CHDS

310 White Hall

Kent State University

P.O. Box 5190

Kent State University

Kent, Ohio 442420-0001

Last Updated:

October 2005

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Overview of CHDS Master's Programs

• Role and Function of the Advisor

• Endorsements

• Admission, Selection, & Retention

• Policy Statements on Affirmative Action & Disabilities

• Retention of Students

• Financial Aid and Student Employment Opportunities

• Professional Organizations

• Academic & Personal Resources

• CHDS Program Statement of Expectations

• Times to Remember Throughout your Program

• Program Coordinator Contact Information

COMMUNITY COUNSELING INFORMATION:

• Community Counseling (M.Ed.) Mission & Objectives

• Community Counseling Curriculum

• Characteristics of Admitted Community Counseling Students

• Employment of Community Counseling Graduates

SCHOOL COUNSELING INFORMATION:

• School Counseling (M.Ed.) Mission & Objectives

• School Counseling Curriculum

• Characteristics of Admitted School Counseling Students

• Employment of School Counseling Graduates

OVERVIEW OF CHDS MASTER'S PROGRAMS

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The Counseling and Human Development Services (CHDS) Program at Kent State University is located in the College and Graduate School of Education. CHDS is a part of the Adult Counseling, Health, and Vocational Education (ACHVE) Department.

At the master's degree level, the CHDS Program focuses on two areas: Community Counseling and School Counseling. A doctoral degree (Ph.D.) is offered in Counseling and Human Development Services. The CHDS faculty members are advocates for the counseling profession and are affiliated with the American Counseling Association.

The two master's degrees and the doctoral degree are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP is the national accrediting body representing standards of excellence in the counseling profession.

Counseling at Kent State University has its roots in fifty years of history, having been instituted in 1946 as the first counselor preparation program in Northern Ohio. The CHDS's Program’s founder, Professor Dwight Arnold, was one of the pioneers in school counseling and group guidance in the United States.

We take pride in the graduates from our Community Counseling and School Counseling programs. Many have distinguished themselves as counselors, supervisors, leaders, and university professors throughout Ohio and in other states.

ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE ADVISOR

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Each student is assigned a faculty advisor upon admission to the Community Counseling or School Counseling program. The role and function of the faculty advisor is to sustain a working relationship with a student (advisee) through the duration of the student's plan of study. The goal of the relationship is the successful completion of the program by the advisee. The advising process entails the following procedures:

• A group orientation meeting for new students will be held during the early part of the Fall semester. The prospectus, policies and procedures, and the expectations of the student and faculty will be discussed. ALL NEW STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.

• The advisee is responsible for scheduling a meeting with his/her faculty advisor early in the first semester of enrollment to plan the student's course of study. Concerns related to academic and personal adjustment may be discussed at this time. THE WRITTEN PROSPECTUS IS NORMALLY FILED AFTER THIS MEETING.

• In subsequent semesters, regular meetings with one's faculty advisor are recommended to determine needs, suggest improvements, and develop clinical experience possibilities. It is the responsibility of the advisee to maintain regular contact with his/her faculty advisor.

• There is a faculty meeting during the Fall term in which faculty review the progress of all students in the program. Following the meeting, students who, in the view of the faculty, are having difficulty are informed of the concerns.

ENDORSEMENTS

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The Community Counseling degree is designed principally to prepare students for employment as counselors in agencies, private practice settings, and consultation practices. The School Counseling degree is designed principally to prepare students for employment as School Counselors in K-12 school settings. Some students also apply to doctoral programs in counselor education and supervision. It is not the general practice of the CHDS faculty to automatically provide reference letters to graduates for admission to further education or for employment applications, nor to supply evaluations of competencies for individual credentials. However, the faculty is happy to provide such service to students on a request basis. Please do not hesitate to ask for a letter of reference, if it would be helpful to you. It is the faculty member's decision whether or not to provide the letter. Endorsements will be written only if the student's program of studies in fact prepared him/her for the position or credential in question.

ADMISSION, SELECTION, AND ADVISEMENT

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Requirements for Master’s Degree Admission to the Graduate School of Education

1. The first requirement of the admission process is that the applicant qualify for graduate standing in the Graduate School of Education at Kent State University. The academic criteria include an overall undergraduate average of 2.75.

2. Present satisfactory recommendations from two persons regarding the applicant’s professional experience, potential strengths as a counselor preferably from counselors and/or professors who know your potential as a graduate student in community or school counseling.

