Overview
About the program
Trevecca’s Ph.D. Clinical Counseling: Teaching and Supervision is a unique and celebrated doctoral program with a strong reputation throughout Middle Tennessee. Established in 2007, the Ph.D. program exists to equip students to become competent mental health professionals, counselor educators, supervisors, researchers, and leaders in the field who will use their skills in service to others. Trevecca’s Ph.D. Clinical Counseling program is a CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs) accredited Ph.D. program located in Nashville, TN that provides mental health professionals with the opportunity to develop an integrated worldview emphasizing compassionate service as a counselor educator and supervisor.
Trevecca’s Ph.D. Clinical Counseling program’s distinguished faculty members are current leaders, researchers, and practitioners in Nashville’s mental health community. Faculty members mentor and guide students through the rigors of the program while creating supportive and collaborative classroom environments that focus on a unique personal growth model. Throughout the program, faculty members promote student exploration of diverse research endeavors with an emphasis on students’ individual research pursuits.
The Ph.D. Clinical Counseling: Teaching and Supervision is an advanced professional degree that enables students to:
- Become influential leaders within the professional mental health community
- Become clinical supervisors who develop and mentor future counselors
- Be effective and engaged counselor educators who equip and train future mental health professionals
- Conduct and publish professional research
- Enhance their skills as a counselor
Students can expect:
- Traditional face-to-face format
- Small class sizes within the cohort-based model
- Flexibility of attending class two half-days a week
- Program requires 66 credit hours
- Opportunity to finish the program in as little as 3 years
Programs of Study
PhD Clinical Counseling: Teaching & Supervision - Marriage & Family
PhD Clinical Counseling: Teaching & Supervision - Counseling
*Programs of study for students who began the program prior to fall 2013 may be requested by contacting SGCS Admissions at 615-248-1384. Please indicate the semester and year in which you began the Graduate Counseling Program in order to receive the appropriate program of study.
Program Review
General Resources
News
Core Classes
Psychodynamic Psychotherapies
CSL 7003
Prepares students to conduct time limited psychodynamic psychotherapy drawing upon psychoanalytic clinical theory. Topics covered include: psychodynamic assumptions about the mechanisms of change in treatment, the role of the unconscious and mechanisms of change in treatment, the role of the unconscious and mechanisms of defense as well as transference and counter-transference.
Course Hours: 3
Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexual Disorders
CSL 7008
Reviews theories of sexual development and the diagnosis and treatment of sexual disorders along with the psychosocial and cultural variables associated with these issues.
Course Hours: 3
Advanced Multicultural Counseling
CSL 7009
An advanced overview of counseling strategies and advocacy planning useful with varied populations, including counseling skills helpful with clients with different racial, economic, religious, and sexual orientations. An emphasis will be placed upon specific multicultural counseling skills needed in doctoral-level leadership positions.
Course Hours: 3
Issues of Integration: Christian Ideology in a Professional World
CSL 7010
Provides an overview of the theoretical, conceptual, and practical issues involved in relating one's Christian worldview to psychology, psychopathology, and psychotherapy. Emphasis will be placed on the various philosophical and practical ways practitioners resolve the tensions of faith and practice from a Christian perspective. Practical implications for conducting psychotherapy with people who have spiritual and religious concerns will be explored.
Course Hours: 3
Special Topics in Counseling
CSL 7020
This doctoral level special topics course facilitates professional development through evaluation and utilization of ethical standards, group work theories and career counseling theories. Students will develop a greater understanding and capacity to distill and articulate various perspectives that are current trends in group work, career counseling, and ethical dilemmas. As developing counselor educators, it is expected that students will attain a level of expertise in the above mentioned areas to dialogue with counselors as colleagues in general and present at professional conferences.
Course Hours: 3
Specialized Systemic Family Therapy
CSL 7104
Provides an advanced overview of systemic theory with a specific focus upon application with families. The students' learning will be enhanced with a specialized focus upon diverse groups, ethical dilemmas, and specialized family case presentations. Theoretical emphasis will be placed upon general systems theory including transgenerational, structural/strategic, and collaborative theories. The students will participate in a practicum experience in this course with direct face-to-face client contact. This course will serve as a Practicum (100 hours indirect/40 hours direct client contact).
