Online PhD Programs in Mental Health Counseling
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“There are numerous reasons that people pursue this degree…Many intend to pursue careers in higher education, and others pursue it to take on advanced clinical leadership roles, while others might be looking to shape the profession through their research.”
Matthew Lyons, PhD, Dean and Professor, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of the Cumberlands
Earning a PhD in Counseling opens doors to advanced clinical practice, academic leadership, and research opportunities in the mental health field. While counselors, therapists, and psychologists share overlapping roles, their training and career paths differ. Counselors and therapists typically hold master’s or doctoral degrees in psychology, marriage and family therapy, or counseling, while clinical psychologists often require a doctoral degree for research and licensed practice. A PhD in counselor education and supervision prepares professionals for higher education, leadership, and advanced clinical roles.
Many mental health professionals begin their careers after earning a master’s degree in counseling. However, pursuing a PhD in counselor education and supervision allows them to advance into teaching, research, and supervisory positions. These programs, available in online and hybrid formats, typically take three to four years to complete and require coursework, research, and a clinical internship.
Beyond academic growth, earning a PhD offers expanded career opportunities and increased earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), employment for psychologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, while postsecondary teaching roles will see an 8 percent increase during the same period—both faster than the national average. Additionally, PhD holders tend to earn higher salaries, with clinical and counseling psychologists averaging $106,850 annually (BLS May 2024).
A PhD in Counseling provides a competitive edge in both salary negotiations and career advancement. CareerOneStop (2025), a resource from the U.S. Department of Labor, reports that 79 percent of clinical and counseling psychologists hold doctoral or professional degrees, reinforcing the value of advanced education in the field.
For professionals looking to expand their expertise, transition into leadership roles, or increase their earning potential, an online PhD in counselor education and supervision is a strategic next step. Read on to explore online PhD programs and career opportunities in mental health counseling.
Ask the Expert: Matthew Lyons, PhD
Dr. Matthew Lyons serves as the dean and professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of the Cumberlands. He earned his PhD in counselor education and supervision from Ohio University.
In his current role, Dr. Lyons oversees programs in human services, psychology, counseling, and criminal justice, aiming to prepare professionals for various helping professions. He is actively involved in professional leadership, currently serving on the Executive Board of the International Association of Counseling. His primary research interests include spirituality, leadership in the counseling profession, and family/adolescent development.
CounselingSchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about counseling and/or PhD counseling programs?
Dr. Lyons: Generally, I wish the public understood the MA in clinical mental health program is a CACREP-accredited degree, meaning it meets rigorous accreditation standards and prepares students to seek state licensure. The curriculum aims to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to provide competent and ethical counseling to help people reach their wellness goals.
The PhD is also accredited and prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed for advanced clinical work, teaching, supervision, research, and leadership in the counseling profession.
There are numerous reasons that people pursue this degree. To name a few, many intend to pursue careers in higher education, and others pursue it to take on advanced clinical leadership roles, while others might be looking to shape the profession through their research. Both programs are grounded in best practices and prepare students for meaningful careers to meet the growing need for mental health care.
CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring PhD students in counseling?
Dr. Lyons: I talk with many applicants to our PhD program and work with many of our PhD students throughout their curriculum. I think that advice I would offer is if you are thinking about it, trust that inclination and apply. I hear many people considering the program wrestle with whether they can do it amidst their other obligations.
Our program is designed to be accessible to adult learners. Most people are juggling commitments to jobs, family, etc. The curriculum is designed in a way that will allow you to progress at an individualized pace. The PhD program is a rich and rewarding experience that propels your professional growth and proves to be personally enriching.
CounselingSchools.com: What does the future of the field look like to you?
Dr. Lyons: The future looks promising, with expected job growth in the coming years. There is growing awareness and acceptance of the need for mental health care and an understanding of how it supports wellness. Those two forces and continued advances in research and best practices make this an exciting time for the field.
