Belmont University’s Mental Health Counseling Ph.D. program has earned full accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Belmont’s accrediting body. The program, housed in College of Theology and Christian Ministry, trains master’s level mental health professionals who are interested in becoming doctoral-level professors ready to train tomorrow’s mental health professionals, or highly skilled clinicians who work with clients in a variety of settings across the mental health care continuum.
Belmont’s program offers two specialty tracks—Advanced Clinical Practice and Counselor Education & Supervision—to equip mental health professionals with enhanced counseling and research skills and stronger treatment efficacy while exploring connections between personal spiritual beliefs, biases and client diversity.
“We are filling a gap within doctoral degree counseling programs in Tennessee through our unique teaching approach,” said Associate Director of Mental Health Counseling Dr. Tom Knowles-Bagwell. “Spiritually-guided and research-informed curriculum will train students to provide excellent care to those seeking support and address the depth and complexity of human suffering.”
The doctoral program utilizes a hybrid of online and face-to-face instruction each term. Applications are accepted throughout the calendar year, and admissions decisions are made as applications are submitted.
Courses include spiritual development, mental health care in contemporary societies, theories of change, vocational discernment and global spiritual traditions.
