M.A. Counseling Psychology w. UMUC Europe/CACREP accreditation. Help?

[AlexandraV]

Hi,

I hope some of you may be able to answer some of my questions as I am pretty overwhelmed with the topic of accreditation right now. I am from Germany and this is all quite new to me.

I have a B.S. in Biology that I completed in the U.S. in 2009. My husband is in the Army and we are stationed in Germany for a few more years again. I would eventually like to work as a clinical psychologist or get my PhD in neuropsychology, but due to our frequent moves, it's best to delay the start of this program until he retires from the service.

The University of Maryland University College in Europe offers a M.A. in Counseling Psychology through Bowie State University here in Germany. Most of the coursework is online, but a practicum and internship will be required. It's a total of 48 credit hours and graduates are eligible to take the NCE. However, it is not CACREP accredited. I would like to work for the government or Tricare after I graduate, but have seen that many job listings state graduation from a CACREP accredited program as a requirement. So, I am not sure if this graduate program makes sense for me.

I have the following questions, and hope to get some clarification and input.

1. Since the program isn't CACREP accredited, I'd be required to complete 2 years and 3000 hours of supervised experience. Is this typically paid? Do I have to pay? I've found conflicting information online. How do I find a site if I am back in the U.S. and haven't been able to network with possible supervisors throughout my studies?

2. Will graduating from a non-CACREP accredited school make me less competitive in the job market?

3. There are some online schools that offer a CACREP accredited M.S. in Mental Health Counseling, but they are more expensive. I am hesitant about how online schools are perceived by potential employers in the field and not sure if the investment would make sense.

I've completed one semester with UMUC so far. I am not completely confident in the program and the lack of accreditation makes me very nervous if the time and money is worth it or if I should quit and volunteer to gain some clinical experience (any suggestions?) and work to make money for grad school once we get back to the U.S.

I've read other threads on here, but haven't found the answers to my questions, so I really hope to get help here now.

Thanks in advance!

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[Vasa Lisa]

Hi,

1. Since the program isn't CACREP accredited, I'd be required to complete 2 years and 3000 hours of supervised experience. Is this typically paid? Do I have to pay? I've found conflicting information online. How do I find a site if I am back in the U.S. and haven't been able to network with possible supervisors throughout my studies?

Each state has a different requirement for number of post masters hours and number of supervision hours required for licensure. For me - a graduate of a CACREP program - 900 of my internship hours (pre-masters) count toward the 4000 hours required for licensure.

The ACA site has a list of every state and the number of hours required. You may have to be a member to access that area of the site. But becoming a student member is inexpensive.

The residency is typically paid! Some states do not allow unpaid residency experiences to count for residency. Practicum is likely unpaid! Internship - likely unpaid! (Used to be that internships were likely to be paid positions - but in my experience - there were very few paid internships and the ones that were paid were not in settings I wanted to gain experience. I live in a small, rural area though so YMMV.

Don't worry too much about finding a job or networking with supervisors before you graduate. Of course - it is ideal to segue from internship to residency - but in reality - it doesn't always work that way.

Once you graduate - and have your glowing recommendations from your successful internship - you will look for a paying job for residency that includes supervision. If you are in an urban or suburban area - these will be relatively easy to find.

If you do your internship in Germany - try to get a placement on one of the American bases with an American supervisor so that at least some portion of your internship will count towards residency.

Hi,
2. Will graduating from a non-CACREP accredited school make me less competitive in the job market?

It depends... Once you are licensed - it probably matters a lot less. Getting a job to get paid during residency to get licensed - it may be an issue.

Hi,
3. There are some online schools that offer a CACREP accredited M.S. in Mental Health Counseling, but they are more expensive. I am hesitant about how online schools are perceived by potential employers in the field and not sure if the investment would make sense.

Capella, Walden, yep - there are online and low residency programs. It is a different experience - but there are people who are able to thrive in those programs and go on to be successful licensed professional counselors.

Hi,
I've completed one semester with UMUC so far. I am not completely confident in the program and the lack of accreditation makes me very nervous if the time and money is worth it or if I should quit and volunteer to gain some clinical experience (any suggestions?) and work to make money for grad school once we get back to the U.S.

My question would be - why waste your time going for the licensed professional counselor if you really want to be a clinical psychologist?

There are tons of ways to volunteer and get experience that will help you hone your skills and focus your interest.

You are asking some GREAT! questions.

Vasa Lisa

 

[AlexandraV]

THANK YOU for your reply. You gave me some great insights.

What I still do not really understand (and somehow cannot find on Ohio's website for counseling licensing guidelines) is that one of my textbooks and the NBCC website state that the post-grad supervisory period is waived if you graduate from a CACREP program.

Also, checking out links and publications on the ACA website, it seems that federal jobs, jobs with the VA or Tricare all list graduation from a CACREP accredited program as a basic requirement. Even if I am licensed, I assume that people competing for a same job who've graduated from a CACREP program would still have a benefit, if VA/DoD etc. can make exceptions at all. Do you know anything about this issue?

I am considering more and more to just use the time here to gain volunteer or job experience. The opportunities are limited overseas, but it might make more sense to work on experience than getting a degree I only plan to use for a few years to have an income until I can attend a PhD program once we settle down.

You gave me a lot of points to think about and were very helpful. Thanks again!

 

[Vasa Lisa]

Ohio requires 3000 hours - max is 1500 hours per year - and it requires 150 hours of supervision. I don't see anything about waiving the 3000 hours if you graduate from a CACREP program.

What usually happens is:
DURING grad school:
Practicum placement is 100 hours 40 must be direct.
Internship placement is 600 (non-CACREP) or 900 (CACREP) and 240 hours must be direct.

POST MASTERS:
Residency - every state has a different word for what they call their residents. AND every state has different requirements for number of hours, number of direct hours, number of supervision hours required and whether they must be from a professional counselor or can be from an LCSW or other MH professional. It is common that this period of time is 3000 - 4000 hours and happens over a period of two years. That is if you get all your hours and it hasn't been two years, you cannot sit for the licensing exam until the two years are completed.

I am not aware of any state that waives the residency requirement. Many states allow internship hours to count towards the 3000/4000 residency hours.

Can't help with the other questions.

In my own experience - becoming a counslor is a journey of honing yourself and your skills as a counselor during a period of mentorship/supervision. It is a process that can't be rushed. AND it is definitely a process. Don't be surprised if what you want at the end is very different than what you imagined you wanted at the beginning.

The process will change you.

HTH

Vasa Lisa