the counseling psychology master's … · web viewthe university of kentucky counseling...

30
Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 1 The University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology University of Kentucky Revision History: Revised 2/6/2018 Revised 2/1/2018 Revised 12/6/2017 Revised 8/22/2017 Revised 5/16/2017 Revised 1/15/2017 Revised 4/21/2016 Revised 4/6/2016 Revised 2/29/2016 Revised 11/4/2015 Revised 11/1/2012 Foreword` This handbook is designed to familiarize you with the Counseling Psychology Master’s Program. This document contains descriptions, policies, procedures, and guidelines related to your training in this program. The Handbook has two parts: (1) General Information on the Program and (2) Specific Information on policies and procedures related to successful completion of the Master’s Program in Counseling Psychology. In addition to the materials contained in this handbook, as a student in the Graduate School, you are responsible for standards and policies set forth in the University of Kentucky Bulletin (see http://www.research.uky.edu/gs/CurrentStudents/bulletin.html ) The University, Graduate School (GS), and Counseling Psychology (CP) program are continually modifying graduation requirements, policies, and procedures to clarify and improve our programs. Graduation requirements upon admission remain in effect for the duration of students’ programs, although students may elect to satisfy graduation requirements using any changes

Upload: lythien

Post on 11-May-2018

223 views

Category:

Documents


4 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 1

The University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018

Department of Educational, School, and Counseling PsychologyUniversity of Kentucky

Revision History: Revised 2/6/2018 Revised 2/1/2018 Revised 12/6/2017 Revised 8/22/2017 Revised 5/16/2017 Revised 1/15/2017 Revised 4/21/2016 Revised 4/6/2016 Revised 2/29/2016 Revised 11/4/2015 Revised 11/1/2012

Foreword`

This handbook is designed to familiarize you with the Counseling Psychology Master’s Program. This document contains descriptions, policies, procedures, and guidelines related to your training in this program. The Handbook has two parts: (1) General Information on the Program and (2) Specific Information on policies and procedures related to successful completion of the Master’s Program in Counseling Psychology. In addition to the materials contained in this handbook, as a student in the Graduate School, you are responsible for standards and policies set forth in the University of Kentucky Bulletin (see http://www.research.uky.edu/gs/CurrentStudents/bulletin.html)

The University, Graduate School (GS), and Counseling Psychology (CP) program are continually modifying graduation requirements, policies, and procedures to clarify and improve our programs. Graduation requirements upon admission remain in effect for the duration of students’ programs, although students may elect to satisfy graduation requirements using any changes that occur during their programs. In this situation, students must choose either the past or changed graduation requirement in their entirety (i.e., students may not pick portions of both the old and the new requirement). However, changes to university, departmental, and program policies and procedures apply to all students at the point that the change occurs. Thus, the policies and procedures in this handbook are subject to change as necessary and apply to all students. The Master’s program in Counseling Psychology is a full-time program that takes an average of two years of full-time study to complete. The program does not accept part-time students.

This handbook has been optimized for reading on a computer using Microsoft Word. Certain parts are hyperlinked to other sections or to locations online. While viewing this document on a computer, any text in blue can link to another location by left-clicking the mouse while pressing and holding the “ctrl” key.

Page 2: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 2

Page 3: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword 1Overview of the Master’s Program in Counseling Psychology 2Departmental Structure 4Program of Study 4Registration and Advance Registration Procedures 5Academic Requirements and Important Policies 6Practicum Guidelines 8Research 8Time to Degree 8Appeals and Grievances 10Academic Integrity and Plagiarism 11Milestones 12Student Support Services 13Education Specialist Program 18

Overview of the Master’s Program in Counseling Psychology`

Program Philosophy and Social Justice Statement`The philosophy of the Counseling Psychology Program is rooted in the values and goals of a socially just society. A socially just society is contingent on the optimal health and well-being of all persons in that society. The health and well-being of persons is contingent on access to healthy environments that support healthy development and functioning. Our goal is to train professionals who are competent in providing psychological services that facilitate optimal well-being and the transformation of unhealthy and oppressive societal structures.

Overview of the Master’s Program of Study`The course sequence provides a foundation of basic knowledge and applied skills in Health Service Psychology (HSP) that facilitate the development of this broad range of science and practice competencies. The Program of Study is designed to: (1) be congruent with the nature of HSP training developed by the American Psychological Association, (2) offer a developmental, sequential curriculum that enables the student to develop research and practice skills, (3) foster a professional identity within the specialty of Counseling Psychology, (4) ensure that graduates are prepared and qualified to matriculate into advanced graduate training, (5) promote reflective ethical decision-making and engagement in social justice-related efforts, and (6) prepare students to function effectively as mental health professionals in a broad range of roles in various work settings that require sound training experiences, professional and ethical competence, interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

Professionalism and Collegiality`To attain the Program’s pedagogical goals, we encourage a collegial working relationship between faculty and graduate students in which both groups are engaged in a common pursuit. The courses and the multiple practicum experiences provide a forum for faculty-student contact

Page 4: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 4

and dialogue, so that professional and personal interchange is facilitated and encouraged. In these forums, Program faculty provide mentoring, role-modeling, and training opportunities.

All policies and procedures within the program are designed to be congruent with the standards developed by APA. Students are strongly encouraged to join professional organizations such as APA and Division 17: Society of Counseling Psychology. Refer to the Division 17 website for a definition of Counseling Psychology and membership information (see http://www.div17.org/). Students are also encouraged to become affiliates of the Kentucky Psychological Association (KPA) (see http://www.kpa.org ).