Typical Admissions Requirements for Mental Health Counseling PhD Programs
Every educational program has unique admissions requirements, and most online PhD programs in mental health counseling require the following for admission:
- A master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited counseling program
- Criminal background check
- Current counseling license or be eligible to apply for licensure in the state of residence
- GPA of 3.0 or higher from a master’s degree program
- GRE scores
- Interview with an admissions committee
- Official transcripts for undergraduate and graduate coursework
- One year of full-time post-master’s degree counseling experience
- Statement of career or research goals
- Three letters of reference
Courses in Mental Health Counseling PhD Programs
- Capstone in counseling
- Clinical supervision
- Diversity and social justice in counselor education
- Ethical and legal issues in counselor education and supervision
- Internship
- Neuroanatomy & behavioral medicine
- Online teaching and learning
- PhD residency
- Program evaluation & grant writing
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Statistics
- Supervision & consultation
Supervised Clinical Hour Requirements & Internships – Mental Health Counseling
In CACREP-accredited programs, students are required to complete their skill development preparation in order to be eligible for a minimum of 700 hours of supervised clinical experience.
Clinical hours are divided into two categories: practicum and internship. A minimum of 100 practicum hours are required, with a minimum of 40 hours spent in direct service with clients. A minimum of 600 internship hours are also required, with a minimum of 240 hours spent in direct service with clients. Direct service hours include time spent with actual clients and activities such as assessment, counseling, psycho-educational activities, and consultation.
In general, observation and administrative tasks do not count toward the direct service supervised clinical hours requirements.
Program Accreditation for Mental Health Counseling – CACREP
As previously mentioned, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the leading accrediting organization for master’s and doctoral counseling degree programs.
As of 2024, more than 983 programs hold CACREP accreditation status, which is earned through a two-part process: a self-assessment and a peer assessment. Programs are evaluated and must demonstrate that their mission, curriculum, and teaching standards meet the high standards of excellence.
Notably, CACREP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Nine of the 90 CACREP-accredited PhD programs in counseling are offered online, and six of them are featured below.
Featured CACREP-Accredited Online PhD & EdD Programs in Mental Health Counseling
Here are six featured CACREP-accredited online PhD programs in counseling.
Since 1970, Walden University has offered distance learning opportunities, so it is no surprise that it is one of the eight accredited universities offering an online PhD in counselor education and supervision. This program is designed for CACREP-accredited master’s degree holders in counseling who want to pursue roles in administration, teaching, private practice, or research.
To help students meet their professional goals, Walden University offers seven areas of specialization: addiction counseling; clinical mental health counseling; general program; marriage, couple, and family counseling; school counseling; telehealth counseling, private practice, and supervision; and trauma and crisis.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Duration: Two-and-a-half to five years
- Accreditation: CACREP
The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program at Adams State University is designed to prepare counseling professionals to extend their knowledge base of the counseling profession through various roles, including teaching, supervision, counseling, leadership, and advocacy. Through academic coursework, graduates are prepared to work as counselor educators, supervisors, researchers, leaders, and practitioners in academic and clinical settings. Students in this 60-semester-hour, fully online program begin their program in a cohort and must complete three one-week in-person residencies during the academic semester(s).
- Location: Alamosa, CO
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: CACREP
Oregon State University (Hybrid)
Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Oregon State University offers a PhD program in counseling that prepares graduates to work as advanced practitioners, clinical supervisors, and counselor educators. This doctoral program emphasizes academic, professional, and research mastery.
Applicants to this program must have a master’s in counseling or a closely-related discipline to complete their PhD coursework. Taught in a cohort model, this hybrid program requires online coursework and face-to-face classes twice each quarter, which meet on Fridays and Saturdays. Graduates from this program go on to work in clinical and academic settings.
- Location: Corvallis, OR
- Duration: Three to five years
- Accreditation: CACREP
Regent University offers a fully-online 51-semester-hour PhD program in counseling and psychological studies with the mission of teaching students to explore, research, and innovate to transform mental health. This Christian program features three instructional residencies and real-world experience to help graduates apply faith-based interventions as educators, scholars, and clinical practitioners.
