PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision Degree
A Practitioner-Scholar Model
CityU promotes a practitioner-scholar 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 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 our 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 for presentations and 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
In addition to the doctoral admission requirements, students applying to the Ph.D. degree in Counselor Education and Supervision must submit and complete the steps below.
Step 1: Initial Application Materials
- Cover letter, which addresses the applicant’s suitability for the program and the following questions:
- Describe your reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision?
- How would you described your Counselor Professional Identity?
- What strengths and challenges do you anticipate encountering as a student?
- What have you learned about yourself in your multicultural/diversity experiences?
- What are your goals for advocating for both clients and the profession?
- What are your 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).
- Applicants' letters of reference 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: Interview
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 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.
Total Required Credits (72 Credits)
For full course descriptions, please refer to the current catalog.
Counseling Core Courses (30 Credits)
- COUN 700 CES Orientation and Professional Writing (2)
- 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)
Research Methodology Courses (16 Credits)
Students must successfully pass COUN 760, COUN 770, and COUN 775 prior to enrolling in COUN 780 or COUN 785.
- COUN 760 Research Fundamentals and Program Evaluation (4)
- COUN 770 Methods and Analysis of Quantitative Research (4)
- COUN 775 Methods and Analysis of Qualitative and Action Research (4)
- COUN 780 Advanced Quantitative Methods (4) or COUN 785 Advanced Qualitative Methods (4)
CES Training (Minimum 7 Credits)
Students will repeat this 1 credit course a minimum of 7 times.
- COUN 750 CES Professional Practice Seminar (1)
CES Comprehensive Exam (1 Credit)
- COUN 790 CES Comprehensive Exam (1)
CES Dissertation (Minimum 18 Credits)
Students will work with their dissertation chair and committee to determine the number of credits required per term for COUN 805.
- COUN 805 (variable)
- COUN 800 CES Dissertation (6)
- COUN 805 CES Dissertation Independent (minimum 12)
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: 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
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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