Palo Alto University Launches New PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision

Palo Alto University (PAU) will begin accepting applications for its new PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program, the first residential program of its kind in Northern California, starting in September 2023 for the fall 2024 term.   The program is designed for professional counselors who are interested in becoming advanced level clinicians and supervisors, counseling program faculty, and administrators in higher education, K-12 organizations, and community agencies.   “We have taken an innovative approach in developing the program,” said Margaret Lamar, Associate Department Chair of Doctoral Education. “It will be very hands-on and practical, preparing graduates to be the next generation of leaders in moving the counseling profession forward.”    An expert faculty, robust internship options, and personalized research plans prepare participants for multiple career options by developing an individual’s expertise in:   

• Graduate-level teaching and counselor preparation
• Research and scholarship
• Counseling supervision
• Organizational leadership in professional organizations, community agencies, K-12 schools, and higher education settings.

The Counselor Education and Supervision program strives to advance the counseling profession by training leaders who promote anti-oppressive pedagogy, scholarship, supervision, advocacy, and practice. The curriculum and educational experiences, such as the innovative multiple article dissertation and internship program, are designed to prepare individuals for the real, day-to-day work of a counselor educator.  

Program Delivery

Students must reside in California within sufficient proximity to Palo Alto University to permit participation in all in-person activities and to utilize campus resources.    

Who should apply?

• Licensed professional counselors (e.g., LPCC, LPC, LMHC)
• Graduates of CACREP-accredited counseling programs
• School counselors
• Marriage and family counselors (e.g., LMFT and LMFC)
• Associate professional clinical counselors or post-graduate counselors working towards licensure.

For more information about the program and admissions requirements go to PhD in Counselor Education Supervision.