Department of Clinical and Mental Health Counseling

Program Mission

The purpose of the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is to provide a strong graduate program for equipping and training of professional counselors, to promote scholarly work, and to continue the growth and mission of Faulkner University. As a result, the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) degree will train and produce counselors of character, who are committed to moral excellence, individual freedoms and diversity, personal and social responsibility, and the pursuit of academic growth and development. Hence, Faulkner graduates will be fully equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to promote the profession of counseling through service to others who seek their support.

The CMHC program will prepare students to enter a variety of occupations in the counseling professions. The degree will be developed to meet the state and national regulatory criteria leading to licensure and certification of professional counselors. Completion of the program does not guarantee licensure. Our curriculum will address the educational and experiential needs of our students as they learn to understand the counseling relationship, process of development, counseling theory, research and scholarly work, legal and ethical standards, and integration of their faith in the counseling profession.

These areas will be addressed through coursework, intensive clinical training and practicum and internship experiences. With the assistance of the faculty and staff in our department we will strive to help our students meet the following program objectives:

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the professional roles, responsibilities, and the ethical practice of the counselor.
Students will develop the skills, knowledge, and cultural sensitivity to work within a diverse society, including engagement in social justice and advocacy.
Students will apply their understanding of an individual’s biological, social, and psychological development as a foundation of clinical practice.
Students will identify a variety of factors that contribute to client well-being and guide clients in their exploration of career development.
Students will integrate their knowledge of counseling theories and their ability to build rapport and develop a therapeutic alliance.
Students will demonstrate their understanding of the group process, as well as effective therapist characteristics.
Students will apply their knowledge of selecting, administering, and interpreting effective assessments.
Students will evaluate the efficacy of research relevant to the practice of clinical counseling.
Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to provide treatment for a broad range of mental health issues in a variety of settings.
Students will demonstrate their ability to ethically integrate spirituality in counseling.

Program Oversight

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is located in the Graduate Counseling Programs Department under the College of Education. The Graduate Counseling Program Director and/or Department Chair is responsible for the administration of the program. Current and prospective students may contact the program at counseling@faulkner.edu. Program oversight is led by:

Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dean of the College of Education
Department Chair of the Graduate Counseling Programs Department

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Core Faculty

Willingham, Heath Chair, Graduate Counseling Programs; B.S., Auburn University; M.A., Lipscomb University; M.S. University of South Alabama; Ph.D., Auburn University.

Jones, Christi Associate Professor of School Counseling; B.S., Auburn University Montgomery; M.Ed. Auburn University; Ph.D., Auburn University

Willingham, Shanna Associate Professor of Counseling; B.S. Lipscomb University; M.Ed., Auburn University; Ph.D., Auburn University

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Non-Core Faculty

Norvell, Jeanell. Adjunct Professor; B.S., Troy University; M.S., Troy University; Ph.D., Amridge University.

Cates, Paul. Adjunct Professor; B.A. Abilene Christian University, M.Ed., Auburn University; Ed.D., Auburn University.

Driver, Necoal. Adjunct Professor; B.S. Troy State University; M.Ed., Auburn University; PhD., Auburn University

Tidwell, Patrick. Adjunct Professor; B.S., Faulkner University; M.S. Amridge University; Ph.D., Amridge University.

Admission Requirements

The Department of Graduate Counseling Programs at Faulkner University seeks graduate students who have demonstrated by their academic performance, other achievements, and personal conduct that they are qualified for advanced study and may be expected to be a credit to Faulkner University and of service to their communities and professions. In addition, the CMHC program seeks culturally diverse students to enhance the learning experience and overall quality of the Department of Graduate Counseling Programs. Admission to this program is granted by the faculty. The faculty has decided on the following criteria for admittance into the master’s Program:

General Admissions Information

Applications cannot be processed until ALL required materials are received. As soon as they have been received, the applicant will be notified that his/her file is complete. It is appropriate to assume that the application is incomplete until such notification is received.

Admission, when granted, will be valid for one year after which time the student will need to reapply. All application materials become the property of Faulkner University; none will be returned to the applicant.

