5 Best Online Doctorates in Counseling

At the top of the academic tier, doctorate degrees in counseling serve as one of the most respected and sought-after degrees in the country. So, naturally we came up with a list of the best online Doctorates in Counseling, for those who want to take on their education from the comforts of home. Doctorate in counseling programs focus on cutting-edge counseling practices and psychology research to effectively help a variety of populations. Each program may vary; some are practice-focused, others are academic-focused, and some are a blend of the two. A doctoral degree in counseling prepares students for clinical, academic, and leadership roles in a variety of professional settings. The growing demand for trained counselors and therapists is evident all over the world. In fact, The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that about 63,300 counseling jobs will be created between 2016 and 2026. For individuals who are already in the counseling and want to become respected leaders in the field, online doctorate degrees in counseling are a great option to pursue. What Is a Doctorate in Counseling Degree? Online doctoral counseling programs are typically geared towards one of three areas: academia, administration, or clinical practice. Online programs for doctorate degrees in counseling provide the same quality of work that traditional programs provide. They offer a flexible setting that allows students to work when their schedules allow. However, because doctoral degrees are terminal degrees, meaning it is the highest degree one can earn in a field, the curriculum is rigorous. The coursework for a doctorate in counseling degree can vary, but some of the common core classes include statistical methods, neuroscience, personality assessment, social psychology, and counseling various populations like children or the elderly. Most online doctoral degrees can be completed in 3-4 years. Each university and program differs, but common qualifications to obtain a doctorate degree in counseling are a master’s degree in a related field such as counseling or psychology and previous counseling experience. Careers for Doctorate in Counseling Majors Doctoral counseling students can apply their expertise in a variety of different areas after they graduate. Typically, they will either work in the academic field, in administration, or clinical practice. Those with doctorates in counseling may teach at a college or university at the undergraduate or graduate level. In addition, they may help develop curriculums and programs in the counseling field. Some end up writing textbooks or articles for academic journals. With a doctorate in counseling, some become clinical supervisors in a hospital or other medical settings like a mental health or rehabilitation facility. Doctorates in counseling provide the leadership, knowledge, and skills necessary for administrative roles. Perhaps the most common career path for those with doctorates in counseling is working in a public or private practice as a licensed professional counselor or a psychologist. Depending on the area of specialization, these professionals may work in mental health counseling, family and marriage counseling, school and career counseling, or other specialized areas. Doctorate in Counseling Salary Potential Graduates of counseling Ph.D. programs online have great chances to earn a lucrative salary. However, specific numbers for those with doctorates versus master’s degrees are hard to get, notably because most counseling psychologists need doctorates to work, and therefore there aren’t that many people working as counseling psychologists who only possess master’s degrees. Plus, the job requirements and salaries vary greatly according to institution, location, and specialty. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, psychologists make an average salary of $79,010 per year. Employment of psychologists and counselors is expected to grow 14 percent from 2018-2028. Post-secondary teachers make around $78,470 per year, and this field is expected to grow by 11% from 2018-2028. The breakdown of salary for actual jobs is a little different, according to Payscale: those with doctoral degrees working as psychologists made an average of $125,000, while those working in academic institutions made $62,500. However, if we average these numbers, psychologists with a doctorate make, on average, about $93,750. What are the Best Doctorate in Counseling Degrees? We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of College Rank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and national accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year 30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school At College Rank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net. 1Oregon State UniversityLocationCorvallis, OregonAverage Net Price$19,205More Information Oregon State University, located in Corvallis, Oregon, offers over 70 programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Their online degrees have ranked in the top ten in the nation for five straight years in a row by the U.S. News and World Report. OSU’s Ph.D. in counseling prepares students to work as advanced practitioners, clinical administrators, and professors of counseling in both clinical and academic settings. CACREP-accredited, this advanced degree aims to prepare students to become leaders and activists for innovative change in their workplaces. This program is 150 hours, but 56 hours may be transferred from the student’s master’s degree. To qualify for OSU’s Ph.D. in counseling, students need a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and must have completed a 600-hour clinical internship. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for both undergraduate and graduate work. In addition, potential students need three letters of recommendation, including one from a recent or current clinical supervisor and a writing sample. The application deadline for summer 2020 is January 15, 2020. While OSU’s Ph.D. in counseling is primarily online, this program requires students to meet for a face-to-face class twice each quarter for the first two years of the program at the downtown Portland classroom building. Once a student’s application is accepted, he or she will be assigned a cohort of other Ph.D. counseling students to work closely with during the program’s length. This program can be completed in three years, but most students finish in four years.