PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision Program

Denver Seminary’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision is a 4-year, relational, cohort-based, online doctoral degree program. This in-depth and integrated experience will result in CES professionals who are informed, sophisticated practitioners, ready to engage critical mental health needs. Successful completion will allow graduates the ability to teach, supervise, and counsel in ways that address the complex questions of integrating the faith they believe with the skills they perform. As a graduate, you will be recognized as a leader in counseling, counselor education, counseling supervision, and research.

The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision trains professionals to integrate Christian faith into their multifaceted roles as a counselor educator. We develop skilled, experienced, compassionate, self-aware professionals who are ethically and culturally sensitive. Students acquire knowledge and skills to be contributors and influencers in the domains of clinical counseling, counselor education, supervision, research, leadership, advocacy, and the integration of faith in professional practice.

Additionally, your ability to integrate Christian biblical foundations with counseling theory and practice will prepare you to engage in issues of advocacy and leadership on local, national, and international levels.

The academic program is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). CACREP approval will be sought in keeping with CACREP timelines.

Careers and Vocations with PhD in CES

Counselor Educator and Researcher in a CACREP accredited MA or PhD program. This path offers opportunities to nurture the development of future counselor educators and perform research to advance the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 12% growth rate for postsecondary teachers from 2020 to 2030, and the field of counseling is one of the fastest-growing fields, so the field of counselor education may have even stronger growth.

Clinical Director in outpatient settings, hospitals, government agencies, universities, and K-12 academic settings.*

Clinical Supervisor responsible for individual and group supervision of students in counselor education programs, pre-licensed clinicians, and staff mental health providers in clinical settings. Duties beyond supervision may include reviewing progress notes, providing feedback, and directing clinical training.*

Private Practice Owner responsible for all business operations for a mental health focused practice including counseling clients, advertising, and ensuring all legal requirements are met. Some people establish a business with a master’s degree, but many hold a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision.

*As the field of counseling grows, clinical administration will also grow, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the field of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors will grow by 23% from 2020 to 2030 and Marriage and Family Counselors will grow by 16% from 2020-2030.

“The focus of the work is really about contributing to the larger field of counseling… they want to impact a large number of people’s lives in a meaningful way.”

Dr. Michell Temple, Assistant Professor of Counseling

Doctorate in Counselor Education FAQs

Admission Requirements

To be considered for full admission into the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program (CES), prospective students must:

Hold a 60-credit hour CACREP or CORE accredited master’s degree in counseling, or its equivalent. All CACREP entry-level core and specialty area requirements must be met for full admission into the PhD CES program.
Have earned a minimum of 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) on all graduate work as verified by official transcripts
Hold, or be eligible for, a professional counseling license in their state of residence.
Complete the degree-seeking application and participate in an admissions interview.
Have completed a one-year clinical experience, which may have been completed before or during the master’s program.

Conditional Admission Applicant
If your master’s degree was not from a CACREP accredited program, and/or you are missing required prerequisite coursework, you may be conditionally admitted to the PhD CES program with the requirement of completing coursework in the identified areas.

Program Cost

The current cost of the program is $870.00 per credit hour and the program is 66 credit hours. There is a $500 Education Services fee in the fall and spring semesters.

Possible funding opportunities exist that can reduce the total cost of the program significantly, including graduate assistantships, teaching assistant positions, and a Ministry Residency Program. These funding opportunities go beyond student loans and help to keep our program affordable.

Funding Sources

We understand that there are many steps along the way to transforming your career and meeting the present needs of the world. In continued commitment to our mission to attract and retain exceptional students, the Counseling Division and Denver Seminary are invested in helping put your PhD within reach. Funding is available in a variety of formats as well as recommendations for pursuing support external to Denver Seminary.

Learn more about our PhD Funding Sources. For additional information on Financial Aid, reach out to your Admissions Counselor.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). CACREP approval will be sought in keeping with CACREP timelines.

