Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision
City University of Seattle’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 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 Ph.D. program prepares you for practitioner roles in counselor education and supervision, professorial roles within academia, and scholarship and research roles within the counseling field.
In this Ph.D. program, you’ll gain the expertise needed to lead in your community through service and advocacy. The faculty supports counselors, educators, and supervisors in their efforts to promote awareness, knowledge, and skills for interacting with diverse community members.
- Advanced Counseling Theory and Practice. Evaluates the effectiveness of ethical and culturally relevant counseling.
- Counselor Supervision. Collaborates with supervisees to enhance client/student outcomes in an ethical and culturally relevant manner.
- Teaching and Counselor Education. Applies adult learning theory to deliver developmentally and culturally relevant counselor education in national and global contexts, in a manner that facilitates lifelong learning.
- Research and Scholarship. Informs professional practice by generating new knowledge for the profession.
- Oral Presentation. Demonstrates skill in orally presenting the results of scholarly inquiry.
- Leadership and Advocacy. Demonstrates 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 (Master’s and PhD level)
- Leaders in clinical, community, and research settings
CACREP-accredited master’s degreeStudents with a non-CACREP-accredited master’s degree must complete up to 38 credits* of the following entry-level core-curricular courses:
COUN 501 Intro to Counseling Skills (5)
COUN 502 Systemic Theory: Multicultural Counseling (5)
COUN 503 Human Growth and Development (5)
COUN 510 Professional Ethics and Law (5)
COUN 514 Research Methods and Statistics (5)
COUN 516 Career Counseling in Clinical Settings (3)
COUN 525 Testing and Assessment (5)
COUN 527 Group Counseling (5)
*Total required credits for students with a non-CACREP-accredited master’s degree: 72-128 credits
COUN 713 Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision (3)
COUN 716 Advanced Multicultural and Social Justice Issues (3)
COUN 719 Andragogy and Professorate in Counselor Education (3)
COUN 720 Counselor Supervision and Ethics (3)
COUN 723 Advanced Counseling Theory (3)
COUN 726 Counselor Leadership and Advocacy (3)
COUN 729 Advanced Group Work (3)
COUN 730 Advanced Career and Consultation (3)
COUN 733 Advanced Assessment (3)
RESR 617 - Research Fundamentals (3): This course will review the elements essential to a dissertation or research article. Emphasis is placed on scholarly writing, literature reviews, and statistical methods. Students will critically evaluate a research idea and formulate a hypothesis.RESR 619 - Quantitative Research Methods (3): This course covers quantitative methods of data collection, including various types of surveys and experimental studies. Emphasis will be placed on different methodologies: validity, reliability, and the formulation of research questions. Students will explore basic statistical tests used in quantitative methods.
RESR 621 - Qualitative Research Methods (3): This course covers qualitative methods of data collection including interviews, content analysis, and case studies. Emphasis will be placed on different methodologies, observation, and the formulation of research questions. Students will learn when it is appropriate to use qualitative research methods.
RESR 623 - Research Design (3): In this course students will apply quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-mode methodologies to research design. Emphasis will be placed on collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data in research studies. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to outline the requirements for a research study and write a methods section of an article, dissertation, or grant proposal. Prerequisite: RESR 619, RESR 621
RESR 625 - Advanced Research Topics (3): Students will develop skills required to find, analyze, and synthesize literature pertaining to their dissertation's general research topic and/or specific research question. As preparation for their dissertation research, they will prepare a literature review and work on steps required to go through the dissertation process. Prerequisite: RESR 617, RESR 619, RESR 621
RESR 641: Advanced Qualitative Research (3): This course provides doctoral students added opportunities to explore and apply variations, applications, and evaluations of different qualitative data-collection methods. Students will evaluate the overall construction of qualitative designs; practice selecting and collecting qualitative data for disciplinary research; and explore examples of naturalistic data; and apply a variety of analytic techniques associated with qualitative methodologies. The focus of the course will be on applying qualitative concepts, analyzing data, reading outputs, and translating outputs into meaningful findings.
