Counselor Education and Supervision

The UW Ph.D. program in counselor education and supervision is targeted to students who already hold a master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited institution or equivalent and are seeking to become counselor educators and advanced practitioners. Students who do not come from CACREP school may have to take additional coursework.

Integrating theory and practice, this program will provide you with expertise and experience in counseling, supervision, teaching, leadership, advocacy, research and scholarship.

Counselor education and supervision Ph.D. graduates from UW go on to establish counseling practices and academic careers.

Questions? Speak with an advisor!

The counselor education and supervision Ph.D. program is a three-year program and only admits students every few years. They will be admitting fall of 2026. The application portal will not open again until spring of 2025. At that time, please apply for fall 2026. 

Admission Requirements

Domestic Students

International Students

Other Requirements

Visit their program's admission page for more information.

Here is a sampling of courses you will take as a counselor education and supervision Ph.D. student at UW:

View the full doctor of philosophy in counselor education and supervision curriculum.

The UW Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision prepares you for a career in academia, readying you to teach the next generation of counselors and advance the discourse in their field.

Counselor Education and Supervision Careers

UW Ph.D. alumni in counselor education and supervision have worked in institutions such as:

As a doctoral student you will be expected to conduct systematic inquiry into the counseling field. Some recent dissertation titles include:

The counselor education and supervision Ph.D. program at UW will provide you with the freedom and flexibility to pursue a unique path of intellectual inquiry while also making it possible for you to develop college-level teaching skills, acquire supervisory experience and hone new counseling skills.

Here are some reasons to consider UW’s counselor education and supervision Ph.D. program:

Co-Teaching

Acquire college-level teaching experience co-teaching with an undergraduate class with a UW counseling faculty member.

Accredited

The UW College of Education is nationally accredited by NCATE. The counselor programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Faculty/Scholars

Work with professors who are researching play therapy, expressive arts in counseling, addiction, counselor development and underserved populations, childhood mental health, the development of ethnic identity in children and other important areas.

Assistantships

Explore graduate assistantships, which provide stipends, opportunities to help faculty with research and college-level teaching experiences. Graduate assistants also help with the day-to-day functions of the counseling clinic.

Wellspring Counseling Clinic

Work in the College of Education’s Wellspring Counseling Clinic, which boasts the latest in digital technology and offers individual, group and couples counseling, play therapy and substance abuse evaluations. Doctoral students help with the day-to-day operations of the counseling clinic and supervise students working there. As a Ph.D. student, you will support master’s students working in the clinic as they complete their practicum hours.

Scholarships

Explore graduate scholarships that are available through the UW College of Education that include:

Arden White Student Excellence ScholarshipLyle L. Miller Counselor Education FellowshipRelaxation Foundation Donald R. Austin Student Scholarship Fund

Travel Assistance

Apply for funding to attend conferences. Both the School of Counseling, Leadership, Advocacy and Design and College of Education and Office of the Dean offer funding opportunities.

Play Therapy

Take part in the work of the Rocky Mountain Center of Play Therapy. As one of only a few approved centers for play therapy education, you can work towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or a School-Based Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT) through the Association for Play Therapy.

Biennial Play Therapy Conference

Network with over 200 mental health professionals, school counselors, social workers, and early childhood teachers from around the world as you participate in intensive hands-on workshops from renowned experts during the UW hosted play therapy conference.

Practica

Take part in doctoral practicums in counseling (100 clock hours/40 direct hours) and supervision. Enjoy the opportunity to complete your practica here on campus in the state-of-the-art UW WellSpring Counseling.

Minor

What Does a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Do?

With the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reporting that 1 in 5 adults grapple yearly with mental illness, the need for professional care is clear.

Enter clinical mental health counselors, equipped with the expertise to create a safe haven for clients using therapeutic, evidence-based techniques. And just as importantly, the potential to reshape society's perception of what it means to be well in both body and mind.

Intrigued by the possibilities of this life-changing profession? Read on to explore whether it could be the right fit for you.

According to Dr. Matt Glowiak, a clinical faculty member at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), clinical mental health counseling is a therapeutic process in which licensed professionals help their clients address and manage emotional, psychological and behavioral challenges. It serves to promote well-being, enhance coping skills and facilitate personal growth through talk therapy, exam and the development of effective management strategies.

