Counselor Education and Supervision, Doctor of Philosophy
City University of Seattle’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision program (seeking CACREP accreditation) promotes a scholar-practitioner model for advanced counseling, supervision, teaching, research, leadership, and advocacy. Operating from a multicultural and social justice context, this doctoral program prepares students for practitioner roles in counselor education and supervision, professorial roles within academia, and scholarship and research roles within the counseling field. Graduates will lead in their communities through service and advocacy in the profession. The cadre of doctoral faculty support counselor educators and supervisors in their efforts to promote awareness, knowledge, and skills in interacting with economically, socially, and culturally diverse members of our communities.
Program Outcomes
The Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision will prepare students to:
1. Provide advanced ethical and culturally relevant clinical counseling practice in a pluralistic society.
2. Supervise counselors to enhance client/counselor outcomes in an ethical and culturally relevant manner.
3. Apply learning theories to deliver developmentally and culturally relevant counselor education.
4. Inform professional practice relevant to counseling, counselor education, and/or supervision modalities by generating new knowledge for the profession.
5. Demonstrate oral and written professional skills for presentations and publications.
6. Demonstrate professional leadership by advocating on behalf of the profession and in relation to multicultural and social justice issues.
Admission Requirements
In addition to City University of Seattle's doctoral admission requirements, found under Admissions in the catalog menu, students applying to the Ph.D. degree in Counselor Education and Supervision must submit and complete the following.
Step 1, Initial Application Materials:
- Online City University of Seattle application
- Resume/CV
- Cover letter – The cover letter should address the applicant’s suitability for the program and the following questions:
- Describe your reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision?
- How would you describe your Counselor Professional Identity?
- What strengths and challenges do you anticipate encountering as a student?
- What have you learned about yourself in your multicultural/diversity experiences?
- What are your goals for advocating for both clients and the profession?
- What are your research interests?
- Transcripts from master’s-level counseling program – Applicants must have graduated from a master’s-level counseling program by the time of entry into the doctoral program (preferably CACREP accredited and a 60-semester credit or 90-quarter credit program).
- Three letters of reference – Letters must be from supervisors and colleagues in the helping professions and at least one graduate-level academia person. No personal references from family, friends, students, or clients will be accepted.
Step 2, Interview:
Faculty of the doctoral program in CES review completed applications. Students who meet initial criteria will be invited to participate in an interview that will be conducted either in person or by web conference. Additional interviews and/or an all-day group interviewing process on-campus may be required. Following the interview process, successful applicants will be offered admission to the program.
Application materials and subsequent interviews will be assessed based on the following criteria, in alignment with CACREP Standards:
- Academic aptitude for doctoral-level study
- Previous professional experience
- Fitness for the profession, including self-awareness and strong professional dispositions
- Oral and written communication skills
- Diversity sensitivity and awareness
- Potential for scholarship, professional leadership, and advocacy.
Standardized test scores (GRE, etc.) are not required. Candidates from a non-CACREP accredited master’s program and/or a non 60-semester credit or 90-quarter credit program will be considered, though may be required to take additional master’s level courses (prior or concurrent) in order to be admitted. While other factors are certainly considered, a GPA of at least 3.5 from the applicant’s master’s-level counseling program is required. Exceptions to the 3.5 graduate GPA admission requirement will be made on a case-by-case basis, at the determination of the core faculty.
Total Required Credits (72 Credits)
Counseling Core Courses (30 Credits)
| COUN 700 | CES Orientation and Professional Writing | 2 |
| COUN 705 | Professional Ethics in CES | 2 |
| COUN 710 | Models of Clinical Supervision | 4 |
| COUN 716 | Advanced Multicultural and Social Justice Issues | 4 |
| COUN 719 | Teaching in Higher Education | 4 |
| COUN 723 | Advanced Counseling Theories | 4 |
| COUN 726 | Counselor Leadership and Advocacy | 2 |
| COUN 729 | Advanced Group Work | 4 |
| COUN 730 | Advanced Assessment | 4 |
Research Methodology Courses (16 Credits)
Students must successfully pass COUN 760, COUN 770, and COUN 775 prior to enrolling in COUN 780 or COUN 785.
| COUN 760 | Research Fundamentals and Program Evaluation | 4 |
| COUN 770 | Methods and Analysis of Quantitative Research | 4 |
| COUN 775 | Methods and Analysis of Qualitative and Action Research | 4 |
| COUN 780 | Advanced Quantitative Methods | 4 |
| (or) | |
| COUN 785 | Advanced Qualitative Methods | 4 |
CES Training (a minimum of 7 Credits)
Students will repeat this 1 credit course a minimum of 7 times.
| COUN 750 | CES Professional Practice Seminar | 1 |
CES Comprehensive Exam (1 Credit)
CES Dissertation (a minimum of 18 Credits)
COUN 805 is a variable credit course. Students will work with their dissertation chair and committee to determine the number of credits required per term.