The University of Texas at Austin. Counselor Education Student Handbook

Transcription

1 The University f Texas at Austin Cunselr Educatin Student Handbk Department f Cllege f Educatin The University f Texas at Austin Gerge I. Sanchez Building, 504 Austin Texas, (512)

2 Table f Cntents Standards fr the Cunselr Educatin Prgram Student Prtectins Overview f Cunselr Educatin Prgram f Wrk Master s Reprt Cunselr Educatin Practicum Guidelines Practicum Sites Sample Timeline FAQ s i

3 Standards fr the Cunselr Educatin Prgram Intrductin Beginning August 2006, these standards apply t all students enrlled in the Cunselr Educatin prgram at The University f Texas at Austin. Because f the nature f the cunseling field, students in the Cunselr Educatin Prgram are expected t meet bth academic and prfessinal standards that are linked t their abilities t becme effective cunseling prfessinals. These standards are utlined in the Handbk s that students and faculty can be clear abut expectatins fr academic and prfessinal perfrmance, as well as prcedures t address cncerns. The ultimate gal f the standards is t help students have a successful experience and t prepare fr their transitin int the cunseling prfessin. Since becming a prfessinal cunselr is a gradual prcess, these standards are cnsidered t be a part f a develpmental prcess. Instructrs and supervisrs, alng with prgram crdinatrs, will assess student academic perfrmance t determine if standards are being met during a student s educatinal career. Prfessinal judgment is the capacity t assess a situatin by applying the values and knwledge f the Cunselr Educatin prgram, cmbined with a prfessinal s wn experience and practice wisdm. It als represents the applicatin f knwledge, values, and skills t making decisins in a helping prcess. All the Cunselr Educatin prgram students will be prvided with and expected t read the Standards fr the Cunselr Educatin prgram. 2.0 Criteria fr Evaluating Academic Perfrmance In rder t meet its respnsibilities t prvide quality prfessinal educatin and t ensure that its graduates are able t functin in a brad variety f prfessinal situatins, faculty members f the Cunselr Educatin prgram evaluates the academic perfrmance f its students in fur general The University f Texas at Austin 1 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

4 areas: Basic Abilities t Acquire Prfessinal Skills Mental and Emtinal Abilities Prfessinal Perfrmance Skills Schlastic Perfrmance. Meeting the criteria fr schlastic achievement is necessary but nt sufficient t ensure cntinued enrllment in a prgram. Bth prfessinal behavir and schlastic perfrmance cmprise academic standards. 2.1 Basic Abilities Necessary t Acquire Prfessinal Skills Cmmunicatin Skills Demnstrates sufficient written and ral skills t cmprehend infrmatin and cmmunicates ideas and feelings. a) Written: Writes clearly, uses crrect grammar and spelling, and applies apprpriate writing style, including American Psychlgical Assciatin (APA) referencing, apprpriate surce citatin, and dcumentatin. Demnstrates sufficient skills in written English t understand cntent presented in the prgram and t cmplete adequately all written assignments, as specified by faculty. b) Oral: Cmmunicates effectively and sensitively with ther students, faculty, staff, clients, and prfessinals. Expresses ideas and feelings clearly and demnstrates a willingness and an ability t listen t thers. Demnstrates sufficient skills in spken English t understand cntent presented in the prgram, t cmplete adequately all ral assignments, and t meet the bjectives f field placement experiences, as specified by faculty Interpersnal Skills Demnstrates the interpersnal skills needed t relate effectively t ther students, faculty, staff, clients, and prfessinals and t fulfill the ethical bligatins f the prfessin. These include develpmental maturity, cmpassin, empathy, altruism, integrity, and demnstratin f respect fr and cnsideratin f thers. Takes apprpriate respnsibility fr wn actins and cnsiders the impact f these actins n thers Cgnitive Skills Exhibits sufficient knwledge f the Cunselr Educatin prgram and clarity f thinking t prcess infrmatin and apply it t apprpriate situatins in classrm and field. Demnstrates grunding in relevant scial, behaviral and bilgical science knwledge and research including knwledge and skills in relatinship building, data gathering, assessment, interventin, and evaluatin f practice. Exhibits ability t cnceptualize and integrate knwledge and apply that knwledge t prfessinal practice. The University f Texas at Austin 2 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

5 2.1.4 Physical Skills Exhibits sufficient mtr and sensry abilities t attend and participate in class and practicum placement, with r withut accmmdatins. (See sectin n Accmmdatins fr Disabilities fr clarificatin.) 2.2 Emtinal and Mental Abilities Necessary fr Perfrmance in the Prgram and Prfessinal Practice Stress Management Demnstrates the ability t deal with current life stressrs thrugh the use f apprpriate cping mechanisms. Students will handle stress effectively by using apprpriate self- care and develping supprtive relatinships with clleagues, peers, and thers Emtinal and Mental Capacities Uses sund judgment. Seeks and effectively uses help fr medical r emtinal prblems that interfere with schlastic and prfessinal perfrmance. They will engage in cunseling r seek ut supprt and help if persnal prblems, psychscial distress, substance abuse, r mental health difficulties d any f the fllwing: Cmprmise schlastic and ther perfrmance, Interfere with prfessinal judgment and behavir, r Jepardize the best interests f thse t whm the Cunselr Educatin prgram student has a prfessinal respnsibility (as utlined in relevant cdes f ethics, including thse f the American Cunseling Assciatin (ACA). 2.3 Prfessinal Perfrmance Skills Necessary fr Wrk with Clients and Prfessinal Practice Prfessinal Cmmitment Exhibits a strng cmmitment t the gals f the Cunselr Educatin prgram and t the ethical standards f the cunseling prfessin, as specified in the ACA Cde f Ethics. Students will demnstrate a cmmitment t the essential values f the Cunselr Educatin prgram that include the respect fr the dignity and wrth f every individual and his/her right t a just share f sciety s resurces (scial justice). The University f Texas at Austin 3 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

