Counseling and Human Development (MA)

Dr. Charity Kurz, CHD, Program Chair

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The CHD program mission and philosophy statement for the CHD program extends to professional counselor education the following mission of Walsh University: "The University provides its students a higher education that fosters critical thinking, effective communication, spiritual growth, and personal, professional, and cultural development. Walsh University encourages the individuals to act in accordance with reason guided by the example and teachings of Jesus Christ." The CHD program mission is centered around the core values of leadership, service, justice and educational excellence; it describes the priorities, expectations and goals of CHD education.

Program Philosophy

The CHD program mission and philosophy statement is as follows: The Master’s program in Counseling and Human Development (CHD) is committed to developing conscientious, professionally skilled counselors who are responsive to the needs and individual differences of all people. We seek to cultivate within each student a greater self-awareness, a respect for the uniqueness, human dignity, and cultural background of each person, and the moral commitment to work, first and foremost, in the best interests of clients and students.

To accomplish this end, the CHD program provides students with a professional foundation in both theory and research about human behavior and in counseling practice skills. We focus on how the understanding of human behavior and diversity is integrated into counseling practice. Consequently, our students are involved in both the practice of professional helping and the science of professional understanding.

We seek students with diverse backgrounds and experiences who will join in promoting the mission, values and goals of the CHD program.

Program Goals

1. Develop students’ core knowledge and competencies necessary to function as professional counselors in school and clinical mental health counseling
2. Prepare students for specialized professional roles as clinical mental health counselors and school counselors
3. Assist students to develop a sense of their identity as counselors and the professional orientation needed to work for the welfare of diverse clients and students

Student Learning outcomes

• Graduates will demonstrate core knowledge competencies in counseling (8 core CACREP areas).
• Graduates will combine core counseling skills in practice and in practicum/field experiences.
• Graduates will integrate the core and the specialty knowledge and competencies required to practice as Mental Health Counselors and/or School Counselors.
• Graduates will demonstrate the specialized counseling skills competencies required to practice as Mental Health Counselors and/or School Counselors.
• Graduates will comply with their ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities in their roles as Mental Health Counselors and/or School Counselors.
• Graduates will select the knowledge competencies, attitudes and skills necessary to work effectively with diverse populations in their respective settings (clinical mental health and/or school).

Accreditation

Walsh's M.A. in Counseling and Human Development includes two license-eligible specialty areas: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Both the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) under the 2009 Standards until the next accrediting cycle, when CHD will seek reaccreditation under the 2016 Standards.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (must be completed prior to beginning CHD course work)  are considered for admission to the CHD program. Official transcripts of undergraduate and all other graduate education are required.
2. Completed application
3. Evidence of personal and professional potential for the CHD program is provided by:
   1. Two letters of recommendation (or Walsh CHD recommendation forms) completed by persons qualified to appraise scholastic aptitude, relevant personal characteristics and professional promise, such as a past instructor, work supervisor or professional working in the counseling/human service field (friends and peers are excluded)
   2. A notarized affidavit of good moral character (form supplied by Graduate Admissions)
   3. A current résumé
   4. Official transcripts sent to Graduate Admissions (official transcripts may not be e-mailed)
   5. Writing sample articulating understanding of the field and demonstrating written proficiency
   6. Interview with the Program Chair and/or program faculty members 
4. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the baccalaureate transcript. Applicants who meet this criterion do not need to submit results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Applicants with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.99 or less may be considered for conditional admission once they have submitted acceptable results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) in addition to all required admissions documents. Individuals who hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university are not required to provide GRE or MAT results.
5. Arrange for official TOEFL scores (international students only) to be sent to Graduate Admissions

FELONY AND OTHER CRIMINAL HISTORY POLICY

Students in all CHD concentrations prepare to work with vulnerable populations. Applicants are required to disclose any current or past criminal charges or convictions or pending charges that might result in a conviction when applying for admission to the CHD program. Failure to report a criminal history may result in denial and/or dismissal from the CHD program. It is the prerogative of the CHD faculty and administration to request additional information about an applicant’s criminal history and, based on the information provided, to deny admission and/or to dismiss CHD students. Please note that students in license-eligible programs must undergo criminal background checks prior to field experience and licensure.

Individuals with a criminal history who apply for a license-eligible track in Counseling and Human Development concentration should contact the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (www.cswmft.ohio.gov) regarding eligibility for clinical mental health counselor licensure or the Ohio Department of Education (http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Career-Tech/Career-Connections/Resources-for-School-Counselors), regarding school counselor licensure eligibility in Ohio.  Students from other states should contact the respective licensing board and/or Department of Education from states in which they plan to seek licensure.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

Admitted students are asked to register for prescribed entry level courses in their first semester.  To register for subsequent semesters, students must meet with their academic faculty advisors. Students plan their course work with their assigned advisor by filling out a Planned Program of Study. Students register for courses online. 