Academic Credentials

Applicants of the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. An official transcript from EACH college or university attended must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Counselor in the Office of Graduate Enrollment. To be admitted into the program the student must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in undergraduate courses and 3.0 in graduate courses.

Aptitude Score

Applicants are required to submit and acceptable score from one of the following: A score of 285 or above on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or a score of at least 370 on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) to be eligible for graduate studies at Faulkner University.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

A score of 500 on the TOEFL is required of all students for whom English is a second language. Official TOEFL or IELTS score reports are required for admission to the program and may be ordered from Educational Testing Services (ETS) or IELTS. The TOEFL code number for Faulkner University is 1034. The minimum requirements for graduate admission on the TOEFL are 550 (on the paper test), 213 (on the computer-based test), or 79 (on the internet-based test).

Goal Statement

Applicants must submit a statement of at minimum, 400 words specifying personal goals for their life and how earning a Clinical Mental Health Counselling degree at Faulkner University will contribute to those life goals. The statement must include:

Purpose for pursuing the CMHC degree at Faulkner
Relevant experience (work, volunteer, etc.)
Respect of cultural differences
Strategies for Self-Reflection and Self-Care
Relevant Career Goals upon graduation

Recommendation Forms

Applicants must provide three professional recommendations from people unrelated to the applicant. Official recommendation forms are provided online at https://www.faulkner.edu/wp-content/uploads/Graduate-Recommendation-Form.pdf.

Faculty Review

Once all application materials are submitted, the faculty will review the necessary application documents and decide on admission. Determination of acceptance or non-acceptance into the program will be communicated to the applicant within one week of the faculty review.

Summary of Required Application Materials

Completion of Application Form
An official transcript from EVERY college or university attended.
Scores from the GRE or MAT.
Scores from the TOEFL (if applicable).
Personal Goal Statement.
Three (3) recommendations.
Faculty Review

Special Student Admission

A student, who wishes to take a limited number of courses for personal enrichment, licensure/credentialing or for transferring to another institution and does not wish to work toward a degree at Faulkner University, may apply to enroll as a transient student. Application procedures must be completed. These students and other non-degree seeking students do not have to complete a video interview.

Conditional Admission

At times a student may be recommended for conditional admission into the CMHC program. In such cases, the student must meet the requirements communicated to them upon admission. Such requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis and may include, but are not limited to completing remedial coursework, maintaining a specific GPA and/or follow-up video interview.

Course Curriculum Requirements

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is a 61-semester hour online and on-campus program. The program utilizes a variety of online resources and tools for course management, conferencing, online discussions, student portfolios, assessment, evaluations, etc. Most of the courses in the program can be completed in the online courseroom environment. The Counseling Field Experience Course-COU 6390 - Counseling Practicum ; COU 6695 - Internship in Counseling ; COU 6596 - Clinical Training I ; and COU 6597 - Clinical Training II - are exceptions. The two clinical training courses-COU 6956 Clinical Training I and COU 6597 - Clinical Training II -meet on Faulkner’s Montgomery campus for face-to-face skills training and supervision once per semester. Supplemental online coursework is required in both Clinical Training experiences. The two placement experience courses-COU 6390 - Counseling Practicum (3 hours) and COU 6695 - Internship in Counseling (6 hours)-are designed to allow students to demonstrate the practical application of their counseling knowledge and skills in a true clinical setting. Theses training experiences require the student to complete supervised clinical experience at a site approved by the Clinical Coordinator. The Clinical Coordinator will seek to facilitate placement at an approved site in proximity to the student’s residence. Given the breadth of the content areas, the clinical trainings, and the clinical experiences, the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree provides a solid foundation to begin counseling as a professional.

