1 Requesting to Transfer from the 36 Credit Hour School Counseling Program To the 48 Hour School Counseling Program Contents Rational and Transition Dates. Page 2 Program Changes. Page 3 CNDV 5310 Counseling Skills... Page 3 CNDV 5390 Practicum... Page 4 CNDV 5394C Internship I.. Page 4 CNDV 5394D Internship II. Page 5 CNDV 5380 Residency I. Page 6 Licensure Eligibility. Page 6 Course Listings. Page 7 Steps to Apply for Transitioning to the 48-hour Program in TK20. Page 8
2 RATIONAL AND TRANSITION DATES You may be aware that the School Counseling Program has made the decision to transition from a 36 credit hour to 48 credit hour degree requirement. Students currently enrolled in the 36 hour program are NOT required to transition to the 48 hour program but are encouraged to do so. If you decide to remain in the 36 credit hour program, there is no additional action necessary. Our decision to transition to a 48 hour requirement was based on national accreditation standards and best practices. Any new students beginning after August 1, 2015 will be required to follow a new degree plan that includes all of the existing coursework in the 36 hour program plus an academic residency (one week face to face), CNDV 5310 (Counseling Skills), a 100 hour practicum, and a 600 hour internship. This 48-hour program is aligned with national standards for counselor training. We found that students in the 36 hour program entered the workforce missing some important training in counseling skills and that they were far behind the national standards for counselor preparation with regard to credit hours and specific courses. In the near future, 36 hour degrees may not be recognized by any professional counseling organizations. While 36 hour programs are still allowed by TEA, it is important to be aligned with the minimum standards for the profession. Again, if you remain in the 36 hour program and you are a Texas resident, you will still be eligible for certification. It is important for you to note that in January of 2015, the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) announced that they would only certify students who are graduates of CACREP accredited programs after 2020. This is a significant consideration for all current students. In an effort to prepare students for the highest counseling credentials possible, the Department of Counseling and Special Populations decided to transition to the 48 hour requirement for the possibility of pursuing CACREP accreditation for the school program in the future. However, the decision to officially pursue CACREP accreditation for the school counseling program has not yet been made. CACREP accreditation for the clinical mental health program is currently in-process. Any students currently enrolled in the 36 hour program are now being invited to transfer into the 48 hour program and to complete the additional requirements. Because the national standards for school counseling are changing, we believe that completing the additional credits would be a good decision for everyone. While some states still maintain 36 hours as the minimum requirement for becoming a school counselor, the national standard is clearly 48 hours. It has already been announced that the national standard will increase to 60 hours in 2020. We deem it necessary to complete a step wise transition toward the 60 hour requirement and do not want any students to be under prepared for the world of school counselor practice. The steps for transferring to the new program are listed at the end of this document.
3 Top 10 Reasons that 48 Hours is a better choice than 36 hours: 1. Increases your ability to compete for school counselor positions 2. Gives you the opportunity to pursue the National Certified School Counselor credential 3. Some school districts only accept 48 hour programs for practicum and internships 4. Positions you to pursue a license to practice outside of school (LPC) 5. Better prepared to handle student crisis situations 6. The state school counselor exam is based on all of the content in the 48 hour program. 7. Only 48 hour programs are eligible for the national honor society for counseling Chi Sigma Iota. 8. 48 hours is currently the highest standard across all states. The degree gives you more freedom for potential relocation. 9. Extensive exam preparation and extensive skills practice 10. The 48 hour program is specifically aligned with the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) National Model PROGRAM CHANGES The information below outlines the additional requirements/changes specific to the 48-hour school counseling program. There is one course (CNDV 5310), Counseling Skills that is designed to build your ability to work effectively with students in the school system. The Skills class is part of the regular rotation of courses online. In addition to CNDV 5310, students must complete 6 credits in internship and a 3- credit academic residency experience. The practicum experience also includes some changes from the 36-credit hour requirement. CNDV 5310 - Counseling Skills An introduction of facilitation skills and theory. In-depth analysis and demonstration of various facilitation techniques for use with counseling clients. 3.000 Credit hours 3.000 Lecture hours Practicum CNDV 5390 A The 48-hour School Counseling program require completion of a supervised practicum in the student s designated program area of 100 clock hours. The practicum is intended to reflect the comprehensive work experience of a professional counselor appropriate to the designated program area. Each student s practicum includes all of the following: 1. Students must complete supervised counseling practicum experiences that total a minimum of 100 clock hours over a full academic term that is a minimum of 10 weeks. 2. Practicum students must complete at least 40 clock hours of direct service with actual clients that contributes to the development of counseling skills.
