What Does a Doctoral Program in Counseling Prepare Me for?
Updated April 9, 2024
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With a doctorate in counseling, you can qualify for the highest roles in the field, including educational, research, and leadership positions. Learn about degree requirements, cost, and career paths after graduation with a Ph.D. in counseling.
Popular Online Counseling Doctoral Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Why Get a Doctorate in Counseling?
Earning a doctorate can advance your career as a counselor. Many apply to doctoral programs to pursue teaching and research roles, such as a counseling professor. A doctorate can also help you pursue supervisory roles or gain additional clinical training.
Key benefits to earning a doctorate in counseling include:
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Become a Counseling Educator or Supervisor
To become a professor, you’ll need a Ph.D. for most tenure-track job openings. A doctorate can also prepare you to supervise and train counselors in clinical and educational settings. -
Increase Your Earning Potential
As you advance your education, your earning potential often increases. For example, moving into supervisory or managerial roles typically comes with a compensation boost. Those with a doctorate in any field report the highest median wages, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). -
Advance the Field of Counseling
Doctoral students conduct research and write a dissertation. While pursuing your doctorate, you can advance the field – and by pursuing research opportunities after graduation, you can continue contributing through your research.
Doctorate in Counseling Degree Overview
A doctorate in counseling is an advanced academic degree that prepares individuals for leadership and education roles in counseling. This degree equips graduates with skills in teaching, research, supervision, and advanced clinical practice.
Doctoral counseling degrees are typically offered as a Ph.D. in counseling education and supervision and are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). A Ph.D. in counseling program is typically required to become a counseling professor and is distinct from a Ph.D. in counseling psychology, which is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
There are 93 doctoral counseling programs in the CACREP directory. Choosing a CACREP-accredited program ensures that your program follows the best practices in counseling education.
Pursuing a doctorate in counseling requires a substantial time commitment. These programs require a minimum of 48 credits and take at least three years. Depending on the program and your enrollment status, you may need 5-8 years to graduate.
Throughout your program, you must complete a research dissertation, a counseling practicum of a minimum of 100 hours, and an internship totaling at least 600 hours.
Admission Requirements
What are the admission requirements for a doctorate in counseling? For most programs, you’ll need a master’s in counseling from an accredited program before applying to a doctoral program.
Most schools require transcripts, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. You may also need to submit GRE scores. Because the admission requirements vary, check each program carefully to make sure you qualify.
Concentrations and Specializations
While earning your doctorate, you can specialize in clinical counseling, marriage and family counseling, or another field. Choosing a program with concentrations in your interest area can prepare you for the job market after graduation.
- Education and Supervision: A doctorate in counselor education and supervision emphasizes the skills needed to train counselors. Programs incorporate coursework in leadership, counselor education, and research. These programs may grant a Ph.D., an Ed.D., or a doctorate in counselor education. This specialization allows you to pursue careers as a counseling professor or counseling supervisor.
- Substance Use Counseling: Specializing in substance use counseling will prepare you to work with clients facing addiction and substance abuse challenges. These programs emphasize research and prepare graduates for clinical and research roles in substance use disorders.
- Marriage and Family Counseling: In a specialization focused on marriage and family counseling, you’ll learn how to help couples and families address relationship challenges and improve communication. These programs emphasize therapeutic approaches, family systems, and supervised clinical training.
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling: A clinical mental health counseling concentration emphasizes the clinical skills to trade diverse mental health disorders. You’ll explore the diagnosis process and learn about psychopharmacology. This concentration prepares graduates for careers as clinical mental health counselors.
Doctorate-Level Practicums and Internships
Supervised counseling experience is a key component of doctoral counseling programs. And doctoral students in counseling complete a practicum and an internship.
During your Ph.D. in counseling, you’ll complete a counseling practicum of at least 100 hours. A minimum of 40 hours includes providing direct counseling services. A faculty member or mental health professional will supervise your practicum.
In addition to a practicum, you’ll complete a counseling internship of at least 600 hours. The internship provides supervised experience in core doctoral areas such as counseling, teaching, supervision, research, and leadership. Some states may reduce the clinical experience hours required for doctorate students. Because each state establishes requirements for licensure, it's important to check the latest information from your state board.
While completing the practicum and internship requirements, you’ll meet regularly with your supervisor to discuss counseling skills and your progress. These supervised experiences will occur at an approved site determined by your program.
What Can You Do With a Doctorate Degree in Counseling?
A master's is the terminal degree for counseling practice, but those seeking a career as a counseling professor may want to consider pursuing their doctorate. Before enrolling in a doctoral program, consider your professional goals and whether you need a Ph.D.
Counseling Educator or Professor
Counseling educators and professors train future counselors. They deliver course materials, supervise counseling internships, and mentor counseling students. Counseling professors typically need a doctorate for most academic jobs. Professors often conduct research in addition to teaching.
Counseling Supervisor
Counseling supervisors are hands-on mentors who help counselors expand their skills and meet patient needs. These supervisors may also take on administrative responsibilities, including evaluating clinicians under their supervision.
Medical and Health Service Manager
Managerial careers in the mental health field often require strong clinical and administrative skills. Clinic directors or managers implement policies to improve patient care and supervise clinicians.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed mental health counselors treat patients with a variety of mental health issues. These professionals work in private practice, mental health clinics, hospitals, and community agencies, helping clients improve their well-being and emotional health.
How Much Will a Doctorate in Counseling Program Cost?
The cost of a doctorate in counseling varies widely and depends on the program. However, the median annual tuition for doctoral health programs was $29,230 in 2020, according to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study.
In addition to tuition, you’ll need to cover other expenses and fees that can raise the cost substantially. When factoring in expenses, the annual cost rose to $56,170. However, in-person programs tend to cost more than online programs: in-person programs cost a median of $58,660, while online programs cost $34,040.
Doctoral counseling students at accredited institutions may qualify for financial aid. Counselors may also qualify for loan forgiveness. And some programs also offer fellowships so you can earn a tuition-free Ph.D. in counseling.
Should You Get a Doctorate in Counseling?
Is a doctorate in counseling the right degree for you? You'll likely need a doctorate if you’re interested in academic or research roles. However, a master’s degree may be enough for other counseling career paths, such as a clinical supervisor. A master's in counseling education is the terminal degree for clinical practice.
It’s important to consider your professional goals when weighing a doctorate. By researching concentrations, financial aid, and program career outcomes, you can make an informed choice about your doctorate in counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Doctoral Counseling Programs
Is it worth getting a Ph.D. in counseling?
Getting a Ph.D. in counseling can pay off if you're interested in academic or research positions. Most counseling professors need a doctorate. A Ph.D. in counseling can also prepare you for advanced clinical responsibilities.
What is the difference between a Ph.D. and Psy.D. in counseling?
A Ph.D. in counseling primarily focuses on research, while a Psy.D. in counseling psychology emphasizes clinical practice. While both doctoral programs investigate counseling methods and interventions, a Ph.D. typically leads to academic and research roles, while a Psy.D. can lead to clinical roles as a psychologist.
Can you get a Ph.D. in counseling without a master's?
Yes, some Ph.D. programs in counseling admit students who do not hold a master's in counseling. However, these programs may require additional coursework to complete a doctorate. When researching doctoral programs, review the degree requirements and any prerequisites to make sure you qualify.
Can you complete a doctorate in counseling online?
Yes, you can earn a doctorate in counseling online. During an online program, you may complete coursework online while meeting practicum and internship requirements in your area. Some students may also work as teaching assistants or supervise master's level interns.
Page last reviewed on March 10, 2024