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Welcome from Your Department Chair
Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson
"Dr. Dale"
Dear New Counselor Education Student,
Welcome to our Counselor Education Department (CED) and to the profession of counseling. Your graduate program will prepare you to work with clients
and students in a variety of environments. You will learn to apply current research, integrate theory and employ your gleanings in a multitude of
interventions. You will work with individuals in settings that include mental health and community agencies, public and private schools, colleges,
legal/justice and addiction prevention settings. Indeed you are embarking on an exciting adventure.
There are three primary organizations/agencies to which you will want to pay attention as you go through your program. When you first hear some acronyms, they will sound like "Alphabet Soup" but you will get used to the terms and they will make sense as time goes on. Their letters include ACA, CACREP and NBCC. There are many more letters such as our own CED but we can start with these.
Professional Membership
The American Counseling Association (ACA) is our parent and guiding association. ACA has over 20 divisions and offers general professional guidance and
specific specialty information. ACA offers benefits such as relevant publications including the Counseling Today, a monthly newsletter of 50 pages or more,
and a peer reviewed journal. ACA conducts an annual national convention, offers reasonable liability insurance, professional development opportunities and,
most importantly, ACA developed the professional code of ethical practice to which we subscribe and apply to all our endeavors. The American School Counseling
Association and the American Mental Health Counseling Association are affiliates of ACA. Whichever one you choose to join, know that all align with the professional
guidelines of ACA.
Professional Accreditation
Your Counselor Education Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). The CACREP guidelines have
been drawn from best practices and ethical mandates. CACREP Standards are the highest in terms of counselor education and preparation and are considered the
'golden standard' of our profession. You will hear about CACREP often. Most, but not all, Counselor Education Programs are CACREP accredited. We go through site
reviews (kind of an inspection) every 5-7 years and we maintain rigorous requirements to uphold this accreditation.
National Certification
The National Board of Certification for Counselors (NBCC) is the only regulatory board developed for professional counselors and overseen directly by counselors.
Students who graduate from a CACREP program are eligible to take the national certification examination (NCE… more letters) to become nationally certified
counselors (NCC…and more letters). We encourage you (whether school or mental health) to prepare for the national certification examination as you go through
your program. Certification is strong evidence that you are seeking to attain the highest level of education and preparation as you ready yourself for entry
into your practice. A nice benefit of the national certification examination is that 49 states out of 50 use it for state licensure examination for professional
counselors. Nevada was the 49th state to adopt this policy. So by passing this one test, you will get credentials for both licensure and for certification.
As you go through the program and prepare for this course of study there are a few other things to keep in mind…
Masters Portfolio
From the time you enter the program, you should be thinking about your exit portfolio and starting to collect information electronically for your final exit exam.
The portfolio is a written synthesis, a product of your learning, that you present at the end of your program to demonstrate to your committee that you are ready
to enter professional practice. The basic information is in your handbook.
Technology
You need to be very comfortable with technologies used in our profession. If you are not, pair with others who are and learn from them. A computer including the
internet and email are major tools. The UNLV Library is an important resource that can help you learn how to do research and scholarship. Dr. Paula McMillen is
our library liaison and she is an amazing resource. All you need to do is ask. Contact her at paula.mcmillen@unlv.edu.
Graduate College
The graduate college website posts forms, dates and other pertinent information you will need to know to proceed through school. Forms will need to be filed in a
timely fashion. Become comfortable with the website. Check deadlines often.
Liability Insurance
By the end of the summer students need to obtain professional liability insurance, this is not insurance paid by your place of employment, this is for your
educational coverage. No insurance, no fall classes. It is that simple.
Sigma Chi Iota
UNLV is starting a chapter of the International Honor Society for Counselors; it is a society that promotes excellence in clinical, learning and research for
emerging counselors. Ms. Marie Wakefield is in charge of this project. If you are interested in helping or becoming involved, contact her. Marie is a PhD student
in our program, and the immediate Past President of the American Counseling Association. We are fortunate to have her teaching in our program.