6 2.3.2 Prfessinal Behavir Exhibits behavirs that are in cmpliance with prgram plicies, institutinal plicies, prfessinal ethical standards, and scietal laws in classrm, field, and cmmunity. Appearance, dress, and general demeanr reflect a prfessinal manner. Shws ptential fr respnsible and accuntable behavir by knwing and practicing within the scpe f cunselr educatin, respecting thers, being punctual and dependable, priritizing respnsibilities, attending class regularly, bserving deadlines, cmpleting assignments n time, keeping appintments r making apprpriate arrangements, and accepting supervisin and criticism in a psitive manner. Students will wrk effectively with thers, regardless f level f authrity. Advcates fr him r herself in an apprpriate and respnsible manner and uses prper channels fr cnflict reslutin. Shws a willingness t receive and accept feedback and supervisin in a psitive manner, as well as use such feedback t enhance prfessinal develpment Self Awareness Exhibits knwledge f hw ne s values, attitudes, beliefs, emtins and past experiences affect thinking, behavir and relatinships. Accurately assesses ne s wn strengths, limitatins, and suitability fr prfessinal practice. Shws awareness f self and hw ne is perceived by thers. Reflects n ne s wn limitatins as they relate t prfessinal capacities. Is willing t examine and change behavir when it interferes in wrking with clients and ther prfessinals Ethical Obligatins Current behavir and classrm perfrmance demnstrate adherence t the ethical expectatins and bligatins f prfessinal practice, nted in the ACA Cdes f Ethics. Ethical behavirs include: Adherence t the ACA Cde f Ethics. N histry f charges and/r cnvictins f an ffense that is cntrary t prfessinal practice. Systematic evaluatin f clients and their situatins in an unbiased, factual way. Suspensin f persnal biases during interactins with thers. Cmprehensin f anther individual s way f life and values. Empathic cmmunicatin and supprt f the client as a basis fr a prductive prfessinal relatinship. Appreciatin f the value f diversity. Effective and nnjudgmental relatin t and wrk with thers wh are different frm neself. Apprpriate service t all persns in need f assistance, regardless f the persn s age, class, race, religius beliefs, gender, disability, sexual rientatin, and/r value system. N impsitin f persnal, religius, sexual, and/r cultural values n clients. The University f Texas at Austin 4 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

7 Demnstratin f respect fr the rights f thers. Cmmitment t clients rights t freedm f chice and self- determinatin. Maintenance f cnfidentiality as it relates t human service, classrm activities, and field placement. Demnstratin f hnesty and integrity by being truthful abut backgrund, experiences, and qualificatins; ding ne s wn wrk; giving credit fr the ideas f thers; and prviding prper citatin f surce materials. Demnstratin f clear, apprpriate, and culturally sensitive bundaries. Des nt sexually harass thers; make verbal r physical threats; becme invlved in sexual relatinships with clients, supervisrs, r faculty; abuse thers in physical, emtinal, verbal, r sexual ways. Demnstratin f clear and apprpriate prfessinal bundaries by nt participating in dual relatinships where cnflicts f interest may exist. Avids dual relatinships thrugh cmmunicatin systems such as scial netwrking sites Statement f Diversity Practices within the scpe f the diversity statement fr the Cunselr Educatin prgram which states: As cunselr educatrs and cunselr educatin students, we place a high pririty n the develpment f multicultural cmpetence in ur faculty and students. We stress the imprtance f develping persnal awareness f ne s wn culture and ne s biases which may stem frm experiences in a sciety that has perpetuated inequities based n grup membership. We therefre prvide training, experiences, and practice that help all members f ur learning cmmunity develp knwledge and skills t prvide cunseling that meet the needs f all f ur clients. Students in the Cunselr Educatin prgram will be expected t develp these cmpetencies in wrking with all grups, even if the grup is unfamiliar r represents a value cnflict fr the cunselr in training. We supprt the American Cunseling Assciatin Ethics Cde that states, Cunselrs d nt cndne r engage in discriminatin based n age, clr, culture, disability, ethnic grup, gender, race, religin, sexual rientatin, marital status, r sciecnmic status (ACA Ethics Cde, A.2). We recgnize that becming multiculturally cmpetent is a life- lng prcess and encurage ur faculty and students t maintain a fcus n cultural cmpetence thrughut their careers. Students are expected t prmte a cmmitment t addressing scial inequities. 2.4 Schlastic Perfrmance Students are evaluated in the Cunselr Educatin prgram with frmal cursewrk, thrugh supervisr evaluatins while n practicum, and by supervisrs f the master s reprt. The Cunselr Educatin faculty will cnsider feedback frm these varius surces. Students' perfrmance in all aspects f the prgram, including curses, practica, master s reprts, relatinships with faculty and students, and prfessinal cnduct will be discussed whenever indicatins f cncerns r need fr The University f Texas at Austin 5 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