Course Hours: 3
Psychological Testing for Counselors
CSL 7151
Studies the administration, scoring, interpretation, and reporting of the most common assessment instruments used by professional counselors. The focus will be on assessment instruments such as the MBTI, FIRO-B, Beck Scales, SASSI-3, etc. Review of ethical principles and practice issues relevant to testing will be covered.
Course Hours: 3
Supervision Models
CSL 7201
Designed to give students training and practice in supervisory and consultant roles. Various supervision models will be evaluated.
Course Hours: 3
Technology and Teaching Strategies in Counselor Education
CSL 7251
Provides an overview of counselor education including the development of professional identity. Specifically, this course focuses upon effective teaching approaches, course delivery systems (technology), as well as methods of classroom management, testing, and lecture development. This course provides the information, theory, and training necessary to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in counselor education.
Course Hours: 3
Preventative Approaches: Premarital Therapy and Enrichment Activities
CSL 7101
Focuses on preventative modes of influencing significant relationships. As such, attention will be given to pre and post relationships by developing and implementing models for soundly and thoroughly working with relationships prior to marriage as well as post-marital enrichment programs for those couples who are already married.
Course Hours: 3
Theories of Affect Regulation and Attachment (Affective Therapy)
CSL 7102
Investigates the theories and research of affect regulation and attachment from a range of disciplines and how this material might be integrated into the practice of individual, marital and family treatment/intervention. Special attention will be given to the more popular models, such as EFT or suitable alternatives.
Course Hours: 3
Professional Challenges for Counselors
CSL 7152
Focuses on practical issues that face practitioners in the 21st century: starting a practice, guidelines and procedures for referral and inter-professional collaboration, legal, ethical, and professional issues involved in working in a multidisciplinary managed care context, managing time, keeping abreast with the literature, and avoiding burnout.
Course Hours: 3
Psychopharmacological Issues in Counseling Settings
CSL 7153
Provides a general overview of current research on the use and effectiveness of psychotropic medication in the treatment of psychological disorders as well as ethical and professional implications.
Course Hours: 3
Doctoral Internship I
CSL 7360
Provides practical experience and supervision in areas consistent with academic and professional goals of the doctoral student working toward a professional counselor identity. In addition, the internship can provide direct experience in counselor education and supervision. Specifically, the internship experience provides for advanced experience with delivery of counseling services, supervision of counselors-in-training, counselor education, or consultation, depending on licensure status and internship site determination. Each semester of internship consists of a minimum of 200 hours onsite of which 80 of the 200 hours must be in direct client contact.
Course Hours: 2
Doctoral Internship II
CSL 7361
Provides practical experience and supervision in areas consistent with academic and professional goals of the doctoral student working toward a professional counselor identity. In addition, the internship can provide direct experience in counselor education and supervision. Specifically, the internship experience provides for advanced experience with delivery of counseling services, supervision of counselors-in-training, counselor education, or consultation, depending on licensure status and internship site determination. Each semester of internship consists of a minimum of 200 hours onsite of which 80 of the 200 hours must be in direct client contact.
Course Hours: 2
Doctoral Internship III
CSL 7362
Provides practical experience and supervision in areas consistent with academic and professional goals of the doctoral student working toward a professional counselor identity. In addition, the internship can provide direct experience in counselor education and supervision. Specifically, the internship experience provides for advanced experience with delivery of counseling services, supervision of counselors-in-training, counselor education, or consultation, depending on licensure status and internship site determination. Each semester of internship consists of a minimum of 200 hours onsite of which 80 of the 200 hours must be in direct client contact.
Course Hours: 2
Qualitative Research and Program Evaluation
CSL 7030
Focuses on qualitative research and evaluation methods, frameworks for quantitative and qualitative inquiry in program evaluation, qualitative data analysis, and technical writing. Students will design a qualitative program evaluation project, including data collection, coding, analysis, and write-up. Students will also develop grant writing skills.
