PhD
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychological Counseling
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychological Counseling at the College of International Justice (CI Justice) stands at the pinnacle of academic and research postgraduate education in advanced mental health, psychotherapy, and counseling studies. It is engin...
Duration3 Years
Credit hours90
DegreePhD
Language of studyArabic
Terms6
About the program
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychological Counseling at the College of International Justice (CI Justice) stands at the pinnacle of academic and research postgraduate education in advanced mental health, psychotherapy, and counseling studies. It is engineered to prepare an elite cadre of jurists, scholars, senior clinical therapists, and strategic mental health consultants capable of producing original, groundbreaking scientific and clinical research that advances psychotherapy schools, engineers advanced preventive and therapeutic intervention programmes, and resolves complex individual and group psychological disorders and traumas.Spanning three academic years (6 semesters), the programme follows a rigorous, structured progression. Candidates complete 9 advanced doctoral courses (36 credit hours) across the first three semesters: 4 compulsory courses in the First Semester (commencing strictly with Philosophical Psychological Research Methodology & Advanced Clinical Statistical Analysis), 4 specialized courses in the Second Semester, and 1 culminating course in the Third Semester accompanied by the Comprehensive Doctoral Examination. Upon passing the Comprehensive Exam, candidates transition in Semesters 4, 5, and 6 to concurrent completion of Practical & Academic Application (1, 2, 3) and Doctoral Dissertation (1, 2, 3), concluding with a public Viva Voce defense before an expert Jury Committee.
Vision
To stand as the premier global academic and research benchmark in graduating psychological counseling and mental health scholars and jurists who drive innovation in clinical therapeutic thought and sustainable counseling models, and uphold global mental health through pioneering scientific research.
Mission
To provide a world-class research and academic ecosystem that integrates comparative clinical depth, methodological rigor, and intelligent educational flexibility (Open, Virtual, and Blended Learning), empowering scholars to formulate original counseling theories and solutions bridging gaps in the structure of mental and community health, while supplying universities, clinical centers, UN institutions, and sovereign bodies with exceptional intellectual and therapeutic leadership.
Objectives
- Original Knowledge Production & Innovation: Empower candidates to critique existing counseling and therapeutic paradigms and formulate novel clinical and specialized frameworks addressing gaps in mental health.
- Mastery of Philosophical & Advanced Clinical Methodology: Deepen scholars' command of advanced clinical research methodologies and quantitative/qualitative psychological analysis to deconstruct complex mental disorders.
- Leadership in Advanced Psychotherapy & Crisis Management: Qualify senior experts capable of leading acute trauma intervention programmes, advanced clinical supervision, and making strategic decisions in therapeutic institutions.
- University Professorial Preparation: Prepare university professors and international lecturers skilled in academic delivery, curriculum design, and psychological knowledge transfer through three dedicated Practical Application semesters.
- Foresight in Emerging Psychological & Technical Frontiers: Build scholarly capacity to regulate remote digital tele-counseling, mental health in digital work environments, and emergency psychological interventions in disasters and conflicts.
Educational philosophy
The College of International Justice adopts the philosophy of "Directed Research Autonomy and Comparative Clinical Analysis for Community Health" at the doctoral level, resting on the following pillars:Three Flexible Learning Modalities: Candidates select the learning method best suited to their commitments among Open Learning, Virtual Learning, and Blended Learning, with options to accelerate studies after the first semester based on cumulative GPA or utilize summer semesters.Sequential Research Seminars: Each of the 9 courses carries 4 credit hours and is studied sequentially for a minimum of four weeks via intensive research seminars relying on authoritative treatises, empirical working papers, and complex clinical case studies, followed by a competency test before progressing to the next module.The Comprehensive Examination Milestone: Held in the third semester to verify holistic mastery of psychological counseling, psychotherapy, and research methodology prior to dissertation candidacy.Integration of Dissertation & Academic Practice: Across Semesters 4, 5, and 6, candidates simultaneously write their doctoral dissertation under close supervision and complete virtual university teaching and workplace practice portfolios.
Learning outcomes
- Exhibit encyclopedic and profound mastery of the philosophy of psychological counseling, advanced therapeutic theories, and mental and community health structures.
- Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of advanced clinical measurement tools, personality disorders, acute traumas, and preventive and therapeutic intervention mechanisms.
- Exercise original intellectual and clinical critique, deconstruct complex psychological cases and competing therapeutic policies using rigorous scientific methodology.
- Deduce innovative counseling theories, frameworks, and models to address crises, disorders, and emerging societal pressures.
