Counselor Education Teach Out Plan The Counselor Education faculty have work closely with students since the program meeting on September 23 rd, 2015, which announced the program s admission suspension and current plan to teach out the enrolled students. All students enrolled in the Counselor Education program were required to complete a program completion planner (see attached) to plan out when they would take the courses needed to graduate. It was originally proposed that the Counselor Education program completely stop offering classes in the Spring 2017 semester, but there has been much student concern about completing all program requirements by Spring 2017. The time needed to complete the program is the main area of concern for students, not the availability of courses. Attached is a list of written comments from students about attempting to complete their program by Spring 2017. There have been many other concerns and frustrations expressed verbally, but the overall gist is reflected in the written comments. After working with the students, the Counselor Education faculty propose that course offerings cease Spring 2017, except for practicum and internship courses. In Academic Year 2017/2018 the Counselor Education program will solely offer practicum and internship courses. Offering practicum and internship in the 2017/2018 academic year appears to be a solution to the time factor present by students. The proposed course offerings through Spring 2018 are attached. Please note that some courses may be cancelled next academic year due to students not needing these courses. An example of this is EDCN A610. It appears that all students enrolled in the Counselor Education program will have taken this course by the end of this Fall 2015 semester, thus it might not need to be offered next fall. In addition, if students need any additional coursework past our course offerings they will have the option to complete these courses through UAA s Psychology department or UAF s Counselor Education program. Students have been given a course equivalent chart that indicates what classes can be substituted in from UAA s Psychology department or UAF s Counselor Education program. Offering classes through Spring 2018 is not only a matter of student convenience but it is also to keep the agreements made with the schools and community. Students need to take prerequisites prior to practicum and internship so they can have competence in completing assignments in the clinical experience. The site supervisors expect students to have these prerequisites and we do not want to jeopardize the integrity of UAA with the school or community counseling sites by sending them students who are not ready for clinical assignments. Without the prerequisite courses all involved parties are at risk for legal liability if something goes wrong. If the Counselor Education program offers practicum and internship in the 2017/2018 academic year, this will allow students to complete the required prerequisites and be prepared to successfully complete practicum and internship. The Counselor Education faculty believe that this proposed teach out plan will accommodate the students currently enrolled in the program. Sincerely, Dr. Grant Sasse Program Coordinator of Counselor Education
UAA Counselor Education Program Completion Planner SCHOOL COUNSELING TRACK STUDENT NAME & ID# TARGET GRADUATION SEMESTER & YEAR THIS FORM IS DUE TO YOUR ADVISOR BY SEPTEMBER 30 UAA Counselor Education Course CORE COURSES EDRS A660 Foundations of Research EDRS A664 Writing Literature Reviews EDRS A667 Program Evaluation EDCN A610 Foundations of Counseling EDCN A613 Human Development for Helping Professionals EDCN A614 Counseling Diverse Populations EDCN A616 Counseling Theories EDCN A620 Assessment in Counseling EDCN A623 Counseling Skills and Techniques EDCN A624 Group Counseling EDCN A632 Lifespan Career Development EDSE A632 Special Education Law: Principles and Practices EDCN A680 Counseling Practicum ELECTIVE TRACK COURSES EDCN A625 Administration and Practices in School Counseling EDCN A633 Counseling Children and Adolescents INTERNSHIP(S) EDCN A 695E Counseling Internship: Elementary School, AND/OR EDCN A 695S Counseling Internship: Secondary School COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: Substitute Course (if applicable) Semester Taken/Planned
UAA Counselor Education Program Completion Planner COMMUNITY AGENCY COUNSELING TRACK STUDENT NAME & ID# TARGET GRADUATION SEMESTER & YEAR THIS FORM IS DUE TO YOUR ADVISOR BY SEPTEMBER 30 UAA Counselor Education Course CORE COURSES EDRS A660 Foundations of Research EDRS A664 Writing Literature Reviews EDRS A667 Program Evaluation EDCN A610 Foundations of Counseling EDCN A613 Human Development for Helping Professionals EDCN A614 Counseling Diverse Populations EDCN A616 Counseling Theories EDCN A620 Assessment in Counseling EDCN A623 Counseling Skills and Techniques EDCN A624 Group Counseling EDCN A632 Lifespan Career Development EDSE A632 Special Education Law: Principles and Practices EDCN A680 Counseling Practicum ELECTIVE TRACK COURSES EDCN A627 Counseling in Community Agencies, EDCN A637 Treating Emotional and Mental Disorders INTERNSHIP EDCN A 695C Counseling Internship: Community Agency COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: Substitute Course (if applicable) Semester Taken/Planned
UAA Counselor Education Program Completion Planner DUAL COMMUNITY AGENCY & SCHOOL COUNSELING TRACKS STUDENT NAME & ID# TARGET GRADUATION SEMESTER & YEAR THIS FORM IS DUE TO YOUR ADVISOR BY SEPTEMBER 30 UAA Counselor Education Course CORE COURSES EDRS A660 Foundations of Research EDRS A664 Writing Literature Reviews EDRS A667 Program Evaluation EDCN A610 Foundations of Counseling EDCN A613 Human Development for Helping Professionals EDCN A614 Counseling Diverse Populations EDCN A616 Counseling Theories EDCN A620 Assessment in Counseling EDCN A623 Counseling Skills and Techniques EDCN A624 Group Counseling EDCN A632 Lifespan Career Development EDSE A632 Special Education Law: Principles and Practices EDCN A680 Counseling Practicum ELECTIVE TRACK COURSES EDCN A625 Administration and Practices in School Counseling EDCN A633 Counseling Children and Adolescents EDCN A627 Counseling in Community Agencies, EDCN A637 Treating Emotional and Mental Disorders INTERNSHIP(S) EDCN A 695E Counseling Internship: Elementary School, AND/OR EDCN A 695S Counseling Internship: Secondary School, AND EDCN A 695C Counseling Internship: Community Agency Comments/Questions: Substitute Course (if applicable) Semester Taken/Planned
