Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision
PhD in CES Mission Statement:
City University of Seattle’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision Program promotes a scholar-practitioner model for advanced counseling, supervision, teaching, research, leadership, and advocacy.
Operating from a multicultural and social justice context, this doctoral program prepares students for practitioner roles in counselor education and supervision, professorial roles within academia, and scholarship and research roles within the counseling and counselor educator field. Graduates will lead in their communities through service and advocacy in the profession. The cadre of doctoral faculty support counselor educators and supervisors in their efforts to promote awareness, knowledge, and skills in interacting with economically, socially, and culturally diverse members of communities.
- Counseling: Provide advanced ethical and culturally relevant clinical counseling practice in a pluralistic society.
- Supervision: Supervise counselors to enhance client/counselor outcomes in an ethical and culturally relevant manner.
- Teaching: Apply learning theories to deliver developmentally and culturally relevant counselor education.
- Research: Inform professional practice relevant to counseling, counselor education, and/or supervision modalities by generating new knowledge for the profession.
- Scholarship: Demonstrate oral and written professional skills of oral presentations and written publications.
- Leadership and Advocacy: Demonstrate professional leadership by advocating on behalf of the profession and in relation to multicultural and social justice issues.
Graduates of the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program will be prepared to serve in the field as:
- Faculty in counseling programs (Masters and Ph.D. level)
- Clinical supervisors of counselors-in-training, counselors seeking licensure, and licensed counselors continuing clinical work
- Professional workshop and conference presenters
- Researchers in the clinical and academia fields
- Professional consultants in clinical-related entities
- Leaders in clinical, community, academia, and research settings
Courses are scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, starting at 6:00 pm, term-dependent. Please consult with your admission’s advisor for any clarification.
COUN 705 Professional Ethics in CES (2)
COUN 710 Models of Clinical Supervision (4)
COUN 716 Advanced Multicultural and Social Justice Issues (4)
COUN 719 Teaching in Higher Education (4)
COUN 723 Advanced Counseling Theories (4)
COUN 726 Counselor Leadership and Advocacy (2)
COUN 729 Advanced Group Work (4)
COUN 730 Advanced Assessment (4)
COUN 770 Methods and Analysis of Quantitative Research (4)
COUN 775 Methods and Analysis of Qualitative and Action Research (4)
Pre-Requisites for following 780 or 785: successful passing of 760, 770, 775
COUN 780 Advanced Quantitative Methods (4)
OR
COUN 785 Advanced Qualitative Methods (4)
During spring of the second year, all students will take a knowledge-based comprehensive exam. Passing of this exam is required to advance to COUN 805 Dissertation Independent.
COUN 790 CES Comprehensive Exam (1)
Pre-Requisites: Successfully complete/pass all core courses and COUN 760, 770, 775)
COUN 805 CES Dissertation Independent (minimum 12)
COUN 805 pre-requisite: Pass CES Comprehensive Exam
The CES Professional Practice Seminar meets the required CACREP group supervision requirements for students performing advanced clinical practice, and doctoral-level internships. All students are required to maintain individual liability insurance while conducting clinical and/or supervision activities. This seminar series will commence during the second term of the first year and continue each term until all training and social justice advocacy activities and requirements are met or through the fourth term of the second year, whichever comes last.
Advanced Practicum: Doctoral students are required to complete a supervised doctoral-level counseling practicum (advanced clinical practice entailing a minimum of 100 overall hours which consists of a minimum of 40 direct counseling services).
Advanced Internship: Doctoral students are required to complete a minimum of 600 total hours of supervised internships. These supervised experiences will be in teaching, supervision, and leadership, and advocacy. Additionally, students may elect to do additional supervised activities in counseling, and research (non-dissertation-related), and scholarship within the minimum 600 total hour requirement.
Email: cheekjamey@cityu.edu
Dr. Cheek is a member of the faculty for the Master of Arts and Counseling Program at City University of Seattle. Dr. Cheek obtained his doctorate from Texas Tech University in 2002 under the supervision of Dr. Loretta Bradley, former ACA President. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and supervisor in the state of Washington and a certified Professional School Counselor. Dr. Cheek’s work experience has ranged from working as a clinical supervisor, university and public school administrator, a professional school counselor, and in private practice. Dr. Cheek has over 20 years of graduate teaching experience in both clinical mental health and professional school counseling programs and has published and presented numerous papers at the state, regional, and national levels. He is a long-standing member of the American Counseling Association, was a founding member of Counselors for Social Justice (having served on the CSJ executive board as Treasurer from 2001 – 2003), and served as a trainer for The Education Trust’s Transforming School Counseling Initiative. He has also worked as a part of several national crisis responses, including as the Assistant Director for the 9/11 World Trade Center Disaster response in New York City and with the Mayor’s Office of Houston as part of the recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. His areas of interest include advocating for social justice and reform, disability as diversity, and increasing LGBTQIA+ equity and access.