8 imprved perfrmance are encuntered. Students will be given feedback abut areas f cncern. Crrective actin, such as academic prbatin, may be taken if students exhibit unsatisfactry prgress in the prgram and will autmatically be taken under the fllwing cnditins: A student receives a C, r n credit, in any class in her r his prgram f wrk. Prbatin fr a n credit grade is autmatic nly in the case f rganized classes. In the case f n credit fr individual instructin curses, the prgram faculty will place a student n prbatin if the n credit resulted frm unsatisfactry perfrmance by the student. A student receives an unsatisfactry evaluatin frm a practicum supervisr r practicum seminar instructr. A student s master s reprt supervisr has serius cncerns abut the student s lack f prgress r ability t cmplete the master s reprt. Students being cnsidered fr academic prbatin will be given feedback via the Three Levels f Review (see p. 9). 2.5 Surces f Infrmatin fr Academic Perfrmance Criteria Infrmatin abut students meeting academic perfrmance criteria in the Cunselr Educatin prgram may include but is nt limited t the fllwing: Feedback r reference letters frm faculty, wrk supervisrs, r supervisrs f vlunteer human service activity r ther practica. Feedback frm agency- based field instructrs. Observatin f classrm, vlunteer, r field behavirs. Perfrmance in ral and written assignments, examinatins, the Cunselr Educatin prgram skills labs, r ther apprpriate cursewrk. Student persnal statements r self- assessments. Interviews with faculty r ther prfessinals. Taped interview situatins (audi r vide). Feedback frm students, staff, university (UT r ther clleges and universities), helping prfessinals, r cmmunity. Feedback frm faculty in ther prgrams that students may have attended. 2.6 The University f Texas at Austin 6 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

9 Accmmdatins fr Disabilities N therwise qualified student shall, n the basis f disability, be subjected t discriminatin r excluded frm participatin in the prgram. A student with a disability may be prtected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and be eligible fr a reasnable accmmdatin that will prvide an equal pprtunity t meet the academic criteria required fr successful cmpletin. Any therwise qualified student with a prtected disability wh requests a reasnable accmmdatin must ntify the Office f Students with Disabilities and prvide dcumentatin as needed. The Office f Students with Disabilities makes recmmendatins fr accmmdatins. Faculty members f the Cunselr Educatin prgram will review academic perfrmance criteria in light f individual student circumstances t explre issues f apprpriateness and accmmdatin. An initial assessment, subsequent plan, use f utside experts (including the Office f Students with Disabilities), and peridic checks between the Cunselr Educatin prgram and the student are apprpriate curses f actin in making accmmdatins. 3.0 Plicies and Prcedures fr Review f Academic Perfrmance Three levels f review can ccur at the Cunselr Educatin prgram in reviewing student s academic perfrmance. The level f review depends upn the ptential severity f the cncern. Infrmatin disclsed during student meetings with faculty, prgram crdinatrs, r schl administratrs will nt be kept cnfidential if the infrmatin raises cncerns abut prfessinal perfrmance. Faculty and/r prgram crdinatrs will share pertinent infrmatin with each ther fr the prfessinal purpse f identifying student issues and enhancing prblem slving abut the cncerns. They will fllw university prcedures related t student perfrmance issues. 3.1 Perfrmance that May Result in a Review, Academic Prbatin, and/r Pssible Dismissal Frm the Cunselr Educatin prgram Student reviews can ccur under any f the fllwing circumstances: Failure t meet r maintain academic requirements as stated under Schlastic Perfrmance. Schlastic dishnesty, including cheating, lying, plagiarism, cllusin, falsifying academic recrds, r any act designed t give unfair academic advantage t the student (Faculty must adhere t university guidelines. Fr cmplete University plicy and prcedures, see General Infrmatin Bulletin, Appendix C, Sectin ). Behavir judged t be in vilatin f the current cdes f ethics. Any threat r attempt t harm neself r smene else. Cmmissin f a criminal act that is cntrary t prfessinal practice, ccurring during the curse f study r ccurring prir t admissin t the prgram and becming knwn after admissin. Cnsistent pattern f unprfessinal behavir The University f Texas at Austin 7 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

10 3.2 The Three Levels f Review Level 1 A Level 1 review invlves a faculty member and a student. When a faculty member has cncerns abut a student enrlled in the Cunselr Educatin prgram meeting any f the academic criteria, whether related t prfessinal behavir r schlastic perfrmance, the cncerned faculty member will: 1. Discuss thse cncerns directly with the student and seek t wrk with the student t reslve the difficulties. 2. Apprise the prgram directr f the cncerns in rder t identify ptential patterns and issues related t the student. 3. Dcument dates and cntent f meetings with students. If a prblem arises in field, the agency- based field instructr (practicum supervisr) will discuss cncerns directly with the student and with the faculty liaisn. It is the respnsibility f the faculty liaisn t apprise the apprpriate crdinatr f the cncerns. In many instances, meetings between faculty and students reslve the cncerns and d nt necessarily lead t further reviews, pursuant t this sectin. Typically, a Level 1 review will result in crrective feedback t the student, either infrmally r thrugh written feedback. Academic prbatin is nt usually a cnsequence f a Level 1 review. Level 2 A Level 2 review invlves the faculty member, student, and prgram directr. Faculty and prgram directr will meet with the student when the student is nt meeting r fllwing prgram r university standards, plicies, and prcedures r when cncerns have nt been reslved at Level 1. If a prblem arises in a practicum setting, the agency- based field instructr and faculty practicum instructr will cnduct the review with the student. In this infrmatin gathering prcess, the prgram directr will determine the nature f the cncern and gather sufficient infrmatin t develp a plan t address that cncern, if ne is needed. N further actin may be required, r the student may be asked, in writing, t mdify his r her behavir and/r seek apprpriate help. This prcess is designed t assist students in dealing with identified cncerns that have an impact n their perfrmance. A Level 2 review may result in a student being placed n academic prbatin by the cunseling faculty, particularly in the case f prblems described in Sectin 2.4 Schlastic Perfrmance (i.e., receiving a grade f C r lwer, unsatisfactry evaluatin n practicum, significant prblems in develping a master s reprt). When a student is placed n academic prbatin, they will receive written feedback abut the reasns fr being placed n prbatin, the length f the prbatin, and the criteria fr lifting prbatin. Whether r nt a Level 2 review results in a student being placed n academic prbatin, the The University f Texas at Austin 8 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

