Counselors provide invaluable mental health and therapeutic services to millions daily. These professionals know how to talk to people about problems, train them to engage in healthy habits, and prescribe medication. But if you’re a practicing counselor and want to advance your career, earning a Ph.D. in counseling is ideal. Luckily, there are many outstanding Ph.D. in counseling online degrees; let’s look at these in detail and take the next step for your professional future.
What is a Ph.D. in Counseling?
A Ph.D. in counseling is a doctoral degree. It includes rigorous studies on advanced counseling topics such as mental health counseling strategies, psychology, therapeutic methodologies, and more. Many PhDs in counseling concentrate in one area, such as MFT counseling, substance abuse therapy, etc.
Therapist vs. Psychologist vs. Ph.D. in Counseling
While these three fields may seem interchangeable, some key details differentiate them.
1. Therapist
A therapist is a trained professional who offers therapy and mental health counseling support over the long term. A Ph.D. in therapy, therefore, is better for those who wish to have long-term relationships with their clients.
2. Psychologist
A psychology Ph.D. program is more research-focused and prioritizes understanding the human mind through scientific experiments and social studies.
3. Ph.D. in Counseling
A Ph.D. in counseling focuses on short-term mental health and therapeutic support, often for students, family members, military personnel, and other individuals.
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology vs. Clinical Psychology
A Ph.D. in counseling psychology is again more focused on research and understanding how different counseling methods impact individuals’ psychologies. In contrast, a clinical psychology Ph.D. focuses on practical psychological methods and clinical applications for this scientific field.
Types of Counseling Doctorate Degrees
There are many different Ph.D. in counseling online degrees one can pursue. These degrees are usually specialized in one or another area of counseling and therapeutic science, allowing students to pursue the degree that best fits their career ambitions. Consider doctorate degrees in:
- Child & Adolescent Therapy
- MFT – Couple Therapy
- General Family Therapy
- Medical Family Therapy
- Therapy with Military Families
- Pastoral Care and Counseling
- Psychology – Counseling Psychology
- Mental Health Counseling
- Counselor Education
- Counselor Education and Supervision
How To Choose a Program
Students can choose a Ph.D. in counseling online by considering several significant factors.
Cost
Generally, Ph.D. in counseling degree programs are cheaper for in-state students. However, some online programs are relatively affordable or may offer their out-of-state students the same tuition rates as in-person, in-state programs.
Ph.D. in Counseling Admission Requirements
Students should also consider the admission requirements necessary to enter certain programs. Some programs are easier to enter, especially those without GRE test requirements.
Program Format
Many Ph.D. in online counseling programs are not 100% online. They instead have one or more weekends that require in-person attendance. Students should ensure they understand these requirements before signing up for any program.
Location
Naturally, program location can affect overall cost and convenience as well. It is usually cheaper to attend a Ph.D. in counseling online program from one’s state since they will pay less for that education. There are also in-person aspects in many Ph.D. programs, so choosing a program closer to one’s home is ideal.
Accreditation for a Ph.D. in Counseling Degree
Accreditation is crucial as well. Only a Ph.D. in counseling degree from an accredited institution is worthwhile and qualifies graduates for employment from good organizations or clinics. Students should look for accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). However, regional accreditation is also an excellent marker of an institution’s quality.
Certification Opportunities
Some online Ph.D. in counseling programs offer opportunities for certification, which can bolster one’s resume and mark a graduate as a better choice for a specific counseling position.
Financial Aid
Lastly, all students should consider what financial aid a given school offers. Scholarships, grants, and fellowship opportunities can significantly lower the financial burden one must accept to acquire a Ph.D. in counseling.
Ph.D. in Counseling Online Overview
No matter what type of Ph.D. in counseling degree one chooses, one can expect certain core similarities.
What Can I Expect from a Ph.D. in Counseling Online Program?
