American International College
Doctor of Education in Mental Health Counseling
Springfield, USA
Doctor of Education
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 23,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus, Blended
* International resident tuition| International Commuter Tuition - $15,000
Fast-track counseling
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Key Summary
About: The Doctor of Education in Mental Health Counseling at American International College offers doctoral-level study in mental health practices and human development across the lifespan. This non-licensure program follows a scientist–practitioner model and emphasizes theory, research, practice, social justice, and serving diverse, at-risk populations. It suits students with a prior master’s who want applied research skills.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work in higher education, research, program development, nonprofit leadership, policy analysis, clinical training, and behavioral health. For already-licensed clinicians roles may include clinical supervisor and counselor educator. Other paths include program director, researcher, mental health consultant, and advocate for services.
The doctoral program in Mental Health and Human Development provides doctoral-level preparation in mental health practices and provides an in-depth understanding of human development at the doctoral level in relation to serving diverse populations. This is a non-licensure program. Students in this non-licensure program will address mental health issues, human dynamics, and social justice for a variety of cases, institutions, or workplaces. The program is based on a balanced sequential scientist/practitioner model and emphasizes the interrelatedness of theory, research, and practice.
The Mental Health and Human Development program is geared towards individuals with a previous master’s degree who aspire to increase their knowledge and expertise in the field of mental health and human development across the lifespan. Students in the Mental Health and Human Development program may already be licensed, in the process of becoming licensed or are not interested in licensure. The doctoral students in this program come from a variety of human services fields and are interested in addressing important topics in relation to mental health and human development in particular for at-risk populations.
- Students will develop competencies in lifespan growth/development and assessment, diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment planning for culturally, psychologically, intellectually, and developmentally diverse individuals through the applied understanding of mental health and human development.
- Students will develop competencies in individual and cultural differences, to provide ethical and culturally sensitive services to diverse individuals, populations, and organizations.
- Students will develop competencies in mental health and psychotherapeutic interventions, treatment strategies, clinical skills, and consultation for culturally, psychologically, intellectually, and developmentally diverse individuals and groups.
- Students will develop written and oral competencies in scientific methodology and the application of these competencies to research and practices in mental health, human development, counseling, and other scholarly activities.
- Students will develop personal and interpersonal competencies and skills essential for mental health and human development professionals to conduct themselves competently and professionally in serving diverse individuals and groups.
Core Course Requirements
- PSY8036 Applied Behavioral Statistics
- PSY8217 Counseling Theories, Techniques, Practice and Consultation
- PSY8338 Diagnostic Cognitive Assessment: WAIS/WISC
- PSY8330 Theories of Learning Disabilities
- PSY9410 Substance Use Disorders and Addiction Counseling
- PSY8607 Clinical Skills in Treatment Modalities and Consultation
- PSY8340 Racial, Multi-Cultural and Social Bases of Behavior
- PSY8410 Cognitive Psychology
- PSY8520 Seminar in Learning Disabilities
- PSY9210 Physiological Basis of Behavior
- PSY9220 Bivariate and Multivariate Applied Research Methods and Evaluation
- PSY9949 Studies in Human Lifespan Development
- PSY9950 Studies in Psychopathology Assessment, Diagnosis and Intervention
- PSY8238 Practicum in Psychology-Non-Licensure
- PSY8538 Internship-Non-Licensure I
- PSY8539 Internship -Non-Licensure II
Dissertation Requirements
- PSY9951 Dissertation in Mental Health Counseling I (6 Credits)
- PSY9952 Dissertation in Mental Health Counseling II (6 Credits)
Total required Credits: 60
Additional Program Notes: Students must pass the Comprehensive Qualifying Exam (COMPS) before starting dissertation. One semester of practicum and two semesters of internship are required for the degree. Total number of hours for practicum and internship is dependent on the topic the student is addressing. This program is a non-licensure program and does not meet the requirements for any license in whole or part. Students are responsible for ensuring they meet any licensure requirements based on their past programming or previous degrees.