University of the Cumberlands’ Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral program has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Doctoral Counselor Education Program Award by the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES). This award recognizes doctoral programs that demonstrate excellence in preparing students through pre-service training in counseling, supervision, teaching, research, and leadership.
SACES, a division of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), represents more than 2,000 members across the southern United States—including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Since its founding in 1949, the organization has supported the development of counselors, scholars, and leaders throughout the region.
“We are thrilled to congratulate Cumberlands on being selected as this year’s recipient of the SACES Outstanding Doctoral Counselor Education Program,” said Drs. Sejal Barden and Hannah Bowers, SACES Awards Co-Chairs. “Nominators and reviewers were truly inspired by Cumberlands’ outstanding contributions to counselor education.”
University of the Cumberlands’ PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision is designed to elevate students’ professional expertise and prepare them to become leaders in the field. Courses focus on research design, counselor education, supervision strategies, and advanced statistics. Coursework provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to impact mental health agencies, higher education institutions, and behavioural health organizations.
The program includes 66 credit hours delivered fully online, offering working professionals a flexible pathway to doctoral training. Tuition is competitively priced at $449 per credit hour, reflecting Cumberlands’ ongoing commitment to providing affordable, high-quality graduate education.
University of the Cumberlands was formally recognized for this achievement at the ACES Conference during the SACES Business Meeting on Oct. 11. The event brought together counseling educators and professionals from across the country to celebrate innovation, leadership, and excellence in counselor education.
