Department of Behavioral Sciences

Mission

Providing the undergraduate and graduate students with a strong philosophy-based academic foundation that will prepare them for successful careers in education, social work, psychology,criminal justice, and counseling.

Philosophy

The Department of Behavioral Sciences’ philosophy is to develop competent and principled professionals who demonstrate professional and community leadership, personal growth and accountability, and ethical and evidence-based practice.

Undergraduate Programs in Behavioral Sciences

Undergraduate Chair: Heidi J. Nieuwsma, MSW, LCSW

Degree Types: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts

Graduate Program in Counseling

Faculty: Holter, Meidinger (chair), Wilson

Degree Types: Master of Science, Graduate Certificate, Non-Degree Seeking

The University of Mary Graduate Counseling Program offers advanced education for individuals seeking clinical and direct practice opportunities in clinical mental health, school, and addiction counseling. Completion of the program will position students for North Dakota professional credentialing and licensure in specific fields of practice. The program curriculum is designed to provide foundational coursework in core counseling areas as well as specializations in clinical mental health, school, and addiction counseling. The 2016 standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) guide the academic curriculum.

Mission

The mission of the University of Mary’s Graduate Counseling program is to develop competent counselors and servant leaders in the school, addiction, and clinical mental health field, though advanced study and emphasis on professional identity, appreciation for diversity, ethical and reflective practice, evidence-based intervention, and value-driven education.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the University of Mary Graduate Counseling Program are committed to Lifelong Scholarship and Learning.

Graduates demonstrate knowledge of the eight core CACREP areas and concentration specialty area(s) of a competent professional counselor while acknowledging the need for continued education and professional growth.
Graduates examine multiple perspectives to synthesize information in an action-reflection process when working with clients/students to assist in the counseling setting.
Graduates access, analyze, evaluate, and process information from a variety of sources to generate new ideals that guide decision making to influence meaningful changes.

Graduates of the University of Mary Graduate Counseling Program are committed to Growth.

Graduates measure and increase knowledge of self through feedback, self-examination, and collaboration with peers, instructors, clients/students, professionals, and supervisors.
Graduates are committed to health, wellness, and utilization of self-care and coping strategies.
Graduates calmly illustrate responsibility, grit, and self-motivation to increase thriving of self and the community.

Graduates of the University of Mary Graduate Counseling Program are committed to Service.

Graduates will demonstrate the Benedictine value of service to the community, the University, and within the counseling profession.
Graduates will identify and engage in advocacy, from micro to macro level, within the counseling profession and their community for the betterment of their clients/students.
Graduates will engage in communal thinking through ongoing scholarship, advocacy, and social justice practice.

Graduates of the University of Mary Graduate Counseling Program are committed to Respect for All Persons.

Graduates will endeavor towards fostering and maintaining positive, respectful relationships with their clients/students, community, family and friends.
Graduates will understand and honor the power of relationship within counseling and engage in healthy relationships beginning with respect for all persons.
Graduates will have an understanding of their own beliefs toward all persons demonstrating knowledge and skill in working with people from diverse backgrounds.

Graduates of the University of Mary Graduate Counseling Program are committed to Professional Practice.

Graduates are servant leaders committed to excellence in their professions and communities.
- Graduates will achieve professional distinction by utilizing evidence-based and culturally competent counseling practice.
Graduates clarify, support, or defend what is right and true, whether reached by faith or reason, when confronted by opposing actions or viewpoints in order to serve an understanding of the truth and to promote a culture of human dignity, justice, and virtue.
- Graduates will exemplify moral courage by applying applicable counseling codes of ethics, Benedictine values, and legal standards, in ethical decision making.
Graduates demonstrate excellence in communication.
- Graduates will demonstrate higher level communication skills through speaking, writing, listening, and engaging in professional and collaborative interactions with all persons (e.g., clients/students, classmates, supervisors, instructors).

Key Performance Indicators

Students within the Graduate Counseling Program will be evaluated based on the Key Performance Indicators outlined below. Benchmark evaluation scores are expected of all graduates prior to graduation from the program within the eight core areas and area(s) of concentration.

Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
- Students will be able to effectively utilize an ethical decision-making model to make appropriate and sound decisions on behalf of their client.
- Students will be able to articulate and understand their professional identity and development through an ethical lens.
Social and Cultural Diversity
- Students will demonstrate the use of ethical, multicultural models in the counseling relationship.
- Students will be aware of their own personal worldview, the worldview of others, and the relationship of the two worldviews while paying special attention to discrimination, prejudices, and oppression.
Human Growth and Development
- Students will describe the developmental level of clients/students using a developmental model to identify and utilize appropriate counseling skills and techniques.
- Students will be able to identify and consider various theories of individual and family development across the lifespan to better understand oneself and others.
Career Development
- Students will exhibit competency in identifying, using, and scoring assessment tools and techniques relevant to career planning and decision making.
- Students will exhibit knowledge and application of theories, models, and strategies of career development, counseling, and decision making.
Counseling and Helping Relationships
- Students will demonstrate appropriate basic and advanced counseling skills when working with clients/students.
- Students will exhibit competency in comparing, identifying, implementing, and evaluating counseling theories in working with clients/students.
Group Counseling and Group Work
- Students will demonstrate competent group leadership skills.
- Students will integrate group counseling theories, dynamics, and stages in the development of a counseling group.
Assessment and Testing
- Students will exhibit the ability to select the appropriate assessment for the client/student, administer according to administration standards, and appropriately interpret multiple assessments.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts of assessments, statistical concepts, reliability, and validity in the selection of ethically and culturally appropriate assessments in the counseling relationship.
Research and Program Evaluation
- Students will demonstrate the ability to use a program evaluation model informed by counseling literature and research when conducting, interpreting, and reporting the results.
- Students will understand the importance of research in advancing the counseling profession, including how to critique research to inform counseling practice.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration
- Students will demonstrate competent skill in psychological assessment and evaluation, treatment planning, and caseload management.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge in diagnostic practices using current diagnostic classification systems.
School Counseling Concentration
- Students will design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive school counseling program components.
- Students will describe the school counselor’s role as leader, advocate, and system change agent when working in collaboration in the P-12 school setting.
Addiction Counseling Concentration
- Students will demonstrate competent skill in screening, assessment, and treatment planning related to substance abuse and other addictions.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge in diagnostic practices using current diagnostic classification systems including the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria.

Admission Requirements

Degree Seeking

The Graduate Counseling Admission Committee will admit full-time students for the fall terms only. Students are encouraged to apply by March 1st of the year in which they hope to start the program, to be considered for early admission. The program will interview students until the full cohort size is reached. A waitlist may be implemented.

Requirements*:

Complete an Application for Admission (online)
Hold a bachelor’s degree, preference is given to degrees in Psychology, Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or a closely related Human Service field
GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae
Submit two professional recommendations
Submit all official undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts
Complete a 2 to 4-page Statement of Purpose indicating why you are applying to the University of Mary’s Graduate Counseling program; why you would like to become a counselor; how the Benedictine values will shape your education and future work; and what you could contribute to our program.
Complete a face-to-face interview with the Graduate Counseling Admissions Committee
Complete an ethical case study writing assessment after the interview.

*Students who do not meet one or more of the above requirements may be considered for admission, upon careful review of their transcripts, professional/work experiences, and in-person interview.

Non-Degree Seeking and Certificate

The Graduate Counseling Admission Committee will consider non-degree seeking student applications on a case-by-case basis. Students who do not possess a master’s degree in Counseling or a closely related field may be ineligible to enroll in certain courses (Graduate Counseling Admission Committee’s discretion). Students may apply at any time.

Requirements*:

Complete an Application for Admission (online)
Hold a bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree required for Certificate programs), preference is given to degrees in Counseling, Psychology, Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or a closely related Human Service field
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae
Submit all official undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts
Submit a 1-page Statement of Purpose, indicating what course or courses you would like to take; how the Benedictine values will shape your education and future work; and how these courses will assist you in reaching personal or professional goals
Complete a face-to-face interview with the Graduate Counseling Admissions Committee
Complete an ethical case study writing assessment after the interview
Depending on the course/s a student is interested in enrolling, you may need to complete the Child Abuse and Neglect Check and the FBI Background Check (consult with Academic Advisor).

Note: Non-degree seeking students will be required to follow the same academic policies as degree-seeking students.

*Students who do not meet one or more of the above requirements may be considered for admission, upon careful review of their transcripts, professional/work experiences, and in-person interview.

Pre-Practicum and Internship Background Check Requirement

Background checks are required for admission to Practicum and Internship placement. The Criminal Background Check is completed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Child Abuse and Neglect Background Inquiry is completed by the North Dakota Department of Human Services.

Licensing Boards in the State of North Dakota review applicants with criminal histories on a case by case basis. Such applicants may or may not become licensed. It is the applicant’s obligation to address this with the appropriate Licensing Board.

Additionally, it is the applicant’s responsibility to accurately report any criminal history and provide an explanation addressing the following items:

Brief description of the incident/arrest
Specific charges
Related dates
Consequences
Reflect on how this impacted your life.

If an incident/arrest occurs following acceptance into the program, it is the applicant’s duty to inform the Graduate Counseling Program Chair immediately.

Program Requirements

Uphold and follow University of Mary and Graduate Counseling Program policies as stated in the Student Handbooks
Meet minimum benchmark score requirements on Key Performance Indicators for the eight core areas and concentration(s)
Passing score on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) as set by the Graduate Counseling Program Chair
Completion and presentation of professional portfolio

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Minor

Concentration

Graduate Major

Graduate Certificate