Professional Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program (BS/MA)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Majors: Biblical Studies, Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Description: The BS/MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is a five-year program that will allow students to obtain both a Bachelor of Science in Professional Counseling and Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling within five years. This degree program will provide training that will give entry level qualifications for opportunities in professional mental health opportunities, eligibility to apply for the state licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor), and professional certification. For this degree, graduates will be prepared to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Although not yet accredited through CACREP, the structure and content of the MA in Addiction Counseling program is aligned with the CACREP 2016 Standards.
In a 4+1 program, students work toward the completion of an undergraduate degree while also pursuing a Master’s degree. Graduate-level courses taken during undergraduate studies fulfill both undergraduate elective requirements and graduate program requirements. In the 4+1 program, students are dual-enrolled in LBC and Capital Seminary and Graduate School.
Major Mission: The program will provide training that will give entry level qualifications for opportunities in professional mental health counseling field, eligibility to apply for state licensure in PA (Licensed Professional Counselor), and professional certifications.
Major Outcomes - Students will:
1. Recognize the history, development, legislation, government policy, ethics, and professional identity development of counselors within the field of clinical mental health counseling.
2. Evaluate theories, models, techniques, interventions related to clinical mental health counseling, and treatment of a broad range of mental health issues from a biblical perspective.
3. Learn the application of theories and models in developing case conceptualization, etiology, treatment planning, diagnostic process, referral, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.
4. Comprehend the administration, interpretation, and application of psychological tests and assessments specific to clinical mental health counseling.
5. Develop an understanding of scholarly literature and its application within Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
6. Enhance clinical and administrative skills necessary to conduct competent cultural treatment at various mental health service delivery modalities within the continuum of care.
7. Understand the etiology of trauma, crisis, and addictions and develop the skills to assess its impact on biological, psychological, and neurological mechanisms of mental health.
8. Acquire an understanding of ethical principles and application to prospective clinical situations that reflect an open and collaborative approach to resolve legal and ethical dilemmas.
9. Synthesize information and knowledge into practice through supervised counseling experiences.
10. Understand the classifications, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications for appropriate medical referral and consultation.
Additional Requirements needed for Pennsylvania Licensure
Program Purpose & Goals:
The Educational Philosophy of the BS/MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is:
- To provide clinical training such that students are well-versed in research-based theoretical orientations and able to articulate and apply such views.
- To provide ample clinical experiences (in vivo and case study) such that students are able to grasp and deliver individual psychotherapy.
- To provide a framework of learning that promotes critical thinking so that students are able to demonstrate professional evaluation of theoretical content in light of a biblical worldview.
- To provide robust clinical supervision for students as they practice/apply clinical skills taught in the classroom.
- To provide experiences in which students can transition their knowledge of scholarly publications and foundational, research-based clinical theories into future research endeavors.
The curriculum sheet identifies the courses for this program. Professional Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling (BA/MA) Curriculum Sheet
For the course descriptions related to this program, see the courses section of the catalog.
Program Requirements:
All the students pursuing 4+1 counseling program are initially accepted into the BS Professional Counseling program. After meeting the admissions criteria mentioned below the students are required to apply for the 4+1 program. Below is the information regarding the admissions criteria, application process, application deadline and admission interview information.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
- Completed or registered for PCN 123 Introduction to the Counseling Profession, PCN 122 Group Experience, PCN 201 Systems of Counseling I, PCN 212 Systems of Counseling II.
- Completed or transferred a total of 46 or more credits.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 and professional GPA of 3.00.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Purpose Statement: Submit a 1-2 page, APA formatted, double spaced statement indicating why you wish to be admitted to the 4+1 Bachelor/Master’s Program. Be sure to address personal strengths and what you have heard others say about you as they relate to your desire to seek employment in the counseling profession.
Writing Sample Paper: Submit a research paper you have written in APA format, from one of the following courses: PCN 122, PCN 123, PCN 201, PCN 212. The writing sample should demonstrate your aptitude for graduate level scholarly writing. Ensure that your writing sample includes the following:
- Between 500 and 1000 words
- Accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- Ideas are well organized and adequately address the question posed.
- Support from the professional literature formatted in correct APA style.
Faculty Reference: Request two LBC faculty members to complete the reference form and have them submit it directly to the counseling department administrative assistant.
Application: Turn in this application form, your purpose statement & the writing sample to department assistant through email (cswdepartment@lbc.edu) or in person. Please turn in all these documents at the same time. If you have any questions, you can contact us at 717.560.8227.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Your completed application should be received by the Department of Counseling & Social Work Office before the below mentioned deadline into the 2nd semester of your sophomore year. You will also be required to attend the orientation seminar before applying to the Graduate School the dates for the orientation will be available on e-campus.
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Term
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Deadline
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Fall
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October 1st
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Spring
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Mar 1st
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ADMISSION INTERVIEW
Following receipt and review of the application, purpose statement, writing sample & faculty reference our department assistant will schedule your interview with the admissions committee of counseling department. Within 15 days after the interview, admissions committee will inform their decision via email. The potential outcomes are approved, approved with provision, or denied.