Proximal Program Outcomes`The attainment of Program goals and competencies are evaluated in courses and in formative and summative evaluations including the Practicum Supervisory Evaluation forms and the Final Examination for Master’s (FEM). These evaluative components of the program are further described below.

Distal Program Outcomes`The Program provides students with the comprehensive, foundational training

specifically designed to prepare students to apply for Counseling Psychology PhD programs. The Counseling Psychology M.S. is also a great fit for those students who want to further explore the field of Counseling Psychology before making the decision about whether or not to commit to the 5+ years of training that is required to get a PhD in our field. Furthermore, the Counseling Psychology M.S. can help prepare students to provide psychological health services in the Commonwealth of Kentucky at the master’s level as a Licensed Psychological Associates (LPA; click here to learn more about licensure in KY). Please note that the M.S. program is not designed to make students eligible for licensure as a Master’s-level Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Ethical Principles, Rights, and Responsibilities`The Program faculty expects that once students are admitted to Master’s training, they will conduct themselves in a respectful, professional manner. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association (2010; see http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx) and to abide by these principles in their academic, professional, and interpersonal behavior. You are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the essential values of the Counseling Psychology program, which include respect for the dignity and worth of every individual and their right to a just share of society’s resources (social justice). Ethical behavior and professionalism is expected in your clinical, classroom, and community roles, including public interactions through online and social media outlets. Any significant reports of incidents incompatible with the core values of counseling psychology and ethical codes of our profession may be subject to disciplinary action.

Further, students need be aware of the University's Student Rights and Responsibilities that is published by the UK Office of the Dean of Students (see http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code). The program also has developed and occasionally revises operating procedures and policies that are updated in this handbook each year. Master’s students are expected to read, understand, and abide by these policies.

No students may use their affiliation with the department or the program in connection with advertising services before completing a degree program. For any unsupervised services

Page 5: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 5

offered, the ethics of the situation should be discussed with faculty members (including the student’s advisor). If the circumstances are not clarified, it becomes the entire responsibility of the student for all consequences of such action (e.g., if it is deemed a breach of ethics, the student may be dismissed from the program).

Departmental Structure`

Director of Graduate StudyThe Director of Graduate Study (DGS) serves as the initial point of contact for students applying to the doctoral program, manages the application activities, and is the custodian of student records. Throughout the student’s involvement in the Counseling Psychology Program, the DGS provides the communications liaison between the Program and the Graduate School.

Master’s Training CoordinatorThe Master’s Training Coordinator (MTC) works with the Counseling Psychology Area Committee (CPAC) to establish Program policies, manage Program procedures, and monitor student progress. In matters of student progress, the MTC serves as a consultant to CPAC. The MTC also coordinates the master’s program application and admission process.

Program, Departmental, and Adjunct FacultyThe Departmental Chair serves a four-year term. The Departmental faculty members are assigned to one of three Area Committees, Counseling Psychology (CPAC), Educational Psychology (EPAC), or School Psychology (SPAC). Each area committee is directly responsible for the policies and procedures in its respective programs. Faculty vitae and contact information can be found online at http://www.uky.edu/Education/EDP/edpfac.html. Adjunct faculty members have primary assignments elsewhere, but they provide instruction and/or practicum supervision to the Counseling Psychology Program.

CP Student SenateOne student senator from each cohort (i.e., the group of students entering the program in a given year) will be elected during class at the beginning of the first fall semester of the first year. This senator will represent their cohort and work collaboratively with the elected senators from the other cohorts of the CPAC programs (e.g., MS, PhD) to decide what student concerns should be brought to the attention of the CPAC faculty. Student senators will meet with the CPAC faculty during one mid-semester CPAC faculty meeting. Student senators may also communicate the concerns of the faculty back to the student body and are tasked with keeping their student cohorts informed of relevant CPAC faculty decisions and resultant policy changes. A secondary responsibility of the student senators is to support CPAC by planning and carrying out activities that will aid CPAC in program evaluation and enhancement.

Program of Study`

The Program of Study is available on the department website under “Handbooks & Forms.” A listing of course descriptions appears in the University of Kentucky Bulletin (see http://www.research.uky.edu/gs/CurrentStudents/bulletin.html). The Program of Study (POS) for the Master’s in Counseling Psychology is designed with two considerations: (a) be congruent

Page 6: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 6

with the nature of HSP training developed by the American Psychological Association and (b) to offer a curriculum that enables the student to develop research and practice skills, to explore individual interests, and to focus on a selected area of expertise. The Counseling Psychology Program is a full time graduate program and students are expected to be enrolled as full-time students.

Students who wish to apply previous graduate coursework should present documentation (i.e., syllabi, course description from graduate catalogue, and transcript) to their assigned Faculty Mentor.

Master’s Program of Study Schedule`The Master’s program of study consists of approximately four classes a semester for four semesters. All students are expected to take the designated courses during the designated semesters. This will allow students to complete the program in a timely manner and build strong relationships with the other students in their cohort, who will take all the same classes at the same time. The POS also lists the Final Examination for Master’s (FEM) as a required component to complete during the final semester of the program (see below). The original POS should be completed, signed, and placed in the student’s file as a part of documenting and approving the student’s readiness to take the FEM.

Under special circumstances (e.g., temporary leave of absence), it may be necessary for the student to work with their assigned Faculty Advisor to make arrangements for completing certain program requirements at a later-than-originally-scheduled time. Any changes should be noted on the student’s POS, the POS signed by the assigned Faculty Advisor, and the signed POS placed in the student’s file.

