PhD - Counselor Education & Supervision: Forensic Mental Health

Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

Walden University's online Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program with a specialization in Forensic Mental Health Counseling is designed to teach the skills and knowledge needed to provide mental health services to individuals in the criminal justice system. Some of the topics you have an opportunity to learn include mental health law, interviewing and observational strategies, treatment of forensic populations, advanced counseling theories, and crisis management. Research is a core component of the degree program, and you are required to complete a dissertation, which must be submitted and accepted before the degree can be awarded.

What Are the Prerequisites?

If you apply to Walden University's Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program with a specialization in Forensic Mental Health, you must be a licensed professional counselor. Additionally, you must have graduated from a degree program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Walden University's programs should be at least 24 years old and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent; applicants may need to complete additional requirements for some programs.

What Are the Course Requirements?

The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program with a specialization in Counseling and Social Change consists of 98 credits. The degree program is divided into core courses, a foundation research sequence, an advanced research course (one is chosen from the list below), specialization courses, a practicum, an internship, and a dissertation. Additionally, a 20-day residency is required, which consists of one 4-day and two 8-day residencies.

Core Courses

• Foundations of Graduate Study in Counselor Education and Supervision
• Professional Orientation, Ethics, and Identity
• Advanced Counseling Theories
• Professional Consultation, Program Evaluation, and Leadership
• Teaching in Counselor Education
• Social Change, Leadership, and Advocacy for Counseling Professionals
• Clinical Supervision
• Professional Counselor as Scholar-Practitioner
• Crisis Management
• Writing a Quality Prospectus

Foundation Research Sequence

• Research Theory, Design, and Methods
• Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
• Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

Advanced Research Course

• Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
• Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
• Advanced Mixed Methods Reasoning and Analysis

Specialization Courses

• Interviewing and Observational Strategies
• Treatment of Forensic Populations
• Mental Health Law

Practicum

• Counseling Practicum

Internship

• Doctoral Internship A
• Doctoral Internship B

Dissertation

• Dissertation

What Could I Do After I Graduate?

Career Opportunities

When you have finished Walden University's Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program with a specialization in Forensic Mental Health, you have an opportunity to pursue jobs in the field. Some possible employers in the criminal justice field could include family courts, juvenile justice courts, correctional institutions, and drug courts. Other potential employers include colleges and universities and community-based nonprofits. Graduates who wish to pursue counselor positions in the criminal justice system must have strong communication skills and be able to handle stressful situations. Conversely, research and teaching skills are needed for those who choose to enter into academia as educators. Some possible job titles could include:

• Professor
• Mental health counselor
• Rehabilitation counselor
• Nonprofit administrator

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Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.

Statement on Licensure

The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed counseling professional.

Professional Accreditation

The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). However, the program was developed to be in line with national standards for counselor education. Since Walden's Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision is a new program, the university is not yet able to apply for CACREP accreditation. Students will be notified at such time if the program becomes accredited in the future.