Practicum Course

The practicum course, COU 6390 - Counseling Practicum , will provide the first opportunity for students to practice the skills learned in previous course work to actual counseling situations. The students will be supervised by a licensed on-site counselor who has at least two years of counseling experience and the course instructor. The students will be required to complete 100 hours of supervised experience. Of the 100 hours, 40 hours must be in direct service. Meaning that the counselor-in-training and the client must be in face-to-face contact and physically present with each other in the session. The remaining 60 hours are considered indirect service and include, but are not limited to, case consolations, staff meetings, chart reviews, etc. Sessions with clients will be recorded for feedback and skills development. In case where a student is not allowed to record counseling sessions, accommodations will be made for feedback and evaluation of progress. Over the semester, students will complete assignments and discussions in the online classroom and meet at least one hour a week with their university and site supervisor. Further information concerning practicum can be found the CMHC Handbook.

Internship Course

The internship course, COU 6695 - Internship in Counseling , will provide a more extensive experience and will build upon the skills learned in the practicum course. The students will be supervised by a licensed on-site counselor who has at least two years of counseling experience. The students will be required to complete 600 hours of supervised experience. Of the 600 hours, 240 hours must be in direct service. Meaning that the counselor-in-training and the client must be in face-to-face contact and physically present with each other in the session. The remaining 360 hours are considered indirect service and include, but are not limited to, case consolations, staff meetings, chart reviews, etc. Sessions with clients are not required to be recorded as feedback and evaluation come directly from the site. Exceptions are made if the student is under remediation. Over the semester, students will complete assignments and discussions in the online classroom and meet at least one hour a week with their site supervisor. Further information concerning internship can be found the Internship Handbook.

Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination

The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) is an evaluation tool that assesses students’ competence of foundational, counseling-related knowledge. The CPCE is designed to assess students who have completed graduate-level courses; courses that are grounded primarily in a counseling curriculum. Each student will take the CPCE near the end of their time in the program during COU 6597 - Clinical Training II . Students who do not pass the CPCE will have a second opportunity to take the exam. If the student does not pass the CPCE after the second opportunity, remediation may be recommended.

Course Withdrawal and Incomplete Grades

There are times during the program when a student has little choice but to withdraw from a class or request a grade of Incomplete (I). When withdrawing from a course for any reason, the student is to reference the Faulkner University Academic Calendar for appropriate withdrawal dates.

It is the Department of Graduate Counseling Programs’ policy to only award a grade of Incomplete if the student has completed at least 80% of their coursework. The determination of completed coursework will lie with the course instructor.

Graduation Requirements

Sixty-one (61) hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all graduate credits. No more than six semester hours or two courses with the grade of C can be applied toward graduation requirements.

Licensure

When a student graduates with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Faulkner University, they are eligible to pursue licensure as a professional counselor in the state of Alabama and other states. Each student should contact their state of residence for questions pertaining to licensure eligibility. Graduation does not guarantee licensure.

Each student should know, understand, and accept the academic expectations as policies of the University. Each student is personally responsible for meeting the different requirements for the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. The University reserves the right to adapt its programs and policies as may be necessary. Students with matters of concern should consult with the Chair of the Graduate Counseling Programs department.

Time Limit

All requirements for the Master of Science in Counseling degree must be completed within a period of five calendar years.

Application for Degree

Application for graduation should be made when registering for the last semester of course work and the student should notify the Chair of the Graduate Counseling Programs Department and the Office of the Registrar of his/her intention. The application date and form can be obtained in the Registrar’s Office.

Transcripts

An official transcript of a student’s academic record will be issued upon request of the student. Requests should be directed to the Registrar’s Office. Transcripts will not be issued for students whose accounts are delinquent.

Audit

Students are permitted to audit a course provided that there is room in the classroom and that the number of auditors is not more than 20% of the class enrollment. A fee of $225.00 (per course) is charged, but no credit granted. With permission of the professor a student may change his/her registration from credit to audit or audit to credit during the first three weeks of the semester. After this time, his/her options are to continue as registered or withdraw from the course.

Transfer Credits

A student who has earned a graduate credit in a master’s program from another institution will be evaluated by the graduate counseling program department chair to ascertain courses which can be applied to Faulkner’s program. In such cases, the application and admissions process may be altered to apply to the specific case. Students from a regionally accredited institution may transfer a maximum of 12 semester hours or four courses into the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. The Chair of the Department of Graduate Counseling Programs must approve transfer hours. Each student wanted to pursue licensure in their state or residence is responsible for communicating with their state board concerning courses required for licensure

Units of Credit

The unit of credit is the semester hour. One semester hour of credit represents approximately fifteen hours of lecture/discussion activity and examinations.

