Skip to main content

SECTION II: PROGRAM POLICIES

PROGRAM POLICIES

Student Review and Retention Policy

Successful completion of a graduate program in counseling is based on the demonstration of effectiveness in academic, professional, and personal areas as they relate to the counseling profession. The faculty of the Department of Counselor Education have a professional responsibility to evaluate the academic, professional, and personal development of students in training programs. Evaluation procedures serve two major purposes:

  1. To provide students with information related to their progress that will enable them to take advantage of strengths and to remediate weaknesses in their academic, professional, and personal development.
  2. To provide faculty with information about student progress which will facilitate decisions that are in the best interests of students and the profession they are preparing to enter.

The Student Review and Retention policy for the Master of Arts in Counseling describes the process for faculty sharing of information about student progress. For courses with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), students must earn a “2” or higher on each domain of the KPI rubric. If they earn less than a “2,” they will work with the instructor to remediate the assignment. Faculty review student dispositions formally once a year using the PPAAD assessment. Students who earn a “1” on any item must meet with their advisor to discuss concerns and develop a remediation plan. Student review is also ongoing and continuous. The faculty is concerned about the suitability of a student entering a profession with evidence of unsatisfactory performance in practical skills, behaviors which are unethical, illegal, or unprofessional, and/or dispositions deemed inappropriate for a professional counselor. Any faculty member may raise questions about a particular student’s performance and progress at any time. Discussions of student performance and progress will be held in “executive session.” Note that all students are reviewed by all program faculty several times a year.

If, in the professional judgment of the program faculty, a student’s behavior is deemed substandard, unethical, illegal, and/or professionally unbecoming during the course of training (including course work, practicum, externships, and internships), the following steps are taken:

  1. Within ten (10) academic days, the cohort advisor will inform the student in writing of the identified problem areas noted by the faculty, requesting an appointment to provide the student with feedback and appropriate and/or remedial procedures expected of the student in order to return to good standing with the program.
  2. During the appointment with the cohort advisor, the advisor will discuss with the student a written plan for remediation of the student’s behavior which:
    1. Behaviorally defines the student’s problems
    2. Identifies the expected behavior patterns or goals
    3. Specifies possible methods to reach the goals, which could include:
      1. Personal counseling
      2. Group growth experiences
      3. Self-structured behavioral change
      4. Additional academic course work or practicum, field experience, etc.
      5. Specifies possible resources available to assist the student in achieving satisfactory performance and/or behavior change
      6. Designates a way in which the goal attainments will be demonstrated
      7. Sets a date for re-evaluation and/or goal attainment
  3. A copy of the approved plan will be provided to the student and a copy will be retained in the student’s file in the Department of Counselor Education. Both copies of the plan will be signed and dated.
  4. At or near the date set for re-evaluation, the student’s progress will be reviewed by the faculty, with four options of recommendation:
    1. Continuation in the program: the specified concerns no longer present a significant problem and the student is allowed to continue in the program.
    2. Probation and remediation: progress is documented on the first evaluation, an updated behavioral plan is prepared, and a date is set for another re-evaluation.
    3. Voluntary resignation: progress is documented as insufficient with the recommendation that the student resign from the program.
    4. Dismissal from the program: the student has failed to attain the behavioral goals and there is no expectation that he or she can reasonably attain them in the near future.
  5. The student will be immediately notified in writing by the cohort advisor of the re-evaluation decision, requesting the student make an appointment with the advisor, and specifying if the student is on conduct or professional probation within the Program. If dismissal from the program is recommended by the faculty, the notice will include the specific reasons for the potential termination.
    Note: Academic Probation is governed by Graduate College Regulations.
  6. Depending upon the re-evaluation decision (as outlined in sections 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-4) by the faculty, the student and the cohort advisor will review the options available to the student.
  7. If 4-4 Dismissal from the program is the decision, the student will be given thirty (30) days from the meeting with the cohort advisor in which to, if the student choses. 
    1.  and present to the program faculty a written response to the decision and
    2. Request, in writing, a full counseling faculty review of the decision.
  8. Upon receipt of a written request from the student, a faculty meeting will be held within twenty (20) academic days to provide the student with the opportunity to present his or her case to the faculty.
  9. Following the student’s presentation, the program faculty will meet to:
    1. Review the student’s progress in the program
    2. Review the student’s behaviors as related to expected professional and/or personal dispositions and behavior
    3. Review the student’s remediation progress
    4. Render a decision as to whether the dismissal recommendation is upheld.
  10. Immediate notification of the decision will be provided to the student by the chair of the Counselor Education Department with a copy to the Dean of the Graduate College and the Dean of the College of Education.
  11. If the dismissal decision is upheld, the chair of the Counselor Education Department will submit a formal recommendation for an administrative withdrawal.
  12. If a student’s unacceptable professional and/or personal behaviors are deemed severe enough by the program faculty, a recommendation for immediate dismissal from the program will be made. Steps 1 through 8 of this policy will not be employed in this circumstance. The student will be informed of the recommendation by letter from the Chair of the Counselor Education Department, with copies to the Dean of the College of Education and the Dean of the Graduate College. Steps 9-13 will then be implemented.
  13. If the student is not satisfied with the decision reached by program faculty, the appeals procedure is outlined in the Student Code of Conduct (Policy 2020), See: boisestate.edu/policy/student-affairs/code-of-conduct.