An online Ph.D. in counseling program should include a robust support network and many student services. In addition, the best programs offer opportunities to network with peers and professors. Furthermore, Ph.D. in counseling online programs often allow students to choose concentrations in areas such as:
- Marriage and family therapy
- Military therapy
- Substance abuse therapy
What Courses Will I Take in a Ph.D. in Counseling Online Program?
Many Ph.D. in counseling online programs have course materials covering subjects including but not limited to:
- Advanced counseling techniques
- Advanced psychological concepts
- Counseling methodologies
- Statistical analysis
- Research methodologies
- Counseling ethics and legal ramifications
What Are the Admission Requirements for a Ph.D. in Counseling Online Program?
As doctoral programs, PhDs in counseling have rigorous admission requirements. For example, many programs require students to have GPAs above certain minimums, such as 2.8 or 3.0. Most programs also need students to have a master’s degree in a related subject like psychology, counseling, or therapy. In addition, letters of recommendation and work experience in counseling, are also standard.
Top Programs
Fortunately for aspiring counselors, there are many high-quality online Ph.D. in counseling programs to choose from. Let’s take a look at 10 of the best in detail.
Regent University
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Program: Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies
Duration: 3-4 years
Regent University offers a dedicated Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies. Even better, this program is 100% online; thus, it’s perfect for working professionals or students who may not be able to make it to campus in person. Throughout the program, students will complete courses focusing on psychometrics, research methods, statistical analysis, and more. Furthermore, students can focus on different elective courses to specialize the degree program to their interests.
All courses are delivered across 16-week sessions. Students of this program must have a regionally accredited master’s degree in some kind of mental health field, like counseling or psychology. Fortunately, GRE results are not required for admission. Most (86%) of Regent University students get financial aid, making this among the most affordable online degree options.
Oregon State University
Accreditation: CACREP
Program: Ph.D. in Counseling
Duration: 3-4 years
Next is Oregon State University, which also offers a Ph.D. in counseling. This is technically a hybrid program that includes online instruction and face-to-face interactions with peers and professors. All students must attend in-person classes twice per quarter over a dedicated weekend slot. While this is relatively accessible for out-of-state students, given that it is located in Portland, it does make this less than a 100% online degree. Still, there are advantages to this format. All students begin and end the program in a collaborative cohort class, meaning that students progress together and have the opportunity to network with one another.
By the end of the program, each graduate will be ready to leverage their extensive counseling expertise for good. However, note that the program does not have opportunities to earn teacher or professional licensure; students will have to pursue these goals after the program on their schedules.
Liberty University
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Program: Doctor in Counselor Education and Supervision
Duration: 3-4 years
Liberty University is one of the best online institutions available. It offers a 60-credit hour Doctor in Counselor Education and Supervision – depending on one’s case, students can complete it in between three and four years. Regardless of how quickly a student completes it, every graduate will be ready to hold leadership positions in counseling settings, higher education organizations, and elsewhere.
The majority of the program’s coursework is offered online. That said, students must be prepared for one-week on-campus intensives. These are mandatory and include classes for specific electives and core courses. The point of the on-campus sessions is to help students develop important networking relationships with peers and faculty mentors. Aside from this aspect, this online Ph.D. in counseling includes a nine-credit hour internship alongside a three-credit-hour practicum exam and a nine-credit hour dissertation. This is a very competitive program, as all applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.25 or more.
University of the Cumberlands
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Program: Doctor of Educational Leadership in Counseling Education and Supervision
Duration: 3 years
The University of the Cumberlands offers an online EdD degree. This 100% online program focuses on educational leadership in counseling education and supervision. As a result, it’s a perfect program for students who want to pursue counseling-related careers in higher education institutions. Throughout the program, all students will learn different advanced leadership skills. It equips graduates to work successfully as administrators for clinical environments, behavioral health practices and agencies, and other locations. The program is three years in duration. By the end, students will be well-equipped to apply their skills to businesses, higher education institutions, or community programs.
