Advanced Preparation for Counselor Education and Leadership
The Chicago School’s online Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision program equips you with the knowledge and experiences necessary to become an educator and leader in the field of counseling.
As counselor education and practice continue to evolve, this program prepares you to teach and supervise counseling professionals across the settings shaping the field today and into the future, including online.
Because our faculty actively practice what they teach, you will learn from professionals with real-world experience in both counseling and online education. That same faculty involvement extends to your hands-on practicum and internship experiences, including teaching and supervision opportunities arranged through the program.
While all coursework will be completed online, our curriculum keeps you highly engaged through ongoing synchronous learning experiences. Live Zoom classes, interactive discussions, cohort collaboration, real-time instruction, and extensive faculty mentorship create a doctoral experience that keeps you connected and supported. Faculty engagement is a core component of every course, not just residencies.
Telehealth and Tele-Assisted Modalities
Unlike many counselor education programs, our curriculum includes telehealth as a required sixth competency, in addition to the five core competency areas required for accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Telehealth training is integrated throughout the program to help you build advanced skills for modern doctoral practice, including telebehavioral supervision, leadership development, and technology-enhanced practice across counseling, teaching, research, and advocacy.
Guided by faculty who are board-certified telebehavioral health practitioners, you will deepen your preparation in telehealth with a focus on ethics, assessment, evidence-based practice, and risk management. Doctoral students also have the opportunity to apply to our Virtual Clinical Training Center (VCTC) to gain additional supervision and leadership experience.
Counseling Compact: Practice Across State Lines
Through the Counseling Compact, eligible licensed counselors can more easily serve clients across state lines without applying for a separate license in each participating state.
Our curriculum will prepare you to understand the legal, ethical, and professional considerations of providing counseling services across participating Counseling Compact states. This program is designed not only to meet today's professional expectations but also to prepare you for the continued growth of interstate counseling, virtual service delivery, and evolving licensure models.
CACREP Accreditation
The Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision online program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), meeting their standards with regard to institutional settings, program mission and objectives, program content, practicum experiences, student selection and advising, faculty qualifications and workload, program governance, instructional support, and self-evaluation.
COURSE SYLLABUS REQUEST
If you are interested in reviewing any of the syllabi of the courses in the PhD Counselor Education and Supervision Program, you may request them by sending an email to [email protected].
Program Learning Outcomes
| Institutional Learning Outcomes | CACREP Program Objective |
|---|---|
| Professional Practice: Graduates will be able to demonstrate attainment in the areas of competency (as reflected in knowledge, skills, and attitudes) required by their area of education and training. Examples include evaluation, intervention, consultation, teaching, and supervision. | To provide students with the appropriate academic preparation, clinical experiences, and personal growth opportunities that they can then apply in their work as professional counselors, educators, and supervisors. |
| Diversity: Graduates will respect the value and dignity of individuals and groups across all cultural contexts, and advocate for inclusion and equity. They will demonstrate intercultural competence in domestic and international contexts with people who have ideas, beliefs, worldviews, experiences, and behaviors that are different from their own. | To attract, enroll and retain a diverse group of students to create and systemically support an inclusive learning community and emphasize contemporary competencies in all aspects of professional practice with the overarching goal of mitigating social injustices and inequities. |
| Professional Behavior: Graduates will be able to demonstrate by their values, beliefs, and behaviors adherence to the highest ethical and professional standards in their personal and professional lives. | To create a culture of accountability in which all students are expected to maintain high professional standards for ethical behavior, academic performance, clinical skill development, interpersonal relationships, professional attitudes, and personal character. |
| Scholarship: Graduates will be able to integrate scientific research and theory, as broadly defined, to enhance their professional and scholarly endeavors. | To prepare a doctoral-level community of practitioner/scholars to create and utilize scholarly research in physical and virtual environments. |
Professional Practice
- Apply the theories of leadership, teaching and supervision to counseling education; analyze learning outcomes assessed within the field of counselor education and supervision; design and implement instructional theory and teaching methods relevant to counselor education, and leadership theory, leadership roles and interprofessional collaboration, and advocacy; to design assessment of learning outcomes within the field of counselor education; evaluate assessment designs used in the examining learning outcomes within the field of counselor education.
- Utilize theoretical applications to the treatment of individuals and groups within the context of counselor education and supervision; analyze tools pertaining to the principles and practice of counseling, career development, group work, family systems, and consultation; design tools pertaining to the principles and practice of counseling, career development, group work, family systems, and consultation; evaluate tools pertaining to the principles and practice of counseling, career development, group work, family systems, and consultation.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the utilization of theoretical applications in the treatment of individuals and groups within the context of counselor education and supervision; the ability to analyze interviews, case histories, psychometric instruments, observations and related methods to generate best practices; generate reports through the interpretation of various data on individuals and groups in the context of counselor education and supervision; critique procedures used to select, administer, and interpret tests designed to assess individuals (i.e. intelligence, aptitudes, abilities, interests, etc.), and the ethical use and interpretation of data.
