School of Counseling Open House flyer for Open Houses on Oct. 21, Nov 19, and Jan 16. Questions can be emailed to ljackson@marymount.edu

Overview of the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision

The online Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision program at Marymount University is dedicated to cultivating and empowering emerging leaders in the counseling profession. We offer many unique opportunities to help students develop personally and professionally, including our on-site training clinic, global study opportunities, grant programs, and much more. The program follows a CACREP curriculum and will submit the program for accreditation in spring 2026 in compliance with CACREP Policy A.2.k: Adding a Degree Program during an Accreditation Cycle.

The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program blends theory across education, counseling, supervision, and leadership with empirical research and experiential learning, including hands-experiences developing clinical skills. Coursework covers topics as diversified as social change and approaches to group counseling.

Consistent with the CACREP (2024 Standards), the doctoral program accepts the primary obligation to prepare graduates to work as counselor educators, supervisors, researchers, and practitioners in academic and clinical settings. This extension of knowledge will prepare graduates to be leaders and advocates for change while allowing individuals to foster their unique strengths, talents, and gifts. The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program will encompass all of the entry-level program standards and students admitted for doctoral study must have completed studies that meet CACREP entry-level (masters) standards and provide evidence of a knowledge base of a professional counselor. 108 total credits are required for the Ph.D. program; 48 credits from a CACREP accredited or closely related field may be applied towards the online Ph.D. counselor education and supervision CACREP-aligned program. The program follows a CACREP curriculum and will submit the program for accreditation in spring 2026 in compliance with CACREP Policy A.2.k: Adding a Degree Program during an Accreditation Cycle.

Residency Requirement For ALL Students Admitted to School of Counseling: M.A. or Ph.D. Program (regardless of delivery method):
Taken from CACREP email and website regarding Policy A.2.e. Program Training Requirement:
At its February 2026 meeting, the CACREP board amended this policy. The revised policy is below, and is effective as of February 9, 2026:

Beginning July 1, 2026, programs, regardless of program delivery method, require and deliver synchronous experiences to observe and assess counseling skills and professional dispositions for all students at least at two points throughout the student’s program of study of which one occurs prior to the practicum.

The interpretation of this policy is as follows:
1.     The requirements of this policy are applicable to all students entering the counselor education program on or after July 1, 2026.
2.     Counseling students must participate in synchronous experiences that will allow the program to observe and assess counseling skills and professional dispositions at a minimum of two points throughout the students’ program of study for entry-level and doctoral students.
3.     The required synchronous experiences may be provided in person (i.e. on campus or at another physical location) and/or may be digitally delivered.
4.     For entry-level students, one of the synchronous experiences must occur prior to practicum.
    For doctoral students, one of the synchronous experiences must occur prior to the doctoral internship.
5.     The goals are to:
a)     observe each student’s professional behaviors with university staff and with peers;
b)    assess students to ensure they can deliver core counseling skills;
c)     assess professional dispositions, and
d)    provide feedback to students regarding strengths and areas for improvement or remediation.

Online Ph.D. In Counselor Education and Supervision students will be required to be available for observation and assessment to meet this standard on or around the following timeframes (TBD at mandatory orientation):
CE801: Clinical Skills Assessment (Year 1, Spring)
CE805: Internship in Counselor Education (Year 2, Spring)

Online and On ground M.A. Students in CMHC and CMHC with a concentration in Pastoral will be required to be available for observation and assessment to meet this standard on or around the following timeframes (TBD at mandatory orientation):
Online Cohort CE522: Individual Skills (Fall of Year 1) and Year 2 CE597: Practicum in CMHC (Spring Year 2)
On ground students: CE522: Individual Skills (Fall or Spring, Year 1) and CE597: Practicum in CMHC (Spring Year 2)

Admission Requirements

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Program Curriculum Snapshot

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