The doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision is designed to evaluate the theory and practice of counseling through quantitative and qualitative research and to prepare educators and leaders in the profession of counseling.
Accreditation
Walden University’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Note on Licensure
The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed counseling professional.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program will be able to:
- Synthesize theories and evidence-based practices across counselor education domains. (Knowledge)
- Create counselor education approaches to address diverse counselors-in-training. (Knowledge)
- Develop counselor education and supervision interventions to promote social change. (Skills)
- Employ professional counselor educator and supervisor behaviors in professional settings. (Dispositions)
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study (included in COUN 8001)
- Foundation course (1 credits)
- Prerequisites (39 credits)
- To be completed if students have not graduated with a CACREP-accredited master’s degree
- Core courses (30 credits)
- Research courses (20 credits)
- Specialization courses (10–15 credits, depending on the specialization)
- Field experience courses (9 credits)
- Practicum (3 credits)
- Internship (6 credits)
- Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (5 credits)
- Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion)
- Quarter Plans
- One residency
- Two Pre-Practicum Labs (6 weeks online, 4 days face-to-face or virtual synchronous sessions)
Curriculum
Foundation Course (1 credits)
Core Courses (30 credits)
Research Courses (15 credits)
Advanced Research Course (5 credits)
All PhD students are required to complete one advanced-level research course that mirrors the methodology of their intended dissertations. The university offers three advanced courses; individual programs may have other advanced options. Students should refer to their specific programs of study to determine program-specific requirements.
One of the following three courses is required:
OR
OR
Specialization Courses
These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. The General specialization does not require specialization courses. Please see the course list on each specialization page.
Field Experience Courses (9 credits)
Residency and Pre-Practicum Lab Requirements
- Complete Residency (RESI 8801C) as soon as you begin your program; no later than within 90 days of completing your Foundations course (within the first two terms of your program). View the calendar, then register using your myWalden portal or by contacting Student Success Advising.
- Pre-Practicum 1—Complete Pre-Practicum 1 after you have completed Residency 1, COUN 8001, COUN 8110, RSCH 8110, COUN 8125, COUN 8115, RSCH 8210, RSCH 8310, and COUN 8135 in order to advance in the program.
- Pre-Practicum 2—Complete Pre-Practicum 2 after you have completed Pre-Practicum 1, COUN 8203, COUN 8120, and either RSCH 8260, RSCH 8360, or RSCH 8460 in order to advance in the program.
Each pre-practicum includes online course content integrated with a 4-day, face-to-face or virtual residential requirement.
- 3 weeks online
- 4 days face-to-face or virtual synchronous sessions (see the Pre-Practicum Calendar)
- 2 weeks online
Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
-
Can begin dissertation with start of first internship.
Prerequisites
Students who have not graduated from a CACREP-accredited master’s program may be required to fulfill prerequisite requirements.
OR
Course Sequence
Students undertake courses in the following sequence.
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 |
COUN 8001 - Foundations of Graduate Study in Counselor Education and Supervision |
1 credits |
|
COUN 8110 - Professional Orientation, Ethics, and Identity |
5 credits | |
| MUST complete Residency within first 90 days | ||
| Quarter 2 |
RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods |
5 credits |
|
COUN 8125 - Teaching in Counselor Education |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 3 |
COUN 8115 - Advanced Counseling Theories |
5 credits |
|
RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 4 |
COUN 8135 - Clinical Supervision |
5 credits |
|
RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits | |
| Eligible to take Pre-Practicum 1 - CPLB 802L (must successfully complete Residency [RESI 8801C] and all preceding courses to be eligible) | ||
| Quarter 5 |
COUN 8120 - Professional Consultation, Program Evaluation, and Leadership |
5 credits |
|
COUN 8203 - Survey Research Methods |
5 credits | |
| MUST have successfully completed Pre-Practicum 1 to move forward | ||
| Quarter 6 |
RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis ORRSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis ORRSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits |
| Eligible to take Pre-Practicum 2 - CPLB 803L (must successfully complete Pre-Practicum 1 and all preceding courses to be eligible) | ||
| Quarter 7 |
COUN 8551 - Preparing for Dissertation |
5 credits |
| Specialization Course* | ||
| Must successfully complete Pre-Practicum 2 and all preceding courses to be eligible for Field Experience | ||
| Quarter 8 |
COUN 8890 - Counselor Education and Supervision Practicum |
3 credits |
| Specialization Course* | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 9 |
COUN 8895 - Doctoral Internship I |
3 credits |
| Specialization Course* | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 10 |
COUN 8896 - Doctoral Internship II |
3 credits |
| Quarter 11+ |
COUN 8561 - Dissertation** In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell. |
5 credits per term; taken continuously until completion |
* Students take two electives or two to three specialization courses, depending on the specialization chosen.
** To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.