11 prgram directr will assess the nature f these cncerns with apprpriate faculty, cnsult with the graduate advisr and with the prgram chair, maintain dcumentatin, and decide if it is necessary t cnduct a mre cmprehensive review, pursuant t Level 3. Level 3 A Level 3 review invlves the faculty member, student, prgram directr, and ther faculty wh have had direct experience with the student in classrm r field. Generally, this level f review is called when prblematic patterns are identified with students r when the issues are serius enugh t require frmal cnsultatin with ther faculty and the student. A Level 3 review mre ften is cnducted when cncerns have nt been reslved in prir reviews; when issues related t a student nt meeting the criteria fr academic perfrmance (ften invlving prfessinal r ethical behavirs); when the student has nt met the cnditins f academic prbatin; r when the student is being cnsidered fr withdrawal r discntinuance in the prgram. In mst instances, a Level 3 review is sufficient t deal with student perfrmance and is the last decisin- making step in the review prcess at the Cunselr Educatin prgram. When a Level 3 review is called, the prgram directr will cnvene a meeting with the apprpriate faculty and the student t gather infrmatin, determine the nature f the prblem (if ne is cnfirmed t exist), and identify alternatives fr its remediatin. Apprpriate faculty t be invlved in a review will include but are nt limited t thse wh have direct knwledge f and experience with the student. The student will be ntified in writing f the cncerns and meeting date, with sufficient time t prepare fr and attend the meeting. After the review meeting has ccurred, the prgram directr will cnsult with the chair f the Department and/r the graduate advisr t discuss the prblem situatin and make recmmendatins regarding the student. Based n this review and cnference, and an bjective assessment f the infrmatin prvided, the graduate advisr and the prgram directr will infrm the student f the decisins, which can include ne r mre f the fllwing actins: Cntinue the student in the prgram with n cnditins. In these situatins, the cncern has been addressed and n further actin by the student r prgram is required. Establish frmal cnditins fr the student's cntinuance in the prgram. In these situatins, specific cnditins must be met in rder fr the student t remain in the prgram. Actin may include establishing gals, a plan, a timeline, and apprpriate mnitring; prviding mentring and supprt; placing the student n prbatin and mnitring the student during the prbatinary perid; referring the student t cunseling and/r advising services; allwing the student t fllw a reduced curse lad r delay entry t the field practicum; r requiring the student t withdraw frm the prgram with the ptin f reapplying. The University f Texas at Austin 9 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

12 Cnsult with and/r refer t the Dean f Students. In sme instances, depending n the nature f the prblem, the University's Office f the Dean f Students may be cnsulted. If a referral is made t that ffice after cnsultatin, the student will be ntified in writing abut the nature f the cncern and the fact that the referral is taking place. Examples f situatins that may result in referral t the Office f the Dean f Students include schlastic dishnesty, hazing, racial r sexual harassment, pssessin r use f firearms r ther weapns n University prperty, damage r destructin f University prperty, and cnduct that endangers the health r safety f any University student, emplyee, r campus visitr. Cunsel the student t change majrs/degree prgrams and/r discntinue the student in the prgram. In sme situatins, it will be recmmended that the student n lnger cntinue in the Cunselr Educatin prgram. The student will be cunseled t vluntarily change majrs r degree prgrams. If that des nt ccur, the student will be discntinued frm the prgram. In either case, the student will be prvided with dcumentatin regarding the specific reasns fr their dismissal and the cnditins, if any, under which they may re- apply. In any Level 3 review, there must be clear, cncise dcumentatin f the prblem areas as well as verificatin that these cncerns have been discussed with the student and attempted t be amelirated, where apprpriate. Students must be ntified f the decisin in writing within ten business days f the review. It is the respnsibility f the prgram directr r graduate advisr t cmmunicate the decisin t the student. The University f Texas at Austin 10 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

13 Cpy f Student Evaluatin Frm Cmpleted by Faculty Prfessinal Develpment Evaluatin Cunselr Educatin Department f Educatinal Psychlgy The University f Texas at Austin The rating scale belw is adapted frm the key cmpnents frm the Standards fr the Cunselr Educatin Prgram in the Cunselr Educatin Student Handbk. A brief list f key wrds is prvided under each dmain. Fr greater clarificatin, please refer t the apprpriate standard in the Student Handbk (excerpt attached). Rating Scale As graduates f this prgram, it is expected that the student ratings will be a 3 at the satisfactry level, meaning the student has met the standard f cmpetence. Students rated abve a 3 exhibit exceptinal skills in that specific dmain. Raters will prvide a statement dcumenting any rating that falls either abve r belw a rating f Satisfactry fr a persn f his/her training and experience Pr fr a persn f his/her training and experience Highly skilled fr a persn f his/her training and experience 1. Effective cmmunicatin skills a. Written (Key phrases: writes clearly, crrect grammar, ability t use citatins, adequately cmpletes all written assignments) Nt Observed b. Oral (Key phrases: expresses ideas clearly, listens t thers, sufficient skills in spken English, adequately cmpletes all ral assignments) Nt Observed The University f Texas at Austin 11 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

14 2. Interpersnal Skills (Standard 2.12) (Key phrases: develpmental maturity: demnstrates cmpassin, empathy, and integrity; demnstrates respect and cnsideratins f thers; respnsibility fr ne s actins and ne s effects n thers) Nt Observed Emtinal and Mental Abilities (Standards 2.1.3, 2.2, 2.3.3) (Key phrases: sufficient knwledge f skills f a cunselr; ability t manage stress; seeks assistance fr prblems that might interfere; pen t feedback, demnstrates self awareness f strengths, limitatins and sets gals fr grwth) Nt Observed Prfessinal Behavir (Standard 3.31 and 2.32) (Key phrases: cmpliance with prgram plicies and prfessinal ethical standards; prfessinal appearance; punctual and dependable, wrks effectively with peers and authrity; advcates fr him r herself) Nt Observed The University f Texas at Austin 12 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

