Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Counselor Education Bridge Program
Lead in Counseling Research, Education and Supervision
Grand Canyon University’s Bridge to Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision program is for independently licensed or associate-level licensed mental health professionals who want to teach counseling students, supervise clinical counselors and become expert practitioners in clinical or academic environments. Learners must have completed a master’s-level statistic class and graduated from an approved Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) entry-level institution OR graduated from an equivalent program.
What You Will Learn
This bridge PhD in counselor education and supervision program provides an overview of professional counseling education and supervision to ensure learners possess the basic skills and concepts to move into the PhD program. The 12-credit bridge curriculum focuses on human growth, tests, and appraisal in counseling, research methods, and career counseling development. Gain an in-depth understanding of individuals at different developmental levels, while addressing assessment methods and statistical concepts. Learners will continue to complete the program by learning statistical analysis and life factors related to professional development.
Your Next Degree
This bridge program connects curriculum from GCU’s MS in Professional Counseling to the Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision. Learners will have the preparation to enter the PhD program with the foundation to start cultivating skills that foster a healthy climate of change by teaching at the university level. Transition into an advanced career that advocates greater mental health at the top.
Upon completion of the Doctor of Philosophy degree program, graduates may pursue roles as a faculty member, advanced clinician, family counselor, school counselor, director of school guidance or director of a counseling agency. Other potential career opportunities include behavior analyst, behavior support specialist (BSS), case manager, clinician, correctional counselor, counselor, mental health counselor, mental health specialist, mental health therapist and therapist.
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Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course provides an understanding of the nature, needs, and differing abilities of individuals at all developmental levels. Theories of individual and family development, transitions across the life span, theories of learning, theories of personality development, and ethical and cultural strategies for facilitating optimum development over the life span are addressed.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to basic tests and appraisal in counseling. Individual and group approaches to testing, assessment, evaluation, behavioral observations, computer-managed and computer-assisted methods are addressed. The following statistical concepts are also addressed: scales of measurement, measures of central tendency, and indices of variability, shapes and types of distributions, correlations, reliability, and validity.
Course Description
This course introduces research methods and basic statistical analysis, including the following: importance of research, opportunities, and difficulties in conducting research. Research methods such as qualitative, quantitative, single-case designs, action research, and outcome-based research are addressed.
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of career development and related life factors including psychotherapy, career counseling techniques and processes, career development theories, decision-making models, issues of diversity, and interrelationships between work and family.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.