APA Style
All students must learn and use the APA research style of writing for most of their written projects. It is the accepted standard of research in our profession.
The UNLV library has resources to assist you with this style.
CED Graduate Handbook
Use the CED (Counselor Education) handbook, read it, mark it up and refer to it often. It is your tool and guide throughout the program, additionally so is the
CED website. Check it often. Faculty contacts, general information and most forms are on the website.
Flexibility
All things change and are in flux. Although we in the CED provide and try to adhere to stable guidelines, things do nevertheless change. Such is life and certainly
this pertains to the professional workplace. Students must apply a high degree of flexibility and tolerance to things that may change. For example, some class
times may change, regulations are upgraded and surprises happen. Your ability to go with the flow demonstrates resiliency and maturity. A good relationship with
your faculty advisor will help support you through challenging times.
Faculty Members
Faculty members contribute in many ways by teaching, conducting scholarship and by service to the profession and communities. In addition to teaching classes
faculty members carry a heavy load. We are primarily researchers and endeavor to advance our profession by our involvement in international, national, regional,
state, university, and community service. We are teachers and advisors second and third. Based upon their theoretical stances, research interests and professional
strengths, professors and instructors approach educational practice in a variety of ways. Some prefer to hold office hours in person, some offer them virtually, some
are more relational and some more distant and formal. It is a mistake to compare one to another. Enjoy the variety and learn from what they offer.
Summer Hours
Faculty members have nine month contracts and are available for programmatic consultation from September through May. When they teach in the summer, they are not on
contract for other services outside of that particular course. They might seem protective of their time in the summer, and rightfully so, they are refueling for
upcoming academic year and conducting research, scholarship and very often conducting professional services.
Fall Orientation
Students enter in the summer and may have lots of questions. Be patient because there will be an orientation in early fall that will help guide your way. Of course,
come September, students should make an appointment with their faculty advisor ASAP.
Faculty Advisors and Committee Chairs
Students are assigned initial advisors. This is done to give students a contact person to navigate the beginning of the program. They can be but are not necessarily
the student's advisor for the entire course of the program. When students fill out and file their Program of Study and submit it to the Graduate College, students
will choose a chair of their committee and they will also choose several other members (this is done in the fall term of the first year). The chair can be someone
new, someone who students may decide offers them more specialized clinical or educational mentorship or who may seem to be a better fit for some reason. This happens.
Students should not worry that they might offend their previous advisors. Very often the initial advisor stays on as a committee member.
Student Email
The only officially recognized form of communication is the UNLV student rebel mail. Faculty may not respond to unofficial emails which may automatically go into a
SPAM filter. Course and departmental communiqués will be sent out on official list serves. Don't miss out, get used to using your rebel mail, you can also forward it
to your yahoo, hotmail, gmail and other accounts you might be using.
Informed Consent
The last page of your handbook has a form for you to sign and turn in to the office. If it is not signed you by summer's end, you may be blocked from proceeding in
the program. We take it seriously if students do not read information and take responsibility for the educational and clinical preparation. We also do not want
surprises that impede students from progressing to graduation. Please do stay informed.
Communication
Yolanda Covington (702-895-5994 or better yet, yolanda.covington@unlv.edu) can answer general questions regarding
program and sequences. She also knows how to find out things and will always get back to you. Your advisor can help you with your professional learning, program
planning, future reference letters and so forth. You must meet with an advisor by the end of the fall term. There will be a general advisory session early fall term.
Lastly, I can answer many questions as well. The best way to contact me is via university email, I have a 24 hour response time unless it is a weekend or holiday or I announce I am out of town. Phone messages take me a bit more time. It is best to contact me at: dale.pehrsson@unlv.edu. Please note that my speedy response time is a bit atypical, most folks take 2-4 days to answer an email or phone query.
