Best Ph.D. and PsyD in Counseling Psychology Degree Programs
In most states, becoming a licensed clinical psychologist requires having a doctorate in a relevant psychological field, such as counseling psychology. This field is an excellent choice because its doctorate prepares you to provide counseling in various situations. Someone with a good education in counseling psychology can provide personal counseling or therapy, couples therapy, educational counseling, problem-specific counseling, and more.
2026 Best Doctorate in Counseling Psychology Programs
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL - Public 4-Year - fsu.edu
Doctorate - Combined Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology
Campus Based - Visit Website
Florida State University's Combined Doctoral Program seamlessly integrates counseling and school psychology training, offering students a comprehensive pathway to becoming versatile health service psychologists. The APA-accredited program provides dynamic opportunities for interdisciplinary research and clinical practice across diverse psychological domains. Students explore specialized areas including addiction, ADHD, and career counseling while benefiting from mentorship by distinguished faculty. The program's robust curriculum ensures graduates are well-prepared for evolving professional landscapes, with strong job market projections and potential for Florida psychology licensure. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, research experience, and commitment to psychological practice.
- APA-accredited doctoral program
- Combined counseling and school psychology focus
- 4-7 year program duration
- Mentorship from acclaimed faculty
- Eligible for Florida psychology licensure
- Multiple research team opportunities
- Competitive job market outlook
Doctorate - Combined Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology
Concentration: Counseling Psychology - Campus Based - Visit Website
Specializing in Counseling Psychology, Florida State University's doctoral program delivers advanced training for aspiring psychological professionals. This APA-accredited curriculum emphasizes comprehensive research methodologies and clinical intervention strategies specifically tailored to counseling psychology. Students explore intricate psychological dynamics, developing expertise in addiction treatment, vocational psychology, and mental health counseling. The program's rigorous framework prepares graduates for licensed practice, with exceptional mentorship from renowned faculty and opportunities for specialized research. Candidates benefit from an integrated approach that combines theoretical knowledge with practical clinical experiences, positioning them competitively in a rapidly expanding psychological service market.
- APA-accredited doctoral program
- 4-7 year combined Ph.D.
- Counseling and school psychology focus
- Multiple concentration options
- Licensure preparation in Florida
- Mentorship from renowned faculty
- Research and clinical training
- 14.3% job growth projection
Doctorate - Combined Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology
Concentration: School Psychology - Campus Based - Visit Website
Florida State University's School Psychology concentration provides an intensive doctoral pathway for emerging educational psychologists. This APA-accredited program equips students with comprehensive skills to address complex psychological challenges within academic environments. Graduates receive specialized training in developmental assessment, intervention strategies, and educational support systems. The curriculum emphasizes research-driven approaches, preparing students for meaningful contributions to school-based psychological services. With strong job market projections and potential for Florida licensure, students engage in transformative learning experiences guided by distinguished faculty. The program's holistic approach ensures graduates are prepared to support student mental health, academic success, and comprehensive psychological well-being.
- Only APA-accredited combined Ph.D. in Florida
- Dual concentration option available
- Mentorship from specialized faculty
- Licensing eligible upon graduation
- Strong job market projections
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY - Private 4-year - columbia.edu
Doctorate - Ph.D. Program in Counseling Psychology
Campus Based - Visit Website
Columbia University's Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology offers an intensive doctoral program designed to cultivate advanced psychological practitioners. Spanning five years, the program emphasizes research, clinical intervention, and social justice principles. Students engage in comprehensive training that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical experiences across diverse populations. The APA-accredited curriculum provides robust mentorship from expert faculty, enabling graduates to excel in academic, clinical, and research settings. Unique program features include multicultural counseling emphasis, extensive clinical practicum opportunities, and a strong commitment to developing transformative mental health professionals equipped to address complex psychological challenges.
- 90-point doctoral program
- Full-time campus-based study
- APA-accredited program
- Social justice framework
- Research-focused training
- Mentorship from expert faculty
- Multicultural counseling emphasis
- Five-year comprehensive training
- Clinical practicum opportunities
- Dissertation research required
Doctorate - Ph.D. Program in Counseling Psychology
Concentration: Bilingual Latinx Mental Health - Campus Based - Visit Website
Columbia University's Ph.D. Program in Counseling Psychology with a specialized Bilingual Latinx Mental Health concentration represents an innovative approach to addressing mental health disparities. This targeted program prepares students to provide culturally competent psychological services for Latinx communities. Trainees develop advanced bilingual skills and deep understanding of cultural nuances in mental health treatment. The concentration combines rigorous academic scholarship with practical training, positioning graduates as leaders in health service psychology. Students benefit from faculty expertise, comprehensive multicultural training, and specialized curriculum designed to meet growing mental health needs in bilingual and multicultural contexts.
- Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology
- Bilingual Latinx Mental Health concentration
- Campus-based program
- Focus on multicultural context
- Led by leading faculty
- Combines scholarship and practice
- Prepares for health service psychology
- Strong academic admissions requirements
- Financial aid options available
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE - Public 4-Year - unl.edu
Doctorate - Counseling Psychology Specialization
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Counseling Psychology Ph.D. offers an exceptional scientist-practitioner training program emphasizing advanced psychological research and clinical competence. Students engage in comprehensive doctoral seminars, statistical analysis, and research methodology courses designed to cultivate innovative psychological investigation skills. With APA accreditation and a full-time curriculum, this program prepares doctoral candidates for high-impact careers in mental health, academic research, and clinical practice. Graduates benefit from a structured 3-year campus residency, pre-doctoral internship requirements, and extensive mentorship opportunities that position them as future leaders in counseling psychology.
- Full-time doctoral program
- Scientist-practitioner training model
- Research-focused curriculum
- APA accreditation standards
- Doctoral research seminars
- Comprehensive research training
- Minimum 3-year campus residence
- Pre-doctoral internship required
Doctorate - Counseling Psychology Specialization
Concentration: Career Development - Campus Based - Visit Website
Specializing in Career Development, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Counseling Psychology Ph.D. provides a robust doctoral pathway for professionals seeking advanced training in psychological science. The program's distinctive scientist-practitioner model integrates comprehensive coursework, research methods, and collaborative seminars tailored to career counseling dynamics. Designed for flexible completion within 5-6 years, students receive rigorous preparation in psychological assessment, vocational psychology, and career intervention strategies. APA-accredited curriculum ensures graduates are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge and skills to excel in career counseling, organizational psychology, and academic research domains.
- Full-time doctoral program
- Scientist-practitioner training model
- Research-focused curriculum
- APA accreditation standards
- Doctoral research seminars
- 5-6 year completion timeline
Doctorate - Counseling Psychology Specialization
Concentration: Social Justice - Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Counseling Psychology Ph.D. with a Social Justice concentration offers a transformative doctoral experience for aspiring change-makers in mental health. This program uniquely blends advanced psychological research with critical social justice perspectives, preparing students to address systemic mental health challenges. Through integrated coursework, doctoral seminars, and mentored research opportunities, students develop expertise in addressing psychological disparities, intersectionality, and community-centered interventions. The APA-accredited curriculum emphasizes comprehensive research skills, three-year campus residency, and pre-doctoral internship training, positioning graduates as innovative leaders in socially conscious counseling psychology practice.
- Scientist-practitioner training model
- Full-time doctoral program
- Comprehensive research preparation
- APA accreditation standards
- Social justice concentration
- Three-year campus residency
- Pre-doctoral internship required
- Doctoral research seminars
- Mentored research opportunities
What Will I Learn in an Online Counseling Psychology Doctorate Program?
The curriculum can focus on advanced studies in human behavior or counselor education and supervision. The former is better for those who intend to remain in or enter clinical practice as counselors. Meanwhile, the emphasis on supervision is the best pick if you want to become a department head, clinic leader, or a teacher of other counselors. Note that schools with fine-grained degree tracks may use different names for their degrees than simply calling them “counseling psychology.”
Standard online counseling psychology programs have a predictable curriculum, though the names of the specific courses vary by school. You should expect classes along these lines:
- Performing Mental Assessments
- Helping with Relationships
- Conducting Group Therapy
- Assisting with Lifestyle and Career Development
- Program Research and Evaluation
- Individual Behavior and its Motivating Factors
- Changing Individual Behavior
- Counseling Theories
- Quantitative Analysis
You will also need to complete a dissertation or other capstone experience and obtain a set amount of practicum hours or internship time. The number of in-person practice hours will depend on the university and can vary widely.
In all cases, it’s essential to be sure that your doctorate program is accredited. Accreditation by bodies like CACREP or the APA ensures that your state’s licensing board will accept the credential for its educational requirements. Employers also want to see diplomas from accredited programs. This helps them be sure that your program has taught you everything you need to know at your level.
