Online Doctorate in Counseling

When choosing a doctoral degree program in counseling, it's important to understand your options. Below are two common types.

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in counseling: Primarily focused on original research, scholarly publication and university-level teaching, this degree is designed for aspiring researchers and professors.
• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.): Primarily a practitioner's degree, the Psy.D. can lead to licensure as a counseling psychologist or to a career as a clinical supervisor or educator.

The two degrees sometimes overlap. Ph.D. graduates can also work as practitioners, and Psy.D. graduates can become researchers or teachers. Admission to a doctorate program in counseling almost always requires a master's degree in counseling or a closely related field. Students accepted into these programs typically finish between four to seven years.

Online programs are available at a range of schools. While most schools allow you to complete coursework and assignments fully online, earning an online doctorate degree in counseling also requires students to complete a supervised practicum or internship at a local clinical setting. Most online doctorates require students to attend a series of short, campus-based residencies throughout the program.

Internship and licensure requirements for counselors vary by state, so students should confirm that any potential programs offer the necessary training for the state in which they plan to become licensed.

Most counseling doctoral programs are composed of three phases:

• Coursework: Students spend the first two to three years completing both core and elective curriculum. Elective courses are concentrated in a student's area of focus, which may be a counseling method, a client population or a research problem.
• Qualifying exams: After completion of coursework, students must pass a comprehensive mid-program examination to assess competency in their area of specialization.
• Dissertation or doctoral project: Students earning an online Ph.D. in counseling are required to complete a traditional academic dissertation. Students enrolled in a Psy.D. program typically complete an applied doctoral project, which could include community-based research, analysis of a specific clinical application or review of published work in the field.

Additionally, many counseling programs use role-playing as one way for students to develop clinical skills, and online counseling students should be prepared to interact with classmates and faculty in virtual role-playing exercises.

Online doctorate degree programs in counseling vary widely in the blend of research and clinical training, as well as the area of specialization and emphasis. Browse through the schools below to request additional information about the programs.