Course Hours: 3
Doctoral Research Methodology
CSL 7301
Focuses on the development and facilitation of the dissertation process. Stress will be placed on the logistics of the dissertation project, including formulating a topic, the literature review, securing a dissertation chair and committee, and preparation of the proposal.
Course Hours: 3
Dissertation Proposal Development I
PSY 7300
Focuses on the development and facilitation of the initial stages of the dissertation process. However, a focus will be maintained throughout this course on the entire dissertation project. Specific emphasis will be placed on the logistics of the dissertation project, including formulating a topic, the introduction, the review of literature, and methodology including appropriate statistical analysis, as well as securing a dissertation chair and committee, and preparation of the formal proposal defense. The students will be introduced to a variety of dissertation options as well as strategies for successful completion. The students will complete a draft of the first chapters of their dissertation project.
Course Hours: 3
Dissertation Proposal Development II
CSL 7305
Focuses on the development and facilitation of the initial stages of the dissertation process. However, a focus will be maintained throughout this course on the entire dissertation project. Specific emphasis will be placed on the logistics of the dissertation project, including formulating a topic, the introduction, the review of literature, and methodology including appropriate statistical analysis, as well as securing a dissertation chair and committee, and preparation of the formal proposal defense. The students will be introduced to a variety of dissertation options as well as strategies for successful completion. The students will complete a draft of the first chapters of their dissertation project. This course is a continuation of CSL 7300 Dissertation Proposal Development I.
Course Hours: 3
Statistical Analysis in Clinical Practice
CSL 7302
An introduction to the use of statistics in psychology with emphasis on application to solving research related problems and design of investigations related to areas of student and professional interest.
Course Hours: 3
Dissertation Research
CSL 7303
Planning and implementation of a doctoral dissertation including literature review, problem definition, hypothesis formation, design, implementation of research project, data analysis, and report writing. The final step requires the student to successfully defend the dissertation.
Course Hours: 6
Admissions
Application Information
- Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2022 cohort.
Application Prerequisites
Due to the Ph.D. Clinical Counseling: Teaching and Supervision’s CACREP accreditation, only an individual who holds a counseling or counseling-related master’s degree may be considered for application. Additionally, all applicants to the program must have completed all (or a large majority) of the CACREP and program prerequisite, master’s-level coursework before they may be considered eligible for admittance to the program.
The following core counseling courses, or equivalency, are prerequisites for admission to the doctoral program:
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Human Growth and Development
- Group Counseling
- Career Counseling
- Helping Relationships
- Ethics
- Research
- Assessment/Testing
- Advanced Abnormal
- Practicum/Internship (minimum of two semesters)
Interested in finding out if you’re eligible to apply? Fill out the course verification information here.
Application Checklist
- Complete the online application (it's free!).
Need help applying? Read the step-by-step instructions here! - Send official transcripts to:
Trevecca Nazarene University
SGCS Admissions
333 Murfreesboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37210 - Transcripts marked "Issued to Student" are not acceptable
1. Have earned a master’s degree in counseling, marriage and family therapy, or similar counseling-related degree from an institution accredited by a CHEA-recognized regional accrediting agency or the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Students who do not meet these degree requirements may be conditionally accepted in accordance with the Conditional Admission Policy
2. Official transcripts from all institutions in which graduate-level coursework was completed.
3. An official transcript indicating undergraduate degree completed. - Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report
Verbal and quantitative combined score of 300 or higher and analytical writing score of 3.5 or higher are expected for admission. Analytical writing score of 4 is preferred. - Three (3) completed and signed recommendation forms submitted here
- One (1) character/moral reference
- Two (2) references from former professors or employers/supervisors in the counseling field who can adequately evaluate your clinical skills and capacity to complete a doctorate. (Reference form available online.) - A 400-word Letter of Intent
Specify your purpose and goals for entering the Ph.D. program. Submit the Letter of Intent by uploading your document online here - Professional/Curriculum Vita
Include degrees earned, ministry and/or counseling experience, any research and/or professional presentation experience, and career goals.