POLICY FORMS

I. Self-disclosure and reflection:

A Masters Program in Counselor Education is unique because it blends academic rigor with personal growth. Just as professionals rely on tools such as computers to conduct their work, counselors rely on aspects of their “self” as an instrument to foster change and healing for clients. Therefore, some classroom instruction and assignments will require that you explore personal issues such as family history, strongly held convictions, intrapersonal strengths, and areas of growth. This work may challenge you to become more aware of your worldview, as well as deepen your ability to understand and be compassionate toward to the worldview of others

You will also be receiving supervision as part of your time with us as a student. Supervision takes place when you work with clients. The supervisory relationship is different from personal counseling; however, it includes unique features where you receive feedback that can feel uncomfortable and that you may disagree with at times. Feedback includes what you are doing well, as well as areas that can benefit from growth. It can be related to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in session or about professional issues at-large. Each supervisor has a unique style, and you will be expected to work with several different faculty members as well as practicing counselors serving as your supervisor. You will be expected to learn to receive and incorporate feedback into your work with clients. We understand that students enter our program displaying different levels of openness to growth; however, we believe that being receptive to feedback is a crucial aspect of counselor training and lifelong professional development.

II. General academic requirements:

Boise State University expects all graduate students to strive toward—and attain—academic excellence. If your academic performance is unsatisfactory, you may be withdrawn from the degree program by the Dean of the Graduate College, acting on the recommendation of your department.

To be eligible to receive a degree from the Graduate College, you must have a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 (“B”) or better in all graduate work specific to your program of study, and you cannot have a grade below a “C” in any individual course. You must receive a grade of “A” or “B” in a 300G or 400G-level course in order to count those credits toward your graduate degree. Finally, you cannot count grades below “C” to meet any requirement of a graduate degree program. A grade of “C-” or below will make you ineligible for graduation. It is your responsibility to communicate any grade below a “C” to your advisor.

If you are seeking a graduate degree and you earn a cumulative GPA of less than 3.00 for two consecutive semesters, you will be withdrawn from the graduate program and academically disqualified from any further graduate courses at Boise State University.

You will be expected to at a minimum maintain a GPA of 3.0. Additionally, if you obtain a “C” in Counseling Skills or Practicum, your continuing participation in our Program will be re-evaluated by your Program Advisor and Faculty. If allowed to continue, you will be required to re-take that course. This may slow your Program down one academic year. The same may be true of any other class you are required to re-take.

Additionally, students are expected to demonstrate competence in their cognate area (school counseling or addiction counseling) by meeting expectations in learning and skills as measured by key performance indicators (KPIs). If you obtain an unsatisfactory rating on a KPI, you will be required to complete a remediation for successful attainment of that outcome. Unsatisfactory ratings on more than one outcome may lead to a re-evaluation of your continuing participation in the Counseling Program by your Program Advisor and Faculty.

Most of our courses require that students write papers that often include reviewing scholarly literature pertinent to the counseling field, personal reflections, and self-exploration and insight. Most courses incorporate multiple-choice examinations, and some require that you record your clinical work with clients and/or practice of clinical skills with classmates. Our department has a digital recording system and provides lab space for this to occur for practicum.

Professional and personal growth-related issues are an important aspect of your grade in all courses. However, this is especially notable in practicum and internship where you are working with clients.

If needed, faculty will develop a personalized remediation plan with the intention of helping you acquire needed skills and/or maturity to succeed in the program. If you are displaying professional or personal issues that are a concern to faculty, your remediation plan may require personal counseling. You may also be required to slow down your program of study, which could result in delaying graduation. Although this is very rare and not expected, if students do not successfully complete their remediation plan, they could be advised out of the MA in Counseling Program.

