A counseling doctorate can prepare you to teach future counselors, lead clinical services, or conduct research - but its cost and career payoff depend on the program and the state where you plan to work. This guide is for master's-level counselors comparing doctoral options across the South. It explains program types, accreditation, timelines, costs, licensure, and career prospects. It also features the 2027 Best Doctorate in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in the South, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering.
Key findings about Counseling degrees in South
Choose the doctorate by career goal: a counselor education PhD primarily serves aspiring faculty, researchers, and supervisors; a clinical-practice goal may call for a different credential.
The U.S. median annual wage for counselor education and supervision roles was $75,350 in May 2025, with 2.5% projected employment growth for 2025-2035 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Neither figure predicts an individual graduate's outcome.
Before applying, compare funding and dissertation support, then check your intended state's licensing board: doctoral admission or graduation does not itself establish clinical licensure eligibility.
What can I expect from a Counseling degree in South?
Most programs considered here are PhDs in counselor education, counselor education and supervision, or a closely related field. They are designed principally for counselors who want to produce research, teach in graduate programs, supervise trainees, or lead counseling services. A PhD is not simply a longer route to an entry-level counseling license: the applicable master's education and state licensing requirements remain essential (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; state counseling boards).
Expect advanced study in counseling theory, research design, statistics, teaching, supervision, and ethics, followed by a dissertation. Some programs also require clinical or supervisory experiences. Compare the actual curriculum with your goal: a practicing counselor seeking deeper clinical skills may benefit more from focused training or supervision than from years of doctoral research.
The South offers public-university and private nonprofit options, including online study, but location still matters. A student hoping to teach near home should examine regional faculty hiring and research fit; someone maintaining a clinical practice must also determine whether required campus visits or fieldwork are workable.
Where can I work with a Counseling degree in South?
Potential workplaces include university counseling departments, community mental health organizations, school systems, hospitals, government agencies, and private practices. The doctorate's value differs across them: universities may seek research and teaching experience, while service organizations may value supervision, evaluation, and leadership. Clinical practice depends on the license required by the state where services are delivered, not the doctorate alone (state counseling boards).
Compare opportunities at the level where you intend to live. A program's local school or clinic partnerships may be useful if you want to remain nearby; they may matter less if your target is a national faculty search. In rural areas, ask whether the program can support placements and research relationships without repeated travel to a distant metro area.
The U.S. median annual wage associated with counselor education and supervision was $75,350 in May 2025 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). This is an occupational benchmark, not a starting salary or a measured return on a particular doctorate. Pay depends on the job obtained, employer, experience, and location; a doctoral student who already has a licensed practice should compare prospective earnings with that existing income.
Other counseling roles have different pay structures. The following national figures use the same May 2025 reference period, making them useful for comparing career directions rather than estimating a particular Southern job offer (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Career direction
U.S. median annual wage, May 2025
Decision implication
Counselor education and supervision
$75,350
Relevant to teaching and supervision goals; faculty positions also depend on research fit and openings.
School counseling
$64,330
Compare the doctorate's cost with the pay scale of the school system you hope to join.
Clinical mental health or addiction counseling
$59,350
Clinical earnings alone may not justify doctoral study for an already licensed counselor.
Rehabilitation counseling
$46,850
Evaluate whether doctoral training changes your likely role, not merely your credential.
Program titles can look similar while the practical choice turns on delivery, degree structure, and the work students want to do afterward. These distinctions are useful starting points for comparing the programs featured in the ranking; confirm current course requirements, assistantships, residency rules, and student outcomes directly with each department before applying (institutional program descriptions).
Liberty University: Its Counselor Education and Supervision PhD is offered through Liberty's online division. That delivery makes it an option for counselors who need to remain employed, provided required research work and any in-person obligations fit their schedule.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville: The PhD in Counselor Education offers a public-university route to a discipline-specific doctorate. Compare its delivery and assistantship conditions with online-oriented choices if you need both employment flexibility and substantial faculty mentoring.
University of North Texas: Its PhD explicitly combines counselor education and supervision. That pairing is worth examining for applicants who want their doctoral training to support both teaching counselors and overseeing their professional development.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro: The Counseling and Counselor Education PhD names counseling as well as preparation of future counselors in its degree focus. Applicants with a research question grounded in counseling practice should compare potential faculty advisers and dissertation expectations here.