- Lead clinical and psychological advisory teams, draft high-level health and psychological policy papers (Policy Papers), and manage acute trauma intervention programmes.
- Master advanced university-level teaching and curriculum design, and author an original doctoral dissertation meeting the highest standards of peer-reviewed international scholarly publishing.
- Command authoritative clinical argumentative proof and empathetic reasoning, intellectual and academic leadership, complex therapeutic interviewing, and rigorous cross-cultural scholarly communication.
Career prospects
- Academia and Higher Education: Serving as University Professors, Chairs of Psychology and Counseling Departments, and Deans of Faculties of Humanities and Educational Sciences at prestigious universities worldwide.
- Psychiatric Hospitals & Major Clinical Centers: Assuming roles as Senior Clinical Psychologist Consultants, Director of Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Centers, and Clinical Supervisors for therapists and practitioners.
- International Humanitarian Support Organizations & Crises: Directing psychosocial support teams within United Nations agencies (such as UNICEF and WHO) and major international organizations in disaster and conflict zones.
- Research Centers & Health Policymaking: Directing psychological and community research centers (Think Tanks), and chairing national mental health, child, and family protection policy drafting committees.
- Private Consulting Clinics: Founding and managing advanced psychological and family consulting centers, and providing expertise and administrative consultancy for institutional well-being programs.
Curriculum
Philosophical Psychological Research Methodology & Advanced Clinical Statistical Analysis 4 credit hours · DDPC701Philosophy of Psychotherapy & Critique of Contemporary Counseling Schools 4 credit hours · DDPC702Advanced Clinical Diagnosis & Complex Personality Disorders 4 credit hours · DDPC703Clinical Neuropsychology & Assessment of Higher Cognitive Functions 4 credit hours · DDPC704
Advanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Complex Intervention Programmes 4 credit hours · DDPC705Advanced Family & Marital Counseling and Relational Systems Intervention 4 credit hours · DDPC706Psychology of Psychological Trauma, Disasters & Acute Crisis Intervention 4 credit hours · DDPC707Advanced Specialized Community & Group Counseling (Elderly, Special Needs & Migrants) 4 credit hours · DDPC708
Frequently asked questions
Is the College of International Justice officially licensed and accredited to award the PhD in Psychological Counseling?
Without a doubt. CI Justice is fully accredited and shares its institutional and academic accreditations with International Suleiman University. Furthermore, the College is officially licensed by the UK Government to operate under classifications: 85421 (First-degree level higher education), 85422 (Post-graduate level higher education), 85600 (Educational support services), and 69109 (Activities of patent and copyright agents; other legal activities not elsewhere classified), holding official authority to provide academic programmes under verified registration ID: 10093951.
How was the academic faculty supervising the programme selected, and how are candidates guided in choosing their track?
Our academic staff was carefully selected through reviews of the CVs of more than 10,000 academics from all countries of the world, ensuring excellence in the educational process and enhancing cultural diversity. Our Guidance and Academic Center communicates with prospective students to provide full details, and within our initial admission system, we provide an intelligent tool that helps candidates choose the most suitable programme by answering questionnaire questions designed with data-driven paths, complemented by future-ready tools designed by practicing market experts.
What forms of flexibility exist regarding learning methods, study duration, tuition fees, and scholarships?
Flexibility is embedded throughout the programme. Scholars can choose the learning method that suits them best among three options: (Open Learning, Virtual Learning, and Blended Learning). After the first semester, high-achieving students may accelerate their study duration by registering for additional credits or taking an extra summer semester. Regarding tuition fees, students achieving a high cumulative GPA can obtain partial scholarships of up to 90%, and selected students from war and crisis-affected countries may be awarded a 100% full scholarship.
How are coursework, the Comprehensive Exam, Practical Application, and the Dissertation defense conducted?
The programme spans 6 semesters (3 years):Candidates complete 9 courses (36 credits) in the first three semesters via sequential research seminars (4 credits and min. 4 weeks per course followed by a competency test), sitting for the Comprehensive Exam in Semester 3.In Semesters 4, 5, and 6, candidates concurrently undertake Practical Application (1, 2, 3) (structuring and recording 10–20 minute PowerPoint video lectures and Word summaries for an undergraduate course, alongside workplace practice reports through our partnerships with hospitals and clinical centers internationally) and Doctoral Dissertation (1, 2, 3).The dissertation is governed by semi-annual supervisor reports, a final supervisor evaluation (out of 140 marks), and individual reports from a three-member Jury Committee (out of 100 marks each). A minimum score of 70% in both the supervisor's evaluation and individual Jury reports (plus a 15-day interval post-committee approval) is required to proceed to the public defense.