Communicating with Your Faculty Advisor`Master’s students are encouraged to communicate frequently with their Faculty Advisor. A simple E-mail is a good strategy to use in keeping the faculty aware of your activities. Students are encouraged to communicate regularly and work closely with their Faculty Advisor to take advantage of potential learning opportunities and to discuss progress in the program. Students are welcome to schedule meetings with their Faculty Advisor as necessary to discuss professional development issues (e.g., progress in the program, career goal clarification). However, students should bear in mind that scheduling a meeting with busy faculty members can be challenging. Therefore, it is recommended that students schedule meetings many weeks in advance.

Registration and Advance Registration Procedures

The guidelines for pre-registration, newly admitted student registration, and late registration are made available in documents which may be obtained from the Director of Graduate Study (DGS) and from the Registrar (see http://www.uky.edu/Registrar/). Students are advised each semester to follow the suggestions that appear on the Counseling Psychology Students Discussion List (see://education.uky.edu/site/LISTSERVs). All registration is done electronically via myUK (https://myuk.uky.edu/irj/portal). Please note the Registrar prevents first year students from registering until they have attended an “advising conference.” For newly admitted students, this occurs during student orientation and is typically held one week before classes begin. Students can consult with their appointed advisor and review the Course Catalog

Page 7: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 7

(see http://www.uky.edu/registrar/bulletin-course-catalog) to plan courses and a schedule prior to this date but will not be officially enrolled until this time. Newly admitted students should also be aware that they must set up a “link blue” account in order to register electronically and use many university services such as email, library account access, etc. Refer to http://www.uky.edu/UKHome/subpages/linkblue.html for more information on activating this account.

Academic Requirements and Important Policies

The Department has established a commitment to diversity in course coverage and content. The policy affirms our commitment to integrating aspects of diverse scholarship and experience into the body of knowledge covered by each course. The Department defines diversity very broadly to include age, gender, gender identity and expression, race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic class, and disability or ableness. This commitment is reflected in course syllabi as well as assigned readings and in class discussion.

By the second class meeting, every Professor is required to provide students with a syllabus. The syllabus contains an outline of course content and requirements that are to be completed by the student. A syllabus is also considered to be a contract. That is, professors are contracting with students that certain requirements are to be met to earn a specific grade. If factors affecting evaluation must be revised during the semester, students must be given reasonable warning.

The most recent course syllabi are available at the Department’s website (see https://2b.education.uky.edu/courses-and-syllabi/).

APA StyleAll papers submitted in any course in the department are expected to conform to APA Style. Securing a copy of the sixth edition of the APA Style Manual (2010) is required. Program students are required to use proper APA format in all of their papers submitted while in the Program.

The Ally Development Workshop and Other Training ExperiencesEach year, the second year doctoral students lead an Ally Development Workshop. This social justice training experience is mandatory for first year graduate students. The Program faculty strongly encourages students to engage in extra-curricular training and workshops. These training experiences are available in the EDP, UK, and Lexington area communities. These trainings provide students with opportunities to develop counseling skills, acquire relevant knowledge, and gain increased awareness and growth.

Training Requirements for Teaching Assistantships*When a student receives funding via a Teaching Assistantship (TA), a TA training requirement is required from the student. These trainings are given twice a year, once in August and January.

Departmental Electronic Communication* The Department uses two listservs (EDP-ALL for students and faculty in the Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology; COUNSELING-PSYCH for counseling psych graduate students) to relate important messages regarding classes, practicum experiences,

Page 8: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 8

funding, and employment opportunities to students. You will be signed up to these listservs by the Department staff. When you reply to a listserv message, it will be sent to all listserv subscribers, not just the person who sent the original email to the listserv. Therefore, if you want to say something privately to the person, it is best to send a fresh email to that person (what we would call “emailing them backchannel”) rather than hitting reply. Also, be careful when responding to the listservs, since persons who are not students or faculty in the department may also subscribed to the listserv, so be carefully about sharing personal/sensitive information.

Reflective Learning, Personal Growth, and Seeking Therapy*The Counseling Psychology Faculty members believe that personal development is essential to becoming an effective clinician. Experience as a client in both individual and group settings is an excellent way to attend to both personal and professional development by helping you to become comfortable with aspects of self-disclosure and reflective self-examination (but see caveat about UK Counseling Center below). Getting personal therapy may be an important step for those who find that their current struggles significantly impede their professional performance. These personal and professional activities are frequently necessary for competent performance in classes and in practicum training experiences. For example, you can expect to observe and be observed conducting therapeutic activities, to give and receive appropriate peer feedback, and to display self-awareness, including the impact of your social locations and cultural values on your interpersonal interactions. To summarize, students are expected to operate responsibly and assertively within the department. This means taking care of personal needs and responsibilities while remaining watchful of and respecting the needs and rights of others. This process requires being aware of and meeting deadlines, fulfilling class and program requirements, helping other students, being involved in the evolution of the program, and other reasonable expectations. See the CP Restricted Files page (https://education.uky.edu/edp/counseling-psychology-overview/counseling-psychology-handbooks-and-forms/cp-restricted-files/) on the CP website for more information about low-cost personal psychotherapy services available to current CP students.