William & Mary: Its Counselor Education PhD sits within the School of Education. This is a useful option to investigate if your intended work connects counselor preparation with education settings or policy; confirm which faculty can supervise your specific topic.
Sam Houston State University: Its Counselor Education PhD has requirements published in the university's graduate catalog. Use that formal degree plan to test whether required coursework and dissertation milestones fit your existing preparation, rather than comparing programs by title alone.
North Carolina A&T State University: Its Counselor Education and Supervision doctorate provides another public-university pathway in North Carolina. Applicants comparing options within the state should focus on adviser fit and funding offers, which can change the value of otherwise similar degrees.
James Madison University: The doctorate's title emphasizes Counseling and Supervision. It merits a close look from working supervisors seeking a research degree, with particular attention to how supervised practice and dissertation work are organized.
University of Central Florida: Counselor Education is offered within an Education PhD rather than as a separately titled counseling PhD. That structure may appeal to students whose research crosses education and counseling; check how much of the required curriculum lies outside the concentration.
University of Mississippi: Its Counselor Education PhD is a discipline-specific option at a public university. For applicants considering Mississippi practice or employment, compare its faculty connections and net cost with programs across state lines before choosing on tuition alone.
None of these descriptions establishes a placement advantage or a guaranteed funding package. Request current program-level evidence - including time to degree, completion, assistantship terms, and graduate destinations - before treating a feature as decisive.
For someone entering with a relevant master's degree, planning for roughly three to five years of full-time doctoral work is more prudent than assuming a short, fixed completion date. Part-time study can take longer, especially when dissertation research must be completed alongside paid counseling work. These are planning ranges, not promises; ask each program for its own recent time-to-degree results and maximum completion period.
Course schedules tell only part of the story. Before accepting an offer, establish when research methods courses run, when you can begin the dissertation, whether teaching or clinical assignments are required, and how often you must travel to campus. An accelerated coursework sequence is not necessarily a faster doctorate if adviser availability or dissertation progress becomes the bottleneck.
An online doctorate can let an employed counselor stay near existing clients, family, and professional networks. On-campus study can make face-to-face research collaboration, teaching assignments, and access to faculty easier to arrange. Neither format is automatically more rigorous or more likely to satisfy licensure rules; compare the actual accredited program, experiences, and outcomes (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; state counseling boards).
Ask online programs whether instruction is live or self-paced, whether campus residencies are mandatory, and where supervision or fieldwork may occur. Ask campus programs how often doctoral students receive funded teaching or research appointments. If you plan to practice across state lines, verify requirements with the board in the state where you intend to seek licensure before assuming an online or campus doctorate will qualify you.
There is no single reliable price for a counseling doctorate across the South. Published graduate tuition figures may cover tuition and fees but not doctoral credits, required visits, research expenses, or the time spent away from paid work; institutional averages are not program-specific bills (National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS). For a meaningful comparison, request a written estimate based on your residency status and expected enrollment pattern.
Public-university in-state and out-of-state rates can differ, while private nonprofit institutions set their own prices. Neither category determines what you will pay after assistantships and grants. Compare the most affordable counseling programs as an initial screen, then calculate total expected charges across the likely duration, less confirmed aid. Add travel, insurance, dissertation costs, and foregone earnings. A lower annual price may cost more overall if funding ends before you finish.
Start with program-specific research and teaching assistantships, tuition waivers, fellowships, and employer education benefits. Ask whether an award lasts through dissertation work, requires a particular workload, or covers fees as well as tuition. State and institutional aid eligibility may depend on residency, enrollment, and the campus; verify those rules rather than assuming a nearby public university will charge you its resident rate (institutional financial aid offices).
Federal graduate loan rules also matter for students entering in 2027. New graduate borrowers generally cannot rely on Graduate PLUS for loan periods beginning July 1, 2026; limited transition provisions may apply to eligible continuing students. Check your own status and current borrowing options with Federal Student Aid and the school's aid office before building a budget around that loan. Borrowing should be weighed against expected career changes, not the assumption that a doctorate automatically increases clinical pay (Federal Student Aid).
View the chart data as a table
Best score distribution across ranked programs (Source: Research.com)
Category
Value
65-69
1
70-74
0
75-79
0
80-84
5
85-89
29
90-94
1
Expect programs to examine your master's education, counseling or related professional experience, academic record, references, statement of purpose, and research interests. Requirements differ: some doctoral programs expect a counseling master's degree and evidence of clinical preparation, while others assess closely related backgrounds individually. Check each program's official admissions page for current prerequisites, application materials, and transfer-credit rules (institutional admissions offices).
