UNCP Counseling Programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Professional School Counseling Program Student Handbook

Transcription

1 : Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Professional School Counseling Program Student Handbook The University of North Carolina at Pembroke School of Education Department of School Administration and Counseling

2 School of Education P.O. Box 1510 Pembroke, NC August August 11, 2012 Dear Students, As Program Directors of the Professional School Counseling Program and the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, let us extend a warm welcome to you on behalf of the faculty and staff of the Department of School Administration and Counseling, the School of Education, and UNC Pembroke! Professional Counseling is an exciting career field that offers many rewarding opportunities for personal and professional development. As you work towards becoming a Professional Counselor in a school or clinical mental health setting, please take advantage of the many opportunities that are available to you, both on campus and off, as you fulfill your academic and professional goals. We encourage you to become active in professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association and the North Carolina Counseling Association. This handbook is meant to serve as a roadmap for the Counseling programs. It will provide you with information about your program of study and the field placement experiences: practicum and internship. Consult this manual, the UNCP Academic Catalog, the School of Graduate Studies, and your academic advisor often to ensure smooth progression through the program. Also keep up to date with the program by: following our blog at connect with us on like us on Facebook: and join the listserv at The Counseling Programs at UNC Pembroke are committed to excellence in counselor preparation. We welcome your feedback about your experience of the programs. If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Cordially, Angela McDonald, PhD, LPC, NCC Jeffrey Warren, PhD, LPC, NCC, NCSC Program Director and Assistant Professor Program Director and Assistant Professor Clinical Mental Health Counseling Professional School Counseling Department of School Administration and Counseling 2

3 Table of Contents THE COUNSELING PROGRAMS AT UNCP HISTORY OF THE COUNSELING PROGRAMS AT UNCP MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL LOCATION MEET THE FACULTY PROGRAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING PROGRAM DESCRIPTION PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM DESCRIPTION COURSE DELIVERY ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS NON-DEGREE SEEKING STUDENTS SCHOOL COUNSELING LICENSURE ONLY STUDENTS TRANSFER CREDITS APPLICANTS AND STUDENTS WITH CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS STUDENT DIVERSITY POLICY GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM ORIENTATION ADVISEMENT GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK ACADEMIC CALENDARS STUDENT EXPENSES PROGRAM RESOURCES ETHICAL CONDUCT PERSONAL COUNSELING POLICY COUNSELING PROGRAMS LISTSERV, BLOG, TWITTER, FACEBOOK PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS CHI SIMGA IOTA CHAPTER: PHI SIGMA ANNUAL WORKSHOP STUDENT PROGRESS AND ASSESSMENT COURSE SEQUNECING STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE COUNSELING PROGRAMS EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES COURSE GRADES COUNSELING PROGRAMS GRADING POLICY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES GRADING POLICY COMPREHENSIVE EXAM STUDENT PROGRESS EVALUATION APPLICATION TO AND ENROLLMENT IN CNS 6120 COUNSELING PRACTICUM ASSESSMENT DURING INTERNSHIP REMEDIATION PROCEDURES