Grade RequirementsAccording to University Policy,

“When students have completed 12 or more semester hours of graduate course work with an average of less than 3.0, they will be placed on scholastic probation. Students will have one full semester or the equivalent (9 hours) to remove the scholastic probation by attaining a 3.0 average. If probation is not removed, students will be dismissed from the Graduate School." (University of Kentucky: The Graduate School, 1994-1996, p. 17)

In addition, Counseling Psychology students must satisfy the following grade criteria:"I" grades. All "I" grades must be completed within two months after the last scheduled

class. No students may have more than two pending "I" grades at any time. Students may not register for course work for which the prerequisite(s) are not completed by the first class meeting. Should an "I" grade not be completed within the two months period, the instructor of record or the Director of Graduate Study may assign a grade commensurate with the work so far accomplished. If the "I" grade is not replaced within 12 months of the end of the semester in which the "I" was earned, the Graduate School will direct the Registrar to convert any "I" grade to the grade of "E", unless extenuating circumstances exist. Such circumstances must be determined and verified by the course instructor of the "I" Grade course and the Director of

Page 9: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 9

Graduate Study. “C” grades. If a student obtains a “C” in a course, he/she will be required to take the

course over and complete the course with a grade of “B” or better. Students are not allowed to make more than one "C" grade in their program. Students who earn a "C" grade in their program will meet with the Counseling Psychology Area Committee (CPAC). One of the CPAC options is to place the student on programmatic probation. Should the student earn a second "C" grade, CPAC will consider the recommendation for termination from the program.

“E” grades. An "E" grade in any course may be grounds for dismissal from the Counseling Psychology program.

Developmental Sequence of Training`The following are structured to provide sequential learning that is graded in complexity. Students must earn a "B" grade in each course to enroll in the subsequent course as listed below: EDP 605 and EDP 652 are pre-requisites to EDP 649 and EDP 664. EDP 652 can be taken concurrently with EDP 649. See the MS Program of Study document on the Handbooks and Forms webpage for what classes must be taken when

Withdrawal from ClassesWithdrawals are completed online via the myUK system. Visit myUK for withdrawal dates, deadlines, and procedures (see https://myuk.uky.edu/).

Practicum Guidelines

Students should read and be familiar with the Practicum Guidelines document (see the Handbooks and Forma webpage) at least one semester prior to applying for practica. Students must plan in advance what sites they will apply to, plan to attend the Practicum Open House, and take the necessary steps to apply broadly to many sites so that they can successfully obtain a practicum site placement that is a good fit for them. Typically, students must start applying to sites in early February of their first year, in order to begin work at a practicum site in the fall semester of their second year.

Research`

Students who are interested in research have the option of becoming familiar with the department faculty research teams as well as other research teams, especially if the student is considering doctoral programs. Becoming a part of a research team requires the student to be proactive and seek out teams within or outside of the department. Faculty vary in how they run their research labs, so the ability to join a certain lab is dependent on the preferences of each faculty member and whether or not they have spots open on the research team. We recommend that you do some Googling into what the counseling psychology faculty, the other faculty in EDP, and the other faculty at UK are doing. Find faculty who are doing research on topics of most professional interest to you. Read those faculty members’ bios, websites, and some of their recent published papers (access it via PsychINFO database offered via UK library website). If they have a website that describes the process for expressing interest in or applying for their lab, follow their instructions. If they don’t provide instructions, here is a conservative way to go about

Page 10: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 10

approaching them regarding your interest in being involved with their lab/research: send them a professional email in which you introduce yourself, express your interest in applying to join their lab, and saying in about 3 to 6 sentences why you are interested and what prior experience you have that may make you a suitable candidate to join their lab. Make a case for how you could be a good fit. Do not just send an email saying you are interested in being involved but that does not give additional context; you need to show that you’ve done your homework and read up on some of the research the lab is doing… that you’re serious about your interest in the lab. Please bear in mind that mentoring a student in a research lab requires an investment from the professor, so your request to join the lab means that you are asking the professor for a favor. Being professional in your request, therefore, is a way to demonstrate respect for the professor’s potential investment in you.

Departmental Colloquia The Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology periodically schedules colloquia for all doctoral students in the Lexington area. Colloquia include presentations on research, practice, and professional issues (e.g., interviewing for jobs, data analytic techniques, etc). Currently, our DGS is sponsoring FRED talks for graduate students to talk informally about their research and get feedback from peers and faculty. The Social Justice Scholarship Series is another forum for discussing contemporary social justice issues and scholarship. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of the many opportunities for professional development that are offered across the university.

Time to Degree`

Students are typically accepted into the Counseling Psychology Master’s Program following satisfactory completion of a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Completion of the Counseling Psychology Master’s Program is designed to take two years. This program is completed on-site in Lexington, KY, and cannot be completed part-time or via online distance learning. Our program graduates typically advance to doctoral training in psychology or employment in a variety of settings such as university, community, hospital, and government agencies.

Evaluating Student Progress through the ProgramCriteria for adequate progress.` Students are expected to make adequate progress

toward the degree. Adequate progress is defined by a number of both objective and subjective criteria. If the deadlines are not met, or officially excused, the student will be terminated from the program. The criteria are:

1. Continuous enrollment in graduate school. Program rules state that a student, except in special circumstances negotiated in advance with a Faculty Advisor (e.g. leave of absence), must be enrolled in the designated classes during the designated semesters of the two-year program and must complete the Final Examination for Master’s (FEM) during the designated semester. Students who (1) take more than two consecutive semesters’ leave of absence, (2) take more than 3 semesters’ leave of absence total, or (3) do not make appropriate progress toward the degree, will be withdrawn from the program and required to reapply if they desire to complete the degree requirements. Because certain classes are not offered every semester or every year, a semester leave of absence could mean that students would have to wait a full year before those classes become

Page 11: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 11

available again to be taken. Students who fail the FEM during the designated semester must retake and pass the FEM the second time it is offered to students. Failing to pass the FEM the second time it is taken is grounds for termination from the program.

