Finding the Fit for Your PhD Journey

January 2026

Every issue we ask a counseling student or new professional to pose a career-related question to another counseling professional who has experience in that topic. This month, Beatrice Jean-Mary, MBA, asks Hannah Cheung, LAC, how to find an appropriate doctorate program in counselor education and supervision.

Question:
What are the most important offerings and qualities to look for in a PhD counselor education and supervision program?
Answer:
Exploring the possibility of pursuing a PhD is exciting! When selecting schools and applying for PhD programs in counselor education and supervision, prioritize these factors:

Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by CACREP. This credential ensures quality standards and is often required for faculty positions and state licensure as a supervisor.

Curriculum and Practical Experience: Strong doctoral programs integrate rigorous research methodology, teaching pedagogy, advanced counseling theory, clinical supervision training and leadership development. Quality programs provide teaching assistantships in which you instruct master’s-level or undergraduate courses, supervised experiences in which you supervise counseling students, and research or leadership opportunities in clinics or program initiatives. The curriculum should prepare you equally and practically for roles as a researcher, educator and clinical supervisor.

Research Opportunities: Look for programs with actively publishing faculty, available research assistantships or opportunities, and funding for conference presentations and dissertation work. Ideally, faculty research interests should align with yours, which would provide meaningful mentorship and collaboration opportunities throughout your doctoral program. If you’re unsure of your personal research interests, find faculty research that sparks your curiosity and explore whether the program you’re pursuing allows for flexibility in dissertation topic.

Faculty Quality: Faculty credentials, publications, grant funding and areas of expertise can help give insight into the quality of education you will receive. A smaller student-to-faculty ratio typically means opportunities for quality, individualized mentorship. Consider how accessible faculty are to students and how they approach advising and supervising. Throughout your program, you will be working closely with faculty, and while qualifications are important, so are positive collegiate relationships. Explore how faculty interact and work with others by asking current students about their experience working with and for them.

Funding: Explore the options of assistantships, fellowships, tuition waivers and stipend amounts. Full funding packages make doctoral education financially viable and allow you to focus on your studies rather than juggling a full-time program on top of external employment.

Program Structure: Consider whether the program uses a cohort model, which builds peer support, or individualized progression. Ask about typical time-to-completion for each program (typically three to five years), residency requirements and whether formats are full-time, part-time or hybrid. Full-time residential programs typically offer more immersive experiences and better assistantship and funding opportunities, while online programs provide more flexibility.

Career Outcomes: Pay attention to alumni placement rates in academic positions and employer satisfaction. Are they acquiring positions in places you’d like to be? Strong programs maintain active alumni networks and provide professional development support. If possible, meet with former students to ask about their experience in the program and ask for any advice they’d give you.

Culture and Fit: If feasible, visit campuses, attend classes and meet current students. Assess the program for a collaborative versus competitive atmosphere and whether students seem satisfied and supported. This has been the most critical value in my experience: Your relationships with peers can be a lifeline to keep you grounded and enjoying the process — or provide a shoulder to cry on when things inevitably feel challenging.

The best program for you will align with your career goals, research interests and personal circumstances while also providing strong mentorship, friendship from peers and comprehensive preparation. Finding the right program will position you for success as a future counselor educator, researcher and supervisor.