University of Wisconsin-Stout
M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Program Outcomes Report
Fall 2013-Spring 2014
Background and Overview:
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout is a
small, student centered program located in western Wisconsin, about 1 hour east of the Minneapolis/St
Paul, MN metro area. The three main CMHC faculty are all extensively trained doctoral level counselors
with over 50 years of combined clinical experience. The program has a strong clinical focus designed to
prepare our students for the rigors of clinical work. Classes are small, with the average class size being
under 24 for most of our content classes and from 6 to12 students in our process/skill based orientated
classes (skill training courses, practicum and internship).
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program requires a minimum of 60 semester credit hours in
approved graduate-level courses. Students can choose from five concentrations (Alcohol and other Drug
Abuse (AODA), Eating Disorders, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Gerontology, and Career
Counseling) or complete the program without a concentration. The no-concentration option requires 39
core course credits, 3 credits of practicum (150 total hours on site), 6 credits of internship (600 total
hours on site), and 12 elective course credits. If you choose a concentration, up to 10 of your elective
credits will be used toward completing that concentration. Program completion allows for professional
licensure in Wisconsin (Licensed Professional Counselor) or other states. Additionally, students who
choose the AODA concentration will have completed the educational requirements for the Wisconsin
Substance Abuse Counselor – in training (SAC-IT) certificate, which is a highly desirable credential at
many of the addiction treatment centers throughout Wisconsin and other states.
Application and Acceptance Data:
In the fall of 2013 and spring of 2014, 19 new students enrolled into the Clinical Mental Health
Counseling program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Specifically, we had 74 students apply for a
fall 2013 start of which 20 were admitted and 9 began coursework. We had 14 students apply for a
spring 2014 start; 11 were admitted of which 10 began coursework.
In the fall of 2012 and spring of 2013, 20 new students enrolled into the Clinical Mental Health Program
at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Specifically, we had 42 students apply for a fall start of which 17
were admitted and 10 began coursework. We had 26 students apply for a spring 2013 start; 17 were
admitted, of which 10 began coursework.
Upon admission, each student meets individually with the Program Director to design a course sequence
that best meets their schedule and each program plan is created on an individual basis. UW-Stout allows
up to seven years for a student to complete their coursework. In general about 50-75% of students finish
the program in two years.
Comprehensive Exam:
Our graduates consistently achieve high pass rates on our comprehensive examination. The
comprehensive examination assesses key knowledge from the core courses in the Clinical Mental Health
Counseling program. The comprehensive exam consisted of 105 multiple choice questions. A score of
70% or above is the cut-off point for passing. The exam is offered twice during the academic year. Eight
students took the comprehensive exam during the fall of 2013, with six passing and two failing. The
students who failed the exam has since retaken the exam and passed. Sixteen students took the exam
during the spring 2014 semester, with fourteen passing and two needing to retake exam in the fall of
2014.
Completion/Graduation Rates:
In the December of 2013, May of 2014, and August of 2014, 14 students gradated form the CMHC
program. Since the program has flexible course sequencing, the students who graduated in the past
academic year come from a number of different cohorts.
Overall, the completion rate for the CMHC program has been very successful. Below is a list of
students who were accepted into the program since 2008 and their completion percentage.
Cohort
Fall 2008
Spring 2008
Fall 2009
Spring 2009
Fall 2010
Spring 2010
Fall 2011
Spring 2012
Fall 2013
Spring 2013 and 2014
Totals
Number starting
Graduated
12
10
12
11
12
12
12
11
9
8
11
10
10
8
12
9
11
8
Still enrolled in coursework
101
86
Completion Percentage
83%
91%
100%
91%
88%
91%
80%
*
*
85% *
* Indicates part time students still completing coursework
Employment and Salary Information:
As part of the CACREP accreditation process we survey our recent graduates annually to gauge overall
program quality as well as employment and salary information. Based on our survey and follow up
contact with our graduates from December 2013, May 2014 and August 2014, we obtained the
following data:
Of the 15 individuals who completed the program, 13 indicated they were currently employed while one
began a doctoral in Counseling Education and Supervision. One graduate did not respond. This equates
to a 93% placement rate within the first 3 month of graduation.
For new graduates, the most recent salary data is from May 2012-December 2012:
RANGE
Below $20,000
$20,001-$30,000
$30,001-$40,000
$40,001 and
above
2
4
4
3
It is important to consider that the salary information listed below is a reflection of the “in training”
period, that occurs during the first two years after graduation. To provide context, the data from a
survey of graduates from 2002-2010 is presented below:
The salary ranges for 63 graduates from 2002-2010 were as follows:
RANGE
Below $20,000
$20,001-$30,000
$30,001-$40,000
$40,001 and
above
6
7
26
24
Graduate Assistantships:
Graduate Assistantship opportunities are available year round for students admitted and enrolled in a
graduate program on campus. Approximately 40 total hours per week have been designated for student
graduate assistantships for fall and spring terms in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
Summer assistantships are offered and vary in hours depending on funding (21 hours of funding was
allotted in the summer of 2014. Additional graduate assistantships are available across campus,
including in Research Services, the Child and Family Study Center, Student Advisement Center, and
several other departments within and outside of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences.
The Graduate School keeps and updates a list of available assistantships.