CATEGORIES OF GRADUATE STUDENTS

• Non-degree seeking student
  These are students who do not intend to pursue a degree in counseling. Generally, these are "licensure only" students who already have a master’s degree and are completing courses required for school or clinical mental health counseling licensure. A CHD degree-seeking student cannot be enrolled as a non-matriculated student.
• Degree-seeking student
  These are graduate students who have met all admission requirements for the CHD master’s degree program.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Upon admission to the CHD program, students are assigned a faculty advisor to help them plan their course work and to mentor them through the program.  Students are responsible to contact their advisor for help in planning course loads each semester prior to registering. Students must also complete a Planned Program of Study during their first semester in the CHD program.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

As part of the Master’s program graduation requirements, CHD students must successfully pass a final comprehensive examination. This is a capstone assessment of core areas of knowledge required/expected of the profession, as well as a demonstration of their ability to translate the theory and knowledge gained in the curriculum into practical insights related to client/student care. The examination takes place toward the end of their graduate studies.  Those who fail any portion of the comprehensive examination, or the examination as a whole, are required to complete a second examination as determined by the faculty. If the second examination results are also unsatisfactory, matriculation is delayed and course retake(s) will be required at the student’s expense. If student performance results in failure of the course retake(s), matriculation will be terminated.  An examination fee will be assessed.

Students may simultaneously complete the requirements of both CHD concentrations (Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling), which totals 78 credit hours. In order to have both concentrations posted on the diploma and academic transcripts, course and specific requirements for both concentrations must be fulfilled before the M.A. degree is conferred. Students must successfully complete CHD 790 (Practicum) for dual concentration. 

Once the M.A. is conferred, a student may return to the Counseling and Human Development program as a non-degree seeking student to complete courses required for another concentration, provided that the respective state(s) in which they are seeking licensure allows it. A student may not return for a second counseling degree once the M.A. is conferred.

Student Retention Policy

CHD faculty members recognize that graduate student training is a developmental process; that is, faculty members understand that professional counseling competencies develop over time. CHD faculty members want to see all degree seeking students acquire the competencies necessary for them to function in their professional roles as school and clinical mental health counselors, succeed in their graduate studies and complete their master’s degree. At the same time, CHD faculty members have ethical and professional responsibilities to serve as gatekeepers to the profession by identifying problematic student behaviors, and insufficient student competence in academic, clinical and professional knowledge and skills, including decision making and judgment (see ACA Code of Ethics [2014] and 2016 CACREP standards). In order to ensure that each student receives timely feedback to improve academic and clinical competencies and correct problematic behaviors, the CHD faculty members adopted a retention policy. The purpose of the retention policy is to establish a systematic means to evaluate students’ competencies and professional behaviors, and to set up a process to address the development (and/or remediation) of students’ professional skills (academic and clinical), and/or professional behavior. The implementation of this policy provides students with information related to the overall progress of their professional development. For more information, see the CHD Student Handbook.

Individuals who hold a master’s degree in counseling which does not meet the licensure requirements in Ohio must obtain a prescription for required course work from the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. They are eligible for a licensure-only (non-degree seeking) option at Walsh University. Students pursuing such an option in different states should consult the respective Board from which they are seeking licensure.

Students who hold a master’s degree in education or counseling other than school counseling must obtain the equivalent of a Walsh Counseling degree (with a School Counseling concentration) to become licensed as a school counselor in Ohio. They are also eligible for licensure-only (non-degree seeking) option at Walsh University. Students pursuing such an option in different states should consult the respective Department of Education from which they are seeking licensure.

Financial Aid

WALSH TUITION DISCOUNT

Graduates of Walsh University are eligible for a 25% tuition discount for graduate courses in the CHD program. To obtain this discount, alumnae must fill out a Walsh application for financial aid and the discount form. More information can be found at https://www.walsh.edu/downloadable-financial-aid-forms.html

SENIOR CITIZENS

A discount may be available for senior citizens; please contact the Student Service Center.

SCHOLARSHIPS

For a current list of available scholarships for CHD students, please visit www.walsh.edu/advancement-scholarships.

STUDENT LOANS

For information regarding student loans available for graduate studies, contact the Financial Aid Office in the Student Service Center.  

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships within the CHD program may be available for full-time students. CHD students are notified when a graduate assistantship position(s) is(are) available. The maximum amount in terms of tuition remission and monthly stipend a Graduate Assistant may earn in one year is established by the University. Also see https://www.walsh.edu/employment-opportunities.html.