3. Faculty review application materials. In reviewing materials and interviewing applicants the faculty assess the applicants with regard to each applicant's: (a) potential success in forming effective interpersonal relationships; (b) aptitude for graduate study including technological competencies and computer literacy (see note below); (c) career goals in relationship to the program; (d) openness to self-examination; and (e) openness to personal and professional development.

NOTE: Technological competence and computer literacy include using software to develop web pages, presentations, and professional papers; using audiovisual equipment such as video recorders and playback units; using computerized testing programs; using e-mail; helping clients search for various types of counseling-related information via the internet; being able to subscribe and participate in and sign off counseling related listservs; and using the internet for continuing education opportunities in counseling (ACES Technology Interest Network, 1999).

4. Sign endorsement of moral character. The CHDS Program provides informed consent to students regarding the fact that licensing boards and professional liability insurance providers may deny licensure or coverage due to prior felony or some misdemeanor offences. Please contact the Program Coordinator if there are questions regarding the endorsement of moral character.

NOTE: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is NOT required for admissions.

Procedure for Admission to the Graduate School of Education

1. Request from the Graduate School of Education a graduate catalog and application materials for the Master’s degree program. Individuals are admitted to the Community Counseling program and the School Counseling program once each semester. Deadlines for applying are as follows: October 1 for Spring semester; March 1 for Summer school; and June 1 for Fall semester.

On the application for the master’s degree you are asked to identify your Major. Write “Community Counseling” or "School Counseling" in the blank which asks for Program; write “Community Counseling” or "School Counseling" in the blank which asks for Area of Concentration. After the forms have been completed, mail them to: Graduate School of Education, Office of Academic Services, 308 White Hall, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242

2. Participate in an interview to help ascertain the applicant’s aptitude for graduate school level work, to better understand the applicant’s career goals and their relevance to the program’s mission, and to help ascertain the applicant’s interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with people. Application packets and interviews are completed before recommendations for admission are made to the Graduate School of Education, in which final responsibility for admission decisions is vested. The interview serves a dual purpose; one, to provide the applicant an opportunity to ask questions about the program and get an idea of what the faculty are about, and, two, to provide the faculty with first hand data as to how well they think the applicant might fit into the program specifically and into counseling in general. If there are any questions about the program or admissions procedures, applicants are encouraged to contact the Program Coordinator.

POLICY STATEMENTS ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND DISABILITIES

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Kent State University is committed to provide all persons equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, physical disability or mental disability (unless the disability is essential to the practice of counseling), and identification as a disabled veteran.

Kent State University recognizes its responsibility for creating an institutional climate in which students with disabilities can thrive. If you have any type of disability for which you require special accommodations to promote your learning in this program, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your needs. Student Disability Services is the organization on campus which can help with special accommodations (e.g., extended exam time). You may wish to contact Student Disability Services at 330-672-3391 to verify your eligibility and the options for accommodation related to your disability.

RETENTION OF STUDENTS

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The program faculty reviews the academic progress of all students each year. According to University policy, those students who fail to maintain a 3.00 GPA are subject to dismissal. The faculty desires to help students have a satisfactory academic and professional experience. We may request that students whose GPA falls below a 3.00 consult with their advisor about how to address problem areas. However, at times, it is necessary for the faculty to discontinue students in the program for academic reasons. A student receiving 7 or more credit hours of C grades is subject to dismissal from the program.

Because counseling is a profession, the faculty believes it is important to acculturate students to high standards of professional behavior. As a part of this effort we review students yearly to evaluate their academic performance, professional development, and personal development.

We believe success as a counselor depends upon factors in addition to those measured by typical evaluations in coursework. Thus we reserve the right as a faculty to separate from the program a student, who, in the opinion of the faculty, is not likely to succeed professionally despite earning acceptable grades. Students are evaluated along the following dimensions

1. potential success in forming effective interpersonal relationships;

2. aptitude for graduate study;

3. career goals in relationship to the program;

4. openness to self-examination; and

5. openness to personal and professional development.

If the faculty believes a student is experiencing difficulty on any of these dimensions, a meeting will be scheduled with the student and advisor to discuss ways of responding to the concern(s) or to consider the appropriateness of the counseling profession for the student. 

