Ph.D. Program Overview

Divine Mercy University embraces the Catholic-Christian vision of the person flourishing and educates students on the core knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be leaders in the professional counseling field.   The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision (Ph.D. CES) program is part of the DMU Global Campus’ School of Counseling.  The vision of the Ph.D. CES program is to train global, transformational educators, clinical supervisors, researchers / scholars, leaders and advocates who are passionate about their role in the overarching profession of counselor education and supervision. Graduates are compassionate and ethical in their work as trained professionals that honor and respect the innate dignity of every person in a global, diverse population.

Early admit scholarship for $2000 valid until October 23rd
Accepting applications:  October 1, 2024

Mission

The mission of the School of Counseling is to develop and maintain a world-wide educational community offering master’s and doctoral level degree programs in professional counseling in support of the DMU’s integrative mission with a culture of feedback wherein student voices are heard and respected.

Students will be prepared to:

  1. Hear the rich and complex voices of clients and counseling students in view of each person’s flourishing, even in the midst of human difficulty and challenge.
  2. Demonstrate compassionate and versatile interpersonal skills to develop healing relationships with clients, transformative training with counseling students, and collaboration with other professionals.
  3. Become professional counselors and counselor educators who, informed by a Catholic Christian vision of the flourishing person, inspire themselves and others to have courage to trust, hope, and love.

The online Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Divine Mercy University provides rigorous training in counselor education to prepare students for academic, research, clinical, consulting, and leadership careers.  The program is uniquely designed to facilitate a deeper and holistic understanding of the flourishing person by integrating the wisdom of philosophy and theology with cutting edge research in counselor education enabling students to make a difference in a variety of settings across the world. Students will acquire the necessary skills to engage in:

  1. The scholarly examination of counseling processes and theories with integration in the practice of counseling and the Catholic Christian vision of the flourishing person.
  2. The science and art of counseling supervision.
  3. The development of teaching methods, roles. and responsibilities related to educating counselors.
  4. Original research in their areas of interest, receive faculty support, interact with students and researchers from diverse areas of expertise, and present their research in a variety of settings to advance the field of professional counseling and counselor education. 
  5. The science and art of leadership and administration for the counseling profession, professional organizations, counselor education, and their local community, the global community, and communities of Catholic Christian faith. (CACREP standards, doctoral curriculum)

Program Overview

This 90-credit doctoral program builds on DMU’s Master’s in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, as a foundation and incorporates 30 credits from the program for the 90-credit doctoral program. Students with graduate degrees in counseling or related fields from accredited institutions can transfer up to 30 credits into the Ph.D. program depending on courses taken in their prior graduate programs.  The doctoral program requires an additional 60 credit hours of coursework addressing professional roles in 5 areas: counseling, supervision, teaching, research and scholarship, and leadership and advocacy. Additionally, students are required to complete internship experiences in advanced counseling, supervision, and teaching, and a doctoral dissertation of original research.  Students are also required to travel to complete three extended weekend residencies in the duration of the program.  The residencies are designed as working residencies where students gather to encourage each other, practice skills they are learning, and focus on the completion of their dissertations.

State-of-the-art technology is used for both asynchronous (traditional online learning) with significant use of videotaping of various clinical and professional skills to be reviewed by peers and faculty, and synchronous learning where students will have virtual face-to-face interactions in their learning process.

Possible Careers

The doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision equips you with advanced knowledge and skills in counseling theory, research, and practice.  This degree opens doors to a variety of fulfilling career paths. Here are some common career opportunities:  

Academia

  • Professor/Faculty Member: Teach graduate and undergraduate counseling courses, conduct research, and supervise students.
  • Department Chair or Program Director: Lead counseling departments or programs, oversee curriculum development, and manage faculty.
  • Curriculum Developer: Create and implement new counseling programs or curricula.

Clinical Practice and Supervision

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): Provide direct counseling services to individuals, couples, families, or groups.
  • Clinical Supervisor: Oversee and mentor other counselors, ensuring quality care and ethical practice.
  • Mental Health Administrator: Lead mental health agencies or programs, developing policies and procedures.

 Research and Evaluation

  • Research Scientist: Conduct research to advance the field of counseling, publish findings in academic journals.
  • Program Evaluator: Assess the effectiveness of counseling programs and interventions.
  • Grant Writer: Develop and secure grants to support counseling research and programs.

 Leadership and Administration

  • Higher Education Administrator: Work in student affairs, academic advising, or counseling centers.
  • Nonprofit Administrator: Lead counseling or mental health organizations, developing programs and services.
  • Government Agency Administrator: Work in government agencies related to mental health or education.

 Other Potential Roles

  • Consultant: Provide expertise in counseling and supervision to organizations or individuals.
  • Author/Speaker: Write books, articles, or develop workshops on counseling topics.