Counseling and Human Services

The Counseling and Human Services department offers an accredited counseling program that focuses on quality counselor training in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling. This program is accredited by the Council for Accreditations of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Additionally, we provide advanced training for current school and mental health counselors who are in need of professional development for their respective licenses.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Counseling and Human Services is to provide excellence in professional preparation of graduate students in school and clinical mental health counseling. Experienced faculty delivers high quality, experiential, professional education that leads to transformational change among students, clients, and institutions. Using a reflective, ethical, developmental, and systemic lens, students develop counseling knowledge, skills, and personal characteristics to become effective facilitators of change and social justice among diverse clientele.

Philosophy

The philosophy behind our training programs emphasizes that counselors assist clients and students with life challenges through dynamic, holistic, developmentally appropriate, strength-based interventions which emphasize the creation of healthy coping skills and wellness.

Further, through various interventions, counselors seek to prevent problems before they are created by helping clients and students foster effective communication, problem solving and conflict resolutions skills, as well as healthy and adaptive behavioral patterns.

Commitment to Personal Growth

The faculty members within the Department of Counseling and Human Services (DCHS) recognize the importance of human growth and personal development for all people throughout the life span. This includes counselors-in-training. The personality of the counselor and capacity to effectively relate to and “join” with others in the counseling alliance are instrumental in delivering effective counseling interventions. Therefore, the curriculum for programs includes significant experiential coursework designed to enhance the self-awareness, adaptability, and continuing personal growth of each student in the counseling program. Applicants to our program must be committed to their own personal growth as well as their professional and academic development.

Faculty

Joseph Wehrman, Ph.D., Department Chairperson, Associate Professor
David Fenell, Ph.D., Professor, Coordinator of Air Force Officer Commanding Program
Julaine Field, Ph.D., Associate Professor, CACREP Liaison
Mari McGuiness, M.A., Senior Instructor, Coordinator of the Human Services Minor
Leann Morgan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, CSI Faculty Advisor
Bita Rivas, Ed.D., Instructor
James Saunders, Ph.D., Senior Instructor, Coordinator of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Rhonda Williams, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Coordinator of the School Counseling Program

Programs of Study

Counseling and Human Services, MA

School Counseling Emphasis
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Emphasis
Addictions Emphasis

Counseling and Human Services Minor