our program requires the following for initial admission review and consideration:

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 0 to 4.0

If an applicant does not have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, then one of the following must be met:

• The individual’s undergraduate GPA in the final 60 credits of their degree must be a 3.25 or higher, or
• The individual must submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.

If an applicant needs to submit GRE scores, then the program maintains the following minimum requirements of these scores and the applicant must meet at least one of them :

• A score of 146 or higher on the verbal section of the GRE
• A score of 146 or higher on the quantitative section of the GRE

Please note that the GPA or entrance exam requirement is waived if the individual already holds a graduate degree regardless of the discipline.

In addition to the above minimum admissions requirements regarding an accredited undergraduate degree and GPA or entrance exam scores, all applicants must submit the following supplemental materials as listed below with their online Graduate School application:

• A current resume
• Official copies of transcripts
• A writing sample
• Three letters of recommendation

Additional Contact Information

Admissions:  859-622-2106 Academic Testing:  859-622-1281 Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services):  859-622-2361 Military & Veterans Affairs Office:  859-622-2345

Student Success

My advising team has been so helpful to me in figuring out what classes I need to take and how to most efficiently earn my degree. They are always quick to respond when I have questions and are always supportive of my academic goals.

• “I can confidently say that — as someone who doesn’t even live in the United States — EKU’s online program has been extremely accommodating and flexible. I can discuss advising appointments over email, and I can have my textbooks shipped to my address overseas.” – Sydney Garner Lewis
• “After the birth of our first child, I knew I needed to go back and finish what I started,” said McKenzie. “I was happy that I could pick up where I left off at EKU even though I lived in a different state.” – EKU Online student and mom
• “I chose EKU because I am a unique student with unique needs, and EKU provides an avenue for students like me to succeed.” – EKU Online Psychology student Jason Tate

Apply To EKU Graduate School

Stephen A. Bergdahl

Psychologist , phd.

My Practice at a Glance

Educational & Psychological Services

316 South Jefferson Street

Moscow, ID 83843

• Individual Sessions $149
• Couple Sessions $149
• Sliding scale: apply if you may be eligible
• BlueCross and BlueShield
• Cigna and Evernorth
• First Choice Health | FCH
• Premera Blue Cross

Qualifications

• Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of Idaho / PSY-203202 Stephen A. Bergdahl
• In Practice for 7 Years
• Attended California School of Professional Psychology-Fresno , Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology , Graduated 2017

Specialties and Expertise

Top specialties.

• Testing and Evaluation
• Bipolar Disorder
• Developmental Disorders
• Education and Learning Disabilities
• Intellectual Disability
• Life Transitions
• Relationship Issues
• School Issues
• Sleep or Insomnia
• Spirituality
• Trauma and PTSD
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Client Focus

Participants, treatment approach, types of therapy.

• Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
• Attachment-based
• Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
• Emotionally Focused
• Gottman Method
• Integrative
• Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Positive Psychology
• Psychodynamic
• Psychological Testing and Evaluation
• Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
• Trauma Focused

Primary Location

Nearby areas.

• Lewiston, ID
• Pullman, WA