15 5. Ethical Obligatins (Standard 2.3.4) (Key phrases: Adherence t ACA Cde f Ethics; maintenance f cnfidentiality; truthful self- representatin; ding ne s wn wrk; avids dual relatinships) Nt Observed Multicultural Sensitivity (Standard 2.34) (Key phrases: suspensin f persnal biases during interactins with thers; understands ther s lives and values; awareness, knwledge, and skills f bth self and thers wh are different frm neself; respects thers (peers, faculty, staff, clients and supervisrs) with apprpriate interactins regardless f grup membership accrding t age, class, race, religius beliefs, gender, disability, sexual rientatin, and/r value system; apprpriately prvides services fr all persns in need f assistance regardless f grup membership) Nt Observed Faculty Signature Date The University f Texas at Austin 13 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

16 Handbk Receipt and Acknwledgement Frm Cunselr Educatin Prgram By signing belw, I have acknwledged that I have received and agree t read the University f Texas at Austin Cunselr Educatin Student Handbk in its entirety. After reading this dcument, it is my respnsibility t ask questins t the chair if I d nt understand a sectin. I m als aware that I will be evaluated n the dimensins f standards f cmpetence as utlined in the Cunselr Educatin Student Handbk. I understand that this evaluatin will be based upn cmpetencies apprpriate t my level f training. Finally, I m aware that sme changes may be made t this handbk and my training requirement. Any such changes will be brught t my attentin by the chair. I understand the imprtance f staying abreast t these changes alng the path f my graduate career. Print Student Name Signature Date Please ensure that this signature page is n file with the chair by the secnd week f schl f yur first academic year. The University f Texas at Austin 14 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

17 Student Prtectins (This sectin is excerpted frm the EDP department handbk) Cmplaints/Cncerns If a student in the Department f Psychlgy has a cmplaint r cncern, the student is encuraged t engage in the fllwing steps t reslve the cmplaint. 1. Speak t the faculty member with whm yu have the cmplaint. 2. Speak with yur prgram chair r faculty adviser. 3. Speak with the department Graduate Adviser. 4. Speak with the department Chairpersn. 5. Speak with the university mbudsman. Frequently, a cmplaint r cncern can be reslved directly with the persn invlved r at the next higher level. In sme cases yu may be requested t submit yur cmplaint in writing t either the Graduate Adviser r Department Chair in rder fr us t assist yu in reslving it. University Plicies Prtecting Students The University f Texas at Austin has numerus plicies prtecting the rights f students. All plicies are stated in the General Catalgue f the university: Relevant plicy statements include: Equal educatinal pprtunity Prhibitin f sexual harassment f students Prhibitin f racial harassment f students Prhibitins f sexual assault Plicy n AIDS and HIV infectin Residency regulatins Schlastic dishnesty (under Institutinal Rules) The University f Texas at Austin 15 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

18 Plicy n Disabilities. The University f Texas at Austin, in accrdance with Sectin 504 f the Rehabilitatin Act f 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act f 1990 (ADA), states that n qualified disabled student shall, n the basis f disability, be excluded frm participatin in, be denied the benefits f, r therwise be subjected t discriminatin under any academic prgram r activity. Students wh wish special accmmdatins related t a disability must request this frmally thrugh the Office f the Dean f Students, Student Services Building 4.104, (512) Student Grievance Prcedure Accrding t the General Infrmatin Catalgue, academic grievances invlving grade disputes shuld be discussed first with the curse instructr. Grade disputes that are nt reslved, as well as all ther academic grievances, shuld be submitted in writing t the Graduate Adviser r the Department Chair. Appeals may be directed t the apprpriate academic dean. The dean f the cllege r schl in which a student is enrlled has jurisdictin ver the student s prgram f study, degree requirements, and all ther academic matters, including grievances. Fr students in this is the Assciate Dean f Graduate Student Services. Cmplaints alleging sexual r racial harassment r sexual assault shuld be addressed in accrdance with the plicies and prcedures nted abve and published in Appendixes D, E, and H f the General Catalg Office f the Ombudsman The mbudsman f the university serves as a neutral third party prviding assistance t students wh have University- related cmplaints f an illegal nature. The ffice is authrized t investigate grievances invlving bth academic and nnacademic cncerns and recmmend crrective measures. Any case cnsidered inapprpriate may be declined by the mbudsman. All assistance prvided is cnfidential and available by phne r in persn. (See als Student Supprt Services in this handbk.) Seeking assistance frm the Office f the Ombudsman is mst apprpriate if remedies within the student s academic department and cllege have been unsatisfactry. Petitins A student in the Department f has the right t petitin the Graduate Studies Cmmittee, thrugh its Executive Cmmittee, n any matter relating t his/her academic prgress, including requests fr a leave f absence, waiver f degree requirements, etc. T file a petitin, send a letter stating yur request t the Graduate Adviser. (This may be dne via .) The request is The University f Texas at Austin 16 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

19 then submitted t the GSC Executive Cmmittee fr apprval/denial. Students may als petitin the Graduate Dean, thrugh the department Graduate Adviser, n any matter related t graduate schl rules and plicies gverning his/her academic career. T d s, it is best t first discuss the situatin with the Graduate Adviser wh may then draft a petitin t the Dean f the Graduate Schl n yur behalf r may suggest an alternative reslutin. The University f Texas at Austin 17 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

