Ph.D. Clinical Counseling: Teaching and Supervision
Mission Statement of the Doctoral Program
The doctoral program exists to equip students to become competent mental health professionals, counselor educators, supervisors, researchers, and leaders in the field who will use their skills in service to others.
Doctoral Program
The Ph.D. is a 66-credit hour doctoral program designed for those who desire to become counselor educators and supervisors. The program extends for a minimum of nine semesters with the student registering for three courses or nine hours for six semesters and four hours for three semesters in the last year of the program. At this rate the student can complete the degree in three years. The program is a rigorous, standardized curriculum that offers cognates in counseling or marriage and family counseling/therapy. Courses are offered two days a week (Tuesday and Thursday). Courses are also offered in an online format with synchronous sessions (Tuesday and Thursday) starting the fall of 2022.
The current face to face PhD program will be adapted to offer an online delivery method starting the fall of 2022. The program will involve one cohort with two delivery method options - the current accredited face to face program or an online delivery option. Though the courses and course descriptions will not change, an additional delivery method will be added to include an online option including synchronous and asynchronous activities. The content of the courses including lectures, assignments, class activities, etc. will need to change to adjust to an online delivery method.
The Ph.D. is an advanced professional degree designed for several groups: a) those who wish to enhance their skills as a counselor, b) clinicians who wish to develop leadership skills that will positively enhance the professional mental health community, c) those who wish to take a more active role in supervision and the development of other counselors, d) those who wish to expand their professional options to include teaching in counselor education, and e) those who wish to participate in academic research with the potential for professional presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the doctoral program is to:
- Recruit qualified candidates for admission into the program.
- Provide adequate learning resources and support systems to assist students in becoming counselor educators and supervisors.
- Integrate faith and learning in the life and thought of students.
- Encourage students to develop life-long learning behaviors that prepare them for a career in the professional world of counselor education.
- Engage in on-going review and evaluation of program effectiveness in preparing competent counselor educators and supervisors.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from the Ph.D. program should be able to:
- Understand and practice the art of counseling at a more proficient and advanced level.
- Teach counselor educator coursework at a higher education level.
- Supervise the development of less experienced counselors.
- Offer administrative leadership within agencies and organizations.
- Conduct independent research at an advanced level.
- Embrace diversity as essential in working with clients and students.
- Possess the ability to integrate the principles of counselor education within a Christian worldview.