Doctorate in Counseling Programs
Writer
Editor & Writer
Writer
Editor & Writer
www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Turn Your Dreams Into Reality
Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.
A doctoral program may be the logical next step for many counselors. Beginning a doctorate in counseling and taking on more debt deserves careful consideration. But for many, the program cost is a worthy investment as graduates can expand their career options and increase their earning potential.
You can build extensive knowledge and clinical expertise to prepare for careers as clinical leaders, counseling researchers, or counseling educators. Learn more about the top doctoral in counseling programs, tuition, and potential careers.
Popular Online Doctorate Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Accredited Doctorate in Counseling Programs
| Accredited University | Grad Tuition | Program Information |
|---|---|---|
| Adams State University Alamosa, CO |
In State | $4,590 Out of State | $7,830 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 99% |
| Auburn University Auburn, AL |
In State | $9,828 Out of State | $29,484 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 81% |
| Ball State University Muncie, IN |
In State | $8,850 Out of State | $21,954 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 77% |
| Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA |
In State | $6,592 Out of State | $13,333 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 64% |
| Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK |
In State | $5,531 Out of State | $21,034 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 70% |
| Pennsylvania State University (University Park) University Park, PA |
In State | $21,960 Out of State | $37,694 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 76% |
| Radford University Radford, VA |
In State | $8,915 Out of State | $17,441 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 75% |
| SUNY at Albany Albany, NY |
In State | $11,310 Out of State | $23,100 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 54% |
| Temple University Philadelphia, PA |
In State | $16,956 Out of State | $23,346 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 60% |
| Texas A&M University College Station, TX |
In State | $6,677 Out of State | $18,700 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 58% |
| Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX |
In State | $5,958 Out of State | $13,428 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 69% |
| Texas Woman's University Denton, TX |
In State | $4,973 Out of State | $12,569 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 93% |
| University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY |
In State | $11,310 Out of State | $23,100 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 61% |
| University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH |
In State | $8,306 Out of State | $13,812 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 73% |
| University of Florida Gainesville, FL |
In State | $10,770 Out of State | $27,335 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 37% |
| University of Georgia Athens, GA |
In State | $8,878 Out of State | $25,186 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 45% |
| University of Houston Houston, TX |
In State | $8,370 Out of State | $17,746 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 65% |
| University of Iowa Iowa City, IA |
In State | $10,079 Out of State | $29,026 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 83% |
| University of Kansas Lawrence, KS |
In State | $9,989 Out of State | $23,951 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 93% |
| University of Kentucky Lexington, KY |
In State | $12,055 Out of State | $31,215 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 96% |
| University of Memphis Memphis, TN |
In State | $9,216 Out of State | $12,672 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 85% |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, MO |
In State | $9,542 Out of State | $24,636 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 61% |
| University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND |
In State | $10,534 Out of State | $18,434 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 81% |
| University of North Texas Denton, TX |
In State | $5,900 Out of State | $13,496 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 74% |
| University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO |
In State | $10,867 Out of State | $19,620 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 91% |
| University of Oklahoma Norman, OK |
In State | $6,583 Out of State | $21,242 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 80% |
| University of Oregon Eugene, OR |
In State | $14,958 Out of State | $26,811 |
Accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Admission Rate | 82% |
| University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD |
In State | $6,062 Out of State | $11,656 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 86% |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI |
In State | $10,728 Out of State | $24,054 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 54% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA |
In State | $12,701 Out of State | $26,039 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 87% |
| Washington State University Pullman, WA |
In State | $11,493 Out of State | $25,248 |
Accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Admission Rate | 76% |
| Wayne State University Detroit, MI |
In State | $16,285 Out of State | $35,274 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 73% |
| West Virginia University Morgantown, WV |
In State | $10,134 Out of State | $26,154 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 84% |
| Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI |
In State | $10,134 Out of State | $30,432 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 80% |
| Accredited University | Grad Tuition | Program Information |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Pacific University Anchorage, AK |
In State | $11,700 Out of State | $11,700 |
Accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Admission Rate | 89% |
| American International College Springfield, MA |
In State | $11,579 Out of State | $11,579 |
Accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 65% |
| Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI |
In State | $27,216 Out of State | $27,216 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 67% |
| Barry University Miami, FL |
In State | $17,820 Out of State | $17,820 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 51% |
| Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA |
In State | $30,600 Out of State | $30,600 |
Accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 27% |
| Boston University Boston, MA |
In State | $54,720 Out of State | $54,720 |
Accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 19% |
| Carlow University Pittsburgh, PA |
In State | $18,766 Out of State | $18,766 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 92% |
| College of Saint Elizabeth Morristown, NJ |
In State | $18,018 Out of State | $18,018 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 74% |
| Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY |
In State | $47,600 Out of State | $47,600 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 5% |
| Felician University Lodi, NJ |
In State | $19,080 Out of State | $19,080 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 86% |
| Fordham University New York, NY |
In State | $34,608 Out of State | $34,608 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 46% |
| Holy Family University Philadelphia, PA |
In State | $9,000 Out of State | $9,000 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 73% |
| Howard University Washington, DC |
In State | $31,309 Out of State | $31,309 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 36% |
| Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA |
In State | $27,000 Out of State | $27,000 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 32% |
| Liberty University Lynchburg, VA |
In State | $7,980 Out of State | $7,980 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 51% |
| Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL |
In State | $18,594 Out of State | $18,594 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 67% |
| Marquette University Milwaukee, WI |
In State | $21,060 Out of State | $21,060 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 83% |
| Mercer University Macon, GA |
In State | $15,422 Out of State | $15,422 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 74% |
| Mississippi College Clinton, MS |
In State | $11,250 Out of State | $11,250 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 42% |
| New York University New York, NY |
In State | $33,408 Out of State | $33,408 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 16% |
| Northcentral University La Jolla, CA |
In State | $16,983 Out of State | $16,983 |
Accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission Admission Rate | |
| Northeastern University Boston, MA |
In State | $24,793 Out of State | $24,793 |
Accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 18% |
| Northwest University Kirkland, WA |
In State | $19,101 Out of State | $19,101 |
Accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Admission Rate | 93% |
| Northwestern University Evanson, IL |
In State | $56,067 Out of State | $56,067 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 9% |
| Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, TX |
In State | $16,326 Out of State | $16,326 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 68% |
| Rivier University Nashua, NH |
In State | $11,340 Out of State | $11,340 |
Accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 75% |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, MN |
In State | $9,180 Out of State | $9,180 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 92% |
| Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ |
In State | $23,580 Out of State | $23,580 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | 74% |
| Teachers College, Columbia University New York, NY |
In State | $40,800 Out of State | $40,800 |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education Admission Rate | |
| Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth, TX |
In State | $14,173 Out of State | $14,173 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 42% |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL |
In State | $60,300 Out of State | $60,300 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 6% |
| University of Denver Denver, CO |
In State | $51,336 Out of State | $51,336 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 59% |
| University of Miami Coral Gables, FL |
In State | $37,800 Out of State | $37,800 |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Admission Rate | 27% |
| University of St. Thomas Saint Paul, MN |
In State | $24,766 Out of State | $24,766 |
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission Admission Rate | 81% |
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings. We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2022. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
Top Three Benefits of a Counseling Degree
-
1
Counseling Is a Growing Field
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for mental health counselors will grow by 18% between 2022 and 2032, much faster than the average growth for all jobs. The BLS also projects that marriage and family therapist jobs could see 15% growth during that same period.
-
2
A Doctorate in Counseling Can Lead to Leadership Roles
Graduates with a doctorate in counseling have specialized knowledge and clinical skills that can help them secure managerial and leadership roles. Some of these positions include clinical counseling supervisors, directors of counseling, and clinical counseling directors.
-
3
Graduates Can Expect A Wide Selection of Career Options
Graduates with a doctorate in counseling can specialize in areas including mental health counseling, addiction counseling, school counseling, and marriage and family counseling. Additionally, some professionals secure jobs in academia as postsecondary instructors and researchers.
What Can I Expect From a Doctorate in Counseling Program?
Students in a doctorate in counseling program can complete their degree in 2-4 years. Degree-seekers encounter advanced counseling theories and clinical techniques in their graduate school coursework. Some common topics covered include advanced theories of counseling, research methods in psychological sciences, and advocacy and leadership in counseling.
In addition to core academic requirements, doctoral students can specialize in substance use, mental health, educational and vocational counseling. Before graduation, counseling students typically complete a dissertation or a degree-culminating research project and fieldwork in a clinical setting.
Read More: The Student's Guide to College Planning
| Median Graduate Degree Tuition Cost |
|
|---|---|
| Length | 2-4 years |
| Credits | 30 |
| Program Track(s) | Ph.D. |
| Example Concentrations |
|
| Example Courses |
|
What Programs Are Similar to Counseling?