4 UNCP GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES AND POLICIES 30 COUNSELOR LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION 30 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FOR EMPLOYMENT, ADVANCED STUDIES, AND CREDENTIALING 31 PROGRAM EVALUATION 31 FIELD PLACEMENT COORDINATOR 32 PRACTICUM POLICIES 32 CNS 6100 COUNSELING PRACTICUM (3 HOURS) 32 FIELD EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT PROTOCOL FOR ALL COUNSELING STUDENTS 33 FIELD PLACEMENT PROTOCOL FOR PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING STUDENTS 34 PRACTICUM HOURS 34 DIRECT AND INDIRECT CLIENT CONTACT 34 RECORDING COUNSELING SESSIONS 34 SUPERVISION 35 LIABILITY INSURANCE 35 PROFESSIONAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT 35 INTERNSHIP COURSES 35 CNS 6120 CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERNSHIP (3 HOURS, REPEATED ONCE FOR TOTAL OF 6 HOURS) 35 CNS 6130 SCHOOL COUNSELING INTERNSHIP (3 HOURS, REPEATED ONCE FOR TOTAL OF 6 HOURS) 36 INTERNSHIP POLICIES 36 FIELD EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT 36 INTERNSHIP HOURS 36 DIRECT AND INDIRECT CLIENT CONTACT 37 RECORDING COUNSELING SESSIONS 37 SUPERVISION 37 LIABILITY INSURANCE 38 APPENDIX SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS IN ONLINE COUNSELING COURSES PATH TO LICENSURE CHART: PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING COMPREHENSIVE EXAM NATIONAL COUNSELOR EXAM FIELD PLACEMENT FORMS FIELD PLACEMENT PRE-SELECTION DATA SHEET FIELD PLACEMENT REQUEST APPLICATION PROPOSED SITE SUPERVISOR FORM FIELD PLACEMENT CONTRACT CONSENT TO AUDIOTAPE OR VIDEOTAPE CLIENT CONTACT CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING ADVISING CHECKLIST PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING ADVISING CHECKLIST CURRICULUM: COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

5 THE COUNSELING PROGRAMS at UNCP This student handbook contains general information about the counseling programs at UNC-Pembroke. It also contains information specific to each counseling program. UNCP offers two programs of study in counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Professional School Counseling. Students are encouraged to also frequently consult the policies of the School of Graduate Studies, the university academic calendars, and the UNCP Academic Catalog. These resources are available online at The information in this handbook is subject to change periodically. Students are advised to consult with their advisors throughout their programs of study for the most up to date information. History of the Counseling Programs at UNCP The Counseling Programs at UNCP have been training and preparing counselors to work in the schools and communities of Southeastern North Carolina since the mid-1990s. The Counseling Programs began as two graduate degree programs: a Master of Arts in School Counseling and a Master of Arts degree in Service Agency Counseling. These programs were among the first of what was then Pembroke State University s graduate degree program offerings. Students began enrolling in the programs in the fall of Originally, both programs were located within the College of Arts & Sciences in the Psychology Department. Over time, the programs were relocated to the School of Education. During the years from , both counseling programs taught their own distinct sets of core counseling courses. In 2008, the faculty in both programs revised the programs to be shared programs with a cohesive counselor education identity, a common core of classes, and a common mission for preparing excellent counselors. In 2009 the Service Agency Counseling Program was phased out and replaced with a 60-credit hour Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program that required additional coursework specifically in mental health counseling issues and required an additional semester of internship for a total of 700 hours of field placement experience upon graduation. During the fall of 2010, the counseling programs began a formal self-study process as the department prepared to pursue accreditation with the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). The self-study spurred numerous program improvements including, but not limited to, increasing the required number of credit hours for the Professional School Counseling degree from 48 to 60 credit hours and focusing on student learning outcomes for assessment across both curricula. The self-study was submitted to CACREP in December An initial review of the self-study by CACREP was received by the university in March The outcome of the initial review was that the university was eligible to schedule a site visit. An addendum to the self-study was submitted by the university in August 2012 to address concerns about the self-study raised in the CACREP initial review letter. A site visit was scheduled for October The CACREP standards, state licensure standards, the expertise of the faculty, feedback from students, and the unique needs of the region have provided valuable and ongoing sources of program development inspiration. 5

