Online Bridge to PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision Program

Overview

Refine Your Skills With a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision Bridge

Grand Canyon University’s online^{(See disclaimer 1)} PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) bridge program provides a streamlined pathway for master’s-level professionals seeking admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision program. Designed for individuals missing four or fewer admission requirements, the bridge program addresses gaps in one or more areas: entry-level curricular standards, professional requirements and professional practices.

These requirements align with CACREP (2024) standards to ensure readiness for doctoral study. By completing the bridge program, students build a strong academic and professional foundation, preparing themselves for the quantitative Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision program.

Bridge (Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision - Quantitative Research)

Offered By

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $610 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 26

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).

Why GCU

Choose GCU’s Quantitative or Qualitative Bridge PhD

Qualitative Bridge PhD Program

A quantitative program focuses on research methods involving numbers and statistics. Quantitative data is often collected through surveys, interviews and/or document reviews.

Qualitative counselor education and supervision PhD programs use research methods that analyze the way people think and behave. Qualitative data is commonly collected using interviews, focus groups and/or observations.

In the PhD bridge program, students will be introduced to various research methods. However, they will not select or implement their research design until they enter the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program.

Coursework

Bridge to PhD: CES Program Course Topics

GCU’s online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision bridge program fulfills professional requirements, entry-level core curricular standards and professional practice standards, if these were unmet prior to the CES PhD program.

As part of the bridge program experience, students will take part in an in-person residency designed to enhance hands-on learning. This on-campus component offers an opportunity to engage with faculty and peers in an immersive environment that supports professional growth and prepares students for advanced doctoral work. While most coursework is completed online, the residency ensures that participants gain practical experience and build relationships, enriching their journey toward becoming leaders in counselor education and supervision.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Establish a solid foundation through this bridge Counselor Education and Supervision PhD program. Review these frequently asked questions to discover how this program can support your professional goals.

What is a quantitative PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision bridge program?

What can you do with a quantitative PhD in counselor education and supervision bridge?

Graduates from bridge CES programs can gain the required skills to move into doctoral studies. Upon graduating with your PhD, you can pursue leadership and teaching positions within the counseling field as a practitioner. Whether you want to teach future counselors, work as an advanced clinician or start your own practice, this pathway and full doctoral program can help you seek opportunities that meet your career goals.

Is a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision bridge quantitative program worth it?

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

Major26 credits

Degree Requirements26 credits

Core Courses

CNL-518

3 Total Credits

CNL-523

3 Total Credits

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, indices of variability, shapes and types of distributions, correlations, reliability, and validity.

CNL-540

3 Total Credits

CNL-525

3 Total Credits

CNL-520

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of group development, group dynamics, group counseling theories, and ethical standards with reference to professional and substance use disorders counseling. The course addresses group process components, appropriate selection criteria, developmental stage theories, group members’ roles and behaviors; and group leadership styles and approaches. The course includes didactic and experiential group learning. Required synchronous group experience: 12 hours. Prerequisite: CNL-515.

CNL-505

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of counseling ethics, legal standards, and responsibilities, including professional identity, report writing, record keeping, and service reimbursement for clinical mental health and school counselors. Additionally, the history of and current trends in counseling are addressed. Important goals of this course are to help students develop a strong personal and professional ethic, as well as an appreciation of the value of professional collaboration and identity.

CNL-509

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society. Studies in this area include the following: attitudes and behaviors based on such factors as age, race, religious preference, physical disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity and culture, family patterns, gender, socioeconomic status, and intellectual ability; individual, family, group, and community strategies for working with diverse populations; theories of multicultural counseling and identity development; multicultural competencies; and issues such as substance use disorders. Students examine a variety of cultural populations, exploring issues and trends that are associated with each population. Cultural considerations for immigrants, refugees, and undocumented citizens are also addressed.

CNL-515

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of counseling processes, including characteristics and behaviors that influence the helping processes. Included are age, gender, ethnic differences, verbal and nonverbal behaviors, personal characteristics, and orientations. The development of counseling techniques is emphasized, including establishing and maintaining the counseling relationship; diagnosing and identifying the problem; formulating a preventative, treatment, or rehabilitative plan; facilitating appropriate interventions; and successfully terminating the counseling relationship.

CNL-624

2 Total Credits

Course Description

The practicum course is a distinctly defined, supervised clinical fieldwork experience in which the student develops basic counseling skills and integrates professional knowledge under the supervision of a faculty member or an on-site clinical site supervisor approved by the college or university with a minimum of 1 hour per week of individualized and/or triadic supervision throughout the practicum. Practicum students participate in an average of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision via Zoom with a counseling faculty member or student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member on a regular schedule throughout the practicum. Documentation of a minimum requirement of 100 hours of counseling-related activities, which includes 40 direct client contact hours, is submitted electronically for verification and tracking. The practicum is completed prior to the internship; therefore, students may not progress to CNL-664A without the required amount of hours submitted, the required amount of individual and group supervision, and proper approval. This course has multiple synchronous required activities. Students must be prepared to be flexible in meeting the demands of this course in order to progress to the internship. Practicum/field experience hours: 100. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Prerequisites: Completion of all didactic coursework in the program; a GPA of 3.0 or better; and maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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