FINANCIAL AID AND STUDENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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Some applicants to the program look for financial support during their studies. Students may want to apply to the Counseling and Human Development Services (CHDS) Program for graduate assistantship opportunities. Listed below are offices within the University that on occasion in the past have employed students. Applicants may care to pursue these leads to determine their eligibility.

Feel free to contact the Master's Program Coordinator with questions pertaining to assistantships and fellowships.

In addition, the University’s Financial Aid office maintains listings of jobs and graduate assistantships that are available on campus.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

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The Counseling and Human Development Services (CHDS) Program is most closely identified with the American Counseling Association (ACA) and ACA divisions. The address for the ACA is: American Counseling Association, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304-3300 (website: http://www.counseling.org). Eighteen divisions of the ACA are as follows:

• Association for Assessment in Counseling and Education

• Association for Counselor Education & Supervision

• Counseling Association for Humanistic Education & Development

• National Career Development Association

• American School Counselor Association

• American Rehabilitation Counseling Association

• National Employment Counseling Association

• Association for Multicultural Counseling & Development

• International Association of Addiction & Offender Counselors

• Association for Specialists in Group Work

• Association for Spiritual, Ethical, & Religious Values in Counseling

• American Mental Health Counselors Association

• Counselors for Social Justice

• Association for Counselors & Educators in Government

• Association for Adult Development and Aging

• Association for Gay, Lesbian, & Bisexual Issues in Counseling

• International Association of Marriage & Family Counselors

• American College Counseling Association

Students are urged to join ACA as well as the state branch (OCA). Membership in these organizations is for the purpose of helping to establish the identity of a counselor. Membership will help students gain knowledge through professional journals, newsletters focusing on current trends, and announcements pertaining to upcoming events. Involvement in committee work in these organizations, submissions of manuscripts to journals, and participation at conventions are encouraged. Faculty members are pleased to talk with students about the possibility of becoming active in these organizations. Chi Sigma Iota, Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International, has a chapter, Kappa Sigma Upsilon, at Kent State University. The chapter sponsors continuing education and social activities. The chapter is open to students who have completed 18 hours of course work and who maintain a 3.5 GPA. See Dr. Steve Rainey or Lynne Guillot Miller for further details.

ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL RESOURCES

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The University, the City of Kent, and northeastern Ohio offer many academic, personal and cultural resources to students. Following is a description of some of the academic and personal resources.

Program. Counseling and Human Development Services occupies 8,500 square feet of classrooms, study rooms, practicum facilities, offices, and service areas, all housed together as one unit on the Kent campus. We are also associated with the Counseling and Human Development Center (CHDC – Room 325), an on campus practicum facility for counseling. Eight group, family and individual rooms are maintained. The CHDC has facilities for live observation and audio/video recording and playback.

The University. Kent State University is a publicly supported center of undergraduate and graduate education located in northeastern Ohio in the large urban triangle which includes Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown. The University has been designated a Doctoral Research University-Extensive by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. There are approximately 20,000 students on the Kent campus where this program is located. The College of Education is one of the University’s main units in size. Graduate students comprise about 40% of the College’s enrollment.

The Kent Campus of KSU includes 2,466 acres. The focal point of the 105-building campus is the University Center with its plaza, 12 story open-stack Library, and Student Center. The University library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, it has continuing subscriptions to many of the journals directly related to counseling, and it is a member of Ohio LINK which provides cooperative resource sharing through online circulation of materials. The University is well known for its student operated Campus Bus Service. Special transportation services and accessible facilities open the campus to individuals with disabilities.

A wellness program exists for the benefit of the Kent State community, and many recreational and athletic opportunities are available to students. A full range of cultural activities is also available to students. The University maintains a graduate level residence hall with single rooms and one and two bedroom apartments for married students and students with families.

Students in need of personal counseling are encouraged to use the University Psychological Services (UPS). UPS is located in the DeWeese Health Center on campus. To make further inquiries call 330-672-2487.

Instructional Resource Center (IRC): IRC services are now available through the desk (TSL) in room 221 White Hall. If you need to make equipment reservations, put items on reserve, purchase supplies, make color copies and transparencies, or any other IRC services, please call 672-2256, or come to room 221. The service area will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday.

