Advice on MS program/LPC

[Usernameless]

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Hi, I am relatively new here, I lurk quite a bit though.

I have a few questions, hopefully someone can help lead me in the right direction or just at least give some insight.

I live in a very rural area, so my education options are severely limited. Relocating is not an option. I will have a BS in psychology. From what I can tell, I have two options for grad school. There are two local counseling centers that hire frequently and I would love to be a part of. Both hire and will provide supervision for licensing of LPC or LCSW. I plan on going the LPC route.

Option 1: An online program from a brick and mortar school, doesn't specify on the diploma that it is an online program but I worry that I will not get the most out of the program.

Option 2: The only school within a reasonable distance (state school, good name) offers a MS in Rehabilitation Counseling, CORE approved. 54 hr program with the option to take the remainder 6 hrs for the LPC education requirements.

To me, it seems like I should take option 2, take the extra 6hrs. I would be able to go either way, CRC or LPC.

Any advice?

 

[Vasa Lisa]

Depending on your state - you will not qualify for the LPC with the CORE training. Check with the state licensing board to verify that this is a path to LPC licensure and get the names of grads from the program who have successfully gotten their LPC with those CORE credentials.

That curriculum would not lead to a license in my state.

Is the online school CACREP accredited?

HTH,

Vasa Lisa

 

[Usernameless]

Depending on your state - you will not qualify for the LPC with the CORE training. Check with the state licensing board to verify that this is a path to LPC licensure and get the names of grads from the program who have successfully gotten their LPC with those CORE credentials.

That curriculum would not lead to a license in my state.

Is the online school CACREP accredited?

HTH,

Vasa Lisa

That is what I had originally thought too...but this is taken straight off of their website. >>>>

For students or graduates of our UALR Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling program who want to become licensed counselors in Arkansas, here’s a brief summary of the process:

1. Applicants need 60 total hours (six hours beyond our 54-hour MRC program requirement).
2. Specific core curriculum content must be covered. Attached is a list of our UALR Rehabilitation Counseling courses that meet Arkansas Counselor Licensure requirements. More information and the license application are available at the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling website. For more information about UALR Rehabilitation Counseling programs and courses, please e-mail [email protected] or call 501-569-8512.
3. After the application is made and all application requirements are met, the applicant can register to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
4. If a passing score is obtained on the NCE, the applicant is scheduled for an oral examination before the ABEC.
5. If the oral interview with ABEC is successful, the applicant becomes a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC).
6. LACs must practice under supervision by an ABEC-approved LPC supervisor for 3000 client contact hours.
7. After 3000 hours, the LAC becomes a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). LPCs can practice independently in Arkansas and have privileged communication protection under Arkansas law.

The online program is accredited but I really worry that I won't learn as much and will not really be getting my $$ worth, just a degree. I mean, I know that the degree is the main point but I also want to be challenged and enriched.



Thank you for your response!

 

[Psychadelic2012]

The online program is accredited but I really worry that I won't learn as much and will not really be getting my $$ worth, just a degree. I mean, I know that the degree is the main point but I also want to be challenged and enriched.

This is just my opinion, but I think any program is a gamble for whether you will actually be challenged and enriched by the curriculum alone. I go to a private university with full-time professors and I am not totally challenged and enriched by the classes. That said, it's not the classes you have to worry about, in my opinion. It's the practica/internship opportunities. The drawback of an online program is the lack of connections to a variety of good internship sites, which is really where you'll learn the most. Classes are classes, but the on site component is what makes you a competent clinician and competitive for jobs or specialities.

 

[Usernameless]

I have a tentative job offer at a counseling center as a Behavior Rehabilitation Specialist. I am hoping that since the center will supervise for lisensure that they will also allow me to intern there? Is that far fetched?

My step daughters actually see a counselor there who suggest that I apply. I spoke with the director and he seems eager to hire me once my diploma is in hand (BS). I am in a really rural are, very small time mental health and counseling centers here.

 

[Psychadelic2012]

I have a tentative job offer at a counseling center as a Behavior Rehabilitation Specialist. I am hoping that since the center will supervise for lisensure that they will also allow me to intern there? Is that far fetched?

My step daughters actually see a counselor there who suggest that I apply. I spoke with the director and he seems eager to hire me once my diploma is in hand (BS). I am in a really rural are, very small time mental health and counseling centers here.

