The Community Counseling Program prepares students to work with individuals of all ages, cultures, and capabilities reach their maximum potential in their personal lives and careers. Specifically, community counselors help others gain perspective on their lives, explore options, make decisions, resolve problems, and take action, all the while relying on the clients' strengths and resources.  In addition, community counselors serve clients through outreach, advocacy, preventive education, and by influencing public policy.

COMMUNITY COUNSELING DIRECTOR

Amy T. Banner, Ph.D., NCC
McGurrin Room 443
Email: amy.banner@scranton.edu
Office phone: 570-941-4129
Department phone: 570-941-4236

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COMMUNITY COUNSELING MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the Community Counseling Master’s Degree Program is to prepare and train Professional Counselors to work in a variety of practice settings in the community (international, national, regional, and local). Professional Counselors are community leaders and self-reflective clinical practitioners, who serve as advocates for all citizens across the life span, understand and apply principles of group work in building community partnerships, pursue the realization of social justice in communities, and accept responsibility for improving professional practice through an active program of research and evaluation.
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COMMUNITY COUNSELING OBJECTIVES

The program is designed to:

1.    Train students in the development of foundational
       and specific clinical counseling skills that can
       be used in a variety of settings and with a wide
       range of clients
2.    Prepare culturally competent counselors who
       possess awareness, knowledge, and skills related
       to multiculturalism
3.    Prepare students to work in a variety of community
       settings across continuums and systems of care
4.    Prepare students to be counseling practitioners who
       effectively integrate current research and technology
       into practice
5.    Prepare students for certification and licensure in
       counseling
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COMMUNITY COUNSELING CURRICULUM

The Community Counseling Program is a 60-credit curriculum leading to the Master of Science degree. The 60 credits include:

•    45 credits of principles and practice of counseling
•    3 credits of practicum
•    3 credits of internship
•    9 credits of electives

For specific course information, review the Community Counseling Program Manual.
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COMMUNITY COUNSELING PROGRAM OUTCOMES

The Community Counseling Program had an enrollment of 43 MS degree students, 3 CAGS students, and 2 self-improvement students in the fall of 2011 and 45 MS degree students and 2 CAGS students in the spring, 2012, semester.  Currently, the program has two full-time faculty members. All adjunct faculty members who teach Community Counseling courses have licensure/certification in the counseling field. The current grade point average of the students in the program is 3.77. Students enrolled in the Community Counseling Program range in age, life experience, and academic and professional backgrounds.

A summary of key areas from the 2011-2012 academic year student evaluation process indicated the following: 100% of CC students’ expectations are met or exceeded in the areas: overall rating of the program, department culture, expertise of full time faculty, quality of full time teaching, and relevance of courses for your goals. In general, quantitative results indicate that the students are satisfied with the program, rating it as a comprehensive, quality program with an incredible program leader and advisor.

For the 2010-2011 academic year, a total of fourteen students graduated from the program. All students passed the clinical requirements in practicum and internship. Ten of the fourteen students responded to the Post-Graduation Activities Survey. All 10 of the respondents were employed full time in the field. The outcomes of 4 graduates are unknown.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The counseling profession is growing rapidly. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2012-2013, employment opportunities for counselors are projected to grow “much faster than the average for all occupations” through the year 2020. “Much faster than average growth” will occur in specialties of Community Counseling such as mental, emotional and behavioral health, and marital and/or family difficulties. Employment settings for community counselors include private practice, community agencies, hospitals, and many others.
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COMMUNITY COUNSELING ACCREDITATION

As a nationally accredited program by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Community Counseling Program prepares Professional Counselors for direct entry into and/or advancement in counseling positions in a variety of public and private settings.  The program prepares students for this work by providing a learning environment in which they acquire the academic competencies of the profession, refine these competencies through application, and experience personal and professional development to meet the standards of Fitness for the Profession.
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CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE

The Community Counseling Program is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP is the accrediting body for the counseling profession, recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Hence, graduates from our program meet all educational requirements for certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and are eligible to sit for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) sponsored by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Further, graduates meet all of the educational requirements for licensure as Professional Counselors in Pennsylvania.
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CERTIFICATION OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDY (CAGS) IN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING

As a 60-credit curriculum, the Community Counseling Program fulfills all of the educational requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and many other states.

For those students who have already completed a 48-credit master’s degree counseling program and would now like to pursue licensure, the CAGS allows for the completion of the remaining 12 credits of educational requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor.
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ACCELERATED B.S./M.S. DEGREE

Undergraduate Human Services majors with outstanding academic records may be eligible for early admission to the Community Counseling graduate programs through the Accelerated Baccalaureate/Master's Degree Program.

Interested students must commit to this program no later than the end of their junior year of academic study, adhere to the time frame for application as outlined in The College of Graduate and Continuing Education Catalog, and meet specific admissions criteria. Please visit the accelerated B.S./M.S. website for additional information.
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EDUCATIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS

The University's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) is located on the 5^th floor of the Harper-McGinness Wing in St. Thomas hall.  The mission of the CTLE is to provide academic support services for students and opportunities for faculty to enhance teaching and learning. The CTLE offers services to assist graduate students to achieve academic success.   The CTLE can assist graduate students in improving their reading comprehension and retention, writing and enhance overall learning skills.  Peer-tutoring is available to graduate students free of charge.  Students may also work with CTLE staff in learning how to use instructional technology that is available on campus.  Workshops are offered in the area of time management, organizational skills, effective study techniques and learning styles.

Graduate students with disabilities, who are registered with the CTLE, receive academic accommodations such as extended test-taking time, note taking and computer use for examinations.  Individual consultations with the CTLE Reading Enrichment Specialist, Learning Enrichment Specialist and Writing Consultants are encouraged to assist students with physical and/or learning challenges achieve academic success.

To learn more about the CTLE's programs and services for students and faculty, visit their website or call 941-4038.
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PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

Individuals interested in the Community Counseling Program may find additional information regarding admission requirements, application deadlines, and graduate assistantships in the Graduate School Catalog.  Please feel free to contact the Department of Counseling and Human Services if you would like to speak with someone about the program directly.
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