CACREP Accreditation
Austin Peay State University's (APSU), Counseling Graduate Program is committed to
excellence and, as of July 2019, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education
Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the following programs in the Department
of Psychological Science and Counseling: M.S. in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health
Counseling concentration; and M.S. in Counseling, School Counseling concentration. CACREP accreditation provides recognition that the content and quality of APSU's Counseling
Graduate Program has been evaluated and meets high standards set by the profession.
All students who graduate within 18-months of the program receiving accreditation
(January 2018 and later) will be grandfathered and will be considered to have graduated
from a CACREP accredited program.
Mission
The mission of the Master’s Program in Counseling is to provide both academic and clinical training that will prepare students to be highly effective professional counselors. Our goal is to influence students to be life-long learners who are sensitive to and appreciative of the developmental needs of individuals and groups in the context of a rapidly changing multicultural society. Students completing the school counseling concentration are eligible for Tennessee certification as school counselors pending their passing of the Praxis Exam. Students completing the mental health counseling concentration will have met the educational requirements for licensure in Tennessee as Licensed Professional Counselors with the Mental Health Service Provider designation.
Counseling Program Student Outcomes
(Fall 2022 - Summer 2023)
| Clinical Mental Health Concentration | School Counseling Concentration |
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Number of Graduates: 18 |
Number of Graduates: 6 |
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Completion Rate: 90% (out of 20 who started in 2021, 3 continuing enrollments, 2 withdrawals, 15 graduated) |
Completion Rate: 100% (out of 7 who started in 2021, 1 continuing enrollment, 6 graduated) |
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Licensure Exam (CECE) Pass Rate, first attempt: 94% (17/18) |
Licensure Exam (PRAXIS II) Pass Rate: 100% (6/6) |
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Job Placement Rate: 92% at time of graduation for student seeking employment. |
Job Placement Rate: 100% (7/7) |
Student Assessment, Program Evaluation, & Annual Report
In order to ensure that we are working effectively toward this mission, the Graduate Counseling Program at Austin Peay State University (APSU) engages in systematic and ongoing program evaluation of its two counseling program concentrations. You can click here find out more about our ongoing assessment and evaluation procedures. We also invite you to view our Annual Report reporting the results of our program evaluation here or by visiting the Student Assessment, Program Evaluation, and Annual Report page.
Values and Diversity
Respect for diversity and for values different from one's own is a central value of the M.S. in Counseling program at Austin Peay State University. The program faculty are particularly committed to educating students who are dedicated to reducing disparities in society based on race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and other social group membership. The valuing of diversity is also consistent with the counseling profession as mandated by the American Counselor Association's Code of Ethics (2014). Students enrolled in the M.S. in Counseling program demonstrate these values. Please read our Values Statement addressing diversity in its entirety.
- Counseling Program: Values and Diversity Statement
- Department of Psychological Science and Counseling Diversity Statement and Information
- College of Behavioral Health Sciences Mission and Diversity Statement
Program Objectives
The Masters' Program in Counseling strives to support holistic development of quality counselors by meeting program and curriculum specific objectives that are aligned with CACREP Standards.
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CACREP Professional Identity Standard
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APSU Program Objectives
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Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
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To prepare counselors who are knowledgeable about the philosophy, history, and current
and future trends in the counseling profession.
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Social and Cultural Diversity
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To train counselors who can recognize, understand, and respond to social and cultural
differences and change in our society.
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Human Growth and Development
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To train counselors who have a foundation for understanding human behavior and development. To prepare counselors who are able to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate counseling interventions and programs. |
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Career Development
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To prepare counselors who are knowledgeable and skilled in helping clients make life
and career decisions.
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Counseling and Helping Relationships
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To train counselors who are knowledgeable and skilled in the helping/counseling process. To prepare counselors who are able to apply knowledge, theory, and skills to work effectively with clients in a variety of modalities (individual, group, family) and to use crisis intervention, brief counseling, and long-term approaches. |
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Group Counseling and Group Work
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To train counselors who are knowledgeable and skilled in providing group counseling.
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Assessment and Testing
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To prepare counselors who are knowledgeable and skilled in gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data about individuals. To prepare counselors who are knowledgeable and skilled in the use of assessment techniques, including diagnosis, with individuals and groups. |
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Research and Program Evaluation
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To prepare counselors who are knowledgeable about research and program evaluation. To prepare counselors who are able to read, critique, utilize and contribute to professional research literature and who are able to engage in program evaluation. |
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| CACREP Professional Identity Standard | APSU Program Objective | |
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Professional Practice Standards |
Develop, through supervised practicum and internship experiences, an integration of
the knowledge and skills needed to be successful as practicing counselors.
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Personal Growth and Understanding |
Develop, through self-reflection and insight, an understanding of oneself and the
use of self in the counseling process. Develop a personal approach to counseling and
client/student advocacy with a clear understanding of counselor functions.
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