Note that the program is explicitly designed so students can complete their coursework while working or maintaining other life responsibilities. It’s an ideal choice for those who need a relatively fast-paced, though part-time, online Ph.D. in counseling program.
Eastern University
Accreditation: MSCHE
Program: Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Duration: 3-4 years
Eastern University provides a marriage and family therapy-focused Ph.D. for online students. This 60-credit-hour program does include a residency component, which students should keep in mind before applying. Regardless, all students will learn how to create and effectively deliver psychological therapy programs and provide spiritual therapeutic support to their patients. The program’s coursework ensures that graduates have the skills to provide quality mental health services to married couples and family members.
At the program’s culmination, students must complete a dissertation on marriage and family therapy or a related topic in that field. All program applicants must have a qualifying master’s degree – a master of divinity counts due to Eastern University’s faith focus and spiritual components. Most program applicants also have a highly competitive 3.5 GPA or higher.
University of West Georgia
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Program: Doctor of Education in Professional Counseling and Supervision
Duration: 2 years
The University of West Georgia offers an education-focused Ph.D. in counseling. Its Doctor of Education in Professional Counseling and Supervision heavily emphasizes administrative and clinical supervision, program evaluation, patient advocacy, and organizational leadership. As a result, it’s perfect for future administrators and agency managers.
All students in this program began in the summer with a cohort of 11 other learners. Throughout the program, students will take two courses each term over two years. This is one of the fastest online PhDs in counseling overall. Fortunately, every class is delivered online except for a single on-campus orientation at the beginning of the enrollment phase. Aside from that orientation, students can complete all the coursework asynchronously.
Furthermore, those students who already have an EdS in Counseling can follow an accelerated, fast-paced 39-credit track to complete the program ahead of schedule. All others will follow the default 60-credit-hour track.
Capella University
Accreditation: HLC
Program: Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Education and Supervision
Duration: 3-4 years
Capella University’s Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Education and Supervision is the perfect choice for counselors who want to become leaders in industry-pushing research. The majority of the program’s coursework is offered online. Therefore, it’s a perfect choice for working professionals who need additional schedule flexibility. However, all students must anticipate and attend three residencies alongside two internships. These in-person components are intended to help maximize student success and offer multiple networking opportunities. The in-person features also include dedicated class time to help students complete their dissertations on time.
The program is notable for its engaged and highly experienced faculty members, who can help guide students to successful conclusions. Interestingly, all students can choose from different learning formats, such as 100% online, hybrid, or in-person, to absorb the material as efficiently as possible.
Hampton University
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Program: Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision
Duration: 3-4 years
Hampton University offers a dedicated online counseling degree for licensed counselors. This program is intended for those with state licenses and some practical experience in the field. The Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision is 64 credit hours long and is offered 100% online so that any student can attend. Depending on their preferences, students can choose a concentration in either community mental health counseling or school counseling during the program. All students will complete coursework covering topics such as ethics, legal aspects of counseling, research evaluation, grant writing, teaching, counseling, and more.
The end of the program culminates with a dissertation assignment. Once more, licensed counselors in the research, academic, or clinical fields are encouraged to apply, given this program’s focus and admission requirements.
Walden University
Accreditation: HLC
Program: Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Duration: 3-8 years
Walden University’s online Ph.D. is in Counselor Education and Supervision. There are very few online programs with this specific focus. Students who take this program will learn advanced teaching, counseling, and supervision skills. This will enable graduates to become leaders in this industry. All program graduates will benefit from most of the coursework being delivered online. However, students must also attend and complete a four-day, on-campus residency section. In total, the program takes three years to complete, although students are allowed to complete it at a more relaxed pace and finish within eight years of beginning.
All students may transfer up to 45 credits from other accredited institutions to accelerate their progress. This online program is perfect for future counseling administrators and policymakers at schools and community programs.
Grand Canyon University
Accreditation: HLC
Program: Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision
Duration: 3-4 years
Grand Canyon University offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision over 62 credit hours. This program is intended to prepare all graduates to work as counselors, supervisors, and policymakers. The program is offered across eight-week classes, each delivered online.