Student Load

Full-time Load: For academic purposes, a student enrolled for six (6) graduate semester hours is classified as a full-time student in this master’s program.

Maximum Load: No student may register for more than three courses per semester unless that semester includes Clinical Training I or II. In semesters where the student has registered for Clinical Training I or II the maximum number of hours allowed is 14.

Advisement

Each student will be assigned an advisor to provide the student with assistance in planning his/her program matriculation, with registration, schedule approvals and with evaluation of his/her progress. The advisor approves each semester’s schedule and any changes made. The student is required to meet with their Advisor one two occasions: Clinical Training 1 and Clinical Training 2. Continuous contact between student and advisor is expected and strongly encouraged. The student, however, is personally responsible for meeting University catalog requirements or for seeking written approval of any exceptions. Ultimately, it is the student who bears responsibility for directing his or her progress through the program.

Grade Point Average

Scholarship level is expressed in terms of a grade point average (GPA) calculated by dividing total quality points earned by credit hours attempted. Semester and cumulative averages are recorded on the permanent academic record and on semester grade reports. Averages are used to determine honors, academic probation and suspension, renewal of academic scholarships, and eligibility for certificates and degrees. Students must maintain a GPA for 3.0 to remain in good academic standing and to graduate from the program.

Grade Reports

Final grade reports will be posted online. The student should review their course throughout the semester for low grades promptly with his or her advisor. Official notice of academic honors, probation, or suspension will be reported by the Registrar’s Office.

Class Attendance

Regular class attendance is a requirement of this degree program. Because of the theoretical, experiential, and social learning that will take place in this program, students are strongly encouraged to be in the online classroom several times during each week of the semester. Class attendance is an academic matter and absences result in academic penalty.

Academic Review and Remediation

Should the student’s GPA on the first six (6) hours of graduate work be below 3.0, he or she will be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation will not be able to enroll for more than six more hours during any term in which the probation applies. The student on academic probation is required to achieve a 3.00 cumulative GPA by the time he or she has earned the next six (6) hours of graduate work. Failure to do so will result in suspension for the next regular term. A course in which the student has earned a grade of C or below may be repeated. In addition to maintaining an acceptable GPA, students are evaluated based on their skills growth, knowledge and disposition (see below). Each disposition is measured at four different points in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. At the first and last points of evaluation the students are expected to self-assess. In the orientation course students are first introduced to expected dispositions and asked to rate themselves. Dispositions are evaluated at the student evaluation meeting after both Clinical Training experiences along with the Clinical Training Evaluation and are discussed in the follow up evaluation meetings with students. Dispositions are also measured at the end of student’s practicum experience. Students are again asked to evaluate themselves and they are also evaluated by their University Supervisor meetings with students. Dispositions are also measured at the end of student’s practicum experience. Students are again asked to evaluate themselves and they are also evaluated by their University Supervisor.

Dispositions Assessment Schedule

COU 6000 - Graduate Program Orientation Student Self Assessment
COU 6596 - Clinical Training I Faculty Assessment
COU 6597 - Clinical Training II Faculty Assessment
COU 6390 - Counseling Practicum Student Self-Assessment & Faculty Assessment

Eight Measures of Disposition

Integrity
Emotional stability
Professionalism
Awareness of self and others
Openness to growth
Flexibility
Compassion
Coping and Self-Care

If at any point during the student’s matriculation through the program the faculty concludes that the student’s progress is unacceptable, a formal Remediation Plan may be required. The expectations for the Remediation Plan may vary by case but would typically include special projects related to the remediation issue, repeated coursework, or outside continuing education and/or participation in personal counseling. The Remediation Plan must be successfully completed for the student to progress to graduation.

