Counseling (CG)

The Department of Counseling consists of two separate degree programs and one certificate program. The two degree programs are School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Both programs are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). In addition, the School Counseling Program meets Ohio Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards for school counselor education programs. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program meets the current academic requirements of the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for the licenses Professional Counselor (PC) and Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC). Further, the degree meets the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for National Counselor Certification (NCC).

Both the School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs are advised by committees made up of the department chair, representatives from the College of Arts & Sciences, practicing professionals, a program graduate, and a current student. This committee advises the chair of the department, the associate dean, and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on program policy.

The department has a five-course certificate program in Substance Use Disorders Counseling. Completion of the substance use disorders courses and passage of a test administered by the state of Ohio can lead to licensure as a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor in the state of Ohio.

The mission of the Department of Counseling is to create professional school clinical mental health and substance use disorders counselors who embody the Ignatian essence of “persons for others.” As a department we seek to embody this spirit of service to others by providing a learning community that respects the personhood of each student. Our faculty have an open-door policy and are willing to meet with prospective students as well as with students already enrolled in the department. Leaders among our graduate students maintain a vibrant and award-winning Beta Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota International Counseling Honorary Society.

Program Learning Goals

Students will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the major principles of research design and program evaluation; evaluate research reports for methodological and statistical appropriateness.

2. Apply basic counseling and facilitative communication skills in individual and small group settings.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of counseling theories, and evidence-based counseling approaches.

4. Appropriately apply various theoretical approaches when working with clients and/or students.

5. Demonstrate understanding of the psychosocial foundations of human development, behavior and learning, and apply that knowledge when working with clients and/or students.

6. Counsel and advocate for individuals from diverse social, cultural, sexual orientation and economic backgrounds with an awareness of how discrimination and societal expectations can impact healthy psychological development and the counseling process.

7. Demonstrate knowledge of group process and procedures by describing and analyzing group process, and by applying basic techniques of group counseling.

8. Conduct a developmentally appropriate career exploration and assessment that demonstrates an understanding of career development theory and the career counseling process.

9. Demonstrate the ability to select and evaluate assessment instruments for possible use with clients and/or students.

10. Model legal and ethical understanding of the ASCA or ACA ethical standards. Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical code and of the ethical decision making process.