2023 Best Online PhD Programs for Counseling

Liberty University (LU) is a private, nonprofit, Christian university offering an online Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling, requiring 57 credit hours. The PhD program can last three or more years, and it has three specializations students can choose from: (1) traumatology, (2) pastoral care and counseling, and (3) marriage and family. Alternatively, LU offers an online Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling and an online PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision.

LU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on Canvas, a popular learning management system. The online PhD program in counseling helps working professionals advance their counseling skills through courses, such as Crises and Current Issues in Pastoral Counseling, Adult and Familial Trauma, and Family Development. Prospective careers for graduates include trauma counselors, church counselors, and marriage and family counselors.

According to the school's Student Code, LU is not LGBT-friendly. They prohibit those who are part of this community from engaging in "statements and behaviors that are associated with LGBT lifestyle."

Capella University is a private, for-profit institution with an online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision (CACREP-accredited) totaling 60 credit hours. It can take two years to finish this degree. Online students must attend a one-time, five-day residency at Capella.

Besides the residency, online Capella students must complete a practicum and an internship, as well as asynchronous and synchronous coursework on the digital platform Blackboard. The program prepares students for leadership roles in counseling and academia. The program’s courses include Advanced Counseling Practice, Counselor Education Teaching and Practice, and Leadership and Advocacy in Counseling. Graduates may go on to careers like counselor educators, professors, and counselor supervisors.

As an alternative, a similar online degree is a PhD - Advanced Studies in Human Behavior.

The University of the Cumberlands (UC) is a private, nonprofit, Christian institution that offers an online PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision requiring 66 credit hours. Full-time students can spend at least three years completing coursework. The degree has three specialty areas for them to choose from: (1) addiction, (2) advanced counseling, and (3) leadership.

UC facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the learning management system Blackboard. This online PhD program helps counseling professionals obtain the skills necessary to teach in higher education. Some of the program’s courses include Online Counseling and Supervision, Psychopharmacology, and Motivation and Change. Seminars, a practicum, an internship, and a dissertation are required to graduate. Potential career options include clinical directors, assistant professors, and mental health program managers.

At Regent University Online — a private, nonprofit, and Christian university — prospective students can pursue an online PhD in Counseling & Psychological Studies requiring 51 credit hours. It can take three years to finish this program online. This PhD offers ten concentrations, like grief counseling and life coaching.

Regent Online’s students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on Canvas. The program focuses on faith-based counseling. Example classes include Addiction Intervention, Advanced Counseling Skills & Techniques, and Addictive Behaviors. Students are required to complete a capstone, field experience, and a dissertation. Future careers include researchers, clinical supervisors, and substance abuse counselors. Regent Online also offers an online PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision.

Regent is not an LGBT-friendly school, as the university prohibits LGBT relationships.

The University of West Alabama (UWA) is a public institution offering an online Doctor of Education in Rural Education - Counseling, which requires 60-66 credit hours. Full-time students can spend 3-4 years finishing their degree. The counseling concentration comprises 27 credit hours.

At UWA, online students complete courses available asynchronously and synchronously on Blackboard. The counseling track gives students the knowledge and skills to advocate for students and their families in rural areas. Sample courses include Strategic Planning in a Rural Setting, Critical Issues in Counseling in a Rural Setting, and Advancing Rural Research. An orientation, a seminar, and a dissertation are required. Prospective careers include mental health counselors, directors of social services, and school administrators.

The University of West Georgia (UWG) is a public university with an online Doctor of Education in Professional Counseling and Supervision, which equals 39-60 credit hours. Prospective students can expect to take two or more years to graduate. If students have an EdS, they can choose the 39-credit, accelerated track of this program, while students without the degree must complete 60 credit hours.

UWG uses D2L Brightspace to deliver asynchronous and synchronous courses. This program emphasizes program evaluation, supervision, advocacy, and leadership. The program’s courses include Ethical Leadership in Education, Advanced Therapeutic Techniques in Counseling, and Professional Research Writing. An internship, seminars, and practicums are required for graduation. Potential careers include associate professors, mental health therapists, and psychologists.

Mississippi College (MC) is a private, nonprofit, Baptist university that offers an online Doctor of Professional Counseling, which requires 72 credit hours. Full-time students can spend three or more years completing this graduate degree online. This program extends pasts the 60-credit master’s degree in counseling.