Email: alcummings-garciaphd@cityu.edu
Dr. Amy Cummings-Garcia is the Director of Clinical Training and Program Manager for the Master of Arts in Counseling Program at City University of Seattle. Dr. Cummings-Garcia obtained her doctorate from Seattle Pacific University in 2006 in the field of Clinical Psychology. Her work experience has included roles as Substance Abuse Coordinator in a university setting, Group Therapist within behavioral health in-patient and outpatient programs, Program Therapist, Clinical Program Manager of an adult behavioral health hospital, and work within two university counseling centers. Dr. Cummings-Garcia has over ten years of teaching experience at various universities, as well as providing education and training to those in the mental health community. She is actively involved in community outreach including participation on BAAP Advisory Board City University of Seattle and the Community Truancy Board for her local school district. Her areas of interest include advocating for social justice and equity within the mental health community and school systems, addressing the disparity of services among those with unique and special needs in community mental health and schools, and the increasing and bolstering of reentry programs.
Email: lgardner-1@cityu.edu
Dr. Nate Gardner is the Director of School Counseling Training and Program Manager for the Master of Arts in Counseling Program at City University of Seattle. Dr. Gardner obtained his Doctorate from the University of Maine in 2014 in the field of Counselor Education. His work experience has included the Dean of Residential Life at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics (Maine’s first Public Charter School), and School Counselor at two High Schools. In addition, after completing a Master’s Degree in 2005, he spent one year as a case manager for a Community Health organization supporting adults with mental illness who were living independently. He is a member of the Washington School Counselor Association Board and involved on several state boards in support of his work in the field of school counseling within the sate of Washington. He continues to both advocate and work for recruiting and training a more diverse school counseling population in order to better serve the students and families who are served by public education in the state of Washington.
Email: imiganastasia@cityu.edu
Dr. Anastasia Imig is a licensed professional counselor (Colorado) and registered play therapist (national credential). She received her MA in School Counseling from the University of Iowa and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of South Dakota. She has over 15 years of counseling experience with children, adolescents, and families has worked in a variety of settings including international schools, hospitals, residential and day treatment, private practice, and crisis centers. Given her specialty in child and adolescent mental health, Dr. Imig has supervised child welfare workers as well as school-based therapists. Her main areas of research interest include multicultural supervision and curriculum development, as well as trauma-informed care in higher education. Dr. Imig is described by her clients and supervisees as having a sense of humor, being compassionate and authentic.
Email: provostkent@cityu.edu
Dr. Kent B. Provost is the Interim Program Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Program (MAP) at City University of Seattle. He received his doctoral degree from Idaho State University’s Counselor Education and Counseling (a CACREP accredited doctoral program) in 2009. He maintains his Licensed Professional Counselor (clinical licensure) in Oregon, practicing as well as conducting supervision for over 15 years. Dr. Provost has worked for CityU since August 2019 as a core faculty for the MAP. Dr. Provost is a long-standing member of the American Counseling Association and Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. He has worked in numerous clinical settings counseling a broad variety of diverse clients dealing with general developmental, cultural identity, age, gender-identity, and sexuality-related issues. He has and continues to supervise students-in-training and counselors working towards licensure since 2004. Additionally to conducting supervision and other workshops for PESI and throughout the United States, Dr. Provost has presented at several national, regional, and state professional conferences on topics related to: clinical supervision, trauma, group work, Alexithymia, co-occurring disorders, and innovative teaching strategies.
Email: edean@cityu.edu
Evette Dean currently provides administrative support to the programs within the School of Health and Social Sciences. She first came to CityU in 2004 after being inspired by the university’s mission statement, which stated it will help “Change your life for good!” Believing in those words and realizing she had an opportunity to fulfill her dream of earning a bachelor’s degree, she began taking classes right away, while also working full time and juggling responsibilities as a single parent. Today, after years of focusing on that mission, Evette has surpassed fulfilling her dream of achieving just one degree; she has three - a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master in Business Administration, and a Master of Arts in Leadership. Other supportive roles Evette has taken on during her time at City University of Seattle include assisting students, as a writing lab tutor, with their writing; grading papers as an Outcomes Evaluator for the School of Management’s BAM program; and teaching courses as an Associate Faculty member for the General Education program.
Doctoral Program Orientation
All students admitted to the doctoral program will participate in a doctoral program orientation in the fall quarter. Students are required to complete this before beginning coursework in the program. During this orientation, students will learn more about the program, including course delivery, writing, and research requirements needed for program completion. Students will also hear presentations from faculty, receive hands-on experience with the program’s first course, and interact with faculty and fellow classmates.