In addition to individual importance, Glowiak emphasizes clinical mental health counseling's high cultural importance. He specifically notes the ability of those in the profession to advocate for positive social change by spreading mental health awareness and empowering marginalized voices.

The demand for experts in the field reflects its importance. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to grow 22% through 2031 — four times faster than the average for all occupations.

The BLS indicates this rigorous rate is anticipated, in part, as a result of people continuing to seek addiction and mental health counseling services, states seeking treatment and counseling services, and the continued need for counselors to provide military veterans with appropriate care.

The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) defines clinical mental health counselors as "highly-skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy" and "combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical problem-solving approach" to create a path for change.

"Mental health counseling is housed within the medical professions, as the issues they address with clients are ones in which lives may be at stake," said Glowiak. "Consider, for instance, imminent harm to self or others. If unprepared, one cannot possibly possess the competence and wherewithal to respond accordingly."

The National Career Development Association (NCDA) notes the day-to-day responsibilities of a clinical mental health counselor tend to vary based on their clients, work environment and specialty.

However, Mood Health illustrates that the bulk of any clinical mental health counselor's day is typically spent with clients. According to Glowiak, sessions can be held in one-on-one, couples, family and group settings, depending on individualized needs. Outside of scheduled appointment times, explains the AMHCA, some clinical mental health counselors may be on call for crisis situations. This could include helping a client manage acute distress or making them a referral to emergency services.

Since every client session needs to be carefully chronicled, the American Counseling Association (ACA) highlights documentation as another important element of a clinical mental health counselor's day. Paperwork generally includes exams, progress notes, treatment plans and the like.

According to Glowiak, mental health counselors repeatedly set aside time to attend workshops, research seminars, and events held by industry-based organizations. This grants them the opportunity to learn the latest research and therapeutic approaches and, in turn, treat their clients most effectively.

Some clinical mental health counselors may also take it upon themselves to help raise public mental health awareness, notes Counseling Today. This can include things like organizing workshops, speaking in public forums or leading support groups.

As the role of a clinical mental health counselor can be particularly demanding, the importance of daily self-care should not be overlooked. Glowiak deeply agrees and said, "Self-care is a major theme of the profession, as without it, they cannot give their all to others. As they say, 'One cannot pour from an empty cup.'"

Clinical mental health counselors work in a variety of settings. The BLS specifies the largest employers of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors in 2021 were as follows:

Other settings may include prisons, probation or parole agencies and juvenile detention facilities. Clinical mental health counselors may also choose to establish their own private practice and work for themselves.

In terms of time commitment, the BLS notes that "most substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors work full time, although part-time work is common. In some settings, such as inpatient or residential facilities, they may need to work evenings, nights or weekends."

The BLS reports the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $48,520 in 2021, with the highest 10% earning more than $77,980.

Of the top industries in which substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors work, government paid the highest median annual wage in 2021 at $60,450, followed by hospitals (state, local and private) at $49,630.

"The process toward becoming a mental health counselor is multifaceted and ongoing. Even when one does become a clinical mental health counselor, continued education (among other requirements) is necessary to maintain licensure," said Glowiak. "One must also abide by federal and state law as well as governing body and institutional policies and standards."

He notes the initial road to becoming a clinical mental health counselor typically adheres to standardized steps, with some variation depending on your jurisdiction:

Depending on the state in which you practice, your official title may differ. The AMHCA lists the following as some of the most common:

After officially obtaining your license, you're free to begin taking on clients in a professional capacity.

Though psychologists and clinical mental health counselors are both mental health professionals who work to help others with emotional, psychological and behavioral challenges, there are several key distinctions between the two professions.

According to Glowiak, these distinctions include but are not limited to:

These professional differences create collaborative opportunities for psychologists and clinical mental health counselors, as they may refer clients to one another to ensure they receive the most comprehensive care.

When it comes to pursuing a career in clinical mental health counseling, many feel the reward is worth the effort.

Just ask Glowiak. "Being a mental health counselor is among the most fulfilling careers a person can have," he said. "Though the work is challenging, the fulfillment received in helping someone get to a better place cannot be understated."

Discover more about SNHU’s master's degree in counseling: Find out what courses you'll take, skills you’ll learn and how to request information about the program.

Kelly Hamilton is a copywriter in higher education. You can find her on LinkedIn.

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