6 Mission of the University Founded in 1887 as a school for the education of American Indians, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke now serves a distinctly diverse student body and encourages inclusion and appreciation for the values of all people. UNC Pembroke exists to promote excellence in teaching and learning, at the graduate and undergraduate levels, in an environment of free inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and rigorous intellectual standards. Our diversity and our commitment to personalized teaching uniquely prepare our students for rewarding careers, postgraduate education, leadership roles, and fulfilling lives. We cultivate an international perspective, rooted in our service to and appreciation of our multi-ethnic regional society, which prepares citizens for engagement in global society. Students are encouraged to participate in activities that develop their intellectual curiosity and mold them into responsible stewards of the world. UNCP faculty and staff are dedicated to active student learning, engaged scholarship, high academic standards, creative activity, and public service. We celebrate our heritage as we enhance the intellectual, cultural, economic, and social life of the region. Mission of the Counseling Programs The mission of the Graduate Counseling Programs at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke is to train diverse professional counselors committed to improving the mental health and human development of individuals served in schools and communities. Through research, service, and teaching, the faculty members collaborate with students to prepare counseling practitioners who have strong counselor identities, effective clinical and leadership skills, and cultural competence. The counseling programs engage in continual program evaluation and revision to maintain alignment with the counseling profession s national standards. Organizational Structure and Physical Location The Counseling Programs are located within the Department of School Administration and Counseling. The Department of School Administration and Counseling is a department within the School of Education. The School of Education is located in the Education Center building. Dr. Alfred Bryant is the Department Chair of the Department of School Administration and Counseling. Dr. Angela McDonald is the Program Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Dr. Jeffrey Warren is the Program Director of the Professional School Counseling Program and the Field Placement Coordinator. The Interim Dean of the School of Education is Dr. Zoe Locklear and the Interim Associate Dean is Dr. Alfred Bryant. All programs that offer graduate degrees at UNCP are coordinated by the School of Graduate Studies. The School of Graduate Studies sets university-wide policies and procedures for graduate programs. The School of Graduate Studies is located in Lindsay Hall. 6

7 MEET THE FACULTY The core and supporting faculty and select adjunct faculty of the Counseling Programs at UNCP are listed below, alphabetically. Core faculty teach classes and advise students during Fall and Spring semesters, and on a limited basis during Summer semesters. Adjunct faculty instructors teach counseling students from semester to semester. Alfred Bryant, PhD, LPC is an Associate Professor, Chair of the School Administration and Counseling Department, and Interim Associate Dean of the School of Education. He completed his doctoral work in Counselor Education with a minor in Multicultural Counseling at North Carolina State University. His research and scholarship focuses on racial identity development, multicultural counseling and cultural differences in parental emotional communication. He is a member of the American Counseling Association and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience in community settings and schools. Contact information: alfred.bryant@uncp.edu Angela McDonald, PhD, LPC, NCC is an Assistant Professor in the Department of School Administration and Counseling and the Program Director for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She is also the co-faculty advisor for Phi Sigma, the counseling honor society on campus, and the campus CACREP liaison. She is an active member of the American Counseling Association and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. McDonald completed her doctoral work in Counselor Education with a cognate in family counseling at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Prior to joining the faculty at UNC-Pembroke, she counseled college students and taught as an adjunct instructor at East Carolina University. Her research, scholarship, and clinical interests focus on family-focused mental health counseling interventions, and gender and sexuality issues in counseling. She has served as a counselor in a women s health clinic, at a substance abuse community agency, in a family counseling clinic, on a college campus, and in a private practice. Dr. McDonald lives in Laurinburg, NC with her husband, three daughters, and three dogs. Contact information: angela.mcdonald@uncp.edu Gary Mauk, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education and teaches full time in the Counseling Programs. Dr. Mauk completed his doctoral work in Psychology (child adolescent development) at Utah State University in Logan, UT. He also holds a M.A. and CAGS in Developmental Psychology and School Psychology, respectively, from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Prior to joining the School of Education faculty, Dr. Mauk worked as the Coordinator of Grants Development in the UNCP Office of Sponsored Research and Programs, and as a school psychologist in the Scotland and Moore County school systems. His research and scholarship has focused on earlier identification of hearing loss and early intervention services, as well as child and adolescent mental health issues, especially loss and grief. He is a member of the American Counseling Association and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Mauk engages in grant development and school psychology-related 7