Fall
- CES Orientation and Professional Writing (2)
- Advanced Counseling Theory (4)
- Total: 6 credits
Winter
- Advanced Multicultural and Social Justice Issues (4)
- Professional Ethics in CES (2)
- Professional Practice (1)
- Total: 7 credits
Spring
- Teaching in Higher Education (4)
- Models of Clinical Supervision (4)
- Professional Practice (1)
- Total: 9 credits
Summer
- Advanced Group Work (4)
- Research Fundamentals and Program Evaluation (4)
- Professional Practice (1)
- Total: 9 credits
Fall
- Counselor Leadership & Advocacy (2)
- Methods and Analysis of Quantitative Research (4)
- Professional Practice (1)
- Total: 7 credits
Winter
- Advanced Assessment (4)
- Methods and Analysis of Qualitative and Action Research (4)
- Professional Practice (1)
- Total: 9 credits
Spring
- Advanced Quantitative Methods or Advanced Qualitative Methods (4)
- Comprehensive Exam (1)
- Professional Practice (1)
- Total: 6 credits
Summer
- Dissertation (6)
- Professional Practice (1)
- Total: 7 credits
Fall and Ongoing
- Dissertation Independent (minimum 12)
- Professional Practice (only if not met all requirements – 1/credit/term)
- Total: Minimum 12 credits
Step 1: Initial Application
Students applying to the Ph.D. program in Counselor Education and Supervision must submit the following completed application materials:
- Online City University of Seattle application
- Resume/CV
- Cover letter – The cover letter should address the applicant’s suitability for the program and the following questions directly:
- For what reasons do you wish to pursue a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision?
- What strengths and weaknesses do you bring as a student?
- How would you describe your cultural identity?
- In what ways do you seek to grow as a counselor?
- What are your supervision, teaching, and research interests?
- Transcripts from master’s-level counseling program – Applicants must have graduated from a master’s-level counseling program by the time of entry into the doctoral program (preferably CACREP accredited and a 60-semester credit or 90-quarter credit program).
- Three letters of reference – Letters must be from supervisors and colleagues in the helping professions and at least one graduate-level academia person. No personal references from family, friends, students, or clients will be accepted.
Step 2: Interviews
Faculty of the doctoral program in CES review completed applications. Students who meet initial criteria will be invited to participate in an interview that will be conducted either in person or by web conference. Additional interviews and/or an all-day group interviewing process on-campus may be required. Following the interview process, successful applicants will be offered admission to the program.
Application materials and subsequent interviews will be assessed based on the following criteria, in alignment with CACREP Standards:
- Academic aptitude for doctoral-level study
- Previous professional experience
- Fitness for the profession, including self-awareness and strong professional dispositions
- Oral and written communication skills
- Diversity sensitivity and awareness
- Potential for scholarship, professional leadership, and advocacy.
Standardized test scores (GRE, etc.) are not required. Candidates whose master’s degree is from a non-U.S. program may be required to submit their transcripts to an external reviewing agency to evaluate degree equivalence. Candidates from a non-CACREP accredited master’s program and/or a non 60-semester credit or 90-quarter credit program will be considered, though may be required to take additional master’s level courses (prior or concurrent) in order to be admitted. While other factors are certainly considered, a GPA of at least 3.5 from the applicant’s master’s-level counseling program is required. Exceptions to the 3.5 graduate GPA admission requirement will be made on a case-by-case basis, at the determination of the core faculty.
Admission Procedures
The application for admission can be completed online and the applicant will then need to obtain official transcripts from previous institutions, which should be sent directly to the admissions office at City University of Seattle.
Each applicant will then need to submit their resume/CV, references, and admissions statement.
Only when all of these items have been received will the interview with the program faculty be scheduled. Once the materials have been reviewed and the interview process has been conducted, the program faculty will make a decision regarding program admission and notify the prospective student.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is April 1 of each year. Candidates will be interviewed and admission decisions will be made by July 1. Applications received past the April 1 deadline will be considered on a waitlist and may potentially be admitted earlier depending on space-availability. Students admitted to the program complete attend the orientation session prior to fall term start, and will begin their doctoral coursework in October (fall term) in a cohort model.
Tuition Cost
Learn more about tuition and fees for our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
Financial Aid Opportunities
At CityU, we’re committed to helping students achieve their academic goals no matter their economic situations. Our financial aid counselors are here to find the resources you need to pay for your education, including grants, loans, work study, and scholarships.
Learn more about financial aid opportunities at CityU, or contact our Financial Aid Team at 800.426.5596, 206.239.4540, or finaid@cityu.edu.
Military Tuition Benefits
As a Yellow Ribbon school, CityU is proud to serve those who have served in the military. We offer military tuition discounts for active-duty servicemembers and their spouses and accept military benefits such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill® and Tuition Assistance.
Learn more about military tuition benefits, VA benefits, and military partnership programs designed to help you reach your military and career goals.
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