20 Overview f Cunselr Educatin Prgram f Wrk Descriptin f Degree Prgrams Schl Cunseling The Schl Cunseling cncentratin prepares graduates t wrk in schl cunseling prgrams, grades K thrugh 12. The curriculum is infrmed by the standards f the American Schl Cunseling Assciatin prviding a natinal fcus. Certificatin as a schl cunselr by the State f Texas requires tw years f teaching experience as teacher f recrd in a public, charter r accredited private K- 12 schl, a Master s Degree in Cunseling, and a passing scre n the TExES exam. Due t the teaching requirements fr schl cunselrs in the state f Texas, it is suggested that applicants with the gal f cunseling in Texas have teacher certificatin and/r teaching experience prir t applicatin. Applicants with the gal f cunseling in ther states are encuraged t explre the certificatin requirements f the specified state since nt all states require teaching experience. Sme students btain teacher certificatin and/r gain teaching experience while als studying schl cunseling. Students cmpleting this prgram are als eligible t pursue licensure in the state f Texas t becme a Licensed Prfessinal Cunselr. Higher Educatin Cunseling and Student Affairs The Higher Educatin Cunseling and Student Affairs (HECSA) cncentratin prepares graduates fr wrk in institutins f higher learning, such as cllege cunselrs, career cunselrs, academic advisers, supervisrs f resident advisers, and administratrs f student services prgrams. Students cmpleting this prgram are als eligible t pursue licensure in the state f Texas t becme a Licensed Prfessinal Cunselr. Required Curses Cunselr Educatin requires curses in the histry f cunseling, mdalities and skills f cunseling, career develpment, human develpment, assessment, research, and multicultural cmpetence. The curriculum cnsists f curse wrk and practicum experiences fr cunseling in educatinal settings. The practicum experience ccurs in the secnd year fr full time students r after the cmpletin f specified cre curses. Wrkshps and infrmal seminars are prvided alng with the mre structured curriculum fr student and faculty prfessinal grwth. Students jin the faculty in planning and arranging fr these special enrichment activities. Imprtantly, students have the ptin f cmpleting a master's reprt r master's thesis in which they address current issues related t cunseling in academic settings. The University f Texas at Austin 18 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

21 Ttal Prgram HursMEd Optin (60 Hurs) Students will cmplete 54 hurs f the cre curses utlined in Sectins I. Students will cmplete 2 additinal apprved curses as utlined in Sectin II. MA Optin (60 hurs f cursewrk plus 3 hurs f master s reprt) Students will cmplete 60 hurs f curses utlined in sectins I and II belw. Students will take ne additinal elective curse. Students will cmplete EDP 398R: Master s Reprt. MA Optin (60 hurs f cursewrk plus 6 hurs f master s thesis wrk) Students will cmplete 60 hurs f curses utlined in sectins I and II belw. Students will cmplete EDP 698A and EDP 698B: Thesis. Students may be required by their thesis adviser t take additinal statistics curses t develp the required skills in data analysis t successfully cmplete the thesis. The University f Texas at Austin 19 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

22 I: Cre Cunseling Cursewrk Ttal hurs required: 54 Hurs Hurs 3 EDP 381C: Research Methdlgy fr Practitiners r Apprved Equivalent Curse 3 EDP 382F: Individual thrugh the Life Cycle OR Child & Adlescent Scial & Cg. Develpment 3 EDP 383C: Overview f Psych- educatinal Assessment OR 383C.12 Assessment in Cunseling 3 EDP 384C: Addictins Cunseling 3 EDP 384C: Appraches t Interventin r Apprved Equivalent 3 EDP 384C: Career Develpment 3 EDP 384D: Grup Cunseling 3 EDP 384C: Helping and Cunseling Skills 3 EDP 384C: Multicultural Cunseling 3 EDP 384C: Schl Cunseling OR EDP 385C. Seminar in Academic and Student Affairs in Higher Educatin r Apprved Equivalent 3 EDP 384N: Practicum in Cunselr Educatin 6 EDP 384C: Theries f Cunseling EDP 384Q: Practicum in Cunseling* (2 semesters, at least 1 semester in schl/higher educatin settings) OR EDP 384S: Practicum in Spanish fr the Helping Prfessinals Or Apprved Equivalent 3 EDP 385C: Ethics in Cunseling 3 EDP 385C: Advanced Ethics and Prfessinal Issues in Cunseling 3 EDP 3XXX: Abnrmal Psychlgy (effective 2015) 3 EDP 3XXX: Prgram Elective (may be selected frm supprting cursewrk r ther prgram elective) The University f Texas at Austin 20 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

23 II: Supprting Cursewrk (6 hurs) The six hurs f supprting cursewrk must be fulfilled by either curses in the fllwing dmains #1, #2, r #3. 1. Apprved ut- f- department curses. Students cmmnly take curses frm Scial Wrk, Special Educatin, Psychlgy r Human Eclgy. 2. Human Develpment, Culture and Learning Sciences, Quantitative Methds r Schl Psychlgy curses 3. Advanced Thery/Research Cunseling Curses Curses in this categry are advanced thery r therapy curses utside f the scpe f skills required fr cunseling in academic setting. The advanced curses ffered at a given time differ due t changes in the field and faculty skills and interests. The categries and examples f curses are added belw. The selectin f these curses will be apprved by the Cunselr Educatin Chair. Principles fr inclusin in this categry include curses which add breadth t the cunseling cre by addressing ne f the fllwing dimensins: Service delivery in a setting ther than academic cunseling EDP 384C Integrated Behaviral Health EDP 382E Health Psychlgy A mdality f psychtherapy nt used in the schl setting Service delivery t a specific ppulatin r diagnsis. EDP 384C. Family Systems Interventins with Adults and Cuples EDP 384C Family Systems Interventins with Children and Adlescents EDP 384C Cgnitive- Behaviral Therapy with Children and Adlescents EDP 384C Cgnitive- Behaviral Therapy with Adults EDP 383C Psychpathlgy r Child Psychpathlgy An advanced curse fr a tpic cvered generally in the cunseling cre EDP384C Crisis Interventin in Schls EDP 384C Child and Adlescent Skills and Interventins. III: Research in Cunseling t Pursue an M.A. (Optinal 3 t 6 hurs) Master s Reprt r Thesis Cursewrk (If pursuing this ptin) 3-6 EDP 398R: Master's Reprt r EDP 698A and 698B: Thesis The University f Texas at Austin 21 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

