University of Nebraska Kearney

Direct Measure

Capstone Course - Practicum

Practicum in Counseling (CSP 885) is required in all programs prior to the internship, near the completion of the program. Each student must demonstrate effective counseling skills with clients before registering for the internship (CSP 892 or CSP 992). Students submit a videotape sample for review by faculty not teaching the class using Evaluation of Therapist Performance, Short Form.

Comprehensive Exams

All students are required to successfully complete comprehensive exams during the final semester of their program. The comprehensive exam is based on the learning objectives. Multiple evaluators assess the student using the Comprehensive Exam Assessment Form.

Internship

All students are required to successfully complete an internship experience which involves direct field experience in a specialized professional work setting under the supervision of a qualified professional and the Department internship coordinator. Multiple evaluators, including the site supervisor assess the students effectiveness in demonstrating competence related to learning objective.

Application for Candidacy

The Counselor Education Committee, made up of faculty members, meet on a regular basis. An on-going agenda item involves discussion and action related to student concerns and concerns about students. A student who wishes to become a candidate for the Master's Degree will file an Application for Candidacy with the Graduate Dean. Satisfactory completion of departmental requirements must be fulfilled. A judgment is made by the faculty related to the student's progress in meeting program goals using the Global Rating Form. This includes professional dispositions (collaboration, responsibility and reflective capacity), knowledge and skills. Additionally, the piloted Application for Candidacy uses and expands upon the usage of the Global Rating Form as one component of a comprehensive review including a review of academic progress, professional conduct, global rating, peer ratings, portfolio review, continuing professional development, activities, professional involvement, core competencies and completion of core courses. Candidacy requires: 1. overall status rating of 4 or 5 (1 – 5 scale with 5 being Outstanding); 2. two or more core courses successfully completed; 3. successful completion of CSP 855. 

Indirect Measures

Graduate Follow-Up Survey

Every counseling student who completes a degree program is offered the opportunity to participate in an evaluation of the program effectiveness related to student learning and professional preparation.  

Assessment of the Assessment Process

Faculty review and modification of the assessment plan occurs annually.

Previous Plan, Replaced Fall 2006