RESR 643: Advanced Quantitative Research (3): This course provides doctoral students with opportunities to apply advanced statistical tools used to analyze data in a variety of disciplines, advancing the student’s experience in assessing the quality of quantitative designs. The course includes linear and logistical regression; and different types of analysis of variance and covariance; along with metrics for evaluating research designs, effect sizes, and power analyses. The focus of the course will be on applying statistical concepts and using approved statistical software to analyze data, gain experience reading outputs, and translate findings into meaningful results.
RESR 694B Dissertation II (3)
RESR 694C Dissertation III (3)
RESR 694D Dissertation IV (3)
RESR 694E Dissertation V (3)
RESR 694F Dissertation VI (3)
COUN 740 Advanced Practicum (2)
**Practicum includes 100 total hours, 40 direct hours
COUN 750 Internship I (1)
COUN 752 Internship II (1)
COUN 754 Internship III (1)
COUN 756 Internship IV (3) Optional and Repeatable for credit
***Internship includes 600 total hours, 240 direct hours in a counseling setting
Sondra Beres is a Professor and the Director of Counselor Education Programs at City University of Seattle where she is leading the development of a PhD in Counselor Education. Prior to City University, Dr. Beres worked and lived in the UK for several years where she served as the Programme Lead for Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) at University of Northampton in England and lectured at University of Abertay at Dundee in Scotland. Before that she worked at Regis University in Denver where she was Professor and Chair of the Marriage and Family Therapy programs.
Education
- PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with a Doctoral Minor in Research from University of Northern Colorado
- MS in Marital and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary
- MS in Non-Profit Leadership from Regis University
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Clinical Supervision (CYP IAPT) from University of Derby
- BS in Psychology from Colorado State University
Licenses and Certifications
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Colorado (pending in Washington)
- Approved Supervisor through American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (USA) and Association of Family Therapists and Systemic
Practitioners (UK) - Registered Systemic Psychotherapist through UK Council of Psychotherapists (UK)
- Clinical Psychologist through Health Care Professions Council (UK)
Professional Memberships
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
- Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES)
- American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)
- Association of Family Therapists and Systemic Practitioners (AFT)
- UK Council of Psychotherapy (UKCP)
Clinical Experience
Dr. Beres has a practice as a marriage and family therapist and clinical supervisor. She enjoys working with couples, individual adults, children, and young people using experiential and integrative psychotherapy. She clinically supervises new counselors and psychotherapists as well as supervisors-in-training.
Research Interests
- Experiences of Caregivers with a Partner Diagnosed with Chronic Illness
- Support for International Adoptive Families and Multi-Stressed Families
- Clinical Supervision
- Best Practices in Training Counselors and Systemic Psychotherapists
Dr. Cory Viehl is the Academic Program Director and Associate Professor of the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program at City University of Seattle.Email | Phone: 206.239.4767
Education:
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Practice from Georgia State University
- M.S. in Community Counseling from University of North Georgia
- B.S. in Psychology from University of North Georgia
Licenses and Certifications:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), WA
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), GA
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)
Professional Memberships:
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
- Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES)
- Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling (ALGBTIC) – President-Elect 2019-2020
Clinical Experience:
Dr. Viehl has been in clinical practice for 11 years in various settings including IOP, college counseling centers, and private practice working with aging adults, adults with disabilities, LGBQI+ and Trans adolescents & adults, and counselors. His work is informed by a constructivist philosophy which he also incorporates into his pedagogical practices.