Remediation also occurs at the University level through the office of Online Student Success (OSS) office using a program called SOAR. Each term, faculty work with OSS to identify students who are falling behind in attendance and participation. The following is an outline of the steps taken to reengage students:

Professors (online or ground classes) who have students who are not attending classes regularly or struggling academically in a course log into SOAR. The professors look up the student and answer a few questions to let us know what the issue is.
Once the referral (Send Alert) or non-attendance is submitted it generates an email that comes to OSS. We are the online student success advisors.
OSS reads through the information and follows up with the student.
Staff in the OSS office is trained as case managers and attempt to reach out to the student up to 3 times (via email and phone).
Once OSS staff communicate with students, they attempt to advise them on their potential options and help them get in touch with any resources or offices on campus that are appropriate. The OSS office will follow up with students as needed.

On the departmental level, students are reviewed on an ongoing basis and faculty regularly communicate about students who are struggling or in need of remediation. Additionally, each student in program is reviewed in an official capacity at the late Fall and late Spring department meetings. Program faculty develop a remediation plan that is specific to the student’s needs and issues. Evaluation and remediation are discussed in the CMHC Student Handbook on page 6.

Personal Counseling Needs

Faulkner University makes personal counseling services available for all students. Services include individual and group counseling, outreach and workshops. They provide confidential counseling service for personal, emotional, social and mental health concerns. Services also include academic counseling (time management, study skills, test-taking and test anxiety) and Alcohol and Drug Education. Counseling is available by appointment and referrals are made to outside providers when necessary. Students who wish to pursue counseling after normal center hours or students who live a considerable distance from campus can utilized distance counseling services provided through the University by TimelyMD. The student will need to contact the University Counseling Center for a referral to TimelyMD. The University Counseling Center employs three master’s level counselors. No faculty member associated with the Department of Graduate Counseling Programs is on staff at the University Counseling Center, though at times the counselors will assist faculty in skills training. University Counseling Center. https://www.faulkner.edu/department/counseling-center/

Field Placements

Field placement, also known as Practicum and Internship, provide for the application of theory and the development and enhancement of skills for client assessment, planning, intervening, and evaluating. These experiences will provide opportunities for students to counsel clients who represent the ethnic and demographic diversity of the community. All placements will be located in schools which provide a school counseling program and shall be supervised by a master’s level school counselor. You will be given a copy of the Site Supervisor Handbook to give to your site supervisor as a reference for your field experience.

Professional Liability Insurance

Faulkner University provides professional liability insurance for each student during the program through the Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO). Students are also required to purchase and maintain their own private insurance during Field Placement (Practicum and Internship). This private liability insurance can typically be purchased at a much lower student rate through the American Counseling Association. Please reach out to your advisor with questions about purchasing liability insurance. You will not be allowed to complete practicum or internship hours or be at your site until you provide proof or your purchased counseling liability insurance.

Professional Behavior

Although the primary purpose of field placements is to assist you in the continued development and application of counseling skills, you are also an agent of the site. You are expected to operate under norms of the site. This includes being punctual, dressing appropriately, and presenting oneself professionally. As you continue the development of your professional identity, it is important to be aware of current issues and trends. You can learn a lot about the profession through contact with school counselors at your site, membership in ACA and ASCA and attendance at professional development workshops and seminars.

The Supervisory Relationship

Clinical Supervision is a type of intervention. It involves a supervisor, a senior member of the profession, one or more supervisees, and also junior members of the profession. The supervisor works with the supervisee to enhance his/her professional competence and monitors the quality of counseling services extended to the client. The relationship is evaluative and extends over time (Bernard & Goodyear, 1992). The student will have both a Site Supervisor and a University Supervisors. The site supervisor will be the person who meets with you on site and provides you support. They will be responsible for signing off on hours logs and evaluations of your work. These expectations are outlined in the Site Supervisor Handbook that you will give to them at the appropriate time. Your University Supervisors will be Faulkner University faculty. Your group supervisor is also the instructor for the class. Your individual supervisor will meet with you each week separately for further supervision. The evaluation component of field experiences is described in the course syllabi. You will demonstrate mastery of the competencies listed on the syllabus through your recordings. Both process and conceptualization skills are emphasized. Your supervisor will assume a variety of roles including consultant, teacher, and counselor. This is in effort to assist you, enhance your competence, and provide high quality services to your clients. The expectation is held that you will be as prepared for supervision as you are for your sessions. You will need to listen to your recordings, identify your strengths, weaknesses, and be prepared to request specific assistance from your supervisor. The same ethical guidelines govern supervisory relationships that govern other relationships. While the nature of this relationship may, at times, be more like colleague-to-colleague than student-to-teacher, it is still a professional one in which the supervisor is required to provide evaluative feedback to the supervisee.