24 COURSE SEQUENCE A student s prgressin thrugh the prgram is based upn multiple factrs, including curse availability and student s persnal needs. Students are encuraged t start in the summer fllwing their admissin. A typical curse lad is 9 t 12 hurs. Mst curses are taught nly nce each year and sme curses are nly taught nly every ther year. Therefre, it is imprtant t wrk clsely with the academic adviser in rder t plan yur curse wrk. While individual accmmdatins can be made at times, ur ability t adjust curses t students individual needs is limited. Students wh start in the fall r wh take fewer hurs may be end up taking extra semesters t cmplete their degrees. This chart utlines the recmmended sequence f curses fr the 2015 chrt that accunts fr the timing f curses and ensures that curses are taken in the apprpriate sequence. Schl Cunseling Year 1: Schl Cunseling Year 2: HECSA Year 1 Year 2: Summer Fall Spring Schl Cunseling Indiv thru Life Cycle Theries in Cunseling Addictins Cunseling Multicultural Cunseling Helping Skills Elective Abnrmal Psychlgy Overview Assessment Elective Practicum I Appraches t Interventin Ethics Grup Higher Educatin Cunseling and Student Affairs Theries in Cunseling Psychpathlgy Multicultural Cunseling Elective Helping Skills Addictins Cunseling Individual thrugh the Life Cycle Abnrmal Psychlgy Overview Assessment Practicum I Ethics in Cunseling Appraches t Interventin Elective Career Develpment Research Design Schl Cunseling Practicum (Intrductry) Practicum II Adv Ethics & Prf Issues Child Psychpathlgy Elective r Master s Reprt Career Develpment Research Design Practicum (Intrductry) Grup Practicum II Adv Ethics & Prf Issues Seminar in HECSA Elective r Master s Reprt The University f Texas at Austin 22 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

25 Imprtant Things t Keep in Mind ü If yu plan t graduate in six semesters, be aware that certain required curses are nly ffered every ther year. These curses include, but may nt be limited t: Schl Cunseling, Seminar in Academic and Student Affairs in Higher Educatin, and Overview f Psycheducatinal Assessment. Yu will need t wrk clsely with yur adviser t ensure that these requirements are met. ü Be careful in selecting supprting curses fr yur degree plan. Yu may insert these int yur prgram f wrk where Electives are indicated. Sme electives are nt always ffered. If yu are planning t be eligible fr the LPC, yu must include a psychpathlgy curse, a life span develpment curse and the ther supprting curses must be clinical in nature. ü Yu must have taken r be c- enrlled in Helping and Cunseling and Theries f Cunseling t be eligible fr practicum. Yu will als need t have cmpleted 12 hurs t be eligible fr practicum. If yu plan t d a practicum at a career center, Career Develpment is als a prerequisite. ü In rder t apply fr a license as a prfessinal cunselr in the state f Texas (LPC), a planned graduate prgram in cunseling r a cunseling- related field f at least 48 graduate semester hurs is required. Mst ther states require a 60 hurs degree prgram. Effective fall 2015, the University f Texas prgram will require 60 hurs t meet the natinal standards. Effective 2017, the state f Texas will require 60 hurs. Sme ut- f- department curses might nt qualify as "cunseling curses", and therefre students shuld keep this in mind when planning their curse f study. A curse in psychpathlgy is als required as part f the students cursewrk, as well as a curse in Nrmal Human Grwth. It shuld be nted that this curse MUST cver human develpment acrss the lifespan, frm prenatal t ld age. This is particularly imprtant fr thse in the schl cunseling track wh wish t pursue an LPC. The ptinal curse Child and Adlescent Cgnitive Develpment will nt cunt fr this requirement. Mre infrmatin abut the LPC in the state f Texas is available at The University f Texas at Austin 23 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

26 Master s Reprt in Cunselr Educatin Purpse The master s reprt serves several functins in the verall prgram f wrk fr the M.A. in Cunselr Educatin. It is an pprtunity t develp greater understanding f a tpic related t the field f cunseling. During a student s prgress thrughut the prgram, prblems and issues are encuntered that require in- depth review and analysis. The reprt can be a vehicle fr extending knwledge abut such an area. Finally, the reprt demnstrates that the student is an insightful cnsumer f research, pssessing the ability t evaluate thery and research in the field and develp applicatins t a significant prblem. Frmer students have reprted that having an area f specializatin has been helpful in jb interviews. Selecting a Tpic Typically, the tpic will fcus n sme imprtant cunseling thery r prcedure r address a critical issue in the practice f guidance and cunseling. It is als pssible fr the tpic t be drawn frm a nn- cunseling discipline r bdy f research and practice, as lng as applicatins can be made t cunseling. Surces f tpics may include the fllwing: Ideas, thery, and research encuntered in curses and readings. Current research cnducted by a faculty member. Prblems and issues arising during a practicum. Past experiences re- cnceptualized. Prfessinal activities. Emerging r n- ging areas f interest represented in jurnals, ther schlarly publicatins, r prfessinal meetings. Nature f the Reprt Althugh master s reprts may vary in length and number f chapters, all shuld have at least the fllwing three sectins (thugh the specific wrding need nt be used in chapter headings): 1. Intrductin and Statement f the Prblem. This sectin shuld prvide an verview, laying ut the big picture and indicating its imprtance. The specific fcus f the reprt shuld als be identified and related t the general area f inquiry, alng with the plan r rganizatin f the reprt. 2. Review f the Literature. The review shuld include general and up- t- date research addressing the tpic f the reprt. In mst cases, pertinent thery r cnceptualizatins f the tpic shuld als be described. If they are available, published reviews n the tpic shuld als The University f Texas at Austin 24 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