Academic Year 15-16 EDCN Course Offerings Fall 2015 EDCN 610- Professional and Ethical Orientation to Counseling EDCN 613- Human Development for Helping Professionals EDCN 620- Assessment in Counseling EDCN 625- Administration and Practices of School Counseling EDCN 627- Counseling in Community Agencies Spring 2016 EDCN 614- Counseling Diverse Populations EDCN 616- Counseling Theories EDCN 632- Career Development Through the Lifespan EDCN 633- Counseling Children & Adolescents EDCN 637- Treating Emotional and Mental Disorders Summer 2016 EDCN 623- Counseling Skills and Techniques EDCN 624- Group Counseling EDCN 641- Counseling Military Personnel/Families* EDCN 643-Grief and Trauma Counseling with Families* *Elective-Subject to Enrollment Demands Academic Year 16-17 EDCN Course Offerings Fall 2016 EDCN 610- Professional and Ethical Orientation to Counseling EDCN 613- Human Development for Helping Professionals EDCN 620- Assessment in Counseling EDCN 623- Counseling Skills and Techniques EDCN 625- Administration and Practices of School Counseling EDCN 627- Counseling in Community Agencies EDCN 643-Grief and Trauma Counseling with Families* EDCN 683-Principles of Counseling Supervision (1 Credit)
Spring 2017 EDCN 614- Counseling Diverse Populations EDCN 616- Counseling Theories EDCN 624- Group Counseling EDCN 632- Career Development Through the Lifespan EDCN 633- Counseling Children & Adolescents EDCN 637- Treating Emotional and Mental Disorders EDCN 641- Counseling Military Personnel/Families* EDCN 683-Principles of Counseling Supervision (1 Credit) *Elective-Subject to Enrollment Demands Academic Year 17-18 EDCN Course Offerings Fall 2017 Spring 2018
Student Comments-Written -I am writing to you regarding the meeting held on September 23 rd in which the admissions suspension for the Masters in Counseling Program was announced as well as the timeline for completing the coursework. After careful review of the courses offered through the spring semester of 2017, I have come to the disheartening conclusion that it will not be possible for me to graduate with the certifications that I will require for my desired career path before the program terminates. Most disturbing to me is that I would have to do my counseling practicum this upcoming spring semester, as well as one of my required 3 internships in summer 2016; however, neither practicum nor internship will be offered during these times. Even if the necessary courses I require to graduate on time were offered, the timeline given would take a significant toll on my family in many ways. I find myself in a difficult place of having to decide between graduating from a program that I have already committed both time and money to or discarding my desire to graduate with my type C certification in both secondary and elementary level, and obtain an LPC. However, if I were able to extend my graduation date and could take my internships through the end 2017, this would alleviate my having to decide and weigh between what is best for my young family and my prospective career choices. Thank you very much for your time and consideration with regard to this matter. -I ve been thinking since the meeting a couple weeks ago about the Counselor Education program timeline; it s not something that is feasible for me to complete in the timeline allowed. What is the possibility of me being able to change my program to Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning? - Before I officially commit to this completion plan I have some logistic questions regarding practicum/internships. Can I set up a phone appointment before I officially commit? Thanks! - I moved EDRS 664 to spring 17. I don't know if I'll be able to afford 3 summer classes. I did not request lending for so many classes because I though I would be attending part time. Next year I will borrow the appropriate amount. - Thank you for the quick response! I think I will figure out the scheduling conflicts when I go to register this spring and will be flexible on when to take the research classes. Fall 2016 is busy because you suggested that I don't take practicum and internship in the same semester, otherwise I would take both in Spring 2017 when I have more time. I will worry about those things when the time comes! - I realize I haven't sent my form to you yet. I'm stuck. I'm feeling overwhelmed and don't know if I can realistically commit to finishing by 2017.
- I can commit to 18-21 credit hours per year which will leave me a bit short of the goal deadline for completion as I am new in the pursuit of a masters degree. Anymore credit hours than this would be a hardship with where I am at in life with full time job and parenting. - Because I have a full time job as a high school teacher, extending into the Fall semester of 2017 is the only possible way I see to finish this degree. I was accepted into the program and believe that you have an obligation to help me complete it. - Would love to have more time to complete courses. - On the following, please advise me on whether schedule will work for either track, such as on no overlaps on class times, and prerequisites are met, etc. Also, two years ago I was advised I had seven years to complete program and why is it four years now? It is my hope I can continue to teach regular classroom and work in the community (weekends, evenings, summer) as a counselor. We have two school counselors now at BRHS and I certainly do not want a travel itinerant job with the district. I think I would use this knowledge base more in the community. Thank you for your understanding and I apologize I didn t send this before Sept. 30.