Additional Information:
Candidacy Process
Upon receiving provisional acceptance to the graduate program, new BS/MA counseling students will be required to complete the following steps in order to obtain full candidacy acceptance into the graduate program. Students’ academic performance, interpersonal characteristics, and behavior are monitored throughout the program to ensure competency in preparation for the counseling profession.
1. Complete all 1st Tier Professional Core courses (15 credits) to demonstrate academic fitness and interpersonal fitness. Students must obtain a grade of B or higher. Each student will also be rated by their professors on various interpersonal and academic performance standards via the Critical Competencies Review form in each of the Tier 1 courses.
2. Obtain two (2) background checks are required prior to your candidacy interview and are necessary for approval for field placement. (If living or working in a different state, please review your state requirements for obtaining clearances).
• PA Child Abuse Clearance (ACT 151)
• PA Criminal Background Check (ACT 34)
• Proof of completed Mandated Reporter Training
3. Complete Personality and Career Assessment to ensure the student is at a socio-emotional and behavioral level fit for the profession.
o MMPI-2: Before exiting the Pre-Candidacy phase, the student will need to obtain a personality evaluation, comprising of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory – 2nd Edition Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). The student’s advisor will review the results of this assessment and discussed at the Candidacy interview. The results of the personality evaluation may verify the student’s continuation within the program and/or evidence a need for additional counseling, or it may show evidence that another area of pursuit would be in the student’s best interest. Failure to complete this requirement will result in the student’s inability to take additional courses.
o 16-PF: The student is also required to take the 16-Personality Factors Assessment. The assessment is reviewed with the student during the candidacy interview. We utilize the Human Resource Development Report that will assess your personality and the associated relationship with common workplace factors to ensure that your chosen career path correlates with common counseling environments.
4. Submit the Candidacy Application to the Counseling & Social Work department for review.
5. Schedule and participate in a candidacy interview. After the required assessments are completed and all materials received by the Department Assistant, the student will be allowed to schedule an appointment to be interviewed for Candidacy. This meeting is an intentional pause to assess academic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal fitness to continue in the program. During the Candidacy meeting, the student will be interviewed by the Program Director. The interview will consist of review current grades in the core courses, review of interpersonal and academic rating (via a standardized form) completed by your professors, overall program fit, and the results of the MMPI-2 and the 16 PF.
Based on the results of the Candidacy meeting, recommendations germane to findings will be generated. Examples of recommendations include but are not limited to:
• Formal approval as socio-emotionally, academically, and behaviorally fit for advancement to Candidacy.
• Provisionally fit for Candidacy IF various recommendations are followed
• Temporary hiatus from additional classes until requirements have been satisfactorily fulfilled.
• Unfit for candidacy and dismissal from the program.
Upon receiving full candidacy acceptance to the MA program, students can then proceed to enroll in courses from the 2nd Tier Professional Courses.
Counselor Preparation Comprehension Examination
Prior to practicum and internships, students must take the Counselor Preparation Comprehension Examination (CPCE) after completing Tier 1 and Tier 2 courses. The purpose of the exam is to assess the student’s knowledge of counseling to ensure minimum competence in the field. The CPCE will cover the eight required core areas outlined in CACREP 2016 Standards. Furthermore, the CPCE will also provide collective feedback that can be used by the program in developing/adapting curriculum. The CPCE is offered once each Spring, Summer, and Fall semester. More specifically, students can expect the exam to take place on a weekday between 5:30-10:00pm on campus.
Degree Requirements
Program Director:
Ryan M. Kuehner PhD (Associate Professor, Chair, Counseling & Social Work Dept. and M.A. in Professional Counseling Program Director)
Holding a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Kuehner considers himself fortunate to serve students as Associate Professor, Director of the M. Professional Counseling Program, and Chair of the Counseling & Social Work Department. Whether through ongoing research projects, student instruction and advisement, clinical practice, curriculum development, admissions management, or accreditation endeavors, Dr. Kuehner brings a wealth of scholarly and practical knowledge toward the goal of maintaining and growing premier undergraduate and graduate programs. Surrounded by extremely gifted colleagues, Dr. Kuehner is enthused to collectively forge ahead in training students in both the art and the science of professional psychotherapy undergirded by Integrationist Theory. Areas of instruction for Dr. Kuehner encompass psychopharmacology, abnormal psychology, biopsychology, professional ethics, applied counseling techniques, theories of personality, specialized therapies, and advanced applied research practicum. Dr. Kuehner has been married for 17 years; he and his wife have three children.
Faculty:
Resident Faculty:
Ryan M. Kuehner, Ph.D.
Jon Shacklett, MA, LPC, CAADC, ACS
Melissa Boas, MEd
Praveen Rudra, MA
Adjunct and Visiting Faculty:
Arwa Nye, MEd
Brittany Ober, MA
Daniel Grubb, MA
Day Butcher, Ph.D.
Faith Ann Day, MA
James Johnson, DMin
Jonathan Reese, MA
Joshua Irvine, MA, LPC
Justin D. Charles, PsyD
Justin Steele, PsyD
Kimberly Blest, MA, LPC
Olivia Murrin, MA, LPC
Sean Dougherty, MS, MEd