Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision: Course Descriptions
(Non-sequential Order)
LIB 500 Library and Information Use & Research
LIB 500 Library and Information Use & Research is required for all entering students and provides an in-depth review of library organization, collections, services, and online resources; presents the methodologies of information searching, strategy development, and evaluation; and reviews the evaluation of information and information sources (0 credit hrs).
PHT 608 The Catholic-Christian Vision of Flourishing: Vocation and Virtues
PHT 608 The Catholic-Christian Vision of Flourishing: Vocation and Virtues introduces students to the Catholic Christian vision of personal and interpersonal flourishing in terms of vocations and virtues, and human and spiritual resources. First, students explore three levels of vocation and their discernment: (1) a call to goodness and holiness; (2) a call to being single, married, ordained or religious (consecrated); and (3) a call to work and to service to one’s neighbors. Emphasis is placed on courtship and on marriage, which is understood as a natural and divine institution that serves to support and protect individuals, families, and society. Second, students explore the rich teaching on achieving personal growth and freedom through building up their practical reasoning, moral character, and spiritual life of faith, hope, and charity, which have an impact on everyday life, the helping professions, and vocational commitments. Students examine how Catholic Christian practices can be sources of relationship, support, growth, healing, and flourishing. Lastly, the course will identify psychological theory, evidence, and interventions that support this vision of human flourishing, a life of virtue, and committed vocations. (3 credit hrs) (DMU MSC/MSP graduates who passed all their program PHT courses may transfer in a PHT course and take a 1 credit course to create a bibliography with reference summaries and narrative for the integration section covering this area of philosophy and theology of their dissertation).
PHT 643 Catholic-Christian Marriage and Human Sexuality
PHT 643 Catholic-Christian Marriage and Human Sexuality introduces students to marriage as a natural and divine institution that serves the flourishing and protection of individuals, families, and society. Students will examine sexual differences from biological, psychological, and theological perspectives focusing on the writings of St. John Paul II, particularly his Theology of the Body. A Catholic-Christian understanding of masculinity and femininity and its implications for complementarity for relational and family flourishing will be explored. Students will analyze several contemporary challenges to marital flourishing and examine possible ways to strengthen the family as the domestic church in a diverse world through growth in virtue. (3 credit hrs) (DMU MSC/MSP graduates who passed all their program PHT courses may transfer in a PHT course and take a 1 credit course to create a bibliography with reference summaries and narrative for the integration section covering this area of philosophy and theology of their dissertation).
CES 710 Clinical Supervision and Consultation
CES 710 Clinical Supervision and Consultation introduces clinical supervision and consultation theories and practice within various health and human services systems, including mental health hospital facilities, educational institutions, community counseling agencies, and private practice. Concepts, processes, theoretical frameworks, use of technology, and styles of clinical supervision and consultation within public and private sectors are explored. This course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to engage within interdisciplinary treatment teams in consultation, negotiation/mediation, and systems level intervention in mental health settings. Students will be introduced to theoretical and practical approaches to administrative leadership in community mental health agencies, including finance, budgeting, and cost control. Students will acquire knowledge of the professional developmental issues of both supervisors and their supervisees, evaluation and remediation, and methods that can be used to enhance competency and best practices, and development of a personal style in professional counseling, clinical supervision and consultation (3 credit hrs).
CES 718 Research Design and Methods
CES 718 Research Design and Methods examines both the fundamentals and more advanced research design and methodology. A variety of research methodologies are examined: quantitative (experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental), qualitative, and mixed. Specific emphasis is placed upon searching for, understanding, and writing a literature review of empirical research for application to clinical practice. Students propose an empirical quantitative methods study on a counseling, integrative topic that will scaffold their subsequent dissertation research proposal (3 credit hrs).
CES 729 Advanced Quantitative Methods
CES 729 Advanced Quantitative Methods introduces sophisticated quantitative methodologies for rigorous research and data analysis. Building upon foundational statistical knowledge, students will explore advanced techniques applicable to counselor education research. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of statistical software to real-world data sets. Topics may include factorial and multivariate analysis of variance, multiple regression, meta-analysis, and structural equation modeling. Emphasis in the class will be in understanding and critiquing the statistical analyses presented in clinical psychology journals as an adjunct to lifelong learning. There is a Residency in Week 4 of this class (3 credit hrs).
CES 730 Advanced Qualitative Research
CES 730 Advanced Qualitative Research introduces advanced theories, methodologies, and practical applications of qualitative research in the psychological sciences. Emphasizing the systematic exploration of complex social phenomena, students will develop a sophisticated understanding of qualitative research designs, methods of data collection and analysis, and the integration of theory into qualitative inquiry (3 credit hrs).
