Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision Qualitative

What Is a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision?

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision program at Grand Canyon University offers learners the theoretical and practical background knowledge to teach counseling students and supervise clinical counselors. Before earning a doctorate in counselor education and supervision, learners must conduct psychological research to develop and test new ideas and theories. This research can help you become a practitioner who is capable of supporting counseling students and clinical counselors.

During the counselor education PhD program, learners will have the opportunity to grow in the areas of:

    Counseling
    
    Teaching
    
    Counselor supervision
    
    Leadership and advocacy
    
    Scholarship
    
    Statistics and research

GCU’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision is offered online, which gives you flexibility to work and complete your doctorate while still living your life outside of school.

Doctoral students will need to complete a required dissertation that will conclude this program. You will begin your dissertation from the start of the program and must also complete a residency and required internship to meet all graduation requirements.

What Is a Qualitative PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision?

Doctoral students pursuing GCU’s qualitative PhD will focus on analyzing how and why people think, believe and behave a certain way, whereas students pursuing GCU’s quantitative PhD will focus on analyzing events by interpreting numeric data. To complete the analysis for a qualitative PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, students will create a sampling plan, design various research tools, collect data and analyze the data using a systematic approach. Their results will then be presented in a written report.

What Will a Doctorate in Counselor Education Teach You?

This counselor education PhD program was created by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences as a response to how many master’s level counselors were seeking further education. PhD graduates are needed to teach, mentor and supervise those master’s-level students. Graduates of the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program may oversee clinical counselors and provide instruction and leadership when necessary.

On the path to supporting other counselors, doctoral learners can improve their own practice and impact the health outcomes of the clients they work with. This learning happens as a result of coursework and research, residency, internship and practicum requirements. The combination of theoretical and hands-on work can help transition counselor education PhD program students into the next stages of their careers.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences has outlined the six domains that highlight the goals of the PhD in counselor education coursework.

    Counseling
    
        Examine and integrate ethical and culturally relevant theories of counseling
        
    Supervision
    
        Develop a legal, ethical and personally relevant style of clinical supervision
        
    Teaching
    
        Design, deliver and evaluate counselor education experiences
        
    Scholarship and Research
    
        Conduct independent research
        
    Leadership and Advocacy
    
        Lead and advocate based on prevailing social, cultural and political conditions and trends within counseling
        
    Special Topics
    
        Evaluate the integration of evidence-based treatments relevant to family systems and group dynamics and processes

PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision Careers

PhD in counselor education graduates may choose to stay in their current practice and apply the research and learning to improve the lives of their clients or choose to advance in a new career such as:

    Faculty member
    
    Advanced clinician
    
    Director of school guidance
    
    Director of counseling agencies

If you are grateful for the counseling education you received, it is possible to give back. Find out how by learning more about the Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision degree program at GCU.

If seeking licensure or certification, applicants to the program are responsible for contacting their state department of education for licensure requirements and program approval. In addition, fingerprint/background clearance is required.