Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling a new Program/Degree Proposal

Learning experiences and instructional methods

The MS in CMHC program will consist of a blend of distance and ITV/Skype instruction. Courses offered via distance education modalities through the D2L learning platform, will utilize the latest technologies in online instruction including (but not limited to) streaming audio, streaming video, threaded text and voice discussion, real time chat and document sharing. In addition, D2L, has a campus pack allowing the development of course wiki’s, blogs, journals and podcasts.
Practicum and internship placements will be directed by a CMHC faculty member and supervised by both that CHMC faculty and a site supervisor. It is anticipated that practicum experiences will be available within the Lock Haven University Counseling Service and at various other local agencies (Appendix E). The program administrator/director, practicum and internship coordinator, and other CMHC faculty will seek out and cultivate relationships with a variety of sites throughout the region so that students will have a variety of high quality placements available for their practicum and internship experiences.

4. Faculty qualifications

Faculty members from both the Department of Academic Development & Counseling and Psychology have expressed interest in developing and teaching graduate courses in the proposed program and in providing supervision to students engaged in practicum or internship experiences.
As per the current CACREP Standards, by the time the program applies for accreditation, a minimum of three full-time core faculty members will have been identified whose primary appointment will be within the proposed program. Two core members are from LHU (APPENDIX C). A job description for a third core member with expertise in counseling victims of trauma is also included in Appendix C. One of these core faculty members will serve as the program administrator/director as required in CACREP standards. The core faculty members will:

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  Have earned doctoral degrees in counselor education or have been employed full-time for at least one academic year in a counselor education program prior to July 1, 2013.
  
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  Have relevant preparation and experience in their assigned area(s) in the program.
  
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  Identify with the counseling profession through appropriate professional memberships and certification/licensure pertinent to the profession.
  
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  Engage in activities of the counseling profession and its professional organizations.
  

The program will also utilize noncore faculty (i.e., adjunct, affiliate, or clinical) who meet the following requirements set forth by CACREP for accreditation. These faculty members will:

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  Hold graduate degrees, preferably in counselor education from a CACREP accredited program.
  
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  Have relevant preparation and experience in the assigned area of teaching.
  
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  Identify with the counseling profession through memberships in professional organizations, appropriate certifications, and/or licenses pertinent to the profession.
  

4. Student qualifications/support/advisement

In order to maximize the likelihood of success of students admitted to the program, certain admission requirements are necessary and listed below. Successful applicants to regular matriculated status will have:

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  An undergraduate degree in psychology (or related discipline) from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  
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  Completed coursework in research and statistics, abnormal psychology, and developmental psychology at the undergraduate level with a minimum grade of B in each course prior to matriculation into the program.
  
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  Work and/or life experience relevant to the study of clinical mental health counseling.
  
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  Strong letters of reference from individuals knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic preparation and/or relevant experience.
  
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  A GRE score of at least 500 in one section. If this is not achieved, interviews with the student can determine if they may start the program in a conditionally admit status.
  
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  A sample of academic writing and an autobiographical statement discussing their interests and goals in clinical mental health counseling.
  
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  A strong personal interview with a CMHC faculty member.
  
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  ( Students from states where they may not be license eligible due to different atate requirements will need to check with admissions before application).
  

Applicants with a 2.5 GPA or better and/or a GRE score of at least 450 on one section may be conditionally matriculated with the requirement that they achieve a “B” average during their first twelve semester hours.

Additional admissions criteria include a completed online application, payment of an application fee, and official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
Students will be assigned a faculty advisor upon matriculation into the program. The faculty advisor will meet with the student advisee on a regular basis and serve as a resource regarding all aspects of the program, including coursework, practicum and internship placements, and questions regarding policies and procedures. Students will bear responsibility for scheduling regular meetings with their faculty advisor.
Students will be evaluated continuously throughout their time in the program. Students will be evaluated based upon grades, professional performance standards (including ethical practice), demonstrated mastery of learning outcomes, and other issues deemed relevant by CHMC faculty. The full evaluation process will be outlined in a student manual that will be developed prior to the startup of the program.
Coordination with Other Programs

With related programs at other institutions

Given the uniqueness of the proposed MS in CMHC relative to other PASSHE graduate counseling programs, there will be ample opportunity to coordinate with other institutions insofar as students in the proposed program are concerned. Given that the courses in the proposed program will be offered via distance learning modalities or through ITV, students in a variety of sites could enroll in this program. In addition, plans are underway to develop a satellite site at the Dixon Center with one of the three full-time faculty housed in Harrisburg at the Dixon Center. In addition, sharing of course electives from the designated concentrations (counseling in rural areas and counseling military veterans and their families) has been offered to other counseling programs in PASSHE. Discussions with some universities are underway.