Best wishes to you as you embark on this journey. Some of my fondest memories are from my time in graduate school. Those educational experiences have shaped my life, my choices and my world~
Warm Regards-
'Dr. Dale'
Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson EdD, CLPC-S, NCC, ACS, DCC, RPT-S, RN
Associate Professor and Department Chair for Counselor Education
University of Nevada – Las Vegas
June, 2008
Graduate Student Alert: Hidden Costs of Counselor Education
A special thanks to Marissa Comastro (M.Ed. Graduate) & Lindsey Harrison (M.S. Student) for their suggestions and feedback in the development of this
document and advocating for their fellow students
~ Dr. Dale
Aside from creeping gasoline costs, increasing university fees and physical, emotional and cognitive exhaustion… there are a few other hidden costs that students should anticipate in addition to tuition, student fees and textbooks. Here are a few more costs students plan to expect:
- Students will most likely be grabbing more meals on the run, this costs more.
- Students become friends. Friends want to go out for coffee and snacks.
- Students have to get a parking pass which continues to go up in price.
- Students pay graduate fees (which when you register you pay in addition to your class fees and tuition).
- Students need additional materials when you start working with clients, you need recording equipment and materials (video camera, tapes/cds. You can check recording equipment out from the department on a time limited basis, less convenient but free.
- Students usually buy a cell phone for many reasons, including safety when traveling to sites and the university.
- Students purchase many books, in addition to text books. Students buy books on specific topics, and buy related clinical materials. On-line resources are very reasonable, especially if 'used'. Students can check books out from the CML, the UNLV Lied Library and the CED Student Library on a time limited basis, less convenient but again, free.
- Students make copies of many things while in the program. Copies cost. One way to decrease the number of copies is to scan and send things electronically.
- Students must join a professional association and there are membership fees (ACA, ASCA, AMCHA, Etc.). Student rates are less expensive but it still costs money.
- Most students will be required to get their fingerprints taken once they start in their clinical sites (this includes both agency and school settings, especially if you work with children).
- Students specializing in school counseling will need to apply for a State School Counseling License upon graduation (this is done through the state; last known fee was $161.00).
- Students specializing in mental health counseling will need to apply for State Professional Counseling License upon graduation {CLPC} (this is done through the Nevada State Board of LMFTs & CLPCs, last known fee was undetermined as yet).
- Students often need to undergo background checks for school and governmental positions, these costs too.
- Students take exit examinations to qualify to enter practice and apply for certification and licensure (Praxis, NCE). These have fees (the range of cost is $50.00 to $250.00).
- Students are encouraged and often required to attend conferences as part of program requirements. Sometimes students also make presentations at conferences (conferences occur at the state, regional, national and international. Registration, travel and lodging costs anywhere from $50.00 to $2500.00)
- Students pay Lab fees. Lab fees are assessed for practicum and internship and other field related classes, this can cost between $50.00 and $250.00 per class. If you are on scholarship or are receiving loans or financial aid, better let the officer helping you know this is coming so the costs are accounted for and you are not caught short.
- Students need good computer equipment for papers, research and other clerical tasks. Lap top computers cost, they get more reasonable all the time but they still cost money.
- Students are required to pay for Liability Insurance throughout their entire program.
- Students may wish to buy Preparation Guides/Study Programs for State and National certification exams. These cost between $250.00 and $600.00 dollars, many students chip in and buy 'prep kits' as a group.
If you become aware of another hidden cost that is not on this list please let me know and we will post it. We are trying to help students be informed and prepare
as best as they can as they navigate this challenging journey called 'graduate school'.
Regards~
Dr. Dale
Welcome to the Department of Counselor Education
Welcome to the Department of Counselor Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. We offer undergraduate and graduate programs in several
counseling specialties including community mental health counseling, school counseling, human services counseling, alcohol and drug abuse counseling, and
gambling counseling. Our graduate programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
(CACREP) and prepare students for counseling practice in a variety of human service and educational settings. Department
faculty maintain diverse research and practice interests and represent a variety of counseling theories and models.
