Online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
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The counseling field is one of the nation’s fastest growing areas; dramatic growth in the counseling arena has created a need for counseling educators and supervisors—in other words, those who have obtained an online PhD in counselor education and supervision. Online doctorate programs have made the process of obtaining such a degree more achievable. Typical accredited online PhD programs in Counselor Education and Supervision include online course work, residencies, and field work that builds students’ clinical, teaching, research, and supervisory skills.
Online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision Requirements
Students preparing for an online counselor education and supervision PhD should be extremely focused and dedicated to research, scholarship, and learning advanced strategies in the training, supervision, and education of master’s level counselors. Candidates for an online doctorate in counselor education and supervision should also be prepared to explore and master advanced knowledge of counseling theory and practice.
Those likely to excel in top online doctoral programs in counselor education and supervision are typically master’s-level counselors with a desire to pursue supervisory, faculty, research, or advanced practitioner roles in academic and clinical settings.
Online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
The best online PhD programs in counselor education and supervision are built on the CACREP standards for entry-level degree programs. Students are expected to already have a broad foundation and demonstrated master’s-level counseling skills before pursuing online doctoral programs in counselor education and supervision. An online doctorate in counselor education and supervision is designed for students of considerable ability who are strongly motivated to attain a high level of competency in Counselor Education and Supervision. The goal of an online PhD in counselor education and supervision is to provide student experiences that foster the ability to make important scholarly contributions and acquire professional leadership positions in the field of counselor education and supervision.
Information on Counselor Education and Supervision Courses
Generally, online PhD degrees in counselor education and supervision require a minimum of 60 credit hours above master’s degree work. A counselor education and supervision PhD online typically involves an intensive combination of counseling theory and practice.
Sample coursework for those seeking an online counseling supervision and education PhD includes the following:
- Counselor Education Courses Doctoral students in online doctorate counseling education and supervision typically complete at least 33 hours of counselor education coursework on a variety of topics related to counseling practice and theory.
- Doctoral Practicum Courses These classes focus on advanced individual counseling strategies, advanced group theories, and supervision theories.
- Investigative Course The investigative course emphasizes both qualitative and quantitative research. Students generally take additional coursework in the investigative area to prepare for their dissertation and later professional research.
Specializations and Concentrations
Students pursuing online doctoral degrees in counseling education and supervision who have a deep interest in a specific counseling area can specialize in their desired subject. Counseling offers a broad spectrum of options for those engaged in obtaining online doctorate degrees in counseling education and supervision:
- Consultation
- Educational and Vocational
- Career
- Counseling and Social Change
- Substance abuse Counseling
- Forensic Mental Health Counseling
- Nonprofit Management and Leadership
- Trauma and Crisis
Careers in Counseling Supervision and Education
Employment of counselors is expected to increase by 18 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics anticipates that growth in careers in counseling supervision and education will vary by specialty for those who have achieved an online counseling supervision and education PhD.
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors growth is expected be around 21 percent. The educational, vocational, and school counselor field is expected to grow by 14 percent. Career counselors should grow as multiple job and career changes become common and workers become more aware of counseling services. The mental health counseling arena is expected to grow by 24 percent while the rehabilitation counseling field is expected to grow by 19 percent. Finally, the marriage and family therapist area is projected to undergo 14 percent growth.
A description of some key career areas for those who have obtained online doctoral degrees in counseling supervision and education follows:
- Forensic Mental Health Counselor/Supervisor Works in legal and criminal justice systems. Supervises trainees and provides mental health services to individuals in correctional institutions, juvenile justice courts, family courts, drug courts, and nonprofit arenas, such as group homes.
- Non-profit Management and Leadership Assumes a leadership role in clinical, community, nonprofit, academic, or research environments, while working in a supportive role as a counselor/educator.
- Human Services Counselor/Supervisor Emphasizes healthy life adjustment; adjustment to stress; and bringing together behavioral, social, and developmental approaches to human potentiality.
- Marriage and Family Counselor/Supervisor Deals with strategic approaches to marriage and family conflicts related to divorce, custody, child development, school-related issues, and domestic violence.
Graduates obtaining online PhD degrees in counseling supervision and education can expect to receive an average salary of $80,000 or above for any of the specialization areas listed above. Additional information on optimal career paths can be obtained from counseling-specific professional organizations.
For the empathetic individual who is also drawn to designing and implementing effective strategies for successful counseling, an online counseling education and supervision doctorate could be the ticket to a fulfilling career.