4 3. An average of one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision is provided throughout the practicum by (1) a counselor education program faculty member, (2) a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member, or (3) a site supervisor who is working in biweekly consultation with a counselor education program faculty member in accordance with the supervision agreement. 4. An average of 1 1/2 hours per week of group supervision is provided on a regular schedule throughout the practicum by a counselor education program faculty member or a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member. 5. Students are covered by individual professional counseling liability insurance policies while enrolled in practicum. 6. Supervision of practicum students includes program-appropriate audio/video recordings and/or live supervision of students interactions with clients. 7. Formative and summative evaluations of the student s counseling performance and ability to integrate and apply knowledge are conducted as part of the student s practicum. Internship I, CNDV 5394 C The 48-hour School Counseling programs require completion of a supervised internship in the student s designated program area of 300 clock hours for internship I, begun after successful completion of the practicum. The internship is intended to reflect the comprehensive work experience of a professional counselor appropriate to the designated program area. Each student s internship includes all of the following: 1. Students must complete a 300 clock hour supervised counseling internship in their designated program which is begun after successful completion of the practicum. 2. Internship students must complete at least 240 clock hours of direct service, including experience as a group leader. 3. An average of one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship is provided by (1) the site supervisor, (2) counselor education program faculty, or (3) a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member. 4. An average of 1 1/2 hours per week of group supervision is provided on a regular schedule throughout the internship by program faculty or a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member. 5. Students have the opportunity to become familiar with a variety of professional activities and resources in addition to direct service activities.
5 6. Students are covered by individual professional counseling liability insurance policies while enrolled in internship. 7. Supervision of internship students includes program-appropriate audio/video recordings and/or live supervision of students interactions with clients. 8. Formative and summative evaluations of the student s counseling performance and ability to integrate and apply knowledge are conducted as part of the student s internship. Internship II, CNDV 5394 D The 48-hour School Counseling programs require completion of a supervised internship in the student s designated program area of 300 clock hours for internship II, begun after successful completion of Internship I. The internship is intended to reflect the comprehensive work experience of a professional counselor appropriate to the designated program area. Each student s internship includes all of the following: 1. Students must complete a 300 clock hour supervised counseling internship in their designated program which is begun after successful completion of the practicum. 2. Internship students must complete at least 240 clock hours of direct service, including experience as a group leader. 3. An average of one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship is provided by (1) the site supervisor, (2) counselor education program faculty, or (3) a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member. 4. An average of 1 1/2 hours per week of group supervision is provided on a regular schedule throughout the internship by program faculty or a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member. 5. Students have the opportunity to become familiar with a variety of professional activities and resources in addition to direct service activities. 6. Students are covered by individual professional counseling liability insurance policies while enrolled in internship. 7. Supervision of internship students includes program-appropriate audio/video recordings and/or live supervision of students interactions with clients. 8. Formative and summative evaluations of the student s counseling performance and ability to integrate and apply knowledge are conducted as part of the student s internship.
6 Residency CNDV 5380 Residency is essentially the face-to-face requirement that is a crucial component of the School Counseling program. Students attend one 6-day residencies in which they participate in learning modules, skill development, advising, and group projects. In Residency I, students receive the comprehensive school counseling series and participate in basic counseling skills development. Residency II, is only required for clinical mental health student and not for students in the school counseling program. For more information, please see the counseling and special population s residency homepage. http://education.lamar.edu/counseling-and-special-populations/residency/index.html LICENSURE ELIGABILITY (Courses toward LPC) As of January 1st, 2016 only students in the 48-hour school counseling program will be allowed to enroll in the additional coursework required to become eligible to pursue licensure hours. Please bear in mind licensure requirements vary by state. It is the students responsibility to understand the licensure course requirements for their state. Please also contact your School Counseling advisor for assistance. If you would like to practice outside of the school system at some point during your career, you will need the additional coursework. Any students enrolled in the certificate prior to January will be allowed to complete that program. However, we do not guarantee that they will meet eligibility requirements for licensure because of state to state changes. Also, remember by completing the coursework needed for licensure eligibility it not does provide you with your licensure. Licensure requirements across all states require a minimum level of course work (state dependent) in addition to a number counseling hours (state dependent) of practice you must accrue (typically on the job) under supervision to obtain your licensure.
7 48 HOUR COURSE LISTINGS CNDV 5301 - Human Growth & Development (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5303 Foundations of School Counseling (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5310 - Counseling Skills (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5311 - Individual Counseling Theory/Techniques (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5312 - Group Counseling Theories/Techniques (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5320 - Multicultural Counseling (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5322 - Professionalism Ethics & Law (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5323 - Career Development (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5330 Developmental Guidance and Counseling (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5334 - Measurement & Assessment (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5352 - Crisis Prevention Intervention (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5353 - Research & Program Evaluation (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5380 - Seminar Counseling & Development (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5390A School Counseling Practicum (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5394C - Internship in Counseling (3 Credit Hours) CNDV 5394D - Internship in Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
8 STEPS TO APPLY FOR TRANSFER IN TK20 1. Open your TK20 account and go to the Applications tab: 2. Go to the Create Application item on the left menu. Select it. Then pull down the menu in the center and select Transfer from 36 hour program to 48 hour program
3. Complete the application. 4. Press Submit 5. You don t need to do anything else. You will be automatically moved into the new program by submitting this application. For additional questions, contact Lashonda Birdon in Student Services. She can be reached via phone at 409:880:7409 or via email luacademic@lamar.edu