Computer Labs: There are three computer labs in the College for classes and individual use. Each lab has 20 student computers, a teacher station, and projection equipment. Internet access and Microsoft Office are available in all labs. The labs are open for individual use during the hours not scheduled for classes. Class times are posted near each lab and can change weekly. Typical hours of operation is 8:30am - 8:00pm Monday - Thursday and 8:30 - 5:00pm on Friday. Please consult http://irc.educ.kent.edu/roomavail.php for room times. Assistance for technical issues in the labs is provided through room 221.

Three computer laboratories are maintained for student use:

• Windows Lab, located in room 203

• Macintosh Lab, located in room 205

• Multimedia Lab, located in room 213

Curriculum Materials: Over 10,000 computer, CD-Rom, print, and media titles covering all levels of education and related areas are included in the collection. Assessment materials are available to student in specific classes. Faculty may place materials on reserve for students to access. Students with a valid KSU ID may borrow most materials free of charge for a one-week period. Fines are charged for materials returned late.

Printing: Printing may be done in any lab in the IRC through the UniPrint system with a flash card. Color printing is available through the 221 service desk and can be accessed from any computer in White Hall. Copies can also be made from print materials.

Flex Lab: Windows and Macintosh computers are available for special projects in this lab. The room can also be used for short term computer classes with addition of a wireless computer lab. Scanning, video digitizing, CD-Rom and DVD burning, and printing are available. Student access to this lab is controlled.

Tech Services Group: Tech Services provides computing resources to departments, faculty, staff, and students. These resources include access to the following: e-mail; networked printers; word processing; databases; spreadsheets; presentation software; and the Internet. Support also includes installation of new software, troubleshooting hardware and software problems, and updating virus signatures.

Production Facilities: Materials may be purchased or borrowed for creating posters, bulletin boards, and other materials. Both Windows and Macintosh computers with scanners are available for desktop publishing activities. Software such as Microsoft Office, OmniPage, PowerPoint, and PhotoEditor are provided. Facilities also include a roll laminating machine, desktop publishing, lettering aids, a GBC binder for binding reports, a color copier/printer, and overhead transparency production. In addition, computer diskettes, zip disks, recordable CD’s and VHS videotapes and other supplies for creating instructional materials can be purchased.

Equipment: All classrooms in White Hall are equipped with a computer with display capability, internet access, and video playback equipment. Many classrooms have electronic Smart boards as well.

Bureau of Research Training and Services (BRTS): Graduate students involved in research may use the services of the BRTS. The following services are provided: tape transcription and coding, computer data entry and analysis, and computer network services and consultation for programming and data analysis. The Bureau is located on the 5^th floor of White Hall, room 505. (Accessible on the east side of the building.) For more information call 672-7918.

Graduate Student Senate: The Graduate School of Education has a Graduate Student Association in Education which considers the concerns of the student body and transmits them to various faculty and administrative groups on campus as appropriate. Each program area has its own representative.

The University also has a Graduate Student Senate, which performs a similar function at the campus-wide level. The CHDS Program has had a representative to the Graduate Student Senate.

CHDS PROGRAM STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS

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The Kent State University (KSU) Counseling and Human Development Services (CHDS) Program is charged with the task of preparing individuals to become professional counselors in a variety of settings and to assume positions of leadership in the field. In order to fulfill these responsibilities, faculty must evaluate students based on their academic, professional, and personal qualities. The KSU CHDS Program attempts to establish a learning community where students can develop professionally. We do this by providing an environment in which students' rights and responsibilities are respected and by respecting the dignity and worth of each student.

A student's progress in the program may, however, be interrupted for failure to comply with academic standards or if a student's interpersonal or emotional status interferes with education/training related requirements for self or others. For example, in order to ensure proper training and client care, a counselor-in-training must abide by relevant ethical codes and demonstrate professional knowledge, technical and interpersonal skills, professional attitudes, and professional character. These factors are evaluated based on one's academic performance and one's ability to convey warmth, genuineness, respect, and empathy in interactions with clients, classmates, staff, and faculty. Students should be able to demonstrate the ability to accept and integrate feedback, be aware of their impact on others, accept personal responsibility, and be able to express feelings appropriately

TIMES TO REMEMBER THROUGHOUT YOUR PROGRAM 

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• Meet regularly with your advisor

• Meet with your advisor the first semester of your program and sign your prospectus

• Register for classes as soon as possible

• Obtain a parking permit (Michael Schwartz Center) and KSU Flash Card (Campus Center) each year

• Attend the New Student Orientation your first Fall semester

• Meet with your advisor to sign up for practicum early in the semester before you plan to begin practicum and complete any necessary paperwork

• Obtain professional liability insurance coverage prior to practicum and internship

• Hand in the Internship applications are due 10 weeks prior to start of internship

• Apply for graduation the first week of your last semester

PROGRAM COORDINATOR CONTACT INFORMATION

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Please contact Dr. Jason McGlothlin at the below address if you have any comments, questions, or concerns about the Community Counseling program or the School Counseling program.

