Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The program in community counseling is designed to prepare beginning level counselors to work in a variety of human service agencies. The 60 credit hour program is a basis for preparation for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Tennessee.

Admission

Application to the Counseling Program is made in the spring for fall admission. Candidates wishing to apply to the counseling program must submit a completed application to the Graduate School office no later than March 1st. To be officially admitted to the Counseling Program, applicants must first meet all general requirements for admission to the UTC Graduate School. All forms and materials should be submitted directly to the Graduate School. Until fully admitted, students will not be allowed to register for core Counseling Program courses. Prior to admission into the Counseling Program, students may register for EPSY 5010 Methods of Educational Research. No applicant will be admitted to the Counseling Program with conditional admission status. In addition to regular graduate admission requirements, candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Submit a score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) within the last five years.
2. Provide 2-3 professional and/or academic recommendations pertaining to the candidate’s potential as a counselor.
3. Submit a résumé reflecting professional experience and volunteer work, related to the helping profession.
4. Submit a two-page typewritten biographical sketch indicating the motivation to become a counselor.
5. The applicant must attend an admission workshop that includes a group interview with faculty and pass a writing proficiency exam. After the interview and writing exam, candidates will be notified in writing as to their acceptance in the program. No oral confirmations of admission status will be provided.

Prerequisites

Clinical Mental Health Counseling candidates may be asked to show competencies in Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology (depending on discretion of program faculty and previous degree(s) earned) either through course work or professional experience. In these cases, the burden of proof is on the student to document either through transcripts or supervisors’ letter(s) that such competencies have been met.

Review of Students

During their course of studies, all counseling students are reviewed continuously by program faculty for purposes other than academic. This “professional fitness” review results in either one of three recommendations: continuation, continuation with conditions, or termination. Students are referred to the Student Handbook for explanation of professional fitness necessary for continuation in the program. All students are expected to abide by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. All courses are competency based, and courses receiving a grade lower than B must be repeated.

Comprehensive Examination

Students will be required to pass comprehensive written and oral examinations. One written examination will consist of the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Additionally students will be required to pass an oral/written examination with the counseling faculty. More information about the comprehensive exam is provided in the Counseling Student Handbook.