New students are offered the opportunity to participate with a department orientation program (generally offered in the summer) and a graduate school program (usually held in the fall). These orientation programs are designed to acquaint new students with the department, college and university. Orientation to the department includes introductions of faculty, staff, current students and graduates of the program, as well as a review of relevant policies and procedures. Current students and graduates of the program offer some perspectives on their academic experiences and current work experiences. There is opportunity for questions and discussion.

Similarly, the reception held by the graduate school in the fall affords the opportunity to ask a number of questions and explore issues most important at that time in the program. Other programs are offered periodically throughout the semester (practicum, internship meetings, etc.) to address immediate questions and concerns of students. In addition, the department’s website: http://academics.uww.edu/counseled communicates up-to-date information.  You are advised to check it regularly for updates.

Program Planning

During the initial interview, the student and advisor together develop the student's planned program of studies. It is understood that, as students progress through the program, they may wish to make changes in this planned program. However, too many changes to student programs may compromise the student's ability to graduate within his/her time frame.  Therefore, changes must be limited in number and considered carefully. All changes in this program of study must have prior approval of the advisor. Any changes made without prior advisor approval may result in the student being dropped from the program or other action at the discretion of the counselor education staff. Thus, it is important that students, as they progress through the program, maintain close contact with their advisors. The advisors stand ready to assist the students to plan and schedule a sequence of course work, including appropriate electives, which will provide the best possible preparation to meet students’ professional goals. No more than three one-credit courses and/or workshops may be counted toward elective credits in the program. Students who fail to follow their plan of study as scheduled may be required to repeat initial courses before enrolling in internship.

Although the Graduate School policy is that a student has seven years to complete the degree, measured from the beginning of the term in which the first course to be included in the degree was completed, the counselor education program policy is that students should complete the degree within a much shorter time. Programs of study will be designed in consultation with the advisor according to the individual life circumstances and academic preparation of the student.

Transfer Credits

Students wishing to transfer credits from another institution are advised to consult the School of Graduate Studies (http://www.edu/gradstudies/) regarding policies and procedures as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin.  Nine credits or less of relevant graduate credit completed at another institution or within another graduate program at UW-Whitewater may apply to the counselor education program.  Students who have earned core credits in required courses at another institution may request credit by substitution for required courses in this program.

Students wishing to transfer credits should complete the "Request for Evaluation of Transfer Credits," which is available at the Graduate Office. At the time of admission, the student's advisor evaluates and determines applicability of transfer credits.

At the time of a student's admission to the Counseling Graduate Program, one of the three emphases (Community, Higher Education, School) is declared by the student. The program of studies is created to reflect the coursework that will lead to that emphasis. If a student desires to make a change of emphasis, that request must be put in writing (including reasons for the change) to the advisor who will then bring it to the department for consideration. The department will make a decision and the advisor will communicate that decision to the student. It is then the student's responsibility to contact the Graduate School regarding that change.

Some students may have interest in more than one emphasis and are encouraged to pursue additional coursework upon completion of the first degree. Electives from other emphases may be completed simultaneously with coursework in selected emphasis, but it is not possible to complete two emphases simultaneously. Certificate programs are available through the department and these options should be discussed with the advisor.

 Thesis Research

The graduate thesis provides an opportunity for a student to explore a topic relevant to the field of counseling in more depth and intensity. This exploration is done in collaboration with the advisor and the three-member thesis committee. Because of the nature of that study, the thesis is designed as a two-semester, six-credit experience. In each semester, the student will work with the advisor and thesis committee to create, conduct and report his/her research. It is important that the student work intentionally and directly with the thesis chair and committee to design the research. Specifically, persons interested in completing a thesis should:

1. Contact the Graduate School for a thesis packet (paperwork which begins the process).
2. Contact advisor to discuss tentative plans (before doing any writing or researching).
3. In consultation with advisor, form three-member faculty committee to work collaboratively with design and analysis.
4. Begin writing process, seeking consultation with advisor and/or committee throughout process.  You are advised to meet with your advisor and committee regularly.
5. Complete writing process.
6. Present research findings in thesis defense meeting (to be scheduled in cooperation with advisor and committee and posted so that interested persons might attend).

The thesis (end product) is evaluated on a pass/fail basis, and credits are counted as electives in the program.  Evaluation of progress toward completion of thesis is made with a P (progress) or I (incomplete).  The advisor determines appropriate grade (P or I) and informs committee members of the grade.  All committee members are involved with final deliberations about the pass/fail for the final thesis.  Graduate school policies apply related to the length of time to complete project (7 years in program unless exception is granted).  A thesis is not required as part of the graduate program in counseling.