Program Length, Coursework, Dissertation

Program Length

Denver Seminary’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision is an online, four-year, full-time, fixed 66 credit hour program. The course sequence is a pre-planned, mandatory progression for PhD CES students, and includes three required residencies. As a full-time course of study, in which students take 6 credits each term, the program should be able to be completed in 3½ to 4 years and must be completed within seven (7) years. The first three years of the program consist of core coursework, including a clinical practicum, and three full terms of internship (600 hours). Online courses are taught using both synchronous and asynchronous elements. Following a passing score on the comprehensive exam, students spend the remainder of the time in the program working toward the completion of their dissertation project.

Coursework
The PhD CES Program courses are designed for the working professional with two weekly evening online videoconferencing sessions that are live and synchronous. In addition, there are 2-hours of asynchronous learning activities weekly, along with regular reading and writing assignments.

Practicum and Internship

All PhD CES students complete one clinical practicum and a minimum of three internships, Instruction Internship, Supervision Internship and one other (Clinical, Research, or Leadership). If a student is not licensed by the time they begin Advanced Practicum, they must also take Clinical Internship. With approval from their Doctoral Advisor, students may engage additional internships using their elective credits.

Dissertation Process

The dissertation process begins in the third year of the program. Throughout the program you will work with your dissertation committee, a team that committed to ensuring you are ready for this final phase and that will walk with you throughout the complete dissertation process.

Year 3 Spring Semester
Enroll in and complete CO 3211, develop dissertation proposal, finalize dissertation committee.

Year 3 Summer Semester
Pass Comprehensive Exams both written and oral, defend dissertation proposal, submit IRB proposal.

Year 4 Fall Semester

Enroll in CO 4100: Dissertation I, collect data and conduct research, begin writing dissertation.

Year 4 Spring Semester

Enroll in CO 4200: Dissertation Defense, write final chapters, defend dissertation, and submit copies and final paperwork for graduation.

This process is one to be respected and engaged purposefully, as you are creating the launching pad for your future career and life as a professional counselor educator. Regardless, completion of your dissertation takes time, consideration, and commitment. This season will be one of intensity that requires focus and determination, along with a good team to cheer you on. Your dissertation committee is part of that team and will be eager to help you succeed and finish this significant work.

Cohort Model

A cohort is a group of students who take all their classes together and often graduate together, depending on dissertation timeline. The cohort model is designed to give our PhD students closer connection to their classmates and professors, increasing learning and student success.

Values and Distinctions

Student Focused

Generous Funding Opportunities

Whole-Life Growth and Wellness

Committed to Diversity

Outstanding Reputation

Student Focused
Faculty and staff are available to answer your questions throughout your PhD experience, from initial discussions through graduation. You can set up a 1:1 meeting to learn more about the program and our commitment to your success. We are dedicated to helping you reach your goals.

Generous Funding Opportunities
We offer graduate assistantships, teaching assistant positions, and a Ministry Residency Program. These funding opportunities go beyond student loans and help to keep our program affordable.

Whole-life growth and wellness through our personal formation program.
We help students bring together a network of guides and mentors to support their development, first as a PhD student, and ultimately as a leader in counselor education and supervision.

Committed to Diversity
We are committed to bringing a diverse group of students together with a variety of professional goals and aspirations. Our curriculum will challenge students to expand their skills in teaching, research, leadership, and clinical supervision. Our current students have backgrounds in higher education, private practice, nonprofits, and faith-based institutions.

Outstanding Reputation
Our Counseling Program has a solid reputation for preparing mental health professionals with an understanding of faith integration in the practice of counseling. PhD students will benefit from our record of excellence and our team of esteemed faculty.

“The central focus of our PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision is on whom our students are and on our relationships with them. Our program is designed to cultivate people, both by recognizing their skills, gifts, and callings, and, in the context of meaningful relationships, challenging them to deepen and grow. Through relationships, we develop skilled and efficacious researchers, teachers, leaders, supervisors, and counselors. Our hope is through our investment in our students, we will empower them to fulfill the mission of the Seminary, engaging the needs of not only their clients, supervisees, and the profession with the redemptive power of the gospel, but those of the world as well.”

Dr. Eric Suddeath, Chair of the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Assistant Professor of Counseling