2. Maintaining a Graduate GPA of at least 3.0. 3. Having no more than two outstanding "I" (Incomplete) grades at any time.4. CPAC Faculty will also review student progress as needed throughout the year.

Continuation in the program requires not only demonstrated skills in the academic area but also a judgment by the faculty of the program area that the candidate possesses personal and interpersonal characteristics requisite for achieving the required competencies associated with the program.

Leaves of absence.` Students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment in the Graduate School. Enrolled graduate students at the University of Kentucky who sit out for one or more semesters will need to complete a new application to the Graduate School and to the Program and pay the application fee in order to be considered for readmission.  In many instances this requirement can be avoided by requesting a leave of absence.  In addition to avoiding the application process, this status will allow the student to priority register in preparation for return to UK.

Students should, prior to the semester in question, first contact their advisor and others involved who need to know and approve of the request (e.g., assistantship supervisor).  The request should be in writing, indicating the exact semester(s) and, if possible, the rationale for the request. Next, the advisor should forward the request to the Director of Graduate Study (DGS) indicating endorsement (and the endorsement of others involved, if appropriate). Finally, if the request is approved, the DGS will forward the advisor’s message to the Graduate School admissions officer, with the DGS’s endorsement. The student must email the Graduate School Admissions Officer before his/her intended return to have his/her status changed back to active. A leave, if granted, is only good for one semester but can be renewed for a second semester if necessary. International students considering a leave of absence are strongly encouraged to discuss their plans with the Office of International Affairs and Department of Immigration Services prior to making a formal request.

Appeals and Grievances

In line with our ethics code, we seek informal resolutions to conflicts whenever possible. If you have an academic or non-academic concern related to the program, you should attempt informal problem solving (e.g., talking directly with the instructor, faculty member, committee member, department chair, dean) before lodging a formal complaint. In the majority of cases, mutually satisfactory solutions to problems can be found through these informal means. A formal grievance procedure should be employed as a last resort when informal channels of resolving the problem have failed.

Appeals of academic decisions follow the procedures spelled out by the Academic Ombud. Below is an edited listing of the University Senate Rules that cover the jurisdiction of the Academic Ombud and other information pasted for your convenience from the Ombud website.

6.2.0 The Academic Ombud is the officer of the university charged with

Page 12: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 12

consideration of student grievances in connection with academic affairs.

6.2.1.1  The Office of the Academic Ombud shall provide a mechanism for handling issues for which no established procedure exists or for which established procedures have not yielded a satisfactory conclusion. They are not intended to supplant the normal processes of problem resolution.

6.4.3.A.5 Right of Appeal.  A student has the right to appeal any finding of an academic offense or a penalty to the University Appeals Board through the office of the Academic Ombud, pursuant to Section 6.4.4.

The Academic Ombud hears student grievances concerning academic issues. Academic Ombud Services is a confidential office and therefore not an office of notice. Formal complaints concerning academic issues should follow established procedures, i.e. instructor, chair, dean. If the complaint involves discrimination and/or harassment, the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity should be notified. If a student is unsure where to take their grievance, the academic ombud is confidential and glad to assist in finding the correct course of action.

Appealing a Grade (SR 6.1.3.B):According to SR 6.1.3.B, “Students have the right to receive grades based only upon fair and just evaluation of their performance in a course as measured by the standards announced by their instructor(s) in the written course syllabus at the first class meeting.”

If, at the end of the semester, the student feels he or she did not receive a fair grade and it affected the final grade by one letter, the student has 180 days to appeal following the posting of the grade. The Academic Ombud Services asks that students contact their instructors and/or department chair (use established procedures per SR 6.2.1.1) before contacting Academic Ombud Services. This can be waived for unusual circumstances.Should the student decide to appeal:

1. The student writes a letter to the Ombud discussing the problems and issues that occurred during the semester and includes a copy of the class syllabus.

2. The Ombud will request a written perspective from the instructor. Once that Is received, the Ombud reviews both perspectives and writes a letter of merit or no-merit to the University Appeals Board (UAB). The student will be provided with documentation containing the student’s letter, the instructor’s letter, and the Ombud’s letter to the UAB.

3. A letter of merit means the case will be heard by the University Appeals Board. If the Ombud issues a letter of no-merit, the student has thirty days to appeal directly to the UAB and ask that the UAB review the information to determine whether or not the request has merit.

For more information on grade appeals, please see: http://www.uky.edu/Ombud/ForStudents_Grades.php

Appealing Dismissal from a Program:A student has the right to appeal a dismissal from their program of study to the University Appeals Board (UAB) through the Office of the Academic Ombud.  The process is similar to the grade appeal process. After a student has submitted their written appeal and all related

Page 13: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 13

documents, documentation is also requested from the academic program.  This information is summarized by the Academic Ombud and forwarded to the University Appeals Board.  The UAB will schedule a hearing and invite the student and the academic unit to attend. 

Appealing an Academic Offense (SR 6.3.0):A student has the right to appeal an academic offense charge to the University Appeals Board (UAB) through the Academic Ombud Services office within ten days of being charged. After a student contacts the Ombud office to make an appointment with the Ombud, documentation is requested from the department. The student meets with the Ombud to discuss the charge and a possible appeal. If the student decides to appeal, the student writes a letter of appeal to the Ombud and the Ombud requests that the instructor write a response. The Ombud then forwards the case to the UAB. The UAB will schedule a hearing and invite the student and academic unit to attend. After the case has been heard, the UAB will deliberate on the issue and provide a ruling (either uphold or deny the appeal).  The student and the academic unit will be informed of the ruling within 24 hours.