310 White Hall, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242

(330) 672-0716 or Fax # (330) 672-2472   ----   jmcgloth@kent.edu

COMMUNITY COUNSELING (M.Ed.) MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

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The mission, intent and purpose of the Community Counseling program at Kent State University is to prepare students for employment as counselors in community-based human service agencies (e.g., substance abuse facilities, mental health centers, child and family service agencies, etc.) as well as private counseling facilities. The Community Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and is approved by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSW&MFTB). Broad objectives of the program include the following:

• Students will have a curricular experience and demonstrated knowledge in: 1) professional identity; 2) social and cultural diversity; 3) human growth and development; 4) career development; 5) helping relationships; 6) group work; 7) assessment; and 8) research and program evaluation.

• Students will obtain supervised counseling experience in clinical situations diagnosing and treating mental and emotional disorders.

• Students will gain curricular experiences and demonstrate knowledge and skills in the foundations of community counseling. For example:

  • history and philosophy of community counseling;

  • role, function, and professional identity of community counselors;

  • policies, laws, legislation, recognition, reimbursement, right-to-practice, and other issues relevant to community counseling;

  • issues of diversity in community counseling; and

  • ethical and legal considerations specifically related to community counseling.

• Students will gain curricular experiences in the contextual dimensions of community: For example:

  • the relationships between counselors and other professionals in various practice settings;

  • organizational, fiscal, and legal dimensions of various settings in which community counselors practice;

  • strategies for community needs assessment to design, implement, and evaluate community counseling interventions, programs, and systems; and

  • general principles of community intervention, consultation, education, and outreach, and characteristics of human services programs and networks.

• Students will gain curricular experiences in the knowledge and skill requirements for community counselors: For example:

  • characteristics of clients served by community counselors;

  • models and methods of program development;

  • strategies for client advocacy including the promotion of client understanding of and access to community resources;

  • principles and models of client assessment, diagnosis, and case conceptualization;

  • knowledge of the principles of diagnosis and the use of current diagnostic tools;

  • effective strategies for client advocacy in public policy and other matters of equity and accessibility; and

  • application of appropriate client treatment planning modalities as conceptualized and implemented by community counselors.

• Students will also meet the academic components required by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board to be eligible to sit for the Ohio Professional Counselor Licensure Examination (PCLE). Note: in Ohio, the PCLE is the examination that is necessary to earn the Professional Counselor (PC) license and eventually the Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC) license.

COMMUNITY COUNSELING CURRICULUM

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The Community Counseling curriculum prepares individuals for beginning employment in institutions of higher education and community-based human service agencies. The Master's of Education (M.Ed.) degree may be earned with a minimum of 60 semester hours of successful graduate work in specified courses.

CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS

ADMITTED IN COMMUNITY COUNSELING

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EMPLOYMENT OF COMMUNITY COUNSELING GRADUATES

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Graduates of the Community Counseling master’s degree program have held a number of positions, and an illustration of employment sites of graduates follows:

Results of evaluations of the Community Counseling program are contained in the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Self Study. A copy of this Self Study is available through the secretary in room 310 of White Hall for review.

SCHOOL COUNSELING (M.Ed.) MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

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The mission, intent and purpose of the School Counseling program at Kent State University is to prepare students for employment as professional school counselors in K-12 institutions. The School Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and is approved by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). Broad objectives of the program include the following:

• Students will have a curricular experience and demonstrated knowledge in: 1) professional identity; 2) social and cultural diversity; 3) human growth and development; 4) career development; 5) helping relationships; 6) group work; 7) assessment; and 8) research and program evaluation.

• Students will obtain supervised counseling experience that might better meet the personal, social, educational, and vocational needs of children and adolescents in school settings.

• Students will gain curricular experiences and demonstrate knowledge and skills in the foundations of school counseling. For example:

  • history and philosophy of school counseling;

  • relationship of the school counseling program to the academic and student services program in the school;

  • role, function, and professional identity of school counselors;