What Can I Do With A Doctoral Degree in Counseling?
Some graduates with a doctorate in counseling pursue academic research or teaching opportunities, while others work as practitioners in clinical settings. Graduates can expect these careers to grow over the next decade.
Doctorates allow you to attain some of the highest salaries in counseling. The BLS notes that the top 10% of marriage and family therapists earn more than $104,710, and top-earning mental health counselors earn more than $89,920 annually.
| Career | Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) | Median Annual Salary | Annual Salary for the Top 10% of Earners |
|---|---|---|---|
| School and Career Counselors | 5% | $61,710 | $100,050 |
| Substance Use and Mental Health Counselor | 18% | $53,710 | $89,920 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | 15% | $58,510 | $104,710 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | 8% | $84,380 | $182,710 |
| Community Service Managers | 9% | $77,030 | $127,550 |
Read More: Counseling Careers
Counseling Not for You? Check Out These Related Careers.
Counseling Licensing and Certification
Licensed counselors must complete all the academic and clinical requirements to qualify for licensure. Requirements vary between states, but generally, counselors must:
- Hold a master's degree
- Pass a background check
- Pass the National Counselor Examination
- Complete at least 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.
You can review state-by-state requirements through the National Board for Certified Counselors.
While many individuals enrolling in a doctorate in counseling program already hold professional licensure and certification, you can enhance your skills through academic specializations and additional clinical experiences.
Should I Get a Doctorate in Counseling Online?
When choosing a program and deciding whether to attend online or on campus, prospective students should consider the differences between these two delivery options. Compare some of the pros and cons for each format to determine if an online degree is worth it.
Online vs. On-Campus Degrees
Pros of Online Degrees
- Flexibility to learn on your schedule
- Learn from anywhere
- Network with people around the world
- Save time and money on commuting
- May be more affordable than on-campus programs
- Access to online tutoring and career services
Cons of Online Degrees
- Requires more self-discipline
- Not all programs are available online
- More technical requirements
- Potential social isolation and loneliness
- Limited or no access to on-campus resources
Pros of On-Campus Degrees
- Access to on-campus and online resources and support services
- In-person social interaction and networking
- Hands-on learning
- Classroom learning environment with fewer distractions
- Extracurricular clubs and activities
Cons of On-Campus Degrees
- May be more expensive than online programs
- Set class times with less flexibility
- Time and money commuting
How to Choose an Online Degree Program
- Cost: Comparing the Costs of Online vs. On-Campus Programs
- Program Format: Synchronous Learning vs. Asynchronous Learning
- Accreditation: How Does Online College Accreditation Work?
- Student Support: Your Guide to Online Student Services and Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions About Doctorate in Counseling Programs
Is a doctorate in counseling worth it?
Completing a doctorate in counseling can be worth it for graduates who want to lead their field because it offers graduates the academic and clinical skills that they can convert into expanded career options and earning potential. Degree-seekers in these programs complete high-level coursework, research, and hands-on experiences.
What can I do with a doctorate in counseling?
Graduates often tackle managerial and leadership roles because of the experience, higher-level knowledge, and status that come with a doctorate in counseling. These programs prepare graduates for careers in both academic and clinical settings.
Some popular career paths include clinical counseling directors, social and community services managers, postsecondary teachers, and postdoctoral research associates. Graduates can work in higher education, clinical settings, private practice, and nonprofits.
How long does it take to get a doctorate in counseling?
The time it takes to earn a doctorate in counseling can vary between programs. Most students take 2-4 years to earn 60-70 credits to graduate. Degree-seekers in these programs complete traditional coursework, an intensive research project like a dissertation, and supervised clinical experiences.
Some common doctoral courses include advanced theory of counseling, research methods in psychological sciences, and leadership and advocacy in counseling. Alongside supervised clinical work, doctoral programs require an internship before graduation.
How much money can I make with a doctorate in counseling?
The average salary for a doctorate in counseling is $84,000, according to April 2023 data from Payscale. Several factors, including geographical location, job position, and specialization, affect your salary potential.
For example, New York has a higher average salary for clinical psychologists than Wyoming, but the cost of living is much greater in New York. Graduates who take on leadership or administrative positions also typically have a higher salary potential.
What are the highest-paying jobs with a doctorate in counseling?
According to Payscale, the top four of the highest-paying jobs for graduates with a doctorate in counseling psychology are clinical director, organizational development director, psychologist, and assistant post-secondary professor in psychology. The average annual salaries for these positions range from $94,900-$130,000.