III. Impact on relationships:

Because Counselor Education programs blend academic and personal growth, personal relationships may be impacted. You may expand how you think and feel in different areas, and this change could potentially impact relationship dynamics with those whom you are closest to. We expect that the impact will lead to positive outcomes such as more intimacy, better listening skills, and more compassionate communication. However, it could also result in conflict and disagreement that we hope is only temporary. We recommend that you seek support as needed through personal, couple, or family counseling. We also recommend that you rely on other social support networks you may already have in place if conflict arises.

Our program is based on a cohort model. If admitted, you will be with the same classmates in most courses and will likely form strong relationships. As with any other group experience, there is the potential for disagreement and conflict, as well as the development of close, supportive connections. Regardless of the nature of your relationships, we expect respect and professionalism in class with instructors and classmates and in supervision.

IV. Student rights:

As a student you have rights. You can appeal action taken by the program and/or the University. Please review our Student Handbook for detailed information. Also, please consult the Boise State website for more information.

V. General course information:

Many of our classes meet in the later portion of the afternoon and in the evening. However, sometimes meetings, supervision sessions, and courses are scheduled in the morning or early afternoon. Please understand that we cannot guarantee that we will not change times and dates of when courses have been offered in the past. Also, we have required weekend and summer courses. Attendance and punctuality are expected. Also, please note that we are a fully in-person program. You are expected to attend all class periods, supervision sessions, client sessions, and other required meetings in person.

We offer a Masters of Arts in Counseling program, and students must select to enroll in either the Addiction Counseling or School Counseling Cognate. Our curriculum comprises 60 credit hours of coursework, which includes practicum and internship, professional identity (core) courses, and specialty courses in your cognate area. Practicum requires 100 clock-hours over one semester and internship requires 700 clock-hours over two semesters (350 hours per semester) You must attend all required individual and group supervision sessions. This is a requirement for CACREP as well as for you to be eligible for licensure in the state of Idaho.

We do not recommend working full time and taking full-time credits as a graduate student when enrolled in a clinical sequence course (e.g. Practicum or Internship). Attempting to work the equivalent of two full-time jobs (full-time school + full time outside employment) can lead to mental fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and physical illness. These states are not conducive to learning and may result in impairment with clients. Successful students in the past have made difficult choices and/or engaged in creative planning so that they can maintain energy and capacity for school and clinical practice.

Both of our School and Addiction Counseling Cognates are CACREP accredited.

VI. Programmatic details:

You will be expected to attend a Mandatory Orientation that takes place once a year (typically in August). We also strongly recommend that you attend our Program Reception where we honor students who participate in our student organization and graduating students (typically in May).

You are required to submit a program Adjudication Statement at least once per year while in the program, meaning every year you are in the program. Information disclosed or otherwise obtained can impact faculty decisions regarding continuation in the program, endorsement by program faculty for students to enroll in practicum and/or internship, endorsement for any field-based placement, and/or disclosure by program faculty to potential internship and/or other field-based site or individual supervisors. Faculty may communicate with your supervisors (on and off campus) as needed and disclose information about your Adjudication Statement if it is in the best interest of clients. Faculty will always try to protect your privacy to the extent possible.

Admission to the program is not a guarantee that you will be able to secure clinical placements, which are required to complete the degree or become licensed and/or certified post-graduation.  Students with a felony criminal record who are admitted to the program may encounter difficulties securing clinical placements and/or becoming licensed and/or certified. Additionally, if you obtain a felony or a criminal record (e.g. a DUI) while in the program that could also impact your ability to obtain a clinical placement.

VII. Specific course information:

Some courses may include a service-learning or community components where you will have to schedule time outside of class to work face-to-face with individuals and/or families from culturally, racially, and/or religiously diverse backgrounds. Also, you will be expected to work with clients who may be of diverse sexual orientations.

VIII. Postgraduate Issues:

Although most (about 100%) of our graduates obtain employment in the field upon or shortly after graduation, we cannot guarantee that you will secure employment. Faculty will provide honest letters of recommendation and will support you in a reasonable manner.

We strongly recommend that you apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) upon graduation; however, licensure is not a requirement for graduation. Obtaining your license is a student responsibility. Please visit The Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses website for more information:

dopl.idaho.gov

In order to apply for licensure, you will be required to accrue additional clinical hours and pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE):

nbcc.org/exams/nce

Our Program will support these activities; however, licensure is your personal choice and responsibility. There are additional fees, unrelated to Boise State for obtaining licensure.

Additional credentialing such as Qualified Professional (QP) and CADC certification is OUTSIDE of the Program’s scope of responsibility. We encourage you to obtain as much information as possible and pursue licensure and certifications as you see needed. We often bring guest speakers to address these issues and alert you that state regulations change over time.

(Active Students will complete a digital version of this agreement throughout the program)