Match proposed research interests to faculty before applying. Also ask whether the program expects an existing counseling license and whether it can remedy any missing master's-level coursework. Admission to a doctorate does not itself replace the education, supervised experience, or examination required for licensure (state counseling boards).
Core doctoral work commonly covers advanced counseling theory, counselor supervision, teaching, ethics, qualitative and quantitative research, and dissertation development (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; institutional catalogs). The balance is consequential: someone seeking a faculty job needs opportunities to teach and publish, while an agency leader may place greater weight on supervision and program evaluation.
Read the degree plan rather than relying on course titles. Determine which classes are required, how often they are offered, and whether clinical training supplements or merely assumes skills acquired in a previous master's program. If you hope to change clinical specialty, ask whether the doctorate actually contains the coursework your intended licensing board requires.
Doctoral students may focus research and supervised work on school counseling, clinical mental health, addiction, rehabilitation, couples and families, or counselor supervision. A research focus is not necessarily a formal concentration, and a concentration is not a separate practice license. Confirm what appears on the transcript and which faculty and placements support it (institutional catalogs; state counseling boards).
Choose a focus by the work you want after graduation. School counseling interests call for checking state school-credential rules; clinical interests call for checking the relevant counseling board. If you primarily want to teach broadly across a counselor education curriculum, strong research and supervision preparation may matter more than a narrowly named specialty.
Start with the intended job, then work backward to the credential and evidence you need. A ranking can narrow the search, but the strongest investment is the program that supports your research, career, and financial circumstances. The most valuable counseling programs offer another comparison lens; neither list replaces an individual cost-and-outcomes check.
Use these steps to test a shortlist before committing:
Confirm whether your goal is faculty research, supervision, leadership, or clinical practice - and whether a doctorate is required for it.
Verify institutional accreditation, relevant programmatic accreditation, and any education rules with the licensing board in your intended state.
Ask for program-level completion, time-to-degree, funding, and graduate-destination information; note when a school can provide only institution-wide figures.
Calculate net cost across the likely completion period, including living costs, travel, debt, lost earnings, and the chance of taking longer than planned.
Speak with potential advisers about dissertation fit, teaching opportunities, and how their students receive feedback and finish.
For return on investment, compare plausible post-degree earnings with your current earnings over a realistic time horizon, accounting for aid, borrowing costs, completion probability, and the value of work you give up while enrolled. The most common mistake is using an occupational median salary as if it were the salary increase caused by the degree.
Counselor educator, researcher, clinical supervisor, counseling-program director, and senior service leader are plausible doctoral paths. A faculty applicant should build a record of teaching and research during the degree; an aspiring supervisor should document relevant supervised work and check employer and board standards. Existing licensure often remains important for clinical leadership (institutional doctoral program descriptions; state counseling boards).
If your preferred role is direct counseling, first determine whether it requires a doctorate at all. A licensed master's-level counselor may find that targeted training, a new setting, or a leadership assignment meets the goal with less time and debt. Conversely, a counselor committed to teaching future clinicians or conducting independent research has a clearer reason to pursue doctoral study.
View the chart data as a table
Median wage by counseling career path (U.S., BLS May 2025) (Source: BLS)
Category
Value
Psychologists
99,110
Postsecondary Teachers
85,330
Marriage & Family Therapists
66,940
School & Career Counselors
64,330
Mental Health Counselors
59,350
Rehabilitation Counselors
46,850
National employment for counselor education and supervision roles is projected to grow 2.5% during 2025-2035 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). That is a narrower signal than the 18% projection for clinical mental health and addiction counseling over the same period: demand for counseling services should not be mistaken for equally rapid growth in doctoral faculty or supervisor positions. These are U.S. projections, not Southern state forecasts.
Search the market you actually plan to enter. Faculty openings may require a particular research specialty and willingness to move; clinical leadership opportunities depend on local employers and licensure. Compare positions near prospective universities with openings where you would be willing to live. The most popular counseling programs can show another way to explore options, but program popularity is not evidence of local hiring demand.
2027 Best Doctorate in Counseling Degree Programs Ranking in the South
Investing in a doctorate is a consequential decision, so Research.com evaluates programs using more than name recognition. Its team combines graduate outcomes and accreditation with a smaller cost component, helping readers identify programs worth investigating while leaving room to weigh personal fit, funding, and state licensure rules.
