Doctorate in Counseling Program Guide
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Key Takeaways
- Doctoral programs in counseling teach specialized leadership and clinical skills, preparing graduates for roles like clinical counseling supervisor.
- Students can specialize in various areas, including mental health counseling, school counseling, and marriage and family counseling.
- State licensure is required to practice as a counselor, and additional certifications can further enhance skills and career opportunities.
Doctorate in counseling programs are designed for counseling professionals who want to take their education and careers to the highest level.
A doctorate in counseling can take different forms, such as a Ph.D. in counseling or a doctor of education (Ed.D.) in counselor education and supervision. These programs prepare you for leadership roles in various settings, including higher education.
Learn all about doctorate in counseling programs, from program costs to the jobs you can get with this degree.
What Is a Doctorate in Counseling?
Doctorates in counseling are geared toward professional counselors who want to advance to leadership roles, like clinical counseling supervisor.
With a doctorate, you could counsel, teach, or lead research in clinical and academic environments. You could also work in mental health and human services.
“A doctorate [in counseling] is needed for a career in academia as a counseling professor,” says Rayelle Davis, a board-certified licensed clinical professional counselor and owner of a private practice in Maryland. “It might give you an advantage when applying for certain leadership positions.”
In your program, you’ll take counseling leadership and research courses. Additionally, you’ll likely complete a supervised internship or practicum experience and write a dissertation.
As you research doctorate in counseling programs, you’ll see different types of degrees:
- Ph.D. in counseling
- Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision
- Ed.D. in counselor education and supervision
- Ed.D. in counseling
- Doctor of professional counseling (DPC)
Each degree type has its own focus. For example, a Ph.D. in counseling is a research-based degree that teaches you to come up with new theories and conduct original research.
The Ed.D. and DPC degrees are more practice-oriented, teaching you how to apply existing theories to solve real-world counseling-related problems and challenges.
While an Ed.D. focuses on counseling in educational settings, a DPC emphasizes the application of counseling theories and advanced clinical techniques.
What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Counseling?
So, what types of counseling careers can you get after you earn your doctorate in counseling? Explore jobs and salaries below.
Doctorate in Counseling Jobs
A Ph.D. in counseling or a similar doctorate prepares you to become a leader and expert in the counseling and mental health services field.
In terms of counseling career opportunities, you have many options, from roles in educational environments — such as school psychologist and psychology professor — to supervisory positions in clinical and private practice settings.
For example, you could oversee a mental health clinic. Or, you could become the director of a school’s guidance counseling department.
How Much Money Can You Make With a Doctorate in Counseling?
While you can qualify for many counseling jobs with just a master’s degree, you could earn more with a doctorate. You’ll also qualify for more leadership roles, which tend to boast higher earnings.
Doctorate in counseling graduates typically earn anywhere from $60,000 to over $100,000 a year, depending on their job. Psychologist roles often pay better than counselor roles.
For example, counseling psychologists, psychology professors, and school psychologists each earn an average salary of over $90,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Explore more popular doctorate in counseling jobs in the table below.
| Job Title | Avg. Annual Salary | Job Growth Rate (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical or Counseling Psychologist | $106,600 (May 2023) | 13% |
| Psychology Professor | $93,990 (May 2023) | 5% |
| School Psychologist | $91,990 (May 2023) | 1% |
| Director of Counseling | $75,010 (Dec. 2023) | N/A |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $68,730 (May 2023) | 16% |
| Educational, Guidance, or Career Counselor | $66,990 (May 2023) | 4% |
| Mental Health Supervisor | $60,640 (Apr. 2024) | N/A |
Sources: BLS, Payscale
Degrees Similar to a Counseling Doctorate
Instead of a doctorate in counseling, you could pursue a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.). This degree focuses on clinical practice more than research and prepares you to work as a clinical psychologist.
Otherwise, you could opt for a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, school psychology, or forensic psychology. These doctorates delve deep into specific areas of psychology, focusing on advanced leadership, research, and clinical practice.
While these doctorates can lead to high-level professional opportunities, understand that you can pursue similar roles with just a master’s.
“Many students believe they need to be a psychologist to practice therapy, but usually a master’s degree is enough,” says Davis.
How Much Does a Doctorate in Counseling Cost?
Doctorate in Psychology and Social Services/Public Administration, 2019-2020
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$25,506
Avg. Net Price
$18,822
Source: NCES PowerStats
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that doctorate in psychology and social services programs — which include counseling doctorates — cost an average of $26,000 in annual tuition and fees.
With financial aid, this cost decreased to an average of just under $19,000.
Here are a couple of examples to give you an idea of current tuition rates. National Louis University charges $800 per semester hour for its Ed.D. in counselor education and supervision program, whereas Oregon State University charges $602 per credit for its Ph.D. in counseling program.
Get Financial Aid for Your Counseling Doctorate
How to Get a Doctorate in Counseling
In this section, we’ll explain the length of a doctorate in counseling programs and how to apply to one.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Doctorate in Counseling?
Typical # of Credits
60-150 Credits
Typical Program Length
3-7 Years
Doctorate in counseling programs typically take 3-7 years to complete and require anywhere from 60 to 150 credits.
Ph.D. programs may take longer than other counseling doctorates, depending on how much time you spend on your dissertation and completing internships and practicums. That said, you may be able to save time on your Ph.D. if you already have a master’s degree in counseling or a related field.
Credit requirements can vary a lot among counseling doctoral programs. For example, Oregon State University‘s Ph.D. in counseling program lasts 3-6 years and requires 150 credits, while The Ohio State University‘s counselor education doctorate requires just 61 credits.
How to Apply for a Doctorate in Counseling Program
Before you can apply for a counseling doctoral program, you must have a bachelor’s degree, ideally in counseling, psychology, or a related field.
Many programs also require you to have a master’s in counseling or a related field, often with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Additionally, many programs require you to hold professional licensure and have two or more years of relevant work experience.
Common application requirements include:
Official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended- Resume or CV
- Personal statement
- Academic writing sample
- Letters of recommendation
- GRE scores
- Interview (if applicable)
How to Choose a Doctorate in Counseling Program
Choosing a doctorate in counseling program can be hard. There are many factors to consider, like degree type, cost, accreditation, program length, and even program format.
Discover the Best Counseling Programs
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