8 consultation with regional school districts, and, when time permits, he enjoys listening to 1970s-era music and playing with his dog, Sadie. Contact information: Monica Osburn, PhD, LPC-S, NCC is the Director of the Counseling Center at North Carolina State University. She is a long-time adjunct instructor in the Department of School Administration and Counseling at UNCP. Dr. Osburn completed her doctoral work at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in Counselor Education with a specialty in family and the law. She has served as a counselor in a mental health community agency setting, at a substance abuse community agency, in a family counseling clinic, on a college campus, and in an impatient treatment unit. In addition to being an active member of the American Counseling Association, she serves as a journal board member of Adultspan, for the Association of Adult Development and Aging (AADA), a division of ACA and is president of the American College Counseling Association division of ACA. Dr. Osburn lives in Lumberton, NC with her husband, and two children. Contact information: monica.osburn@uncp.edu Mark Schwarze, PhD, LPC, NCC, LCAS, CCS, is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the Testing Coordinator for the Counseling Programs. He has worked in a variety of settings providing substance abuse and mental health counseling. Dr. Schwarze s research and scholarship focuses on substance abuse, college counseling, and mindfulness interventions. He completed his doctoral work in Counselor Education at North Carolina State University. He is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, Certified Clinical Supervisor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Nationally Certified Counselor. He is a member of the American Counseling Association, American College Counseling Association, National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, where he serves on the Workforce Development Committee, and the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, where he serves as an At-Large Representative on the Board of Directors. Contact information: mark.schwarze@uncp.edu Glen Walter, Ph.D. is a full professor in the Professional School Counseling Program. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida. His research and teaching interests emphasize his passion for working with children and adolescents. In addition to his being an educator, therapist, author and Emmy award winning television host and producer, he is also a proud grandfather. Dr. Walter currently lives full time in Charlotte, NC and part time in Wagram, NC. Contact information: glen.walter@uncp.edu Jeffrey M. Warren PhD, LPC, NCC, NCSC, ACS is an Assistant Professor in the School Administration and Counseling Department and Program Director of the Professional School Counseling Program. He is also the Field Placement Coordinator for the Counseling Programs and co-faculty advisor for Phi Sigma, the counseling honor society on campus. Dr. Warren completed his doctoral work in Counselor Education with a cognate in Education at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. He 8

9 has worked as a professional counselor in many settings including school, agency, community, and private practice. Prior to becoming a faculty member at UNC- Pembroke, Dr. Warren was a Teaching Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University. His research and scholarship focuses on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, school counselor consultation, integrating technology and counseling, clinical supervision, and teacher beliefs. He has presented at state, national, and international counseling conferences. He currently serves on the Executive Council and is presidentelect-elect of the North Carolina Counseling Association. Dr. Warren resides in Wake Forest, NC with his wife and two children. Contact information: jeffrey.warren@uncp.edu 9

10 PROGRAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Description Program Director: Angela McDonald The Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to assist graduate students in the development of competencies necessary for functioning in the role of professional counselor in a variety of settings. The M.A.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling meets the standards established by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors for Professional Counselor licensure (LPC) and the National Board of Certified Counselors standards for national certification as a professional counselor (NCC). The American Counseling Association Ethics and Professional Standards and the American Mental Health Counseling Association principles are used as guides in developing and revising the program s developmental curriculum. The program is located in the School of Education, Department of School Administration and Counseling, and shares a common core of classes with the Professional School Counseling Program. This program does not prepare students to be school counselors. Students interested in careers in K-12 school counseling should apply to the Professional School Counseling Program at UNCP. The M.A.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is organized into three curriculum components: 1. Core counseling courses: Core counseling courses provide a foundation of professional knowledge and skills for counseling students during the first two years of their programs of study. The core counseling courses are shared with the Professional School Counseling Program. Core counseling courses must be successfully completed with a passing grade prior to enrollment in field placement courses. Students are also required to take and pass a comprehensive examination, the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE), after completing their core counseling courses. A passing score is required for progression through and graduation from the program. The CPCE is a standardized counseling exam that assesses student learning in the core areas. The cost of the exam is $45 and students are allowed three attempts to pass the exam. Students must submit the application and pay the application fee by the required deadline. Students can obtain information about the CPCE through their academic advisors. 2. Specialty area and elective courses: Specialty area and elective courses build on the foundation of knowledge and skills established in the core counseling courses by providing instruction in setting-specific and population-specific counseling practices. Specialty area courses may be taken concurrently with clinical field placement courses. Students consult with their academic advisors to determine the specialty and elective courses that will meet degree requirements and be best suited to the students needs and interests. 3. Clinical field placement courses: Clinical field placement courses integrate the knowledge and skills addressed during academic course work with real world, supervised experience. The clinical field experiences occur in university-approved community 10