Can prior university studies or professional qualifications be transferred? What support ecosystem is provided?
Yes. Through our Transfer of Accreditation process, both previous postgraduate university studies and a wide range of recognized professional qualifications can be counted toward this qualification—saving you time and money by reducing the number of units you need to study. Throughout your studies, you are supported by:A Personal Tutor for each unit: Guiding you, evaluating assignments, and providing detailed feedback.Our e-Library & High-Quality Resources: Access to university libraries, course texts, podcasts, interactive media, and weekly study planners.Student Support Teams & Online Help Centre: Educational groups, community forums, free Microsoft Office 365, and full IT support from our Computing Help Center.
Admission requirements
- Academic Qualification: Hold a Master's degree in Psychological Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Psychology, or a closely related discipline from a recognized university.
- Guidance & Initial Admission Tool: The Guidance and Academic Center communicates with prospective candidates and provides a data-driven questionnaire tool within the initial admission system to help scholars select their optimal specialization pathway.
- Transfer of Accreditation: Prior postgraduate studies or recognized high-level professional qualifications (in counseling or psychotherapy) may be evaluated and credited toward the programme, saving time and tuition costs.
- Language & Research Readiness: Advanced proficiency in the language of study (Arabic or English) and submission of an initial Doctoral Research Concept Note.
Tuition & fees
Application fee$145.00
Start your academic journey today
Submit your application now and our admissions team will contact you to complete the process.
Apply to this programPhilosophical Psychological Research Methodology & Advanced Clinical Statistical Analysis
DDPC701 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Serving as the mandatory foundational cornerstone and the very first course for doctoral candidates in Psychological Counseling, this module elevates scholars from traditional statistical analysis methods to psychological epistemology and advanced clinical research modeling philosophy. The course delves into complex doctoral-level psychological research methodologies, encompassing philosophical doctrinal analysis, critical deconstruction of clinical models, and empirical qualitative and quantitative assessment of therapeutic intervention impacts. Candidates receive rigorous training in identifying genuine scholarly and clinical research gaps within mental health literature, formulating complex statistical and research problems, and constructing testable therapeutic hypotheses using advanced statistical software (such as SPSS, AMOS, and NVivo). Furthermore, the course emphasizes systematic deconstruction of complex clinical datasets and objective critique of prevailing psychological models. The module culminates in intensive practical training on engineering a comprehensive Doctoral Dissertation Prospectus, managing psychological databases, and adhering to the highest standards of academic integrity and peer-reviewed international publishing (Scopus / Web of Science), delivered through intensive research seminars.
Philosophy of Psychotherapy & Critique of Contemporary Counseling Schools
DDPC702 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This compulsory doctoral course centers on a profound philosophical, critical, and analytical investigation of the philosophy of psychotherapy and the evolution of major counseling schools in human and modern thought. Doctoral researchers deeply analyze the jurisprudential and philosophical debate among major therapeutic schools: contemporary psychoanalysis, existential and humanistic schools, third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapies, and systemic-regressive family therapy. Scholars critically analyze the mechanisms of therapeutic change, the nature of the therapeutic alliance in diverse cultural contexts, and the impact of Eastern and Western philosophies on modern counseling techniques. Furthermore, the curriculum delves into evaluating the efficacy of different schools based on clinical evidence, and formulating original theoretical paradigms explaining recovery psychology through deep comparative research seminars.
Advanced Clinical Diagnosis & Complex Personality Disorders
DDPC703 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This doctoral module provides an anatomical, in-depth examination of advanced clinical diagnosis for complex personality disorders and severe psychological pathologies. The course critically analyzes diagnostic criteria from modern diagnostic manuals (DSM-5-TR), deconstructing narcissistic, borderline, antisocial, and schizoid personalities, alongside dissociative disorders and Complex PTSD. Researchers delve into analyze the neuropsychological underpinnings behind these disorders and precise differential diagnosis to untangle common clinical overlaps. Furthermore, the curriculum covers therapeutic strategies for handling treatment-resistant clients and managing suicide and self-harm risks, enabling candidates to possess elite diagnostic tools through advanced clinical research seminars.
