Curriculum in the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision

In the CES program at CCU, students will be equipped to embody the highest standards and practices of servant leadership within their roles as counselor educators, scientists, supervisors, and mental health and social advocates. The program will provide Christ-centered, biblically informed, professionally competent, and transformative counselor education and research opportunities for doctoral students as they explore the intersection of Christian theology and counselor education and supervision.

Ph.D. in CES Learning Objectives

The CES curriculum is designed to help you attain the following skills:

• Advanced Professional Counseling: Demonstrate proficiency in advancing evidence-based and research-informed clinical mental health counseling practice and delivering counseling services in multicultural communities.
• Supervision: Demonstrate supervisory competencies relevant to the counseling profession.
• Teaching: Implement instructional theories, facilitate learning across academic environments and modalities (e.g., online, in-person, hybrid, etc.), and engage in program evaluation and assessments in counselor education.
• Research and Scholarship: Develop advanced clinical research skills, promote the counseling discipline through the generation of new knowledge and theory, and demonstrate excellence as a scientist in the mental health disciplines.
• Leadership and Advocacy: Identify the role and ethical obligations related to advocacy in the counseling profession and diverse communities, critique the value and knowledge components of cultural, philosophical, and ethical dimensions of counseling and mental health care issues, and apply leadership skills in academia and clinical practice.
• Biblical Foundations: Synthesize biblical principles, natural and behavioral sciences, and techniques for application to different areas of counseling, counselor education, counselor supervision, scholarly inquiry, and leadership and advocacy.

Dissertation

CCU's CES program takes a different approach than traditional doctoral programs, which usually require students to complete a set of courses before starting their dissertation. In CCU's program, you will be introduced to the dissertation process, including the necessary dispositions and expectations for scholarly work, when you begin the program.

You will take part in various research courses that are designed to help you develop the skills you need for doctoral research. Each course has specific milestones that guide you through crucial activities such as reviewing research literature, selecting a research topic, creating a dissertation proposal, carrying out the research, and defending your dissertation. This step-by-step approach will give you the confidence and skills to be a successful doctoral researcher.

Admission Requirements for the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision

Admission to the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program at Colorado Christian University is a selective process. Each applicant is evaluated carefully based on their potential to become a leader in the counseling profession, ability to contribute to the program, and ability to contribute to the counseling profession. The application review process will assess academic aptitude for doctoral-level study, previous or current professional experience, professional dispositions consistent with professional practice, including self-awareness and emotional stability, oral and written communication skills, cultural sensitivity and awareness, and potential for scholarship, professional leadership, and advocacy.

Admission to the CES program is not guaranteed and is determined by the CES admissions committee. Applicants must complete all admission requirements before being considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

To be admitted to the Summer/Fall 2026 Cohort:

• Priority Deadline: September 19, 2025 – Application and all required admissions materials must be submitted by this date to be considered for a priority review.
• Regular Deadline: January 30, 2026  – Application and all required admissions materials must be submitted by this date to be considered for a review.
  
  After the review, faculty will send individual and group interview invitations to the selected applicants. Interviews will be conducted virtually. Additional information about the interview dates will be provided following the application reviews.

Admission Requirements for the Ph.D. in CES Program

To be considered for admission to Colorado Christian University's Ph. D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Admission Application: Applicants must submit the application for admission online.
• Identification: Applicants must submit a valid state-issued driver's license, state-issued ID card, or valid passport.
• Educational Background: Applicants must have completed a master’s degree in counseling, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program. For those who do not hold a CACREP-accredited degree, it is required that they cover the following requirements according to CACREP requirements: 

  
  CACREP entry-level foundational curricular standard

  CACREP entry-level professional practice standards, and

  At least one CACREP entry-level specialized practice area requirements (such as Addiction Counseling, Career Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, College Counseling and Student Affairs, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, or School Counseling).

• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts of all postsecondary schools attended must be submitted, showing a master's degree earned from an accredited institution.
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume: Applicants must submit a formal curriculum vitae or resumé along with their application.
• Academic Performance: Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in their graduate coursework.
• Professional Experience & Licensure/Certifications: Applicants must fulfill one of two requirements: Either possess a valid license to practice as a professional/clinical mental health counselor in one or more U.S. states, or they must be working towards obtaining such a license while practicing in the field of counseling. Furthermore, having at least one year of clinical experience after completing their graduate studies is highly desirable. Applicants must record their licensure status along with the license number (if available) on their curriculum vitae or Resume.
• Statement of Purpose: Applicants must submit both (a) a written statement of purpose and (b) a video recording. In the statement of purpose, please provide an overview of your academic and professional background, outline your teaching, and research interests, and clearly demonstrate how these interests align with the program's mission and goals. Please ensure that your statement of purpose does not exceed 500 words. Additionally, in the video response, please address the following questions (each question takes 3-5 minutes):
  
  • Please introduce yourself, highlighting any experiences that are relevant to your teaching, research, and leadership interests.
  • How do your professional experiences, values, and interests qualify you to contribute to CCU's Ph.D. in CES program's mission and objectives? Please review the program's mission and learning objectives.
  • Self-reflection is an essential aspect of personal and professional growth. Please share an example of a time when you engaged in self-reflection, how it influenced your understanding of your own identity and values, and how you plan to continue this practice throughout your doctoral studies and future career in counselor education and supervision.
• Letters of Recommendation/Professional References: Applicants are required to submit three professional references. These reference forms must be completed by professionals who have knowledge of the applicant's academic and professional background and can provide a comprehensive evaluation of their potential for success in the program. One of the forms must be from a professor who has taught the applicant, while another should be from a supervisor who has worked with them in a professional capacity. The third reference should come from a religious leader associated with the applicant's place of worship, such as a pastor or deacon, who can speak to their character. If the applicants do not identify with a religion or spirituality, they may provide a reference from a community service provider they have worked with or someone who knows the applicant well in a professional setting and can speak to their character. References from friends or family members are not acceptable.
• Writing Sample: Applicants must provide a writing sample in response to the following prompt to demonstrate their academic writing skills and proficiency in APA formatting. The essay should not exceed 600 words in the main content (excluding references).
  • Explain the rationale for pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education and Supervision and articulate how this choice aligns with your professional identity. Integrate two peer-reviewed journal articles and the ACA Code of Ethics into your paper.
• Interview: Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a group interview and an individual interview with the program faculty and/or admissions committee. An invitation to interview is not a guarantee of acceptance to the program.
  • Note: Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program, as admission is highly competitive. The program may also consider other factors, such as leadership potential and fit with the program's values and culture.
• Criminal Background Check: A criminal background check through CastleBranch from every country the student lived in during the past seven years. Applicants should consult with their enrollment counselor before placing their Castlebranch order.

Transfer Courses

In accordance with CCU's Graduate Residency Policy, students transferring from a regionally accredited institution may transfer up to twelve (12) approved semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited doctoral program toward the Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision degree. The remaining hours must be completed at CCU.

International Students

CCU cannot enroll students with any type of VISA, even a work VISA, into the Counselor Education and Supervision program, including the online counseling degree cohort, since it is against the law for international students to attend the required on-site program residencies on a VISA.

Time Limitation

All work applied toward the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program must be completed within a six-year period from the date of enrollment. After the six-year period, any student who has not completed the requirements to graduate will be required to complete a Petition for Exception to Academic Policy. Continuing study is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Dean of the School of Counseling. Students are required to adhere to the most current Academic Catalog, CAGS Student Handbook, applicable program manuals, fees, and tuition rates.

Students who need to step out of the cohort and who have not attended a class for a period of 365 days will need to reapply to the program, have an updated interview, and, if accepted, will then be held to the current catalog standards. Stepping out of the cohort will result in delayed completion of the student's program.

To submit application-related materials that were not already submitted through the online application, email them to AdmissionsSupport@ccu.edu or mail them to:

Colorado Christian University
Attn: Registration Services/Transcripts
8787 W. Alameda Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80226