Do they have an master's internship program already or will a licensed clinician supervise you for free, while you're in school? Is that the kind of work you really want to do? If so, you'll have to approve it with your school, most likely. Also, most internships want you to have a good mix of direct contact and learning experiences--make sure they don't just want cheap/free labor! If all that is in place, I don't see why you couldn't shoot for that.

I'm a little confused about the offer to hire you once you have a BS in hand. That is different than doing a masters level internship. There is a potential conflict when doing a internship at your place of employment--most grad schools frown upon it, big time, unless you are in a completely different position and/or department from your paid job.

 

[Usernameless]

Do they have an master's internship program already or will a licensed clinician supervise you for free, while you're in school? Is that the kind of work you really want to do? If so, you'll have to approve it with your school, most likely. Also, most internships want you to have a good mix of direct contact and learning experiences--make sure they don't just want cheap/free labor! If all that is in place, I don't see why you couldn't shoot for that.

I'm a little confused about the offer to hire you once you have a BS in hand. That is different than doing a masters level internship. There is a potential conflict when doing a internship at your place of employment--most grad schools frown upon it, big time, unless you are in a completely different position and/or department from your paid job.

I didn't realize that that was frowned upon. The paid position is "Behavior Rehabilitation Specialist" I am not sure if I mentioned that or not or if it matters. I know that the current Rehab Specialist is finishing her Masters in May and will be supervised by the counselor. So she will move up into counseling. The counselor suggested that I take her current position and then when I am finished with grad school move up to supervision. I never even thought about where internship plays in that. I guess it would be helpful to find out where she did her internship.

It really is the work that I want to do. Here we have two mental health centers, one only deals with children and the other really only deals with low income people. Both advertise that they will supervise for licensure. I just have no idea about internship, if those two places didn't offer it...I can't think of where it would be. We live in a town of about 2000 people surrounded by farmland. There really isn't a larger city for quite a few miles.

I never realized how limited I may be geographically. 😕

 

[Vasa Lisa]

From what I can tell - Arkansas will indeed allow you to become an LPC with the CORE accreditation. As long as you don't EVER want to work for the Veterans Administration or change states, you would be fine, AND as long as the rules don't change midstream you will be fine. I would check with the university and have them give me three names of recent graduates who are fully licensed LPCs and ask them about their experience/ease/difficulty in getting licensed. If it sounds "good enough" - it likely won't be a cake walk since it is a process that can be frustrating and time consuming - then GO FOR IT!

In the field of counseling - I have had many friends use their day jobs for their practicum and internship and there was no frowning at all.

The tough piece is that depending on the job - you are asked to do the old job while also doing the internship piece which can feel burdensome! Yet! your site seems to already be set up and has moved others through that process - a huge plus.

Trust yourself and don't let fear of the future block you. It sounds like you have done your research and this will work nicely for you.

Happy 2012,

Vasa Lisa

 

[Psychadelic2012]

I didn't realize that that was frowned upon. The paid position is "Behavior Rehabilitation Specialist" I am not sure if I mentioned that or not or if it matters. I know that the current Rehab Specialist is finishing her Masters in May and will be supervised by the counselor. So she will move up into counseling. The counselor suggested that I take her current position and then when I am finished with grad school move up to supervision. I never even thought about where internship plays in that. I guess it would be helpful to find out where she did her internship.

It really is the work that I want to do. Here we have two mental health centers, one only deals with children and the other really only deals with low income people. Both advertise that they will supervise for licensure.

You're in a different area of mental health than I am. Perhaps it is different? Titles are hard to decipher. However, if you're planning for LPC, it's the same...

Also, supervision for licensure (which is post-masters) is different than doing a practicum/internship (pre-masters). For your internship, you'll need someone who can supervise you for school. The issue with that is that it is an additional job for them. If they're advertising that they supervise for licensure, it probably means they charge extra for that--not usually something that students will/should do (especially since they're working for free most of the time). You have a lot of unanswered questions. Best to find out clear answers before moving on.

In the field of counseling - I have had many friends use their day jobs for their practicum and internship and there was no frowning at all.

I stand by my comment. I have seen it done, but it is not encouraged, not easy, and it has to be a different position than what the day job is.

I live in a very big city with a competitive internship market, so perhaps this is what makes my experience different.