Diversity
- Apply knowledge on identity related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, religious belief, and ability, to issues in counselor education and supervision; the ability to select interventions that acknowledge, preserve and promote diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, religious belief and ability; the ability to revise existing interventions that are not inclusive and to compare and critique policies mindful of the impact of privilege, prejudice, oppression, culture and sociopolitical structures.
Professional Behavior
- Apply the ethical standards and guidelines of counseling, counselor education and counselor supervision to issues, cases and situations discussed in the classroom and at their practicum site; analyze professional ethical standards (e.g. ACA Code of Ethics, others relevant codes of ethics) and laws as they relate to the professional delivery of services in the field of counselor education and supervision; design activities, interventions, and research that take into consideration the demands imposed by professional ethics upon the field of counselor education and supervision; evaluate issues and research in the field of counselor education and supervision from the perspective of ethics.
Scholarship
- Apply the principles of social science research to the field of counselor education and supervision; analyze the strengths and limitations of using qualitative and quantitative research in the field of counselor education and supervision; design research methodologies that may be used to further knowledge in the field of counselor education and supervision; evaluate studies to identify gaps and opportunities to refine the existing body of knowledge in the field of counselor education and supervision.
Admissions Requirements
The Chicago School’s Counselor Education and Supervision online Ph.D. program will give primary consideration to applicants with a master’s degree in counseling from a CACREP-accredited institution who are licensed professional counselors (LCPC, LPC or license-eligible), or other state equivalent license-eligible for professional licensure. Those not possessing a counseling degree from a CACREP-accredited institution or not currently eligible for licensure will be evaluated on a case by case basis. It is preferred that applicants have one to two years of counseling experience prior to admission. Generally, a graduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission. Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to do graduate work.
To be admitted into the Counselor Education and Supervision online doctorate program, applicants must demonstrate successful completion of the following master’s level core courses:
- Counseling theory
- Human growth and development
- Counseling/helping skills
- Legal, ethical, and professional issues in counseling
- Career counseling
- Group counseling, group work, group dynamics
- Multicultural counseling
- Research and evaluation
- Assessment, appraisal, and diagnosis
Applicants must submit the following as part of the application process:
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all institutionally accredited graduate institutions where credit was earned
- Three letters of recommendation from current employer/supervisor or current/former faculty members
- Proctored admission essay
- Admission interview
Send materials to:
Admissions Operations
c/o The Chicago School
400 S. Jefferson St., Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 6060
For electronic delivery, send to [email protected].
Accreditation & Licensure
Accreditation
The online Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). To learn more about The Chicago School's institutional and programmatic accreditations, visit our Accreditation page.
Licensure
For information on whether a program at The Chicago School meets or does not meet licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit our licensure disclosures page.
CES Core Faculty/Staff Roles
The faculty and staff members of the Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision Online program are committed to providing support while building healthy relationships to ensure academic success. Support includes but is not limited to instructors, advisers, graduate assistants, student ambassadors, and student service team members. Therefore, students within the Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision Online program are expected to pursue excellence, communicate effectively, and build wholesome relationships with the department support team and fellow peers.
Colleen Malone
Department Manager
[email protected]
312-488-6100
Dr. Andy Brown
Full Professor
Department Chair
Dr. Tiffany Rush-Wilson
Full Professor
Program Chair for the Counselor Education Department- Online Campus
Dr. Cody Dickson
Associate Professor
Director of Clinical Training
Rodney Harris
Full Professor
Director of Virtual Clinical Training Center
Bryon Pickens
Associate Professor
Department Faculty
Sarah Dalton
Associate Professor
Department Faculty
Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision e-mail: [email protected]
Fieldwork Opportunities
Practicum
The online doctorate Counselor Education and Supervision program requires 100 hours of practicum. Students are responsible for finding their own practicum sites, which must be approved by the Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision faculty and Department Chair. Students are allowed to earn income during the practicum process.
Internship
The program entails 600 hours of internship as outlined below:
- 100 hours of required teaching experience
- 100 hours of required supervision experience
- 400 additional internship hours developed in conjunction with program faculty based on professional interests and career goals. These hours may include:
- Teaching
- Clinical supervision
- Leadership
- Advocacy
- Research
Students registered in this program incur a one-time $195 Experiential Learning Technology Fee.