11 agency, mental health clinic, and private practice settings and include on-site supervision and university-based supervision. The Counseling Practicum consists of a 100-hour field placement experience in an approved site and a 3-credit hour course with on campus group supervision and instruction. The Counseling Internship consists of a total of 600- hours of field placement experience taken over two semesters, 300-hours per semester in an approved site and two 3-credit hour courses with on campus group supervision and instruction. Students must complete applications for participation in the clinical field placement courses during the semester prior to beginning their practicum courses. Requirements for M.A.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Sem. Hrs Core Counseling Courses 27 CNS 5000 Professional and Ethical Issues CNS 5050 Counseling Skills and Techniques CNS 5500 Research and Program Evaluation CNS 5400 Theories of Counseling CNS 5700 Career Counseling and Development CNS 5025 Lifespan Development CNS 5100 Groups in Counseling CNS 5600 Assessment Practices in Counseling (prerequisite: CNS 5500) CNS 5800 Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Specialty Area Courses Complete all of the following: 18 CNS 5450 The Clinical Mental Health Counselor CNS 5360 Diagnosis and Treatment Planning CNS 5850 Theory and Process of Family Counseling CNS 5080 Gender and Sexuality Issues in Counseling CNS 5900 Addictions Counseling CNS 5060 Crisis Intervention Elective Courses 6 Select two elective courses from the following: CNS 5250 Counseling Children and Adolescents, CNS 5310 Mental Health Issues in Childhood and Adolescence, CNS 5070 College Counseling and Student Affairs, CNS 5870 The Family and Addiction, or CNSS 5xxx Special Topics in Counseling. (may be repeated for different topics). Clinical Field Placement Courses 9 CNS 6100 Counseling Practicum (Clinical Mental Health Setting) CNS 6120 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship (course is repeated once to earn a total of 6-credit hours) Total: 60 11

12 Professional School Counseling Program Description The Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) in Professional School Counseling is designed to assist graduate students in the development of competencies necessary for functioning in the role of school counselor in public and private elementary, middle, and secondary schools. The M.A.Ed. in Professional School Counseling meets the standards established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for Professional School Counselor licensure and the National Board of Certified Counselors standards for national certification as a professional counselor (NCC). The American Counseling Association Ethics and Professional Standards and the American School Counseling Association standards are used as guides in developing and revising the program s developmental curriculum. The program is located in the School of Education, Department of School Administration and Counseling, and shares a common core of classes with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. This program does not prepare students to be clinical mental health counselors. Students interested in careers in clinical mental health counseling should apply to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at UNCP. The M.A.Ed. in Professional School Counseling is organized into three curriculum components: 1. Core counseling courses: Core counseling courses provide a foundation of professional knowledge and skills for counseling students during the first two years of their programs of study. The core counseling courses are shared with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Core counseling courses must be successfully completed with a passing grade prior to enrollment in field placement courses. Students are also required to take and pass a comprehensive examination, the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE), after completing their core counseling courses. A passing score is required for progression through and graduation from the program. The CPCE is a standardized counseling exam that assesses student learning in the core areas. The cost of the exam is $45 and students are allowed three attempts to pass the exam. Students must submit the application and pay the application fee by the required deadline. Students can obtain information about the CPCE through their academic advisors. 2. Specialty area and elective courses: Specialty area and elective courses build on the foundation of knowledge and skills established in the core counseling courses by providing instruction in setting- specific and population- specific counseling practices. Specialty area courses may be taken concurrently with clinical field placement courses. Students consult with their academic advisors to determine the specialty and elective courses that will meet degree requirements and be best suited to the students needs and interests. 3. Clinical field placement courses: Clinical field placement courses integrate the knowledge and skills addressed during academic course work with real world, supervised experience. The clinical field experiences occur in university- approved community agency, mental health clinic, and private practice settings and include 12