For the Best ranking, the graduate-outcomes-and-accreditation score weights program completion at 40%, employment or doctoral admission at 20%, licensure exam pass rates at 20% where applicable, CACREP programmatic accreditation at 16%, and federal Title IV eligibility at 4%. Inapplicable criteria are excluded and the remaining weights adjusted. Program cost accounts for about 7% of the final score. The same approach applies to online and campus programs; rankings named for a single dimension order programs by that dimension.
The ranking draws on the following sources to check institutional, program, and outcome information:
IPEDS database - institutional reporting on enrollment, completion, and costs.
These measures provide a starting point, not a substitute for checking current program requirements, available funding, or outcomes for the particular doctorate you want. Read more about Research.com's ranking methodology.
# 1 position
Liberty University
Doctor
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
Delivery mode: hybrid
94.33
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
79.35%
GPA range
3.25 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: April 30; Spring: September 30
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Master's degree from an accredited institution meeting CACREP entry-level standards, minimum 3.25 GPA; applicants with a related master's (counseling, psychology, human services) may need M.A.-level prerequisite courses first.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts, two recommendations, 300-word letter of intent, vita (counseling license or 1+ year clinical experience), 3-5 page APA case vignette, possible interview, TOEFL if needed. Nine required intensive courses are held in Lynchburg, VA.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Liberty University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 94.33/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 2 position
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Doctor
PhD in Counselor Education
Delivery mode: campus
89.65
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3-4 years full-time
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
73 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
November 1 (Fall entry only)
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Master's degree in counseling or a closely related profession, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program, prior to beginning the program
Additional requirements
Resume/CV, Letter of Introduction, Ethical Integration Statement, transcripts, three completed references (at least two by deadline); GRE not required; if invited, on-campus interview including a 2-3 page written response to a case study
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 89.65/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-10-31.
# 3 position
University of North Texas
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Delivery mode: campus
89.53
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3-4 years
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
72 semester credits
GPA range
3.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
90.9% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: Nov 15
GRE
yes
Prerequisites
Master's degree in a counseling-related field (expected to meet requirements of a CACREP-accredited master's degree in counseling; deficiency coursework / CACREP equivalency worksheet required if not CACREP-accredited)
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of North Texas earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 89.53/100, supported by 90.9% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 4 position
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Doctor
PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education
Delivery mode: campus
88.41
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years full-time
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Application deadline
November 15
Class size
8
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
Designed for experienced counseling professionals
Additional requirements
Online graduate application; three professional recommendation letters (mostly academic); resume or CV; personal statement on interest in the doctoral degree and post-graduation aspirations; undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of North Carolina at Greensboro earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 88.41/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-04-30.
# 5 position
William & Mary
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education
Delivery mode: campus
88.41
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Three years, full-time
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
69 semester credits
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Master's degree in counseling (CACREP-accredited preferred); foundations in educational research
Additional requirements
Unofficial transcript(s), a personal statement, a resume/CV, and three recommendations; interview (on-campus or online format) required for top candidates.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
William & Mary earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 88.41/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-10-31.
# 6 position
Sam Houston State University
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education
Delivery mode: hybrid
88.17
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
60 semester credits
Acceptance rate
47.83%
GPA range
3.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
90% (2022-23)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2022-23)
Application deadline
March 1
Application process
direct
GRE
Conditional: GRE General Test required if master's GPA is below 3.5
Prerequisites
CACREP accredited master's degree in counseling (or 60-hour equivalent); must currently have or be eligible to work towards an LPC per Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council requirements.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts showing bachelor's and master's degrees from a CACREP or equivalent institution; master's GPA of 3.5+ (GRE required if below 3.5); personal statement (1000 words max); three professional references; finalist interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Sam Houston State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 88.17/100, supported by 90% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-10-31.
# 7 position
North Carolina A & T State University
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision
Delivery mode: campus
88.11
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
63 semester credits
GPA range
3.25 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
November 20 (priority, for Fall admission)
Application process
direct
GRE
yes
Prerequisites
Students entering with a master's degree in a field other than counseling must complete prerequisite/entry-level counseling courses (e.g., COUN 708, 743, 764) required by CACREP standards.
Additional requirements
Online application, application fee, official transcripts (undergraduate and master's), GRE score, professional/personal statement outlining career plans, resume, and three professional letters of recommendation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
North Carolina A & T State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 88.11/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-04-30.