The credit hours needed to complete a Counseling Psychology doctorate program will vary depending on whether the student has already completed a master’s degree. Some programs, such as the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. through the University of North Texas, allow students with a bachelor’s degree to apply. The program consists of 42 credit hours for those with a master’s or 72 credit hours for those with a bachelor’s.
Admissions Requirements for a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology
The difficulty in getting admitted to an online doctoral program in counseling psychology depends on which university is involved. The best programs have stringent GPA requirements and may require participation in whatever they consider the “right” extracurricular activities. Meanwhile, most schools are not as picky and will accept GPAs in the 3.0 range. One of the strongest predictors of this is the competitiveness of the doctoral program.
Some of the standard requirements for admission include:
- Your application
- A fee, if applicable
- A master’s or similar degree in this or a related subject
- Official transcripts
- A GPA at or greater than the university’s minimum
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Essay on career goals
- Resume
Your application process will be less stressful if you collect these things far in advance of actually applying. Then, you can tailor your application package to meet the documentation requirements of the universities that you apply to.
2026 Affordable PhD in Counseling Psychology Program Options
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| Ball State University |
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| Oklahoma State University |
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| Utah State University |
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2026 Shortest Counseling Psychology PhD Program Options
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| Boston College |
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| University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
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| Fordham University |
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List of Counseling Psychology Doctorate Degree Programs
Find an online or campus-based doctorate program in counseling psychology today – our state-by-state listings make it easy to find a great program near you.
California
Irvine, CA
Concordia University-Irvine
- Doctorate - Ph.D. Counselor Education & Supervision
Online Learning - Website
- Online + 2 In-Person Residencies
- $795 Cost Per Unit
- 3-4 Year Accelerated Program
- WSCUC Accredited
- 700 Total Fieldwork Hours
- 60 Total Units Required
- License Professionals Only
- 2 Face-to-Face Residencies
San Diego, CA
National University
- Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Concentration: Counseling Psychology - Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online Doctoral Program
- 60 Total Credit Hours
- 20 Total Courses
- Designed for Licensed Professionals
- Weekly Course Starts
- No Scheduled Lecture Hours
- Specialization in Counseling Psychology
- Doctoral Faculty Mentorship
Stockton, CA
University of the Pacific
- Doctorate - PsyD in Counseling Psychology
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid learning format
- In-person 1-2 days weekly
- Guaranteed internship experience
- 22% job market growth projected
- Comprehensive psychology curriculum
- Stockton, CA campus location
- Practicum in various settings
Florida
Miami, FL
Barry University
- Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling
Concentration: Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling/Therapy - Online & Campus Based - Website
- CACREP nationally accredited program
- Hybrid learning format available
- Small class sizes
- Evening classes for professionals
- On-campus CARE Center training
- Three specialized internships
- Graduate tuition per credit: $1,195
Massachusetts
Cambridge, MA
Lesley University
- Doctorate - Counseling & Psychology: Transformative Leadership, Education, & Applied Research
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Weekend-intensive doctoral program
- 48 total credit hours
- Requires master's degree
- 3+ years professional experience
- Multidisciplinary leadership focus
- Social justice oriented curriculum
- Cambridge-based program
- Trauma-informed approach
New Jersey
Lodi, NJ
Felician University
- Doctorate - Doctorate in Counseling Psychology
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 73-88 total credit program
- APA accredited program
- 4-5 year completion time
- Three-year practicum experience
- Full doctoral internship required
- Practitioner-scholar training model
- Meet NJ licensure requirements
- Diverse clinical placement opportunities
Oregon
Corvallis, OR
Oregon State University
- Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling
Concentration: Counselor Education - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid online/face-to-face format
- CACREP-accredited program
- 150 total program credits
- No GRE required
- Master's degree minimum requirement
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Median completion time 48 months
- Focuses on social justice
Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, PA
Carlow University
- Doctorate - Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology
Concentration: Social Justice - Online & Campus Based - Website
- APA-accredited doctoral program
- Social justice-focused curriculum
- Hybrid learning format
- 93 total credit hours
- Practitioner-scholar training model
- Extensive practicum experiences
- International study opportunities
- Dedicated faculty mentorship
South Carolina
Columbia, SC
Columbia International University
- Doctorate - Counselor Education & Supervision, PhD
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Three-year full-time study program
- Online courses with summer residencies
- Minimum 48-hour master's degree required
- 3.5 GPA graduate coursework minimum
- Dissertation research focus
- Biblical worldview integration
- Advanced research methodology training
- Leadership and supervision development