13 on- site supervision and university- based supervision. The Counseling Practicum consists of a 100- hour field placement experience in an approved site and a 3- credit hour course with on campus group supervision and instruction. The Counseling Internship consists of a total of 600- hours of field placement experience taken over two semesters, 300- hours per semester in an approved site and two 3- credit hour courses with on campus group supervision and instruction. Students must complete applications for participation in the clinical field placement courses during the semester prior to beginning their practicum courses. Requirements for M.A.Ed. in Professional School Counseling Sem. Hrs Core Counseling Courses 27 CNS 5000 Professional and Ethical Issues CNS 5050 Counseling Skills and Techniques CNS 5500 Research and Program Evaluation CNS 5400 Theories of Counseling CNS 5700 Career Counseling and Development CNS 5025 Lifespan Development CNS 5100 Groups in Counseling CNS 5600 Assessment Practices in Counseling (prerequisite: CNS 5500) CNS 5800 Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Specialty Area Courses Complete all of the following: 18 CNS 5350 The Professional School Counselor CNS 5550 Seminar in School Counseling CNS 5250 Counseling Children and Adolescents CNS 5310 Mental Health Issues in Childhood and Adolescence CNS 5900 Addictions Counseling CNS 5060 Crisis Intervention Elective Courses 6 Select two elective courses from the following: CNS 5080 Gender and Sexuality Issues in Counseling, CNS 5850 Theory and Process of Family Counseling, CNS 5070 College Counseling and Student Affairs, CNS 5870 The Family and Addiction, or CNSS 5xxx Special Topics in Counseling (may be repeated for different topics). Clinical Field Placement Courses 9 CNS 6100 Counseling Practicum (School Counseling Setting) CNS 6130 School Counseling Internship (course is repeated once to earn a total of 6- credit hours) Total: 60 13

14 Course Delivery Courses are scheduled in the evenings and also offered during the summer months. The courses are offered in hybrid formats, including online and face-to-face instruction (see Appendix for Suggestions for Success in Online Counseling Courses ). A limited number of courses are also offered entirely online and entirely face-to-face. The Counseling Programs each lead to a 60-credit hour degree and can be completed in three years. Dual-track degree programs of study are not available. Students must select either Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Professional School Counseling. Admissions Requirements The Counseling Programs accept students on a rolling admissions basis. Qualified applicants will be considered until the program fills. In addition to the School of Graduate Studies admissions requirements: 1. All applicants for either the M.A.Ed. degree in Professional School Counseling or the M.A.Ed. degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling are required to submit an essay detailing their experiences relevant to professional counseling. The essay should demonstrate graduate-level writing skills, provide evidence of programcareer goal compatibility, and indicate the applicant s willingness to work with diverse populations. 2. At least one of the required letters of recommendation must be from a faculty member who has observed the applicant s academic potential and disposition. 3. Qualified applicants are required to participate in an interview with program faculty during the admissions process. Interview candidates will be notified in writing of the interview schedule via the applicant addresses provided on the application form. 4. Students who are accepted into either counseling program will attend an orientation session, scheduled by the School of Graduate Studies prior to the start of their first semester for Fall and Spring admissions. Students who are accepted into the program for Summer admission should attend the Fall orientation session. Non-Degree Seeking Students Prospective students interested in registering for coursework to achieve credentialing in either of the graduate counseling areas should contact the Program Director for information. Requests to take courses for credentialing purposes must be made to the Program Director and will be reviewed by program faculty. Non-degree seeking students, including graduates of either UNCP counseling program, should complete the School of Graduate Studies application form following the procedures for Enrollment for Enrichment Purposes and consult with the Program Director prior to the start of the semester in which the students would like to register for courses. Students who are permitted to take courses as non-degree seeking students will attend an orientation session with the Program Director. Non-degree seeking students are not permitted to take field placement courses at UNCP in either counseling program. School Counseling Licensure Only Students Candidates possessing a graduate degree in a counseling area and who do not desire a degree specifically in school counseling may apply for admittance to the 14