 
Individual Studies

Students who wish to gain knowledge toward a specific learning objective, (i.e., an expansion of knowledge presented in course work, or a content area other than those contained within course offerings) may approach a professor within the Counselor Education Department to guide this independent learning process. Individual study proposals should include the following:

a. A brief abstract of course content
b. Statement of objectives
c. A listing of texts, professional resources and/or plan for research and literature review
d. Expectations of student and professor
e. Methods of evaluation

Students proposing an individual study project over 2 credit hours will have their proposal presented to the counseling department faculty. The faculty member directing the individual study will notify the student regarding feedback on their proposal and the faculty's decision relative to acceptance of the proposal.

Students admitted to the program are strongly encouraged to participate in a personal counseling experience.  The purpose of this experience is to provide the beginning counseling students an important opportunity for personal exploration essential for their development as effective counselors.  An additional benefit is that students experience counseling from the client perspective. It is suggested that students complete at least four individual personal counseling sessions in order for them to maximize these benefits.

Students are also encouraged to do their counseling sessions through the Department’s Counseling Lab located at Winther 3002.  You can contact the lab by telephone at 262-472-2842 or email at counselinglab@uww.edu. Counselors in the lab are practicum students supervised by the Department faculty.  Counseling sessions are usually videotaped with permission.

Grading Standards and Academic Probation

Students should consult the Bulletin of the School of Graduate Studies (on-line) to be aware of policies regarding academic probation. A student who fails to maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average for all graduate work completed at UW-Whitewater is placed on academic probation. The student placed on probation must attain a 3.0 overall grade point average within the next 12 graduate level credits in order to be returned to good standing status. This includes graduate courses that are repeated. Courses may be repeated only once. Although the original course and grade remain on the transcript, the last grade earned replaces the old grade and is the only grade that will count in computing the grade point average.
 
Students must earn a grade of at least a B in COUNSED-718, Principles of Counseling, and at least a BC in any other courses applied toward the degree. No more than two courses in which a grade of BC is earned may be applied toward the degree. Students must meet graduate school requirements of a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA in order to be admitted to internship and to graduate. Courses may be repeated to meet these requirements.  (Note:  a course may be repeated only once per School of Graduate Studies policy).

Grade Appeal Policy

At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, it is expected that instructors will evaluate students regularly and consistently by criteria and guidelines presented to students at the beginning of each grading period. If a student has reason to believe the grade is incorrect, the student may take the following steps in chronological order beginning with the informal process. A complaint which is timely and filed under any other student complaint procedure and then referred for processing under these procedures, shall be considered to have met the deadline for filing as a grade appeal.

1. Informal Process
          a) Consult the instructor whose grade is being appealed.  This consultation must take                     place within 7 calendar days of the start of classes after the grading period in question.
          b) If the student/instructor conference is unsatisfactory or if the instructor is unwilling or            unable to participate within 7 calendar days, the student may schedule a conference with            the chair of the department in which the course was offered.
          c) After hearing the student’s appeal, the chair will attempt to resolve the problem within 7            calendar days.
          d) If this resolution is unsatisfactory, the student may then, within 7 calendar days after                    receiving the chairperson’s response, submit a written appeal to the Department’s Grade            Appeals Committee through the chairperson. This will initiate the Formal Appeal                    Process.
2. Formal Process
              a) The appeal must be in writing and signed by the student. The student must submit two            complete copies of the appeal and any supporting materials to the department chair.             The chair will deliver one copy to the instructor.
              b) The Department Grade Appeals Committee will:
                          i) Convene to examine the appeal and the response. Following its review of                            the written appeal, the Department Grade Appeals Committee may ask for                            clarification and/or additional information from the student, the instructor or                            both.  At its discretion the Counselor Education Grade Appeals Committee                            may request separate meetings with the student and the instructor.  After                                    consideration of the information the Department Grade Appeals Committee                            will render its conclusion in writing to the chair, student, and instructor within                            14 calendar days of receipt of the appeal.
                          ii) While the Grade Appeals Committee cannot require the instructor to change a                            student’s grade, the Committee can recommend such a change to the                                    instructor and to the Dean of the College in which the course is offered.
              c) Should the student wish to appeal beyond the department, the student may submit the                Committee findings and the basis for the further appeal to the Dean of the College in                which the course is offered, within 3 calendar days of presentation of the Committee                findings. The Dean will review the student’s appeal and the findings of the                                Committee.  Following the review, the Dean will render his/her conclusions in writing                to the Chair, student, and instructor within 14 calendar days of the appeal.
              d) If this action is unsatisfactory to the student, a final appeal may be made to the                        Provost who will determine whether a change in grade is to be made within 14 days                of the receipt of the appeal.  The Provost is the only individual authorized to change a                student grade without the instructor’s permission.  However, the Provost may change                a grade only when the faculty department committee and the Dean support such a                change.
3. Department Grade Appeals Committee:
              a) The Department Chairperson will appoint a Department Grade Appeals Committee                consisting of three tenured faculty members who are not subject to the appeal.
              b) The Department Chairperson will designate one of the three tenured faculty members                to chair the Department Grade Appeals Committee.

