Doctorate in Counseling Programs

James Mielke
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Updated on September 9, 2024
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Doctoral counseling programs help expand your clinical knowledge and salary potential. Discover the top programs in our ranking.

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.

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Best Accredited Doctorate in Counseling Programs

Public School Programs
Accredited UniversityGrad TuitionProgram 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%
Private School Programs
Accredited UniversityGrad TuitionProgram 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%

Top Three Benefits of a Counseling Degree

  1. 1

    Counseling Is a Growing Field

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for mental health counselors will grow by 19% between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the average growth for all jobs. The BLS also projects that marriage and family therapist jobs could see 16% growth during that same period.
  2. 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. 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 Planningarrow-right

Program Snapshot
Median Graduate Degree Tuition Cost
  • Public Institutions: $12,950
  • Private, Non-Profit Institutions: $26,570
  • All Institutions: $11,640
Length 2-4 years
Credits30
Program Track(s) Ph.D.
Example Concentrations
  • General counseling
  • Educational psychology and supervision
  • Substance abuse counseling
  • Mental health counseling
  • Vocational counseling
Example Courses
  • Advanced theory of counseling
  • Advocacy and leadership in counseling
  • Advanced group counseling
  • Addictive behaviors
  • Research methods in psychological sciences
Source:NCES

What Programs Are Similar to Counseling?

What Can I Do With A Doctoral Degree in Counseling?

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.

Job Growth and Salary for Popular Counseling Careers as of 2023
CareerProjected Job Growth (2023-2033)Median Annual SalaryAnnual Salary for the Top 10% of Earners
School and Career Counselors4%$61,710$100,050
Substance Use and Mental Health Counselor19%$53,710$89,920
Marriage and Family Therapist16%$58,510$104,710
Postsecondary Teacher8%$84,380$182,710
Community Service Managers8%$77,030 $127,550
Source:BLS

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.

Pros of Online Degrees

  • check-circle Flexibility to learn on your schedule
  • check-circle Learn from anywhere
  • check-circle Network with people around the world
  • check-circle Save time and money on commuting
  • check-circle May be more affordable than on-campus programs
  • check-circle Access to online tutoring and career services

Cons of Online Degrees

  • x-circle Requires more self-discipline
  • x-circle Not all programs are available online
  • x-circle More technical requirements
  • x-circle Potential social isolation and loneliness
  • x-circle Limited or no access to on-campus resources

Pros of On-Campus Degrees

  • check-circle Access to on-campus and online resources and support services
  • check-circle In-person social interaction and networking
  • check-circle Hands-on learning
  • check-circle Classroom learning environment with fewer distractions
  • check-circle Extracurricular clubs and activities

Cons of On-Campus Degrees

  • x-circle May be more expensive than online programs
  • x-circle Set class times with less flexibility
  • x-circle Time and money commuting

How to Choose an Online Degree Program

Frequently Asked Questions About Doctorate in Counseling Programs

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.

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