Siena Heights University
gaining 3000 hours of professional counseling experience under the supervision of an L . P . C . Supervision must be completed in no less than two ( 2 ) years and in no greater than ten ( 10 ) years .
Requirements for Clinical Mental Health Counseling credentials vary among the states . Students intending to seek counseling credentials in states other than Michigan , should consult with their adviser early in the program so that appropriate planning may occur .
Graduate students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program must file the intent-to-participate application for practicum and internship prior to the registration period to ensure appropriate field placements .
Accreditation Statement The CMHC program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission as part of Siena Heights University ’ s accreditation and is an approved counselor education program in Michigan . The program plans to apply to become accredited by the Council on Accrediting Counseling-Related Educational Programs ( CACREP ). A formal self-study , a necessary step in the application process , is underway . Application does not guarantee accreditation .
Clinical Mental Health Counselors Clinical mental health counselors are employed by a variety of agencies and organizations to deliver counseling and consultative services . Graduates of Siena Heights University ' s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program have positions with public and private community mental health agencies , hospices , hospitals , specialized clinics ( such as eating disorders ), substance abuse centers , churches and parishes , state and local governments agencies , rehabilitation services , detention facilities , nursing homes , residential youth facilities , employee assistance programs , community colleges , and universities . Many graduates also enter private practice .
Managed health care benefits and changes in federal law ( i . e ., the Affordable Care Act ) in the medical and mental health care industries are changing the employment possibilities for Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduates . Students and potential students are encouraged to participate in a variety of counseling settings and to engage in dialogue with counselors active in the profession . These interactions will assist the student in setting realistic graduate school and career goals . Many insurance companies recognize licensed professional counselors for third-party payment for counseling treatment .
Expectations of Students Counseling is a profession . It demands specialized education and training , and continual learning . Its professional association , the American Counseling Association , has established legal and ethical standards expected of persons practicing in the field . These standards are to be followed by all Clinical Mental Health Counseling students at Siena Heights University . Counseling students need to be especially aware of ethics concerning confidentiality and roles and relationships .
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling faculty , with the approval of the Graduate Council , have established general personal and professional expectations of the students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program . Additional expectations are set for specific courses and experiences throughout the program .
Students must maintain the required grade point average for continuation in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program . Students earning a “ C ” grade in any course must repeat the course and earn a “ B ” grade or better . Graduate students , who receive a grade of “ C ” in any course , are placed on academic probation for the next six ( 6 ) credit-hours . The grade transcripts of Clinical Mental Health Counseling students are reviewed by the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Director at the completion of each term .
In addition to course grades , in each course , students are assessed on three ( 3 ) domains : academic achievement , clinical skill , and professionalism via a program assessment tool titled the Student Progress Feedback Form ( SPFF ). Faculty review SPFF data at the end of each session . A formal progress review covering all SPFF data is done at the end of each academic year . Students , whose SPFF scores do not meet standards , are required to meet with their advisors to create a personal development plan ( PDP ) to address areas of concern . Failure to improve in noted areas of concern results in the core counseling faculty developing a formal remediation plan with students . When remediation goals and objectives are not met , students are
Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 2016-2018 309