 
Procedures for Dealing with Complaints Filed Against Students  

1. This set of procedures addresses complaints about students in the counselor education program.  The procedures address alleged misconduct that may reflect on the student’s ability to perform as a student or as a graduate in a manner consistent with the standards of the profession. 
2. Complaints should be in writing and signed.  Oral or unsigned complaints may be investigated, at the discretion of the department.  Complaints should be presented to the department chair.  The chair, in consultation with the Dean and/or Provost, may investigate or appoint an investigator.  The investigation will include gathering inputs from the individual bringing the complaint and the accused.
3. The accused will be informed in writing of the nature of the complaint and given an opportunity to respond in person at a hearing arranged by the investigator.  The accused will be informed of the right to bring counsel to this meeting.  While the actual complaint may be shared with the accused, this will be at the discretion of the chair.  The name of the individual bringing the complaint will not be released without notice to the individual.
4. The investigator will present his/her findings to the Counselor Education Department for a decision.
5. Examples of possible decisions/actions available to the department include, but are not limited to:

1. A finding of no misconduct
2. A letter of reprimand to the student’s file
3. Suspension from the program
4. Dismissal from the program
5. Denial of degree

6. Decisions/actions will be decided by a majority vote of the faculty of the department.  That decision will be communicated to the accused in writing within five days of the action.
7. Appeals may be directed to the Dean of the College of Education.  Appeals must be presented in writing within 10 days of his/her receipt of the department’s decision. 
8. When issues are unresolved at the time of commencement, degrees can be withheld or delayed.

Reactivation Policy and Process

Life occasionally will disrupt educational plans. It is extremely important to inform your advisor of any changes in your schedule, especially those changes that require you to temporarily withdraw from the program. If this occurs, students who have rearranged their schedules in consultation and with the approval of their advisor are allowed to continue in the program, as long as it has not been longer than a year, since the last course was completed. Students who have discontinued course work for more than a year will need to reapply to the program.
 
In order to reapply to the program, students need to inform the Office of Graduate Studies that they would like their student status reactivated. The student will also need to send a letter of application to the department chair indicating the semester in which the student wishes to begin. The student will be included in the next admissions process and can provide updated information to his/her file clarifying the reason for withdrawal from the program and supporting readmission. Following the interview process, the student will receive written notification of the admission committee's decision.

Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available each semester to students in the counselor education program. The counselor education staff believes that an assistantship provides benefits not offered by grants or loans, in that the student is given the opportunity to work closely with a professional on projects of professional relevance.

Assistantships are generally available for either 20 hours of work per week or for 10 hours per week. Students are limited to 10 hour/week assistantships when enrolled in internship. Graduate Assistants must be full-time students (9 credits minimum per semester).

Duties, which do not include teaching, are varied. Graduate students are generally assigned to work with one department member; in some instances, an assignment may be split between two staff members. Applicants should be prepared to assist with research projects and other professional activities as assigned by the staff member, and to allow sufficient time in their weekly schedule to enable them to meet the assignments as graduate assistants.

Graduate assistantships are administered through the School of Graduate Studies. Applications may be obtained at the Graduate Office. For information on financial aid other than graduate assistantships, contact the Financial Aid Office. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available each semester to students in the counselor education program. The counselor education staff believes that an assistantship provides benefits not offered by grants or loans, in that the student is given the opportunity to work closely with a professional on projects of professional relevance.
  

“Courage doesn’t always roar. 
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day saying,
‘I will try again tomorrow.’”
Mary Ann Radmacher 

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”  Confucious

“Change is the essence of life.
Be willing to surrender what you are for what you can become.” Unknown

1 A year is defined as three consecutive terms, including summer.

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