Clinical Neuropsychology & Assessment of Higher Cognitive Functions
DDPC704 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This compulsory doctoral course addresses the philosophy and advanced techniques of Clinical Neuropsychology and the assessment of higher cognitive functions of the human brain. Researchers deeply analyze brain lobe structures and executive functions (attention, working memory, planning, and decision-making), exploring how neurological injuries and neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and early dementia) correlate with behavioral and emotional alterations. The curriculum rigorously studies administering and interpreting advanced neuropsychological test batteries, linking organic impairment with clinical symptoms, and designing neuropsychological rehabilitation programmes for brain-injured and stroke patients through deep comparative research seminars.
Advanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Complex Intervention Programmes
DDPC705 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This doctoral course delves into deep techniques and advanced intervention protocols of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and its modern waves (such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT). Researchers deeply study complex case formulation, modifying deep Core Beliefs, and managing severe resistance in individual and group therapy sessions. The curriculum deconstructs treatment protocols for severe treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic depression, and personality disorders, alongside methodical training in measuring treatment outcomes and documenting clinical efficacy through research seminars grounded in evidence-based therapeutic literature.
Advanced Family & Marital Counseling and Relational Systems Intervention
DDPC706 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This course delivers an elite critical and applied examination of advanced family counseling and systemic therapeutic schools. Doctoral scholars investigate complex family system dynamics, chronic marital conflicts, family addiction, and Transgenerational Traumas. The course deeply analyzes modern systemic theories (strategic family therapy, structural therapy, and the Gottman model for successful marriage), and therapeutic intervention applications in infidelity, emotional divorce, and dysfunctional family upbringing. Furthermore, it discusses clinical and ethical dilemmas when treating family members with conflicting interests through intensive research seminars and complex clinical case studies.
Psychology of Psychological Trauma, Disasters & Acute Crisis Intervention
DDPC707 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This course examines deeply the Psychology of Trauma and rapid intervention protocols in major collective and individual crises. Researchers analyze the repercussions of wars, natural disasters, and pandemics on community mental health, and human brain mechanisms during survival trauma. The curriculum rigorously studies cutting-edge intervention tools such as Psychological First Aid (PFA), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and group intervention programmes for complex trauma survivors. Furthermore, the module discusses Compassion Fatigue among therapists themselves and self-care protection strategies for humanitarian field workers through deep comparative research seminars.
Advanced Specialized Community & Group Counseling (Elderly, Special Needs & Migrants)
DDPC708 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This course addresses specialized advanced study of psychological and community counseling directed at vulnerable and special populations in contemporary societies. Researchers study psychological and social challenges of the elderly, dementia, Alzheimer's, and psychological palliative care. The curriculum delves into studying counseling needs for individuals with special needs and their families, and psychological social inclusion programmes. In the migration sphere, the course analyzes refugee trauma, cultural adjustment, and psychological disorders of migrants and expatriates, focusing on building Cultural Competence for psychological counselors to bridge cultural barriers in counseling through advanced research seminars.
Mental Health Policies & Legislative Formulation of Counseling Services
DDPC709 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Serving as the culminating coursework module prior to the dissertation phase, this course focuses on high-level legislative and public policy engineering for drafting mental health laws, regulating the counseling and psychotherapy profession, and protecting psychiatric patients' rights at national and international levels. Scholars deeply examine the technical and political mechanisms for formulating and updating national mental health policies, practitioner licensing, and clinical quality standards for treatment centers. Candidates train in drafting and updating legislation to combat social stigma, regulate digital remote counseling (Tele-counseling), and conduct Health and Psychological Impact Assessments of public policies prior to enactment, ensuring societal well-being, delivered via advanced research seminars.
Comprehensive Doctoral Examination in Psychological Counseling
DDPC710 0 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Administered at the conclusion of the third semester upon successful completion of all nine coursework modules (36 credit hours), the Comprehensive Doctoral Examination (written and oral) assesses the scholar's holistic and profound mastery of the philosophical foundations, advanced clinical theories, personality disorders, diagnostic techniques, and branches of psychological counseling, alongside verifying methodological maturity and critical clinical analytical capability regarding complex psychological cases. Rather than testing rote memorization, this rigorous examination confronts the doctoral student with multi-layered clinical cases and problems requiring precise Case Formulation, rebuttal of competing hypotheses, invocation of grand therapeutic schools, and formulation of sound treatment intervention plans. Passing the Comprehensive Examination is a mandatory prerequisite for advancing to formal "PhD Candidate" status and commencing the Doctoral Dissertation and Practical Application modules in the fourth semester.