The Recording Requirement

Basically, there are three principal purposes for submitting actual work samples (recordings) of sessions when one is in supervision. These principles only apply to individual sessions. Counseling sessions where more than one client is present should not be recorded.

First and foremost, the supervisor needs to monitor the services that are being provided to the clients/students. Are the strategies being used empirically supported, consistent with the “best practices” in the field, ethically sound, and delivered in a way that responds to all legal requirements?

Second, the supervisor needs to be able to assist the supervisee in identification of his or her strengths as well as areas for improvement. Supervision research has demonstrated that the “self-report” method is not a reliable one for ascertaining a full, comprehensive view of a counseling session. The voice of the interested third party, the supervisor, is one that focuses on your development as a counselor, as well as on the client’s needs. Additionally, the supervisor is responsible for facilitating your development overtime and with a variety of different types of clients/students. These purposes cannot be met without direct observations of work samples.

Finally, the recordings are intended to be an instructive tool. They should lead you to reflection, help you determine the ways you need to improve, and find the types of learning experiences you need to best possible counselor for students with a wide variety of needs. So, there is an expectation that you will review your recordings to identify your specific areas of strength and weakness. Use these discoveries to develop professional, and, at times, personal development goals. As well, these reflections should form the basis for your use of supervision time. What exactly do you need to work on and how can your supervisor help you to develop strategies leading to improvement? Supervision, like counseling, is not a passive process.

Faulkner University will provide you with access to the GoReact App for session recordings with individual clients who sign a release to record sessions. The practicum course instructor will provide information about set up and use at the beginning of the practicum experience.

Recordings are the gold standard in evaluation and training but if you are placed at a site that does not permit recordings, there are other evaluation options. These options will be discussed with your University Supervisor when the time comes.

The Practicum Course

The practicum course will provide the first opportunity for students to practice the skills learned in previous course work to actual counseling situations. The students will be supervised by a master’s level on-site school counselor who has at least two years of counseling experience and the course instructor. The students will be required to complete 100 hours of supervised experience. Of the 100 hours, 40 hours must be in direct service. Meaning that the counselor-in-training and the client must be in face-to-face contact and physically present with each other in the session. There have been some exceptions to in-person counseling due to Covid restrictions. With proper training and insurance coverage, students might be given approval to engage in telehealth counseling if it is used at the site placement. The continuation of the practice will be determined by guidance from the Alabama State Department of Education. The remaining 60 hours are considered indirect service and include, but are not limited to, case consultations, staff meetings, chart reviews, etc. Sessions with clients will be recorded for feedback and skills development. In a case where a student is not allowed to record counseling sessions, accommodations will be made for feedback and evaluation of progress. Over the 15 weeks of the semester, students will complete assignments and discussions in the online classroom and meet at least one hour a week with their university and site supervisor. The practicum course will also meet 1 and ½ hours each week for class via Zoom.

The Internship Course

The internship course will provide a more extensive experience and will build upon the skills learned in the practicum course. The students will be supervised by a master’s level on-site school counselor who has at least two years of counseling experience. The students will be required to complete 600 hours of supervised experience. Of the 600 hours, 240 hours must be in direct service. Meaning that the counselor-in-training and the client must be in face-to-face contact and physically present with each other in the session. The remaining 360 hours are considered indirect service and include, but are not limited to, case consultations, staff meetings, chart reviews, etc. Sessions with clients are not required to be recorded as feedback and evaluation come directly from the site. Exceptions are made if the student is under remediation. Over the 15 weeks of the semester, students will complete assignments and discussions in the online classroom and meet at least one hour a week with their site supervisor and 1and ½ hours or group supervision via Zoom in the internship course.