Mental Health Counseling, Ph.D.

Advanced Clinical Practice: 55 Semester Credit Hours

This track provides academic training for practicing mental health professionals to serve as highly skilled clinicians in many settings including private practices, community mental health agencies, addiction recovery centers, research agencies, behavioral health agencies, government mental health positions and research centers, among others.

Students will learn advanced skills and research practices beyond those achieved at the master’s and basic licensure level to assist families, children and individuals facing a variety of mental health challenges.

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Counselor Education & Supervision: 57 Semester Credit Hours

This track provides the academic training for counselors to work as faculty in higher education, serve as clinical supervisors training the next generation of counselors or serve as highly skilled mental health practitioners in a variety of mental health counseling practices.

Emphasis is placed on teaching, researching, supervision and practice.

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The PhD in Mental Health 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.

The program consists of two tracks, each leading to a different professional field of service. There is a range of 55-57 hours required to complete the program.

• Foundational Courses: 33 hours
• Practical Courses: 6 hours

• Counselor Education: 18 hours
• Advanced Clinical Practice: 16 hours

Students in the Counselor Education track are required to complete a practicum and internship consisting of 700 clock hours of counseling and counseling related activities in an approved site or agency as a part of the program. Normally, students will complete 24 semester hours of course work prior to beginning their practicum experience. Students will be required to pass a background check and show proof of approved professional liability insurance prior to beginning the clinical experience component of the program.

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Download the Student Handbook

Courses You'll Take

• CTM 6013 Spiritual Development and Religious Experience 

This course is an advanced study of human development focusing on the spiritual and religious dimensions of that process. Students will explore the psychological, sociological, anthropological, historical, phenomenological and theological research and literatures that have contributed to our understandings of this dimension of human life. Special attention will be given to the application of research to clinical practice.

• CTM 6016 Advanced Group Therapy - Theory and Practice 

Building on prior study of group dynamics and therapy, this course is an advanced study of the theory and techniques of group psychotherapy. Students will explore current research and literature in group therapy as well as emerging trends. Special emphasis with be placed on application of research to clinical practice.

• CTM 6015 Mental Health Care in Contemporary Society 

This course is an advanced exploration of the ways in which cultural and contemporary social influences shape how mental health care is conceptualized and practiced. From the taxonomy of mental disorder and its various treatments to the economic and political influences, mental health care is shaped by powerful forces in our society. The course will especially focus on the practitioner’s ethical competencies and professional advocacy responsibilities.

• CTM 6014 Clinical Supervision and Leadership: Theory and Practice

Competent clinical practice requires an intense and extended experience of practice under qualified supervision. This course explores the nature, theories, methods and skills required to provide ethically competent supervision in a culturally diverse society. The course pays particular attention to the supervisor’s responsibilities to the well-being of both clients and the profession of mental health care.

• CTM 6017 Advanced Human Systems in Clinical Practice 

This course is an advanced study of the application of human systems theory in counseling and psychotherapy. Students will explore current research in marital and family therapy. Emphasis of the course is the conceptualization of human suffering and its amelioration from the perspective of the ecology of living systems.

• CTM 6630 Advanced Internship II 

This course provides for counseling expertise in the clinical, supervision, research and teaching setting. The experience includes a minimum of 300 clock hours in this course. Students experience both direct delivery and weekly individual and group supervision.

• CTM 6610 Advanced Practicum 

This course provides for counseling expertise in the clinical, supervision and teaching setting. The experience includes a minimum of 100 clock hours. Students experience both direct delivery and weekly individual and group supervision.

• CTM 6008 Advanced Psychometrics and Assessment 

This course builds on basic psychometric and assessment training. The course will explore advanced principles of test design and clinical use. Multicultural competencies with instrument selection and administration will be emphasized. Different types of assessment are evaluated and conducted. Particular attention is devoted to the psychometric principles of test construction and assessment's use in research.

• CTM 6220 Advanced Qualitative Inquiry

This course allows students the opportunity to apply knowledge of qualitative research methodology. Students apply knowledge of qualitative research designs, sampling methods and other such topics related to research conceptualization, data collection processes, and problem investigation in counseling. Students design and conduct a qualitative research study in this course.

• CTM 6019 Advanced Quantitative Statistical Analysis

This course introduces students to advanced quantitative research methodology and statistics. Students conduct and interpret statistical analysis using SPSS for a variety of quantitative research designs. Students are exposed to ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, MANCOVA, factorial analysis and a variety of other parametric and nonparametric statistics and mixed methods in this course. Special attention is given to choosing appropriate research statistics based on research questions and conducting an appropriate analysis.

