Certificate in Clinical Practice

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Certificate in Clinical Practice is designed for students who are in the process of obtaining a Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. The intent is to help students meet the educational requirements for national Certifications, and Licensure in Montana and other States.

ADMISSON REQUIREMENTS

The applicant must:

1. Submit a plan of study for a Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling degree at MSUBillings.
2. Submit an application to the MSUBillings Office of Graduate Studies, including three letters of reference.
3. Complete a personal interview with a faculty advisor.

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for the Certificate in Clinical Practice, the following requirements must be satisfied (37-23-202, MCA). With an academic advisor, design and complete an approved plan of study, which must include:

• a planned graduate program of 60 semester hours in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.

• an identifiable starting date evidenced by a letter of admission to the program,

• completion of core courses, evidenced by the Academic Summary Sheet, in the following areas: counseling theory; counseling techniques; at least six hours in each of the following areas: human growth and development; social and cultural foundations; the helping relationship; groups; life-style and career development; appraisal of the individual; research and evaluation; professional orientation.

• and supervised counseling experience meeting requirements outlined in the Field Experience Content Assurance agreement. Field experience must provide a minimum of one hour of face-to-face consultation with a supervisor for every 10 hours of practicum site experience, including supervision by a counselor educator. Appropriate sites for supervised counseling experience are determined at the discretion of the faculty.

Award of the certificate will occur upon completion of the requirements stated above and outlined in the Plan of Study

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

It is important for applicants to understand that no guarantee can be provided by MSUBillings that a particular licensing or certification body will accept the courses listed in fulfillment of credentialing requirements. Credentialing bodies are numerous, their requirements are in flux, and they are not always consistently applied to individual applicants. In advising students, the faculty make good faith efforts to interpret educational requirements with students. However, the student is ultimately responsible for verifying the appropriateness of any course with the specific credentialing body involved. Applicants seeking licensure as professional counselors in the State of Montana are strongly encouraged to Work closely with the Montana Board of Social Work Examiners and Licensed Professional Counselors.

TO APPLY

Applicants for the Certificate in Clinical Practice must complete the associated forms and provide them to the Office of Graduate Studies & Research with your Plan of Study. See your academic advisor for assistance with the application process.