Doctor of Education (EdD) in Community Care and Counseling – International Cross-Cultural Counseling Global Leadership for Faith-Based Counselors

57
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Expand Your Impact with a Doctorate in International Cross-Cultural Counseling
If you feel called to lead in global counseling contexts and influence how mental health care is delivered across cultures, Liberty University’s Doctor of Education (EdD) in Community Care and Counseling – International Cross-Cultural Counseling can help you take the next step in your professional journey.
This fully online EdD is designed for experienced professionals who want to build advanced leadership skills and deepen their understanding of multicultural counseling. Whether you work in nonprofit outreach, humanitarian aid, ministry, education, or international advocacy, this program allows you to explore how mental health and culture intersect – and how you can lead with purpose and sensitivity.
In addition to developing practical strategies for trauma-informed care, program leadership, and cultural engagement, you’ll also complete a dissertation that allows you to contribute to the growing body of research in this field. With a flexible online format, this degree is built for working adults who are ready to lead on a global scale.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Doctor of Education (EdD) in Community Care and Counseling – International Cross-Cultural Counseling.









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What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose an EdD in International Cross-Cultural Counseling Online?
At Liberty, we believe advanced counseling professionals should be both ethically grounded and globally aware. If you want to pursue an EdD in counseling program that is built around core values such as integrity, service, and leadership, we have just what you need. This degree seeks to help you prepare to take on complex challenges with insight and compassion.
This degree stands apart from traditional clinical doctorates because it emphasizes applied learning, systems-level thinking, and leadership in real-world settings. You’ll explore the mental health needs of displaced populations, diverse communities, and cross-cultural groups – all while learning how to design programs, shape policy, and advocate for meaningful change.
Liberty’s Christian heritage also guides our commitment to excellence and servant leadership. You’ll study in a flexible, fully online environment that respects your time, your faith, and your calling.
What Will You Study in an Online EdD in International Cross-Cultural Counseling?
This program focuses on preparing you for leadership, program development, and research within multicultural counseling contexts. Through advanced coursework, you’ll study how mental health systems operate internationally and how faith, culture, and trauma intersect in complex ways.
You can also gain tools for building resilience, addressing crises, and leading ethically in diverse communities. With a strong foundation in research and analysis, you can learn to assess community needs, develop effective programs, and evaluate impact. The dissertation process will allow you to focus on a specific issue relevant to your goals and contribute to the field of global mental health.
By pursuing a cross-cultural counseling leadership program, you can examine the following key areas:
- Cross-cultural and multicultural counseling theory and practice
- Cultural intelligence and its role in mental health leadership
- Dissertation research and applied scholarship
- Program evaluation and ethical leadership
- Research design and data analysis in counseling settings
- Trauma and crisis response in global contexts
This program blends academic excellence with a commitment to ethical counseling standards while staying rooted in values like service, integrity, and cultural humility. Learn from experienced faculty with backgrounds in international counseling and research in a program designed for working professionals like you.
Potential Career Opportunities
Graduates of Liberty’s online EdD in Community Care and Counseling – International Cross-Cultural Counseling may pursue advanced roles in leadership, program development, education, and advocacy. This degree is ideal for professionals who want to create, evaluate, and lead initiatives that address mental health challenges around the world.
Career options may include:
- Consultant in cross-cultural mental health and wellness
- Counseling services administrator
- Cross-cultural trauma specialist
- Director of humanitarian or missions-based outreach
- Global mental health strategist
- International counseling program director
- Nonprofit or non-governmental organization program leader
- Policy advisor for multicultural mental health initiatives
- University faculty or researcher in global counseling
Featured Courses
- EDCO 750 – Introduction to Member Care Counseling*
- EDCO 751 – Member Care from Calling to Reentry*
- EDCO 752 – Cultural Issues in Member Care Counseling*
- TRMA 800 – Child Adolescent Trauma Research Design
*Course guide coming soon
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Behavioral Sciences.
- View the Graduate Behavioral Sciences Course Guides (login required).
- View the EdD in Community Care and Counseling Handbook for more information on the dissertation process and other aspects of this online international cross-cultural counseling doctoral degree.
Degree Completion Plan

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Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
EdS and EdD Full Time | $610/Credit |
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EdS and EdD Part Time | $675/Credit |
Military EdS and EdD | $375/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Liberty’s EdD in Community Care and Counseling – International Cross-Cultural Counseling
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
- Applicants lacking a graduate-level statistics course will be required to complete CEFS 515 Research and Program Evaluation (3 credit hours), or EDUC 518 Educational Research and Assessment (3 credit hours), or its equivalent prior to EDCO 735 in the EdD
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
The Office of Graduate Admissions may request additional documentation while conducting admission reviews to evaluate a candidate’s record before a final admission decision can be made.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
- Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.
Transcript Policies
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515

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Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $375 per credit hour for EdS and EdD courses
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an EdD and an EdS in international cross-cultural counseling?
The EdD is a terminal doctoral degree that includes a dissertation and focuses on advanced leadership, research, and program development. It’s designed for professionals seeking to influence global counseling initiatives and contribute new insights to the field. The EdS, on the other hand, is a post-master’s credential that offers focused training without the dissertation requirement and is ideal for those seeking career advancement without pursuing a doctorate.
Does an EdD in international cross-cultural counseling lead to licensure?
No, this program is not designed to meet licensure requirements. It is intended for professionals who already hold licensure or who serve in non-licensed roles within global counseling, nonprofit leadership, humanitarian outreach, education, or mental health advocacy.
What is the dissertation like in this EdD program?
View the EdD in Community Care and Counseling Handbook for more information on the dissertation process and other aspects of this online international cross-cultural counseling doctoral degree.
What accreditation does Liberty University have?
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
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- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
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