* Have questions? Contact the Enrollment Counselor with your questions or to request a meeting at hambrefe@trevecca.edu or 615-248-1546
Application documents
- Online application
- Recommendation Form (3 required)
- Immunization Information
- Course Verification Form
Please submit application after Coursework Eligibility Verification is approved by SGCS Admissions.
Financial Aid and Costs
Graduate students who are enrolled in the Ph.D. program and who are in good standing on past federal student loans are eligible to apply for a Federal Student Loan. Students are expected to be making satisfactory progress toward a degree.
Students receiving federal student loans must be enrolled for at least three (3) hours at the beginning of each semester. Failure to do so will result in all or a portion of the loan being returned to the lender.
To meet federal regulations concerning loan disbursements and refunds from loan proceeds, the University must delay the disbursement of loan proceeds until at least three weeks into each semester.
Students must submit a new application for federal aid for each year they are enrolled and want to receive federal loans. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their funds and call the financial aid office when additional funds are needed. Financial aid packets and additional information concerning financial aid may be obtained by calling the Financial Aid Office at (615) 248-1242. Students should complete a new Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) each year for classes beginning in April. The FAFSA can be completed at www.fafsa.gov. More information on the Federal Direct Loans program can be found on Trevecca’s website, www.trevecca.edu. The financial aid information can be found under Admissions.
Questions about payment or account status may be answered by contacting the Accounting Office at (615) 248-1432.
Current Tuition Costs
| Tuition | Credit Hours |
| $799/credit hour | 66 |
Additional Fees
- Technology Fee: $50/course
- Additional fees for textbooks and required materials
- Additional fees may apply
Overview
About the program
Trevecca’s Ph.D. Clinical Counseling: Teaching and Supervision is a unique and celebrated doctoral program with a strong reputation throughout Middle Tennessee. Established in 2007, the Ph.D. program exists to equip students to become counselor educators, supervisors, researchers and leaders in the field who will use their skills in service to others. Trevecca’s Ph.D. Clinical Counseling program is a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs accredited (CACREP) Ph.D. program that provides mental health professionals with the opportunity to develop an integrated worldview emphasizing compassionate service as a counselor, educator and supervisor.
The program’s distinguished faculty members are current leaders, researchers and practitioners in Nashville’s mental health community. Faculty members mentor and guide students through the rigors of the program while creating supportive and collaborative classroom environments that focus on a unique personal growth model. Throughout the program, faculty members promote student exploration of diverse research endeavors with an emphasis on students’ individual research pursuits.
In addition to our CACREP-accredited traditional, face-to-face option, an online option will be offered to students beginning in the fall of 2022. Trevecca is committed to taking necessary steps toward receiving accreditation for the online program once it launches. Progression toward accreditation for the online option will be provided as the process ensues. Both in-person and online students will be part of the same cohort as they journey through the program together. Additionally, both delivery modes will offer students the opportunity to interact in synchronous class options, research projects and discussions with experts inside and outside of our region. The online option will require a 2-3 day residency each semester and include both asynchronous and synchronous learning times. From the onset, students must choose either the online or traditional option as their primary delivery path for this degree (a hybrid version is not an option).
This advanced professional degree enables students to:
- Become influential leaders within the professional mental health community
- Become clinical supervisors who develop and mentor future counselors
- Be effective and engaged counselor educators who equip and train future mental health professionals
- Conduct and publish professional research
- Enhance their skills as a counselor
Students can expect:
- Face-to-face or online format (online option coming in the fall of 2022)
- Small class sizes within a cohort-based model
- Flexible class times (either online or through two half-day weekly options )
- Program requires 66 credit hours
- Opportunity to finish the program in as little as 10 semesters
Programs of Study
PhD Clinical Counseling: Teaching & Supervision - Marriage & Family
PhD Clinical Counseling: Teaching & Supervision - Counseling
*Programs of study for students who began the program prior to fall 2013 may be requested by contacting SGCS Admissions at 615-248-1384. Please indicate the semester and year in which you began the Graduate Counseling Program in order to receive the appropriate program of study.
To connect with the enrollment counselor, fill out the form to the right or email Heather Ambrefe.
Program Contact: Rachel Morris, Administrative Assistant for the Doctoral Program