Why a Ph.D. in Counseling?
Keeping with Belmont’s understanding of its mission within the context of Christian higher education, this degree program will train master’s level mental health professionals to accomplish their goals—becoming doctoral level professors and/or practitioners ready to train tomorrow’s mental health professionals or highly-skilled clinicians who work with clients within a variety of settings across the mental health care continuum.
The program helps mental health professionals enhance their counseling and research skills to improve treatment efficacy while exploring connections between personal spiritual beliefs, biases and client diversity.
Drawing students from a variety faith backgrounds, Belmont’s diverse faculty and staff with varied life experiences and educational backgrounds represent an ecumenical approach to the Christian faith which focuses on hospitality and inclusion. Their diversity of thought will challenge you to think differently and prepare you for the variety of clients you will encounter in professional practice.
This degree is distinctive among contemporary doctoral counseling programs in that it embodies advanced spiritual and pastoral theological understandings of the care of human beings in addressing the depth and complexity of human suffering.
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Elevate Your Counseling Career
Belmont University’s Ph.D. in Counseling prepares students to lead, educate, and innovate in the field. Located in Nashville, a national center for healthcare and mental health services, the program provides unmatched opportunities for clinical experience, networking, and career growth.
With a hybrid format combining online learning and on-campus intensives, students benefit from Belmont’s state-of-the-art facilities and strong clinical partnerships. Access to top-tier healthcare institutions and a diverse client population ensures hands-on training in real-world settings. Guided by expert faculty and mentors, students graduate ready to impact the profession through advanced practice, research, and education.
As part of Belmont’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, students in the School of Mental Health Counseling also benefit from interprofessional collaboration in our Center for Interprofessional Engagement & Simulation. Here, you’ll train alongside other health care students in state-of-the-art labs and simulation centers designed to mimic real-world clinical environments. This immersive, hands-on approach ensures that graduates enter the workforce with confidence, experience, and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary health care teams—making Belmont the ideal place to launch your career in counseling.
Our Mission Statement and Program Objectves
The School of Mental Health Counseling seeks to train professional counselors who will act ethically as agents of the ministries of healing and transformation through efficacious counseling theory, techniques, skills, and respect for diversity.
Program Objectives for Counseling
- Identify and resolve ethical issues using current codes of ethics
- Become knowledgeable and apply multicultural and cross-cultural counseling skills and current competencies
- Utilize culturally relevant strategies based on human growth and development
- Integrate vocational counseling knowledge into holistic counseling strategies
- Select and utilize efficacious counseling theories, skills, and techniques
- Facilitate care throughout the lifespan using Christian and pastoral theological perspectives of human suffering
- Demonstrate appropriate screening practices and leadership of groups
- Select and utilize appropriate and ethical assessment instruments and techniques
- Select and utilize appropriate and ethical research methods for the improvement of counseling services
- Apply the Competencies for Addressing Spiritual and Religious Issues in Counseling
- Be committed to serve as Christian advocates for clients and their communities
What You'll Learn
The Ph.D. in Counseling is designed to train leaders, teachers, and researchers in the field of mental health counseling who can integrate the most advanced scientific resources of the field with a comprehensive understanding of human spiritualities and their impact on the health and wellness of the diverse populations composing society. Advanced Clinical Practice and Counselor Education courses prepare students for careers in academic research, teaching, supervision, and advanced clinical practice.
Method of Instruction
The Ph.D. in Counseling at Belmont University is primarily taught online with some face-to-face components. At least once each semester, students will come to Belmont’s campus for an intensive weekend of face-to-face instruction. All other components of the program will be conducted virtually.
Program Details
The PhD in Counseling is a 61 credit hour program designed to train leaders, teachers and researchers in the field of counseling who can integrate the most advanced scientific resources of the field with a comprehensive understanding of human spiritualities and their impact on the health and wellness of the diverse populations composing society.
Students in the program are required to complete a practicum and internship consisting of 700 clock hours of counseling, research, advocacy/leadership, teaching, and supervision. Students will be required to complete a skills assessment and show proof of liability insurance prior to beginning the clinical experience component of the program.
In order to matriculate through the program, students must be admitted, complete all degree and assessment requirements, and apply for graduation.
The following links assist with matriculation through the 61-hour PhD program from admission to graduation.
The program is preparing to seek accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Outcomes & Alumni Success
Our students accomplish professional goals through the integration of counseling and educational research, theoretical and educational principles, wisdom, insight, and values of the Church’s care of soul tradition. In pursuing this goal, the degree is congruent with the mission and vision of Belmont University as “a Christ-centered, student-focused community, developing diverse leaders of purpose, character, wisdom and transformational mindset, eager and equipped to make the world a better place.” As such, those entering the doctoral program in counseling will become not only multiculturally competent but also personally and spiritually competent and tie practices to efficacious research.