But students can also take evening classes in person at the GCU campus. This is one of the most accessible online PhDs in counseling, as it requires a minimum 2.8 GPA. However, students can increase their chances of admission if they have high GRE or GMAT test scores plus a relevant graduate degree.
Licensing and Certification
Even after acquiring a Ph.D. each state requires specific licenses or certificates to allow graduates to practice as counselors. If they are already licensed, students should consult their state’s certification requirements and ensure their licenses do not lapse in school.
Career Outlook
Those with a Ph.D. in counseling may benefit heavily from major career upgrades, and salary raises. Indeed, getting a Ph.D. in counseling could be the best way to improve one’s career if they are already a practicing counselor or therapist.
Careers
Those with PhDs in counseling have particularly good career opportunities open to them. For example, they can work as licensed professional counselors in the private or public sector. They can open a private practice, work for counseling agencies or therapeutic clinics, and even work for schools ranging from primary schools to colleges. On the other hand, counseling specialists may work in large organizations’ employment assistant programs or human resources departments.
Salaries
Salaries can vary heavily for those with graduate-level or higher degrees in counseling. For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors earn around $48,000 annually. However, other careers and their associated average salaries are below:
- School and career counselors and advisers – $60,500 per year
- Marriage and family therapists – $49,880 per year
- Psychologists – $81,040 per year
- Rehabilitation counselors – $38,560 per year
Masters vs. Ph.D. in Psychology Salary
Generally, counseling specialists with a Ph.D. in psychology, counseling, or a related topic earn more than those with a master’s degree. This isn’t always the case; salaries depend on the job field, experience, and other factors. Still, considering a Ph.D. in psychology or counseling is worthwhile when pursuing a salary increase.
Growth Potential
The growth rate for mental health counselors and similar professionals is high regardless of specialty. The BLS indicates that job availability should grow by 20% or more until 2030. Therefore, new graduates with PhDs in counseling should have no trouble finding employment upon receiving their certificates.
Professional Organizations
Whether you already have a counseling Ph.D. or related degree, you might find specific professional organizations worthwhile. By joining these organizations, you’ll broaden your social network, gain access to new resources, and potentially find new places of employment.
- The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- The American Counseling Association
- (CACREP) The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
FAQs
Can you get a Ph.D. in counseling?
Yes. PhDs are available in counseling and subtopics such as marriage and family therapy, psychology, etc.
Is a Ph.D. in counselor education worth it?
It generally depends on your professional ambitions. For example, a Ph.D. in counselor education is ideal if you want to be an administrator. It’s also beneficial for leaders in school counseling. In addition, it’s a great degree for a career developing education/therapy policies for students.
How much does a Ph.D. in counseling cost?
The average cost for a Ph.D. in counseling is $56,300. Note, however, that this tuition is for in-state students. In other words, it may be higher for out-of-state, online students.
Can you do a Ph.D. in counseling completely online?
Some Ph.D. in counseling programs are available 100% online. However, the majority have at least some in-person requirements, such as attending a mandatory seminar at the beginning of the program.
How long does it take to complete a Ph.D. in counseling?
It generally takes two to six years to complete a Ph.D. in counseling. For the most part, most students complete their PhDs around 3 to 4 years after starting them.
What is the fastest Ph.D. to get online?
In this case, students can theoretically complete the University of West Georgia’s Doctor of Education in Professional Counseling and Supervision program in two years.
What is Ph.D. vs. PsyD?
A Ph.D. is a theoretical or research-oriented degree. In contrast, a PsyD degree is a practical degree that prepares graduates to offer their psychological services in a practical context–for example, in a clinic or therapeutic office.
Apply Today!
In short, the best PhDs in counseling can help you supercharge your career, earn more money, and do even more great work for your patients. Furthermore, you can find a perfect Ph.D. in counseling online with GetEducated. Our online school catalog has all the resources you need, so check it out today!