• CTM 6007 Advanced Theories of Change 

This course is an advanced inquiry into the theories of change undergirding the many methods and techniques employed by mental health professionals. The course will explore the theories of change in counseling and psychotherapy approaches such as psychodynamic therapies, behavioral therapies, cognitive-behavioral therapies, family systems therapies, as well as newer approaches such as neurolinguistic programing, brain spotting and EMDR.

• CTM 6009 Advanced Vocational Discernment & Counseling 

This course teaches advanced career counseling principles and examines connections between life career development, vocational discernment, spirituality and mental health. Students apply the world of work, career decision-making theories, the process and techniques of career counseling, the interrelationship between career and life balance issues and theories of mental health with clients. Special attention focuses on career development with regard to issues of diversity and multicultural and social justice frameworks.

• CTM 6999 Dissertation

During this course, students work on a major research project, the dissertation, in conjunction with a faculty dissertation committee. Students design a research proposal, submit an IRB, conduct ethical research, analyze data, devise findings and conclusions, and submit a final dissertation manuscript while meeting regularly with the dissertation committee chair and committee members. This course may be repeated for credit until the dissertation committee designates student completion.

• CTM 6018 Qualitative Inquiry 

This course introduces students to qualitative research methodology. Students become familiar with qualitative research designs, sampling methods and other such topics related to research conceptualization, data collection processes, and problem investigation in counseling. Special attention is given to choosing appropriate research designs and methods in qualitative research.

• CTM 6019 Quantitative Statistical Analysis

This course introduces students to quantitative research methodology and statistics. Students become familiar with quantitative research designs, sampling methods and other such topics related to research conceptualization, data collection processes and problem investigation in counseling. Special attention is given to choosing appropriate research designs and methods in quantitative research and analyzing/computing statistical data.

• CTM 6225 Research Seminar 

This seminar allows students to focus on and develop their major research project. Students will be expected to present a formal research proposal during the seminar. Emphasis of the seminar is to identify a researchable problem, design a research project, write a lucid and concise scholarly proposal, and present the research proposal and findings in appropriate technical form. Each student will produce a first draft of a dissertation research proposal.

• CTM 6012 Seminar: Advanced Clinical Practice 

This seminar is an advanced study of mental health practice through an in-depth exploration of the actual practices of the students enrolled. Foci of the seminar will vary from semester to semester depending upon the needs of the group. Topics may include the practice of spiritually integrated psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, the practice of clinical supervision, couples therapy, clinical practice as research laboratory, etc. Students must be engaged in an acceptable clinical practice site throughout the course of the seminar. Adherence to HIPAA regulations will be required.

• CTM 6006 Spiritual Traditions in Global Perspective 

We live in a diverse society saturated with a variety of spiritualities. This course is an advanced study of the diverse manifestations of spirituality brought to the clinical encounter by clients and clinicians alike. Students will engage in an in-depth exploration of the historical backgrounds as well as the diverse social manifestations of spiritualities associated with the wisdom traditions of the world such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity and Indigenous traditions. The course will give special attention to the interface between the clinician’s spirituality and that of the client.

• CTM 6005 Spirituality in the Clinical Encounter 

This course is an advanced study of human spiritual dynamics as they are present in the clinical encounter of mental health counseling. The course will explore ways in which client spirituality informs and is related to assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and techniques adapted to specific client needs. Students will also explore methods for increasing awareness of how their own spiritual development, convictions and identity impact the clinical encounter and outcomes. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of this dimension of clinical practice, the impact of cultural diversity on spirituality and principles of ethical competence in practice.

• CTM 6011 Teaching, Writing & Publishing in the Counseling Field

This course offers practical knowledge on teaching in higher education and teaches professional writing and presenting skills. Students learn how to evaluate topics, submit a conference proposal, design a dissertation proposal, write a dissertation, write a grant proposal, author journal articles and be an effective teacher. The role of a counselor educator with regard to writing and teaching will be examined.

• CTM 6620 Advanced Internship I 

This course provides for counseling expertise in the clinical, supervision, research and teaching setting. The experience includes a minimum of 300 clock hours. Students experience both direct delivery and weekly individual and group supervision.

• CTM 6404 Seminar: Special Topics in Counselor Education 

Special topics in counselor education. This seminar may be repeated for credit with a change in topic.

• CTM 6405 Seminar: Special Topics in Spirituality and Mental Health Practice

Special topics in the relationship of spirituality and mental health practice. This seminar may be repeated for credit with a change in topic.

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 55 to 57-hour PhD program from admission to graduation.

• Admissions Requirements
• Courses and Graduation Requirements
• Downloadable Degree Plan
• Student Handbook

The program is preparing to seek accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).