Committed to Your Success
Doctoral-level counselors work in mental health counseling agencies, research facilities, educational training centers, and universities to assist clients facing a number of mental health issues and/or train a future generation of mental health professionals. The intent of the Ph.D. program is to provide for the increasing need for highly skilled counseling professionals in a manner that will be congruent with Belmont’s historic commitment as a Christ-centered university.
97% of College of Pharmacy & Health Science graduates are employed, pursuing continuing education, or enlisted in the military within 6 months of graduation and 97% of employed graduates are in positions that align with their short or long term career goals.
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Alumni Testimonials
Garrik Dennis
Owner/Therapist at Equilibrium Counseling, LLC. and Lead Instructor at Vets2PM, LLC.
"My time in the doctoral program has been an adventure in many senses. Academically, the program balances the opportunity to expand learning beyond the curriculum with the flexibility to do so without unnecessary strain on one’s schedule or capacity. Professionally, the opportunity for mentorship and personal rapport with the program faculty is likely unmatched. Each professor’s individual wealth of wisdom and experience can be warmly experienced within and between each class. Altogether, this program has enabled professional and personal growth beyond what I had ever imagined, and is exactly what I would return to if given the opportunity again."
Angie Bryant
Associate Dean of Students, Belmont University
"The PhD in Mental Health Counseling program has been a transformative experience. The curriculum’s unique blend of advanced clinical training and deep spiritual exploration has truly deepened my understanding of holistic care. Faculty members are not only experts in their fields but also compassionate mentors who encourage authentic integration of faith and practice. I have not only grown as a scholar and educator, but I have also become more effective as a counselor, blending evidence-based practices with spiritual sensitivity. I highly recommend this program to those seeking to advance the field and honor the sacred ministries of healing."
Aubrey T. Holden
Trauma Therapy of Nashville, LLC.
“As both a master’s student and now a PhD student, my time at Belmont has been life changing. I feel that the Belmont faculty helped me to strengthen my skills learned in my prior career and education, while developing skills that were not a point of focus prior. I left prepared, passed every mandated licensure exam the first time, and got fully licensed in just over two years post-master’s. As a trans female, multicultural competency in education and in the field is very important to me. This faculty not only models multicultural competency in the best ways, but aids us as psychotherapists in becoming more multiculturally competent."
Grace Garron
New Hope Counseling Group, Washington DC
"It took just one week in another PhD program for me to realize my desire to return to Belmont, where academic growth and personal well-being are truly nurtured. Dr. Hicks, Belmont’s program director, immediately called me upon hearing my decision, offering thoughtful and unwavering support. That conversation reassured me that I wasn’t just another student—I was part of a community that genuinely cares about my success. Belmont’s professors consistently provide guidance, encouragement, and mentorship tailored to each student’s goals. Their dedication reaffirms my belief that Belmont is more than an institution; it is a dynamic community committed to both personal and professional growth."
Career Possibilities
The Ph.D. in Counseling provides the academic training for counselors to work as faculty in universities or as highly skilled mental health practitioners in settings such as: counseling private practices, within community counseling agencies, addiction recovery centers, research agencies, behavioral health agencies, government mental health positions, or research centers. As such, doctoral-level students learn advanced skills and research practices beyond those achieved at the master’s and basic licensure level and assist families, children, and individuals facing a variety of mental health issues.
A private practice therapist, or counselor, is a mental health professional who operates their own business, offering therapeutic services directly to clients, typically in a one-on-one setting, with more control over their schedule and practice.
In a non-profit setting, a counselor provides guidance and support to individuals, families, or groups, addressing mental health, substance abuse, or other challenges, often with a focus on community needs and resource access.
In a school setting, a counselor, also known as a school counselor or guidance counselor, plays a vital role in supporting students' academic, social, and emotional well-being, helping them navigate challenges and achieve their goals
In an agency setting, a therapist typically provides mental health services, including assessments, therapy, and support, to individuals, groups, and families, while also collaborating with other professionals and adhering to agency policies and regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
Many clinical professionals feel a need to gain advanced knowledge and skills in order to best serve clients and to fill the profession’s need for highly trained clinicians. Others want to become higher education faculty and learn how to train the next generation of counselors. A third group wants to learn advanced research skills so they can help solve societal and clinical problems. A Ph.D. degree from Belmont University’s School of Mental Health Counseling helps students grow and become successful in all three of these areas.
Clients come from all walks of life and if counselors are to be multiculturally competent, they must consider the unique spiritual values of clients while also challenging and understanding their own spiritual values. The Ph.D. degree at Belmont University trains counselors how to best navigate these issues.
Yes. Doctoral student complete advanced clinical practice courses so they become highly skilled clinicians who specialize in certain professional facets.
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College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Linda Arce
Senior Admissions Coordinator
615.460.5193
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