Counseling Program Objectives

Maintain a contemporary and relevant curricular learning environment that promotes the standards of the counseling profession, fosters a strong professional identity for counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors, and promotes competence for working effectively with clients and students across the lifespan.

Evaluation Method: Current CACREP standards, Pennsylvania Department of Education standards, and state licensure requirements are reflected in all syllabi. Program graduates, site supervisors, and employers are routinely surveyed for program evaluation in an effort to engage in continuous improvement. 

Engage master's and doctoral students in experiences that encourage both personal and professional insight, awareness, and growth; thereby, enhancing their ability to deliver holistic client- and student-centered, culturally responsive, and ethically sound counseling, academic, and supervisory services. 

Evaluation Method: All master's students are required to participate in a 10-hour personal growth group counseling experience. Membership is encouraged in our Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ) and Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) student associations, both of which sponsor service activities, professional development, and community-building experiences each semester. Doctoral student membership is encouraged in the North Atlantic Region of the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision. Each student is evaluated annually through our student review process (see section 2 of Student Review Rubric), with regard to their "Personal Maturity and Interpersonal Skills." Reflective, experiential, and service learning opportunities are provided throughout both the master's and doctoral curricula. 

Provide sequential hands-on learning experiences with individuals and groups that enhance counseling and educational work with clients/students across the lifespan and encompass the theoretical, ethical, and scholarly knowledge bases of both counseling and counselor education and supervision. 

Evaluation Method: All students are required to earn a “B” grade or better in practicum courses and maintain current professional clearances and liability insurance. Each student is evaluated annually through the student review process (see section 1 of Student Review Rubric), with regard to their "Clinical Competence."

Facilitate student attainment of clinical, academic, and supervisory assessment and conceptualization skills, as well as their ability to utilize relevant literature and contemporary research to inform their work with clients, students, and supervisees. 

Evaluation Method: All courses have a culminating assignment or Summative Assignment with a corresponding grading rubric. Performance on these assignments is tracked across each course through the LiveText platform. Benchmark performance is also measured through IUP's use of the Nuventive Improve Assessment platform. Each student is evaluated annually through the student review process (see sections 1 and 3 of Student Review Rubric), with regard to their "Clinical Competence" and "Academic Aptitude." 

Establish and maintain a supportive, proactive, and engaged departmental culture with high expectations for professional behavior, academic performance, multicultural and social justice awareness, and sound ethical judgment for all counselors- and counselor educators-in-training. 

Evaluation Method: All admitted students will meet or exceed the published admissions criteria for their respective master's or doctoral program. All students are evaluated annually on their clinical competence, personal maturity, interpersonal skills, and academic aptitude (see Student Review Rubric), in addition to the ongoing formative assessments conducted by their course instructors and faculty supervisors. 

Provide curricular and cocurricular experiences that promote and empower student involvement in active scholarship, community engagement, and leadership and advocacy throughout their career.

Evaluation Method: All students attend a program-specific orientation and are provided with a Department of Counseling handbook containing professional membership and student group information at the onset of their graduate studies. These opportunities are also incorporated into program information sessions, where master's and doctoral applicants are recruited. Students are encouraged to collaborate with faculty on scholarly activities (e.g., conducting studies, co-authoring professional publications, attending conferences, and copresenting) and maintain student membership in professional counseling and counselor education and supervision organizations. Membership and leadership are also encouraged in our Counselors for Social Justice and Chi Sigma Iota student associations, which provide meaningful opportunities each semester for engaging in community building, public service, and professional development activities.