Professional Interests:
- Clinical Supervision
- LGBQI+ and Trans Affirming Practices in Counseling and Counselor Education
- Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Vicarious Traumatization
- Multicultural Counseling
Joyce is an Associate Professor and core faculty member in the MAC program at CityU. Joyce has more than 15 years of counseling and supervision experience in community mental health agencies, college counseling centers, and private practice settings.Email | Phone: 206.239.4778
Education:
- EdD, Counselor Education and Supervision, University of Montana
Licenses and Certifications:
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Montana
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Oregon
- National Certified Counselor (NCC) by National Board of Certified Counselors
Professional Memberships:
- American Counseling Association
- Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
- Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development
- Chi Sigma Iota
Clinical Experience:Over her 15 year counseling career, Joyce has worked in community mental health agencies, college counseling centers, and private practice settings. She specializes in child, adolescent, and family counseling with domestic violence issues, cross-cultural issues, trauma, depression, HIV/AIDS, and the integration of mental health, substance abuse, and chronic illness.Her dissertation was on “The Experience HIV/AIDS Among Rural Women in the Northwestern United States.” She is also an IMPACT-Certified in providing problem-solving treatment of depression. Joyce's theoretical counseling philosophy is utilizing different approaches that meet the needs of a client with positive self-regard, empathy, and congruence.
Professional Interests:
- HIV/AIDS' impact on the Social Support Structure (Extended Family Systems)
- Perspectives on multicultural issues in higher education
- Gender and women issues
- Effects of trauma in women and children exposed to domestic violence
Dr. Cherise Murphy is a native of Chicago and has an Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy University; holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling Psychology from The Georgia School of Professional Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois. She has a long history of playing an active role in scholarship and professional service within the field of counseling, as well as teaching in higher education and service to the community. She has been the faculty grant recipient for her work on Keeping Families Safe from LSA-Learn and Serve America; Corporation for National and Community Service sponsored by USA President Obama’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.Her work history includes clinical leadership roles at several state and private mental health organizations, as well as administrative and faculty roles at several higher education institutions.
Her research interests have focused on human behavior and development in the context of relationships. She has studied blended family structures and partner behaviors that will promote a cohesive family environment and positive outlook for relationship satisfaction. Her interactive style with students focuses on both experiential learning and dialogue about real-life experiences, and how learned skills can be applied to these scenarios. Personally, she enjoys time with her three sons and is a connoisseur of music, art, dance, diversity and all things Creole. Dr. Murphy holds licensure as a Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor.
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
- Doctoral Program Orientation (1) (Prerequisite)
- Total: 1 credit
Winter
- Andragogy in Counselor Education (3)
- Research Fundamentals (3)
- Total: 6 credits
Spring
- Advanced Multicultural and Social Justice Issues (3)
- Models of Clinical Supervision (3)
- Total: 6 credits
Summer
- Counselor Supervision and Ethics (3)
- Quantitative Research Methods (3)
- Total: 6 credits
Fall
- Advanced Counseling Theory (3)
- Counselor Leadership and Advocacy (3)
- Qualitative Research Methods (3)
- Total: 9 credits
Winter
- Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision (3)
- Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (3)
OR
Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (3) - Total: 6 credits
Spring
- Advanced Career and Consultation (3)
- Research Design (3)
- Total: 6 credits
Summer
- Advanced Group Work (3)
- Practicum (2)
- Advanced Research Topics (3)
- Total: 8 credits
Fall
- Advanced Assessment (3)
- Internship I (1)
- Dissertation I (3)
- Total: 7 credits
Winter
- Internship II (1)
- Dissertation II (3)
- Total: 4 credits
Spring
- Internship III (1)
- Dissertation III (3)
- Dissertation IV (3)
- Total: 7 credits
Summer
- Dissertation V (3)
- Dissertation VI (3)
- Total: 6 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?
- In what ways do you seek to grow as a counselor?
- How would you describe your cultural identity?
- What are your research and teaching 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.
- Three letters of reference – Letters must be from supervisors and colleagues in the helping professions. No personal references from family, friends, students, or clients will be accepted.
Step 2: Interviews
Completed applications will be reviewed by core faculty of the doctoral program. Students who meet initial criteria will be invited to participate in first-round interviews that will be conducted either in person or by web conference. From these first-round interviews, a maximum of 30 candidates will be invited to participate in a full-day group interview process on the campus of City University of Seattle at its downtown Seattle location. All applicants must attend the group interview process; exceptions will not be made. Following the second-round interviews, 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 the 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
- Cultural 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. 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 program director.
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. You will also need to complete the Doctor of Education in Leadership program admission packet.
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 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 their orientation course in December and will begin their doctoral coursework in January (winter quarter) 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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