Additional Program Components
Residency
Students in the Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision online program attend two mandatory in-person residencies. Each residency takes place over three days at our flagship campus in Chicago. Residencies help prepare you for required fieldwork and internship experiences.
During each residency, you will:
- Co-teach master's-level courses
- Teach alongside faculty
- Develop university teaching skills
- Receive direct instructional mentoring
- Practice classroom facilitation
- Build relationships with faculty and peers
Students must successfully complete in-person residencies as a requirement of their respective academic program. The first on-ground residency occurs during your first year of the program. The second residency occurs during your second year. Additionally, courses require mandatory weekly synchronous components and asynchronous modules, assignments, and assessments with instructors.
Dissertation
As a doctoral student, you will write a doctoral dissertation in the final year of your program of study, concurrent with your internship experiences. The dissertation utilizes measurement, data collection, and research design methods to address a problem of your choosing. The dissertation makes an original contribution to the field of counseling education or supervision and is structured as a formal product using the American Psychological Association (APA) format. The literature review provides a complete statement of all issues relevant to the topic. You may present dissertation data at conferences (e.g., the annual Association for Behavior Analysis International convention) and summarize dissertation data for publication in a scholarly journal.
Sample Courses
Advanced Counseling Theories
This course will provide an examination of major counseling theories, including historical foundations and contemporary/emerging theories. Emphasis is included on theory construction and development, comparative analysis of theories, and issues related to application of theory in counseling practice. Includes advanced study of career development theories.
Advanced Group Counseling
This course provides students with advanced training and experience in group development, group process, theories, methods and skills of group leadership, supervision of group work, and contemporary trends in group work. Students will examine current research and evaluation in group counseling/psychotherapy, as well as ethical, legal, and professional issues affecting the practice of group counseling.
Online Only: This course includes a required in-person residency, which is held during course.
Telebehavioral Approaches in Counseling and Supervision
This doctoral level course will explore the delivery of counseling and supervision via technology-assisted media. Students will apply ethical and legal decision-making models to explore potential implications of a telebehavioral health modality. Students will examine intake and assessment considerations, evidence-based delivery methods, theory, termination, risk management, and the business of counseling and supervision via technology-assisted media. At the end of the course, students will know how to engage ethically and legally in counseling and supervision via technology-assisted media and how to stay current on this rapidly emerging modality.
Counseling Education Career Pathways
Graduates of the Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision program leave prepared to educate counselors rather than simply practice counseling. Our curriculum prepares you for advanced leadership roles, including:
- Counselor educator
- University professor
- Department chair
- Academic administrator
- Clinical supervisor
- Researcher
- Professional scholar
- Counseling program leader
- Professional advocate
- Advanced practitioner
- Higher education faculty member
Counselor Education Ph.D. FAQs
Who is the Counselor Education doctorate program suited for?
The online counselor education and supervision program is intended for practitioners who are licensed professional counselors (LCPC, LPC, or license-eligible) or other state equivalent license-eligible for professional licensure who wish to advance their careers within the following areas:
- Leadership in mental health counseling
- Teaching and supervision of mental health counseling
Is the online Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision CACREP accredited?
Yes. This program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CACREP accredits both master's and doctoral programs in counseling.
Why does CACREP accreditation matter for a doctoral program specifically?
CACREP-accredited master's degree programs in counseling are required to hire faculty who hold a doctoral degree in counselor education, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program. Graduating from a CACREP-accredited Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision program positions candidates competitively for faculty and program leadership roles at counseling programs nationwide, particularly those seeking or maintaining their own CACREP accreditation.
Is this program only available online?
Yes, this Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision program is offered fully online, with two in-person residencies required as part of the program.
What should I look for when comparing online doctoral programs in counseling?
When evaluating online doctoral programs in counseling, the most important factor is CACREP accreditation, since it directly affects eligibility for counselor educator faculty positions after graduation. Beyond accreditation, compare the number of required in-person residencies, the structure of practicum and internship hours, faculty-to-student ratios in doctoral cohorts, and whether the program's five core doctoral areas, counseling, supervision, teaching, research and scholarship, and leadership and advocacy, align with your career goals. The Chicago School's online Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision is CACREP-accredited and includes two required in-person residencies alongside extensive practicum and internship opportunities.
Online Student Experience
The online experience is designed to feel personal, connected, and relationship driven. Faculty get to really know you and provide mentorship that supports your development as a future counselor educator, supervisor, and leader.
Through Canvas, The Chicago School’s online learning platform, you will access your coursework and stay connected to your courses in one central place. This structured online environment helps create a strong academic community, keeping you connected to your faculty and peers no matter where you live.
Programmatic Assessment Reports
Financing Your Education
The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid and Student Accounts Department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