CES 740 Advanced Seminar in Professional Identity: Legal & Ethical Issues in CES
CES 740 Advanced Seminar: Professional Orientation, Law, and Ethical Standards of Professional Counseling provides advanced training in professional orientation, law, and ethics in professional practice, research, and counselor preparation. The American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) will be the primary professional identity organizations and the primary professional conduct guides. Students will explore the legal and ethical issues, responsibilities across multiple settings and multiple service delivery modalities, and culturally relevant strategies in clinical practice and supervision, counselor preparation, professional credentialing, research, counselor education leadership, and counseling advocacy practices. Students will develop an in-depth analysis of a specific legal or ethical issue relevant to the jurisdiction of their future professional setting. There is a Residency in Week 4 of this class (3 credit hrs).
CES 750 Advanced Evaluation of Mental and Emotional Disorders (Psychological Measurement)
CES 750 Advanced Evaluation of Mental and Emotional Disorders course provides advanced training in the assessment of a client’s mental and emotional health status. This course focuses on the administration and interpretation of individual and group standardized tests of mental ability, personality, and measurement. Focus will be given to both formal and informal assessment strategies and will include assessment of personality disorders and severe and persistent mental illness. Ethical and legal implications of testing and assessment will be covered, along with the impact of cultural and disability issues on assessment and how to use assessment data in an ethical manner with diverse populations. Students will develop advanced skills in assessment strategies in the context of differential diagnosis and treatment planning (3 credit hrs).
CES 760 Advanced Multicultural Counseling, Advocacy, and Leadership
CES 760 Advanced Multicultural Counseling, Advocacy and Leadership focuses on developing advanced multicultural skills, advocacy competencies, and leadership abilities in counseling professionals. Building upon foundational counseling knowledge, this course explores complex clinical and leadership cases, ethical dilemmas, and advanced treatment modalities. Students will gain proficiency in evidence-based practices, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care. A strong emphasis is placed on advocacy for the profession and the most vulnerable needing mental health services, empowering students to become effective agents of change within their communities. Students will learn management and administration in agencies, organizations, and other institutions. Leadership development will be fostered through exploration of various leadership and consultation theories and their application (3 credit hrs).
CES 780 Scholarship, Advocacy, and Grant Writing in Counselor Education
CES 780 Scholarship, Advocacy, and Grant Writing in Counselor Education is designed to equip counselor education students with the skills necessary to identify, develop, and secure grant funding for counseling programs, scholarship, advocacy, and mental health initiatives. Students will learn culturally sustaining leadership and advocacy practices, and models and competencies for advocating clients, at the individual, system, and policy levels. about the grant writing process from start to finish, including identifying potential funding sources, developing compelling proposals, and managing awarded grants. The course will cover essential components of grant writing such as needs assessment, program design, budget development, and evaluation planning. Students will explore advanced methods for program evaluation with scenarios for application and use of findings and results of evaluations. Through hands-on exercises, case studies, and practical application, students will gain proficiency in crafting persuasive grant proposals that align with the mission and goals of counseling programs (3 credit hrs).
CES 820 Adult Learning Theory and Application
CES 820 Adult Learning Theory and Application explores the unique characteristics and learning processes of adult learners. This course introduces foundational theories and contemporary research to understand how adults differ from children in their approach to learning. Students will examine key concepts such as self-direction, experience-based learning, readiness to learn, and problem-centered orientation. The course emphasizes the application of adult learning principles to instructional design and delivery. Students will develop skills in creating effective learning environments, motivating adult learners, and assessing learning outcomes. Real-world examples and case studies will be used to illustrate the practical application of theory. Students may be assigned as TA’s during this course (3 credit hrs).
CES 828 Adult Teaching Theory and Application
CES 828 Adult Teaching Theory and Application scaffolds the knowledge obtained in CES 820 to practical application. This course emphasizes learning outcomes in the classroom using classroom assessment techniques (CAT’s). Students will examine methods of measuring prior knowledge, presenting new material, setting challenges and task-oriented assignments, then obtaining feedback on outcomes, making adjustments and reinforcing outcomes. Through direct observation, questioning, obtaining feedback, self-assessment, peer-assessment and the formative use of summative assessment, students will develop and hone a personal style of teaching counseling and other subject matter areas. Students will be introduced to basic curriculum and course design methods. Students may be assigned as TA’s during this course (3 credit hrs).