At MC, online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Canvas. Those who participate in the counseling PhD are often prepared to serve their communities and even become leaders. The program’s courses include Advanced Lifespan Developmental Processes, Psychotherapy Integration, and Advanced Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology. Students must complete supervised clinicals, a capstone project, and seminars. Graduates may pursue careers like addiction counselors, school counselors, and researchers.

The University of Western States (UWS) is a private, nonprofit institution offering an online Doctor of Education in Sport and Performance Psychology - Clinical Mental Health Counseling, that totals 148 credit hours. This program can last four or more years with part-time enrollment. This graduate degree makes students eligible to sit for counseling licensure.

UWS facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on Canvas. The clinical mental health counseling concentration covers topics like ethics and professional identity, career counseling, and helping relationships. Example coursework includes Group Counseling, Psychopharmacology, and Addiction Counseling. Students are required to complete a mentorship and a dissertation. Future careers may include chemical dependency counselors, health educators, and clinical therapists.

Bay Path University is a private, nonprofit university with an online Doctor of Health Science - Advanced Trauma-Informed Counseling totaling 48 credit hours. The university is women-only. Typically, it can take at least three years to finish this PhD program online.

At Bay Path, online students complete courses on the software Canvas, and all coursework is delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats. The advanced trauma-informed counseling concentration is for professionals with a background in mental health or psychology seeking training in trauma. Sample courses include Leadership Theory in Healthcare, Policy Leadership for Healthcare Transformation, and Neurobiology of Trauma. A research project is required for graduation. Graduates may go on to careers like trauma counselors, psychologists, and family therapists.

At Chaminade University of Honolulu — a private, nonprofit, Marianist university — future students can pursue an online Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology - Mental Health Counseling equaling 60 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to spend three years completing this degree. Graduates can apply for a DCCA Mental Health License.

Chaminade delivers asynchronous and synchronous online courses through the digital platform Canvas. The program covers psychological test administration, mental health counseling, and scholar-practitioner research. Courses include Advanced Group Facilitation, Prevention and Wellness, and Cognitive Assessment. Online students are required to complete two internships and a dissertation. Then they may enter careers that include school administrators, school counselors, and school psychologists.

Alternatively, Chaminade offers an online Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy for those who want to specialize in this niche.

Hampton University (Hampton U) is a private, nonprofit, and Historically Black university that hosts an online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision requiring 64 credit hours. It can take online students 3.5 years to graduate from this program. The program requires a minimum of three in-person residency seminars.

Hampton U uses Blackboard to deliver asynchronous and synchronous online courses. This program is designed for licensed counselors seeking to build their clinical supervisory skills. Some of the program’s courses include Human Sexuality, Theories and Practice of Counseling Supervision, and Advanced Group and Family Systems Theory. A dissertation, a supervised internship, and a comprehensive exam are required for graduation. Potential careers include clinical supervisors, behavioral health managers, and associate professors.

Saybrook University Hybrid Online is a private, nonprofit university offering an online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, which equals 54 credit hours. Students generally spend at least four years finishing this degree online, and they must attend an in-person, five-day residential conference at Saybrook.

At Saybrook, online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Canvas. The PhD counselor program covers teaching, clinical supervision, research, and advocacy and leadership through online classes, such as Advanced Theories and Practice, Instructional Theory and Practice, and Counseling Theories. Students must complete a comprehensive exam, an internship, a practicum, and a dissertation. Graduates may go on to enter careers like clinical directors, social service managers, and human resource managers.

At Kairos University — a private, nonprofit, and North American Baptist university — prospective can pursue an online Doctor of Professional Counseling totaling 42 credit hours. Full-time students can spend three years completing this program. The program is split into three phases: (1) program entry, (2) integration and learning, and (3) program completion.

Kairos facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on Pathwright. This program is for counselors looking to advance their skills and knowledge. Some of the program’s courses include Culture and Theology, Advanced Counseling Skills, and Spiritual Development and Formation. Students are required to complete a project report or thesis to graduate. Future careers may include clinical counselors, marriage and family therapists, and counseling administrators.

The University of Holy Cross (UHC) is a private, nonprofit, Roman Catholic university with an online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, and it requires 114 credit hours. This program can last three years. Students work with an advisor to select a research topic before creating a dissertation in their final year.

At UHC, online graduate students complete courses asynchronously and synchronously via the remote learning platform Canvas. This program prepares students to assume leadership roles in academia. Sample courses include Advanced Counseling Theories, College Teaching, and Advanced Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders. Students must complete a practicum, an internship, a seminar, and a dissertation. Graduates may pursue careers like college deans, associate professors, and researchers.