# 8 position
James Madison University
Doctor
Counseling and Supervision, Ph.D.
Delivery mode: hybrid
87.49
/ 100
Final score
Program length
designed to be completed in 3 years
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
89% (2025-26)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2025-26)
Application deadline
January 5
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Advanced degree (M.A., M.S. or Ed.S.) from an entry-level counseling program of at least 60 credits meeting counselor licensure coursework requirements. CACREP graduates receive preference.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts; counseling-focused resume; three recommendations (incl. academic and clinical supervisor); 10+ page APA writing sample; 2,000+ word personal statement. Top applicants interviewed in late January or early February.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
James Madison University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 87.49/100, supported by 89% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 9 position
University of Central Florida
Doctor
Education (PhD) – Counselor Education
Delivery mode: campus
87.28
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
69 semester credits
Acceptance rate
29%
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: December 1
Application process
direct
GRE
yes
Prerequisites
A Master's degree in Counseling (or a closely related field), post-master's experience, and master's level competency in educational research and statistics.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Central Florida earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 87.28/100, with 100% employment or doctoral admission rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 10 position
University of Mississippi
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education
Delivery mode: campus
87.22
/ 100
Final score
Program length
4 years
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
68 semester credits
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
February 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Completed master's degree in counseling or a related degree program; preference given to applicants who are graduates of CACREP accredited programs.
Additional requirements
Graduate School application with official transcripts, statement of purpose, resume, contact information for three references, and an interview with faculty.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of Mississippi earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 87.22/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-04-30.
# 11 position
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Delivery mode: hybrid
87.19
/ 100
Final score
Program length
minimum of three years of full-time study
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
64 semester credits
Acceptance rate
100%
GPA range
3.26 - 4.00
Program completion rate
83% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Fall: February 2; Spring: September 2
Class size
7
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree; appropriate master's (e.g., MDiv with Marriage and Family Counseling, MA in mental health, or equivalent); master's-level biblical studies, theology, and counseling courses; 3 hours of graduate research/statistics.
Additional requirements
Completed application, Church Statement, Statement of Call and Purpose, official transcripts, background check; no entrance exam required for Counselor Education and Supervision; required in-person interview with the division.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 87.19/100, supported by 83% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2031-03-31.
# 12 position
Georgia State University
Doctor
Counselor Education and Practice, Ph.D.
Delivery mode: campus
87.19
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
87 semester credits
Acceptance rate
37%
GPA range
2.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: December 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Master's degree in Counseling or closely related clinical field; minimum 700-hour practicum or internship, and/or licensure as a master's level clinician or certification as a rehabilitation counselor.
Additional requirements
Online application; Goals Statement (500 words, reasons for pursuing the Ph.D. and faculty of interest); resume; three letters of recommendation; writing sample; bachelor's and master's transcripts; possible on-campus interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Georgia State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 87.19/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2027-10-31.
# 13 position
Tennessee Tech University
Doctor
Counseling and Supervision - Ph.D.
Delivery mode: campus
87.19
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
100% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
December 1
Application process
direct
GRE
optional
Prerequisites
Master's degree in counseling or closely related program from an accredited institution
Additional requirements
Three letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, CV/resume, writing sample, optional GRE, interview, transcripts, proof of residency
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tennessee Tech University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 87.19/100, supported by 100% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 14 position
Mississippi State University
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Delivery mode: campus
86.77
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years, including summers
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
81 semester credits
GPA range
3.40 - 4.00
Program completion rate
90% (2023-24)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2023-24)
Application deadline
Priority: February 1; rolling thereafter until spots filled
Application process
direct
GRE
yes
Prerequisites
Masters degree, or its equivalent, from a fully accredited institution; must hold a masters degree from a CACREP or CORE accredited counselor education program or satisfy the CACREP/CORE masters curriculum requirements in their doctoral program of study.
Additional requirements
Official transcripts; GRE scores (within 5 years); three letters of recommendation; personal statement (incl. at least two years of full-time work experience); on-campus interview with clinical skills demonstration; vita; writing samples.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Mississippi State University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.77/100, supported by 90% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-10-31.