CES 790 Internship I Advanced Counseling
CES 790 Internship I: Advanced Counseling provides students with advanced experiences in delivering counseling services to diverse individuals, couples, families, and groups. Students will participate in individual and group supervision in which they will review their counseling sessions for discussion and evaluation. Student performance is monitored throughout the course and includes a formal evaluation at the middle and end of each of the internship courses to assess mastery of essential counseling techniques, evidence-based practice, and advanced clinical skills. Students will be able to demonstrate advanced clinical and ethical competencies in the areas of diagnostic interviewing, case conceptualization, diverse cultural contextualization, client-engaged goal setting, treatment planning, counseling intervention, and case management.
This course is divided into segments of study for specific evidence-based treatment modalities for addressing the unique needs of clients exhibiting personality pathology. The general practice model called Good Psychiatric Management for Borderline Personality Disorder (GPM) is one of the most practical for general practice professional counselors and will be studied in depth. In addition the treatment modalities of Schema Focused Therapy, Mentalization Based Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Transference Focused Psychotherapy will be explored. This course requires 200 internship hours (3 credit hrs, 1 full semester) (Pass/Fail).
CES 791 Internship II Counselor Supervision
CES 791 Internship II Counselor Supervision is the internship course for CES 710 Clinical Supervision and Consultation. The internship course is a practical, hands-on experience designed to prepare students for a career as a clinical supervisor. Under the close guidance of experienced supervisors, students will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively supervise counselors-in-training. This internship involves direct supervision of counseling students, as well as participation in group supervision and professional development activities. Interns will be expected to maintain detailed case notes, participate in regular supervision meetings, and complete required coursework. Upon successful completion of the internship, students will demonstrate competency in the core areas of supervision and be prepared to enter the field as qualified supervisors. This course requires 200 internship hours (2 credit hrs, 1 full semester) (Pass/Fail).
CES 792 Internship III Counselor Education / Teaching
CES 792 Internship III Counselor Education / Teaching is the internship course for CES 820 Adult Learning Theory and Application. The internship course is a practical, hands-on experience designed to prepare students for a career as a faculty member in a professional counseling program. Students will be involved in co-teaching, curriculum development, student engagement and assessment, and participation in faculty meetings, committee work, and other academic responsibilities. Upon successful completion of the internship, students will demonstrate competency in the core areas of counselor education and be prepared to pursue a career in academia. This course requires 200 internship hours. (2 credit hrs, 1 full semester) (Pass/Fail).
CES 890 Research Seminar I – III
CES 890 Research Seminar is designed to provide doctoral students with a structured forum for the scaffolding of skills for the development, refinement, and implementation of their dissertation research. The course will focus on enhancing students’ critical thinking, research methodologies, and writing skills as they prepare for the successful completion of their dissertation.
CES 895 Comprehensive Qualifying Assessment Portfolio
At the conclusion of content coursework, generally around the end of the second year of the program, and before moving to the dissertation candidacy component of the CES Ph.D. program, students must successfully pass the Comprehensive Qualifying Assessment Portfolio (CQAP).The CQAP consists of a collection of assessments to determine a student’s readiness for the preparation, writing, and defense of the dissertation. On passing each of the described assessments, the student shall be deemed a Candidate for the Ph.D., all but dissertation (ABD, see note below).*
Each of the five core areas of the program must be assessed by the student’s CQAP committee for determination of an appropriate / doctoral level of preparation, assimilation of required knowledge and skill, and a proficient level of competence to both complete the dissertation and to represent the institution and themselves in the professional world of counseling as doctorally prepared counselors, counselor educators, counseling supervisors, researchers / scholars, and thought leaders and advocates. Students are required to solicit assistance from not less than 3 or more than 5 members to sit on their CQAP Committee. To pass, a voting average score of not less than 86% must be met as determined by rubrics completed by each committee member in each area. (0 credit hrs) (Pass/Fail).
*NOTE: As a candidate for the doctorate, a student will be in the dissertation phase of the program with the acronym “ABD” used in general. Students may NOT use the ABD as a credential following their name in signatures and endorsements. Example, Jimmy Joe Docstudent, ABD is not permissible.
CES 899 Dissertation Research and Writing I – VII
CES 899 Dissertation Research and Writing supports Ph.D. students to successfully demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research closely related to their specific academic objectives and to the advancement of counselor education and supervision fund of knowledge, skills and dispositions. In addition, the dissertation must reflect the student’s emerging ability to provide leadership and advocacy in the field by making a novel contribution. Because one of the distinctive characteristics of DMU is its commitment to a model of human flourishing, each dissertation will reflect this view, either through the selection of the area of research or through an integration of the three streams of wisdom: science, philosophy, and theology (14 credit hrs).
Registration for dissertation hours is required for all Ph.D. students from the time the dissertation chair is appointed until their dissertation is defended (1-3 credit hrs).