View our EdD Early Childhood specialization completion requirements
Minimum degree requirements:
60 quarter credits
- Core courses (50 cr.)
- Capstone (10 cr.)
DEEPEN YOUR CLINICAL INSIGHTS
Expand your clinical skill set as you prepare to teach and nurture future counseling professionals. Review counseling theories, evidence-based research, and tools for preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders.
MEET LIKE-MINDED PEERS
Our small class sizes and immersive learning communities allow you to build strong connections with other students and faculty.
FIT A PHD INTO YOUR BUSY LIFE
Our online PhD program makes it possible to balance your doctoral studies with all of your other commitments.
Thrive With Doctoral Support
Get access to valuable tools and support services designed to help you be successful at every step of your doctoral journey.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Learn how to conduct research, develop and implement effective counseling techniques, and guide future counselors in Walden’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision online Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization.
Featured PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Courses
Clinical Supervision
Clinical supervision of counselors and counselors in training requires in-depth knowledge of major conceptual approaches, methods, and techniques; evaluation; and ethical and legal issues related to supervisory interactions and responsibilities. Students in this course are provided with the opportunity to develop their professional identity and learn the skills of a clinical supervisor. Throughout this course, students engage in experiential applications, discussions, and self-reflective assignments that focus on the strategies for working with supervisees representing diverse backgrounds and developmental and learning styles. After a critical analysis of the purpose of supervision, theoretical frameworks, and models of supervision, students develop and apply their own theory of supervision in a practice setting in which each participant oversees a group of practicum students.
Seminar: Leadership, Ethics, and Social Justice
Students in this doctoral-level course work toward preparing their professional identity as counselor educators and supervisors. They explore ethical and legal issues encountered in daily work situations. Students engage in discussions and assignments designed to provide practical application of competencies and responsibilities of counselor educators and supervisors. Students also examine the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and other relevant standards of practice as well as multicultural issues related to counselor preparation training. Effective leadership, social justice, and professional current issues will be critically evaluated.
Professional Consultation, Program Evaluation, and Leadership
In this course, students work toward increasing their knowledge and skills related to the roles of consultant and program evaluator in community agencies, mental health settings, P–12 schools, and university settings. Through a variety of practical discussions and assignments, students explore leadership theory and skills; systems theory; consultation models and processes; program evaluation models and methods; ethical, legal, and professional issues; and availability of funding sources. Students synthesize knowledge and apply skills to case studies and real-life examples. They also apply the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards to an evaluation of the components of a counselor education program.
Advanced Counseling Theories
There are many counseling theories available for professional use in practice. It is the responsibility of the counselor, however, to understand these theories, know which to use in specific settings and situation, and decide which are best suited to his or her own style or methods. In this course, students explore and evaluate major traditional and contemporary theories of the counseling profession, including psychoanalytic, person-centered, rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), multicultural, feminist, and solution-focused. Students apply these and other theories to diverse populations and settings. They also consider how they might advise students and supervisees who use these theories, and they analyze related challenges in teaching and supervising. In doing so, students consider the impact of their own psychosocial, racial, and ethnic identities. Finally, students develop a personal integrative theoretical orientation.
Teaching in Counselor Education
In this course, students prepare to become competent teachers of counselor education through the examination of various adult learning theories and methods to work effectively with different learning styles, cultural dynamics, and diversity. Counselor educators in training learn how to help counseling students acquire and apply knowledge and skills, and they examine methods to evaluate learning outcomes. Students also have the opportunity to examine effectiveness within their personal teaching practice. Incorporating knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions learned throughout the course, students have opportunities to design curriculum, teach in a variety of settings, evaluate, and receive feedback as a counselor educator in training.
Doctoral Experience
How will I learn?
YOUR DOCTORAL JOURNEY
The path to your doctorate won’t be easy, but Walden is here to provide support, resources, and encouragement at every stage of your journey.
DOCTORAL DEGREE COACH®
Map and track your doctoral program milestones, meet weekly targets, connect with faculty, and find support with this personalized digital resource.
ACADEMIC RESIDENCIES
Broaden your knowledge, engage with peers and faculty, and shape your professional identity during this valuable doctoral learning experience.
Admissions
You’ll work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from finding the right program to funding your education.
Streamlined Application Process
Earning your PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision - Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is an exciting step in your academic and professional journey. To help you attain your goals, we’ve simplified the application process to include:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay or SAT/ACT requirement
View Admission Criteria
Program Admission Considerations: A master’s degree or higher in counseling
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
Tuition Breakdown
We want to put the ultimate academic credential within your reach. At Walden, you’ll find many ways to reduce your PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision online program costs, including:
Partnership-based savings
Federal and state grants
Program Savings
Program Savings
Receive up to a $5,000 grant when you start an eligible PhD program.
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | Total * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Coursework | 85 quarter credits | $640 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $54,400^ | |
| Tuition-Dissertation | 15–125† quarter credits | $640 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $9,600–$80,000* | |
| Program Fee | $185 per quarter | $1,850–$5,920* | ||
| Residency Fee | One Residency | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) | $1,420–$1,520 | |
| Intensive Labs | Two in Program | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) | $2,840–$3,040 | |
| Estimated Range: | 2.5–Year | 8–Year | ||
| $66,910 | $144,880 *+ | |||
| (assuming completion in a 2.5-year timeframe) | (assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe) | |||
These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed, or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.
Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic such as tuition and fee increases and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.
^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.
† Based on a 2.5-year minimum completion requirement and an 8-year maximum timeframe as outlined in Walden academic policy.
*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the 8-year maximum timeframe or choose to take more expensive elective courses.
+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition discounts. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-642-0198.
Career Opportunities
A PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision - Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree can empower you to help meet a growing need for counselors.
Steady Growth
Postsecondary Education Administrators
Oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities.
Expected growth: 3%1
Estimated annual wage: $62,970–$137,2301
In Demand
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Advise individuals, families, couples, and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health.
Expected growth: 19%2
Estimated annual wage: $36,700–$70,130 1
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision - Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.