Academic Integrity & Plagiarism

All academic work, written or otherwise, submitted by students to their instructor or other academic supervisor, is expected to be the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. In any case in which students feel uncertain about a question of plagiarism involving their work, they are obligated to consult their instructor on the matter before submitting it.

When students submit work purporting to be their own, but in any way borrows ideas, organization, wording or anything else from another source without appropriate acknowledgement of the fact, the student is guilty of plagiarism. For additional information on plagiarism, see http://www.uky.edu/Ombud/Plagiarism.pdf

Plagiarism includes reproducing someone else's work, whether it be a published article, chapter of a book, a paper from a friend, website, or electronic file. Plagiarism also includes the practice of employing or allowing another person to alter or revise the work that students submit as their own, whoever that other person may be. Students may discuss assignments among themselves or with an instructor or tutor; however, when the actual work is done, it must be done by the student and the student alone.

When an assignment involves research in outside sources or information, the student must carefully acknowledge exactly what, where, and how they have been employed. If students use the words of someone else, they must put quotation marks around the passage in question and add an appropriate indication of its origin. Making simple changes while leaving the organization, content, and phraseology intact is plagiaristic. However, nothing in these Rules shall apply to those ideas that are so generally and freely circulated as to be a part of the public domain.

According to the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook (see http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code), the instructor may assign a grade of "E" for the course in which the offense occurred. In addition, the instructor may recommend to the Dean of the College or to the Dean of the Graduate School, if appropriate, that the student be suspended, dismissed or expelled.

Page 14: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 14

Milestones

Final Examination for Master’s (FEM)The Graduate School requires a final examination for graduate degrees. The Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology responds to this requirement with a Final Examination for Master’s (i.e., the FEM) that occurs in March of the student’s last year of the program. Penny Cruse will inform students of the date and time of their examination appointment. Student conflicts with the date of the FEM will not cause the date and time of the FEM to change; students must plan to prioritize completing the FEM above all other obligations.

The FEM is an oral exam. Complete instructions for the FEM can be found on the Handbooks and Forms page (https://education.uky.edu/edp/counseling-psychology-overview/counseling-psychology-handbooks-and-forms/). Students should read the instructions to guide their studying. A passing score is required to pass the FEM. The FEM must be passed to earn the MS degree. A score that is below passing will require remediation. The MTC will provide each student with a score and feedback via email. Remediation will consist of the student having one additional chance (typically the following week) at a scheduled time convenient to the CPAC faculty. Students must achieve a passing score during this remediation presentation to earn the MS degree. If students fail to achieve a passing score during this remediation attempt, they will be dismissed from the MS program.

In February, the Master’s Training Coordinator will work with the Director of Graduate Studies and Penny Cruse to determine which students are on track to complete their POS by the end of the present Spring semester, and therefore should be scheduled to take the FEM in March. Students do not need to notify the Graduate School of their intent to sit for the FEM; EDP faculty and staff take responsibility for notifying the Graduate School of those students intending to take the FEM. Final approval for sitting for the FEM must be given by the Graduate School. The Graduate School will inform the DGS if a student is eligible to take the FEM. "I" grades and non-transferred hours are the two most common reasons for being denied permission.

Graduation`When all graduation requirements are met, including the completion of the FEM, the M.S. is conferred at the graduation ceremony, held either in May or December. To be eligible for a degree, students must file an application for a degree with the Graduate School. Please check the appropriate Graduate School Calendar on the Graduate School website for semester deadlines for filing an application for degree.

Student Support ServicesPersonal Counseling`Students interested in obtaining counseling as a client may receive such services through various public and private agencies in the Lexington area. The Program encourages students to gain counseling experience as clients. Such experiences provide students with the opportunity to develop increased personal awareness and growth, allow students to experience what being a client is like, and may enhance the development of the student as a therapist.

Students may not enter into a counseling relationship with an EDP faculty member, since

Page 15: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 15

this type of arrangement constitutes a dual relationship that is specifically prohibited by the ethical principles of the American Psychological Association. Further, the policy of the University of Kentucky Counseling Center prohibits a former or present client from being a practicum student at the Center. Thus, former clients are not eligible for practicum placement at the UK Counseling Center. If you are hoping to apply for UK’s doctoral counseling psychology program, because doctoral students are required to do a practicum at the UK Counseling Center as a doctoral student, you must not use the UK Counseling Center for personal therapy. Master’s students who want counseling services may access the CP Restricted Files webpage (https://education.uky.edu/edp/counseling-psychology-overview/counseling-psychology-handbooks-and-forms/cp-restricted-files/; get password from Dr. Hammer), where sources of free or low-cost mental health services are listed.

HousingCounseling Psychology students may find housing available through a variety of agencies: family housing (Apartment Housing Office, Building C., Cooperstown, Lexington, KY 40506); individual housing (University Housing Office, 218 L Service Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506); and commercial housing (Dean of Students Office, 513 Patterson Office Tower, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506). Applicants are encouraged to apply for housing at their earliest convenience.