Regent also offers a number of concentrations, including addictions counseling, biblical counseling, human services counseling, human services for student affairs, industrial-organizational, life coaching, marriage and family ministry, and trauma and crisis counseling.
Residency requirements are two weeks in length and provide in-person networking and mentoring opportunities for students and faculty.
- Location: Virginia Beach, VA
- Duration: Approximately three years
- Accreditation: CACREP
Shippensburg University (EdD, Hybrid)
Offering a part-time 60-credit program, Shippensburg University offers an EdD in counselor education and supervision. This hybrid program features online classes and on-campus courses on Saturdays—a format that allows current clinical practitioners with master’s degrees to maintain part-time or full-time employment while pursuing a doctoral degree.
Students in this program take courses together in a cohort model for three years and additional semesters may be required to complete dissertation defense requirements. This program meets the requirements for counseling licensure in Pennsylvania.
- Location: Shippensburg, PA
- Duration: Approximately three years
- Accreditation: CACREP
Focused on preparing graduates for research and higher education careers, the University of the Cumberlands offers a 66-credit PhD program in counselor education and supervision. Students in this program can specialize in addiction counseling or leadership.
The curriculum consists of three essential components: leadership, professional research and clinical, and specialty area content courses. Graduates from this program go on to pursue careers as research and counseling psychologists, compliance officers, and post-secondary instructors in higher education.
- Location: Williamsburg, KY
- Duration: Approximately three years
- Accreditation: CACREP
Jobs for Mental Health Counseling PhDs
As previously mentioned, those with a PhD degree in counseling can look forward to various career paths in teaching, administration, and clinical counseling. Here are three jobs for graduates of counselor education and supervision programs.
Become an Assistant/Associate Professor of Counseling Education and Supervision
Colleges of arts and science and education hire PhD degree-holders to teach courses for their counselor education and supervision programs. Assistant professors are responsible for teaching, research, and professional development. Some tenure-track positions may lead to permanent associate professor positions. Visiting assistant professor positions are also available for those who want to explore teaching options at different universities.
Depending on job requirements, applicants may need to show proof of licensure as well as previous teaching and research experience. The BLS (2024) shows that opportunities for postsecondary teachers nationally are growing at a rate of 8 percent (2023 to 2033), which is much faster than the national average.
Become a Compliance Officer
A career that spans several sectors and disciplines, compliance officers are responsible for examining, evaluating, and investigating eligibility for laws and regulations concerning contracts, licenses, inspection, and permits. Degree holders in counseling education and supervision may be qualified to work in public schools or healthcare facilities to ensure that educational and mental health services are being administered fairly and within the prescribed scope of practice at the state and federal levels. Depending on the employer, certification may be required for these positions.
Become a Psychologist
A career that can include clinical and research components, psychologists work one-on-one with individuals or families in private practice or mental health facilities or research facilities. Depending on qualifications, a clinical psychologist may provide general behavioral health support or specialized services through educational counseling, couples counseling, addiction issues, grief and loss, or eating disorders. Research psychologists may evaluate patients individually for cognitive assessments for patient or research purposes.
Psychologists may have state licensing requirements to fulfill before applying for certain jobs. The BLS (2024) shows job openings in psychology are growing as fast as the national average at 7 percent between 2023 and 2033, creating a demand of 14,000 new positions.
Matt Zbrog
WriterMatt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2020, he’s written extensively about how counselors and other behavioral health professionals are working to address the nation’s mental health and substance use crises, with a particular focus on community-driven and interdisciplinary approaches. His articles have included detailed interviews with leaders and subject matter experts from the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Mental Health Counselor Association (AMHCA), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Vanessa Salvia
WriterVanessa Salvia is an Oregon-based freelance writer and editor with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. As fun as rigorous studies in math and science were, Vanessa took an independent path and developed a prolific career covering lifestyle and healthcare topics for magazines and newspapers, important industries such as concrete construction and building waterproofing, and even hard science. You can get in touch at Sage Media and Marketing.