CCU Launches Doctoral Degree in Counselor Education and Supervision
University Embraces Opportunity to Meet Increasing Demand for Educators in the Counseling Profession
Colorado Christian University (CCU), the flagship Christian university in the Rocky Mountain region, is proud to announce a new doctoral degree program, the second in its more than 100-year legacy of providing Christ-centered higher education. The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies was developed in response to a growing demand for counseling leaders, such as educators, supervisors, researchers, and mental health and social advocates with a biblical worldview.
“Counseling addresses the elements of humanity which we all share – identity, purpose, belonging, and meaning – each of which is grounded in the truth of the gospel,” said Dr. Selin Philip, director of the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program and an associate professor of counseling. “For this reason, there’s a growing focus on religion and spirituality as coping skills in mental health care and a greater demand for counselors who practice the Christian faith. This has created a corresponding need for more educators, supervisors, and researchers who can train them in biblical truth.”
The primary objective of doctoral degree programs in Counselor Education and Supervision is to provide comprehensive training and preparation for future leaders in counseling. CCU’s Ph.D. program in CES encompasses all of the foundational knowledge required of doctoral graduates to excel in counselor education and supervision roles, both in academic and clinical settings. Additionally, the program places significant emphasis on fostering a biblical worldview throughout the curriculum.
“We have a clear mission to prepare, empower and train future educators, supervisors, and researchers,” said Philip. “Upon completion of their Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, students will possess the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to both faith-based and secular graduate counseling programs. Our aim is to send them out as ambassadors of the gospel, equipped to make a positive impact in their professional endeavors.”
"The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision is a further commitment by CCU to address the growing mental health crisis we're facing, including increased suicide rates, depression, and hopelessness among American youth and adult populations” said Eric Hogue, CCU’s president-elect. “By training up the next generation of leaders and educators we can positively impact our world.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roles in the field of mental health counseling are expected to increase 22% between 2021-2031, faster than the average for all other professions.
“Our doctoral program aims to ensure there is a steady pipeline of competent counselor educators for future generations of counselors-in-training,” said Philip. “It offers an opportunity to further equip and prepare CCU graduates in the mission to change the world with grace and truth.”
Colorado Christian University recently surpassed 1,000 students in its Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MACMHC) program, representing two-thirds of all graduate students at CCU. The launch of a School of Counseling was a natural and strategic next step for the institution, followed now by the institution’s first Ph.D. program.
Learn more at ccu.edu/ces.