Financial Assistance`Scholarships and fellowships. A limited number of University non-service and service-

based fellowships are awarded each year on the basis of the applicant's qualification. These non-service fellowships include funds designated for the purposes of recruiting competent diverse students, funds awarded to each department on a competitive basis, and University of Kentucky Research Foundation fellowships. Generally, applications for Graduate School fellowships must reach the Graduate School before January 15. See the Graduate School website for more information (http://www.rgs.uky.edu/gs/). The College of Education also offers additional financial opportunities. Details can be found at https://2b.education.uky.edu/resources/student-resources/scholarships-and-financial-aid/. Qualified students may also be recommended for the Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship. Details about this award are located at http://www.research.uky.edu/gs/StudentFunding/LTJ.html. Students may also secure external funding. APA lists several opportunities here: http://www.apa.org/about/awards/.

Assistantships. Graduate, research, and teaching assistantships must be arranged on an individual basis and are available within and outside of the department. Deadlines and requirements for assistantships are more flexible than those for fellowships. For more information on assistantships, see the Counseling Psychology and Graduate School listservs and the UK Human Resources website (see http://www.uky.edu/HR/studentjobs/). It is strongly recommended that students interested in obtaining an assistantship check the UK Human Resources website for available positions twice a week starting in the spring semester prior to the academic year they wish to receive funding during (e.g., start checking in January 2017 for 2017-2018 academic year assistantships). A full-time assistantship of 20 hours per week is usually accompanied by full tuition reimbursement plus a stipend. These assistantships often lead toward additional networking and publication opportunities for students. The Department has a number of teaching and research assistantships available each year for qualified students. Students have also had assistantships in other parts of the university including Academic

Page 16: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 16

Enhancement, Nursing, Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Health, etc). Notices of openings are forwarded to the student listserv. Additional information is available about assistantships from the Director of Graduate Study, Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology. Assistantships generally begin the week before classes start, but exact dates vary depending on the type of assistantship.

Campus employment caveat. This is a full-time program. Students in the counseling psychology program are encouraged to work no more than 20 hours per week, either in an assistantship or in another paid position. Further, EDP departmental policies prevent all EDP graduate students who hold a university or departmental 20-hour assistantship from holding any other university-based funding.

Support for Students with Diverse BackgroundsOffice for Institutional Diversity. The Office of for Institutional Diversity (formerly

the Office of Minority Student Affairs) was established in 1971 with the mission of providing support, services and programs that are sensitive to the needs of diverse students. Among the services available to students through the Office for Institutional Diversity are short-term motivational and crisis counseling, non-academic advising, orientation, and assistance with problem-solving in the areas of housing, financial aid, and overall adjustment to the university. The Office of for Institutional Diversity staff is also available for assistance to student organizations or any group that may be planning projects or programs of special interest to diverse students (257-9293).

Office of LGBTQ* Resources. The Office of LGBTQ* Resources is the central hub for accessing information, groups, and services related to diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. For more information contact the Office of LGBTQ* Resources at 859-323-3312, visit the office at Blazer Hall 309, or online via http://www.uky.edu/lgbtq/. The Office also provides a LGBTQ* and Friends Community Room in Blazer Hall 301.

Office of International Affairs. The Department has a strong international student group, particularly from Belgium, China, Colombia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Zimbabwe. OIA offers support in terms of orientation to UK, frequent workshops and retreats and practicum experiences. For more information, contact the Office of International Affairs at 859-323-2106 or online at http://www.uky.edu/IntlAffairs/ .

Our students often serve in the leadership roles for international student groups. For more information on student organizations call the Office of Student Involvement at 257-8867 or contact them online at http://getinvolved.uky.edu/.

Students with disabilities. Students with visible and invisible disabilities are encouraged to seek the protection and benefits offered by numerous Public Laws (e.g., Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990). The UK Disability Resource Center, 725 Rose Street MDS Bldg Suite 407, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0082 provides administrative support for students with disabilities. You may contact the Disability Resource center by calling V/TDD (859) 257-2754 or online via http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/DisabilityResourceCenter/.

Family-friendly Program structure. While the program in counseling psychology requires full-time enrollment, we recognize that a tension exists between the demand for being a full-time student and the demands of personal/familial obligations. We see the need for reasonable compromises due to personal or family crises. The specific nature of these crises will be handled on an individual basis by working with the CPAC Chair and the student’s Faculty

Page 17: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 17

Advisor.

Graduate Student LoungeRoom 251 in Dickey Hall, has been set aside for the use of departmental graduate

students. The room contains graduate student mailboxes and some seating. Announcements of interest to students are posted in the lounge, and students may use the facility for casual gathering and reading. The Graduate Student Lounge is intended to be a focal point for the exchange of research, professional and social interests, which are important components of the educational program in the Department.

Mail. Graduate and teaching assistants are assigned separate mailboxes in room 251 Dickey Hall. Memoranda, circulars, and announcements are periodically placed in these mailboxes.

LibrariesThe three main libraries on campus in which EDP graduate students will be most interested are the Education Library, the Medical Library, and William T. Young Library, which is the main campus library. See http://libraries.uky.edu/ for more information on the UK library system.

The Education Library is located in Dickey Hall, second floor (Room 205). There are two copying machines and heavy-duty staplers available. Graduate students are not granted extended borrowing privileges, and overdue fines are strictly enforced.

The Medical Library is housed in the Medical Center. It contains psychiatric and physiological journals and allows students to check out bound journals for limited time periods. This library issues its own card, which is available with a student ID. It also has several copying machines. Books held in the Medical Library may be checked out through the online Inter-Library Loan system and will be transported to any library of your choice within 24 hours.

The William T. Young Library is located on the main campus. The Library offers full semester borrowing privileges to graduate students. The Young Library houses a vast array of technology services for scholarship. Wireless study carrels are available to doctoral students, as are copying machines. Young is open for extended hours.