# 15 position
University of Arkansas
Doctor
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision
Delivery mode: campus
86.75
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
80 semester credits
GPA range
3.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
92% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Spring: Sept 15; Summer/Fall: Jan 15
Application process
direct
GRE
yes
Prerequisites
Completed master’s degree in counseling or its equivalent in areas specified by CACREP, and preferably one year post-master’s professional counseling experience or the equivalent
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Arkansas earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.75/100, supported by 92% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2029-03-31.
# 16 position
East Carolina University
Doctor
PhD in Counselor Preparation and Research
Delivery mode: campus
86.60
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
61 semester credits
GPA range
3.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
97% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall: March 15; Spring: October 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Master's degree from a CACREP accredited program; earned GPA of 3.5 in all graduate work; two years of post-masters related professional experience preferred.
Additional requirements
Written statement of research interests and plans; two professional/academic references; personal interview with faculty; transcripts from CACREP-accredited master's program; resume.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
East Carolina University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.6/100, supported by 97% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2032-03-31.
# 17 position
Old Dominion University
Doctor
Ph.D. in Education - Counseling Concentration
Delivery mode: campus
86.38
/ 100
Final score
Program length
3 years
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
60 semester credits
Application deadline
November 1
Application process
direct
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Master's degree from a CACREP-accredited program or equivalent; missing doctoral prerequisite courses must be completed as part of the Ph.D.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Old Dominion University earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.38/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2028-03-31.
# 18 position
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Doctor
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development – Concentration in Counseling and Counselor Education
Delivery mode: campus
86.31
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
60 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
December 1
Application process
direct
GRE
yes
Prerequisites
Master's degree in counseling or an equivalent degree with master's-level coursework equivalent to a 60-credit-hour CACREP-accredited program.
Additional requirements
Online application, resume, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, personal statement (max 5 pages), official transcripts, official TOEFL for international students, writing sample upon request, and an interview.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
North Carolina State University at Raleigh earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.31/100. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2030-03-31.
# 19 position
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Delivery mode: campus
86.04
/ 100
Final score
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
GPA range
3.50 - 4.00
Program completion rate
75% (2023-24)
Application deadline
December 1
Application process
direct
Prerequisites
CACREP-approved master's in counseling with a 3.5+ GPA; degrees under 60 credits or non-CACREP may need prerequisite courses via transcript audit; one year of professional counseling experience preferred.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of North Carolina at Charlotte earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.04/100, with 75% program completion rate among the verified supporting factors. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2034-10-31.
# 20 position
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Doctor
Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Delivery mode: campus
86.02
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2-3 years full-time (estimated completion time)
Specialization
Counselor Education and Supervision
Required credits
69 semester credits
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Program completion rate
67% (2024-25)
Employment or doctoral admission
100% (2024-25)
Application deadline
Fall 2027: February 1 (priority/international)
Class size
15
Application process
UT San Antonio Graduate Application (Liaison/CAS)
GRE
no
Prerequisites
Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution; adequate completed credit hours or foreign institution equivalent coursework as preparation for the program.
Additional requirements
Transcripts from all institutions attended, credential evaluation (if foreign credit), English language proficiency scores (if applicable), Purpose Statement, Resume, 2 letters of recommendation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The University of Texas at San Antonio earned a Research.com Counseling Program Score of 86.02/100, supported by 67% program completion rate and 100% employment or doctoral admission rate. The program is CACREP-accredited, valid through 2033-10-31.
Frequently asked questions about Counseling degree in South
Is a counseling doctorate worth it?
It can be if you need research, teaching, or advanced supervision preparation and can secure funding that makes the career change affordable. It is harder to justify solely as a way to raise earnings in a clinical job you can already hold with a master's degree and license.
Do I need a master's degree first?
Many counselor education doctorates expect relevant master's-level preparation. Check each program's admissions requirements and ask how it evaluates degrees outside counseling.
Will a PhD qualify me for counseling licensure?
Not automatically. State boards separately assess education, supervised experience, and examinations; check the board where you intend to practice before enrolling.
Does an online counseling doctorate require campus visits?
It may. Ask about residencies, live classes, dissertation meetings, and in-person clinical or supervisory work; "online" does not establish that every requirement can be completed remotely.
What matters more: CACREP accreditation or institutional accreditation?
They address different things. Check the institution's accreditation and whether the specific program holds relevant CACREP recognition, then confirm what your intended employer or state board requires (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; state counseling boards).
Can I work while earning the doctorate?
Often, but the feasibility depends on course scheduling, assistantship duties, required experiences, and dissertation progress. Ask current students how they balance employment with the program's actual workload.
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