Practical & Academic Application (1)
DDPC711 6 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Initiated in the fourth semester, this module marks the first phase of advanced practical and academic training designed to prepare the doctoral candidate as a university professor and practicing clinical psychology and counseling expert. The College assigns the candidate an undergraduate academic course (such as Counseling Theories or Psychological Disorders, alongside an applied clinical portfolio leveraged through the College's extensive partnerships with hospitals, clinical centers, and psychological support institutions across multiple countries). In this first part, the candidate designs a comprehensive syllabus and structures the first sequence of concise academic lectures. For each lecture, the candidate authors a rigorous written scholarly summary (Word format), accompanied by a professional voice-over video presentation (PowerPoint) lasting accurately between 10 and 20 minutes, alongside submitting a detailed report on their workplace clinical practice—honing their university teaching and complex psychological knowledge-transfer competencies.
Doctoral Dissertation (1): Theoretical & Methodological Grounding
DDPC712 12 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This module marks the formal commencement of the Doctoral Dissertation, undertaken concurrently with Practical Application (1) following the Comprehensive Examination. Working under the direct supervision of a senior faculty professor specializing in Psychological Counseling, the candidate completes the official registration of the dissertation topic with the Faculty and University Councils. Research in this semester centers on conducting an exhaustive, multilingual literature, clinical case study, and theoretical review, refining the core research problem and hypotheses, and drafting the foundational first part/chapters of the dissertation dedicated to theoretical, clinical, and conceptual grounding, alongside defining the governing therapeutic framework. The academic supervisor closely monitors the candidate's methodological rigor and submits a semi-annual progress report detailing accomplishments and adherence to doctoral standards.
Practical & Academic Application (2)
DDPC713 6 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: In the fifth semester, the doctoral candidate advances to the second phase of academic and professional training. The candidate develops and records the second sequence of lectures for the assigned undergraduate course, focusing on integrating applied clinical case studies and case formulation models into both the written scholarly summaries (Word) and interactive video presentations (PowerPoint, 10–20 minutes per lecture). Additionally, the candidate trains in designing academic assessment instruments (hypothetical clinical case files, diagnostic tests, and grading rubrics), co-moderating virtual seminars (Webinars), and submitting detailed workplace practice reports—solidifying their readiness as a university faculty member and senior international psychotherapist.
Doctoral Dissertation (2): In-Depth Clinical, Applied & Comparative Analysis of Disorders & Trauma
DDPC714 12 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Representing the analytical and critical core of the Doctoral Dissertation, this fifth-semester module transitions the candidate from theoretical grounding to in-depth clinical, applied, and comparative analysis of disorders and trauma (the main substantive chapters of the dissertation). The candidate rigorously tests their research hypotheses by analyzing clinical data, comparing therapeutic plans across psychological schools and global clinics, and analyzing pertinent case studies and contemporary therapeutic precedents. At this stage, the scholar's independent academic voice must emerge prominently—critiquing prior literature, advancing original clinical interpretations, and deducing novel therapeutic models or frameworks that resolve the core research problem. The supervisor continuously reviews the manuscript to ensure analytical depth and clinical originality, submitting the semi-annual progress report to the Faculty Council.
Practical & Academic Application (3)
DDPC715 6 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Concluding the practical and academic training track in the sixth semester, the candidate completes the final sequence of written summaries and video lectures for the assigned undergraduate course, yielding a complete, peer-reviewed instructional portfolio (12 to 14 model lectures in Word and PowerPoint Video formats) ready for university delivery. Furthermore, the candidate culminates this track by authoring a publishable scholarly paper derived from their research or delivering a comprehensive Doctoral Colloquium / Masterclass before faculty and peers, alongside submitting their final detailed workplace practice report—demonstrating full readiness for professorial appointments or senior international psychological and clinical advisory leadership upon graduation.
Doctoral Dissertation (3): Conclusions, Final Drafting & Public Defense
DDPC716 12 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This module represents the final culmination and public defense of the Doctoral Dissertation. The candidate drafts the concluding chapters, synthesizes verified clinical research findings, formulates actionable Counseling Frameworks & Clinical Recommendations, and completes comprehensive linguistic and methodological editing of the final manuscript. Upon the supervisor's final review confirming fulfillment of statutory duration and originality standards, the supervisor submits a formal readiness report to the university administration (evaluating the candidate's performance out of 140 marks), accompanied by a signed copy of the dissertation and proposed names for the examining Jury Committee for Faculty Council approval. Following individual written evaluations by the three Jury members (out of 100 marks each—requiring a minimum score of 70% in both the supervisor's evaluation and individual Jury reports, and a minimum 15-day interval after committee approval), the candidate defends the dissertation in a Public Viva Voce Defense, concluding with a signed collective Jury report (out of 100 marks) conferring the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Psychological Counseling.