Presentation U! @ the Young Library now offers specialized help for graduate students of all disciplines with their writing, presentations and conference posters. Every Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. at Presentation U!, Academic Consultants are available to work specifically with graduate students seeking assistance with their multimodal communication projects. If that day and time does not work, you can make an appointment here or you can also call and set up a personalized appointment at 859-218-5286.

ID/Library CardsOnce registration is completed and fees are paid, students may proceed to obtain their UK-ID card. Students who are in the UK system may obtain their ID card beginning as early as July in the Student Center Room 107. The Student ID office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM. Students must bring a photo-ID and $15 for their first card. Further UK ID information may be obtained at http://www.uky.edu/UKID/. An ID card is necessary for library privileges, access to tickets for UK athletic events, and discounts from certain community establishments.

Computer Facilities

Page 18: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 18

The University of Kentucky is a wireless campus. Students with mobile devices have internet access throughout campus. Students have access to software packages such as Microsoft Office, EndNote, and SPSS. For more information visit http://download.uky.edu

Public computers in Dickey Library are connected via the cloud to UK servers. Other Dickey Library terminals are available for database searches. Students are encouraged to use these computers for their literature searches on ERIC, MEDLINE, PSYCINFO and Infotrack. For assistance using the library guides for literature searches please visit http://libguides.uky.edu/educ.

Research Consultation and Assistance The Institute for Educational Research, located in 39 Dickey Hall engages in a variety of research activities including consultation with faculty and graduate students on research design, data analysis, computer applications, and dissertation proposal development. The office provides support for instructional programs in research and grant proposal development. Research and development support is extended to schools and state agencies upon request. The office works to bridge departmental and college research initiatives, as well as providing a forum for discussion of research issues and interests. For more information, contact the IER at 859-257-3792 or http://education.uky.edu/IER/

Technology SupportCOE Information Systems (IS) serves faculty, staff, and students by maintaining a Central helpdesk and providing professional development, technical support, website management, Blackboard/Canvas LMS assistance, Adobe Connect meeting rooms, service and database administration, projectors for check-out, e-mail, list serves, room and lab reservations, digital signage, and student involvement though a Student Technology Group (see https://2b.education.uky.edu/technology/techsupport/).

James W. Stuckert Career CenterDoctoral students are encouraged to start a placement folder at the Stuckert Career Center on Rose Street. This Center is an excellent resource for information-gathering relative to questions students may have regarding career counseling, resume writing, skills in interviewing, etc. One of the services the Center can offer graduate students is furnishing a professional recommendation (credentials) file which they can use to send to prospective employers. Contact the Stuckert Career Center at 859-257-2746 or http://www.uky.edu/careercenter/.

Robert E. Hemenway Writing Center The Robert E. Hemenway Writing Center provides assistance “composing and communicating in writing, speaking, and multimedia projects across the curriculum. Graduate students and undergraduate consultants offer individual and group consultations in Face-to-Face, Online, and E-Tutoring Consultations on academic assignments and professional projects” (https://wrd.as.uky.edu/writing-center) The center is located in the W.T. Young Library, Room B108B, in the Hub (lower level). Students can register as a new client and/or log in to schedule appointments at uky.mywconline.com.

Student Legal ServiceA local attorney provides free on-site consultation for any legal issue UK students have. The

Page 19: THE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S … · Web viewThe University of Kentucky Counseling Psychology Master’s Student Handbook 2017-2018 Department of Educational, School, and Counseling

Counseling Psychology Master’s Handbook, Pg. 19

attorney only comes to campus on Wednesday late afternoons for appointments. To set up an appointment, students will need to either email [email protected] or call 257-3191. All information is confidential and student privacy is maintained throughout the entire process.

Campus RecreationCurrent University of Kentucky students who are enrolled in regular, on-campus classes, may use the Johnson Center recreation facility by presenting their student ID card. There will be no admittance without a student ID card. UK Students not enrolled in summer school may purchase a membership for the summer if they were enrolled in the previous spring semester.

Tuition and FeesInformation regarding payment of tuition and fees is found at http://www.uky.edu/Registrar/feesgen.htm. Late tuition payments may result in courses being omitted from your schedule. This may result in loss of placement in a course. Failure to pay tuition/fees on time will result in canceled registration and more fees.

Finding Health CareThe University of Kentucky offers health care and health insurance to its students and employees. Graduate Students who are fully funded are provided insurance as part of their tuition.

Graduate AssistantshipsAs a reminder, not all graduate assistantships (“GA”) are fully funded (i.e., the position includes health insurance, tuition coverage, and a graduate salary). Some positions may be advertised as a G.A. position, but it only means that you would be paid at a GA hourly rate, rather than be provided with all the benefits of a GA position. Inquire about health insurance and tuition when considering applying or when interviewing for a position.

Parking at UKInformation about parking is located at http://www.uky.edu/Parking/. New students are able to buy parking passes on June 1st, while renewal permits are available on May 1st for students. Information on different permits are available at http://www.uky.edu/Parking/permits-student-uk.html, but a C-5 permit is recommended for students who live off-campus and commute primarily to Dickey Hall. Students with a TA or GA position may be eligible for an employee parking pass.

Peer MentorEach incoming Master's student is paired with a peer mentor in the program who is further along and more knowledgeable about the workings of the system. The name and email of your peer mentor will be provided at the start of the fall semester. This mentoring relationship provides a means for more personal and interpersonal contacts for students on both a formal and informal basis. The incoming Master’s student is responsible for contacting the peer mentor to set up mentoring meetings on an as needed basis. You may be asked to serve as a peer mentor to a new student while in the program.