27 be examined. Depending n the nature f the tpic, this review may include theretical articles and/r empirical studies. Yur critical evaluatin f such literature is als imprtant. 3. Applicatins t Cunseling. This sectin shuld present an integratin f thery/research and practice. If the tpic is drawn primarily frm the nn- cunseling literature, special attentin shuld be paid t explring and evaluating implicatins f the tpic fr cunseling. Recmmendatins fr practice shuld be given. It is als pssible fr the master s reprt t be primarily cncerned with develping a specific applicatin: e.g., preparing a special guidance curriculum; evaluating a new cunseling prcedure being used in a schl setting. In such cases, the reprt will need t present the applicatin r prcedure, and, if apprpriate, the evaluatin data that supprt its use. It wuld be expected that the literature review wuld be appreciably shrter fr such a reprt, while the applicatin sectin wuld be lnger. Nuts and Blts Yu will need tw readers fr yur reprt, at least ne f whm shuld be a member f the Cunseling faculty. Yur supervisr fr the reprt is the primary adviser fr the reprt and must be a member f a Graduate Studies Cmmittee (GSC) fr the Department f, althugh it is nt required that she/he be n the cunseling faculty. The secnd reader may be any ther faculty member and may be an adjunct faculty in r a faculty frm a different department. It is extremely difficult t write a quality master s reprt in ne semester. Therefre, befre being cleared t register fr EDP 398R in the semester prir t yur graduatin, yu will be required t have already arranged fr a supervisr, a reader, and a tpic fr the reprt. Please cnsult with the academic adviser if yu need assistance in finding a faculty member wh has expertise in yur area. Yu must enrll fr 398R (Master s Reprt) during the semester in which the degree is awarded, althugh yu may enrll mre than nce if yu dn t cmplete it n time. Students shuld begin wrking n the reprt befre they begin their final semester, as mst students find it takes mre than ne semester t cmplete it. Yu shuld select an adviser as sn as yu have a firm idea f the cntent area, and yu will be asked t have an advisr and tpic selected befre yu can register fr the Master s Reprt curse. A specific page length is nt required. Apprximately 30 t 35 pages is typical. The Graduate Schl publishes an fficial descriptin f the acceptable frmat fr the reprt. This infrmatin can be fund at (as well as infrmatin abut applying fr graduatin). Cnsulting it befre yu get t far alng in the prject might save yu sme time. Please cnsult the Student Handbk fr mre infrmatin n the Department s prcedures fr submitting the reprt. The University f Texas at Austin 25 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

28 Cunselr Educatin Practicum Guidelines Ratinale The primary purpse f the practicum is t prvide students with a clsely supervised, integrated cunseling experience as part f their verall prfessinal preparatin prgram. As such, the practicum is perceived t be a capstne experience in which the student cunselr is expected t integrate his/her didactic preparatin with practical applicatin. It is intended that the practicum experience be designed t assist students in develping nt nly a better understanding f themselves as persns and cmpetent cunselrs, but als a better understanding f the cnstituency with whm they expect t wrk with in the future. All students in the Cunselr Educatin prgram are required t successfully cmplete tw semesters f practicum. Objectives The fllwing list specifies Cunselr Educatin prgram bjectives fr practicum training: 1. The student will apply ethical principles and the ethical decisin- making mdel in interactins at their setting. 2. The student will gain knwledge f the structure and rutine assciated with a cunseling setting, as well as participate fully as a prfessinal in that setting. 3. The student will use assessment strategies in defining and appraising client cncerns, including behaviral bservatins, interviewing skills and/r frmal tests. 4. The student will wrk with clients in gal setting and identify ways t evaluate whether these gals have been achieved. 5. The student will demnstrate knwledge f and use basic cunseling skills including: a. attending skills b. empathy c. applicatin f thery and change strategies. 6. In n- site supervisin and in the practicum curse supervisin, the students will apprpriately use supervisin and cnsultatin by: a. cnducting case discussins b. reviewing tapes f sessins c. identifying prblem areas d. incrprating feedback frm the supervisr in future interactins with clients. The University f Texas at Austin 26 Cunselr Educatin Handbk

29 7. The student will use the practicum experience t cntinue t develp their cmpetence in dealing with diversity issues in cunseling by: a. examining awareness f self and issues in diversity b. gaining knwledge f ther s experiences and cntexts c. develping skills t incrprate in cunseling with diversity. 8. The student will use the guidance mdel t develp interventins that address campus- wide r small grup issues. Prerequisites The student shuld have cmpleted a minimum f 12 credit hurs befre beginning the practicum experience. The student must have cmpleted r be c- enrlled in the fllwing curses: Helping and Cunseling Skills Theries f Cunseling Career Cunseling (fr career center practicum) Nte: The student must be in gd academic standing. Criteria fr Apprved Practicum Sites A list f pssible practicum sites is included in this manual. Prir t pursuing a practicum that has nt been listed in this manual, the student must get the apprval f the practicum crdinatr and cmplete a Practicum Request Frm (available nline; see end f manual). In the curse f the Fall r Spring semester, the practicum site shuld prvide at least: Twelve hurs f practicum experience per week, including at least 5 hurs f direct service per week. A minimum f 1 hur per week f individual supervisin. These meetings are t be in additin t ther site meetings. Case management issues are assumed t be the majr fcus f these supervisry sessins. As an upper limit, practicum sites shuld nt require mre than 15 hurs f students' time per week. Hwever, in negtiatin with practicum site supervisrs, students may chse t cmmit mre time t their practicum activities accrding t their training interests and needs, and in cnsideratin f ther demands they may have. The student may be reimbursed by the practicum site, as lng as the student s cntract with the agency is fundamentally geared tward fulfilling the training needs f the student. The University f Texas at Austin 27 Cunselr Educatin Handbk