DEPARTMENTOFCOUNSELOREDUCATIONANDFAMILYSTUDIES
Ph.D.inCounselor Educationand Supervision
Program Handbook
2015/2016
TableofContents
ACCREDITATION....................................................................................................................................4
AuthorityoftheHandbook...................................................................................................................4
FromtheCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgramDirector.........................................................5
PurposeoftheHandbook......................................................................................................................6
Ph.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram........................................................................6
ProgramOverview.....................................................................................................................................6
MissionStatement....................................................................................................................................7
CommitmenttoDiversity..........................................................................................................................7
ProgramIntent..........................................................................................................................................8
AdmissionPolicies.................................................................................................................................9
1.1Admissionrequirements.....................................................................................................................9
1.2FacultyReviewandAdmissionDecisions..........................................................................................10
1.3NotificationofAdmissiontothePh.D.Program...............................................................................10
1.4AcceptanceofformalAdmissiontothePh.D.Program....................................................................10
1.5TransferofCredits.............................................................................................................................11
1.6Non-degreeseekingenrollment........................................................................................................11
1.7Ph.D.ProgramClinicalPrerequisites.................................................................................................11
AcademicPolicies................................................................................................................................13
2.1CourseFormat...................................................................................................................................13
2.2ProgramofStudy...............................................................................................................................13
2.3ClinicalPrerequisiteCOUrSEs............................................................................................................14
2.4IntegrativeCoreCourses...................................................................................................................14
2.5AdvancedClinicalMentalHealthCourses(12Hours).......................................................................15
2.6PracticumandInternship(9Hours)...................................................................................................15
2.7RecommendedCourseSequence......................................................................................................15
2.8CoursePrerequisites..........................................................................................................................16
2.9QualifyingExamination......................................................................................................................16
2.10Practicum.........................................................................................................................................17
2.11Internship........................................................................................................................................17
2.12CandidacyExaminationportfolio....................................................................................................18
2.13DissertationResearch......................................................................................................................18
2.14DoctoralProfessionalIdentityCompetencies..................................................................................19
2.15DoctoralStudentFacultyAdvising...................................................................................................20
2.16Ph.D.ProgramProgression..............................................................................................................20
2.17BreakinEnrollment.........................................................................................................................21
2.18CourseRepeatPolicy.......................................................................................................................22
2.19StatuteofLimitations......................................................................................................................22
2.20LeaveofAbsence.............................................................................................................................22
2.21GraduationwithHonors..................................................................................................................23
2.22AmericanPsychologicalAssociationFormat...................................................................................23
FinancialPolicies.................................................................................................................................23
3.1TuitionandFees................................................................................................................................23
3.2FinancialAid......................................................................................................................................23
StudentExpectations..........................................................................................................................24
4.1MembershipinProfessionalOrganizations.......................................................................................24
4.2AcademicHonesty&Plagiarism........................................................................................................24
4.3AcademicAppealPolicy.....................................................................................................................25
4.5GrievanceProcedure.........................................................................................................................25
4.6CounselingFaculty-StudentInteraction............................................................................................25
4.7BehavioralStandards.........................................................................................................................25
4.6ProfessionalDevelopment................................................................................................................27
4.7Remediation......................................................................................................................................28
4.8RemediationforPracticumand Internship:......................................................................................33
4.9SexualHarassment............................................................................................................................33
4.10PersonalCounseling........................................................................................................................33
4.11FacultyEndorsement.......................................................................................................................34
GeneralInformation............................................................................................................................34
5.1RegisteringforClasses.......................................................................................................................34
5.2GraduateTeachingAssistantships(GTA)...........................................................................................34
5.3AcademicSupport.............................................................................................................................35
5.4ComputerNeeds................................................................................................................................35
5.5E-mailAccount&Communication.....................................................................................................36
5.6DressCode.........................................................................................................................................36
5.7GeneralPoliciesandProceduresresources.......................................................................................36
5.8TheLibertyUniversityLibraries.........................................................................................................37
5.9AdditionalSupports...........................................................................................................................37
5.10Academicdocuments......................................................................................................................37
5.11Contactinformation........................................................................................................................38
DepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesTeachingFaculty................................................41
ACCREDITATION
LibertyUniversityisaccreditedbytheCommissiononCollegesoftheSouthernAssociation
ofCollegesandSchools
(1866SouthernLane,Decatur,Georgia30033-4097;404-679-4501)toaward
associate,bachelors,masters,anddoctoraldegrees
TheonlyLibertyprogramaccreditedbytheCouncilforAccreditationofCounseling&Related
EducationalProgramsistheresidentialM.A.inClinicalMentalHealthCounselingprogram.
Liberty’sPh.D.CounselorEducationandSupervisionprogramisnotaccreditedbyCACREP.For
furtherinformationonthisaccreditation,consulttheagencywebsiteatwww.cacrep.org
AUTHORITYOFTHEHANDBOOK ThepoliciesandproceduresdescribedinthisHandbooksupersedethosedescribedinprevious
Handbooksandreplaceallothercommunicationsonissuesaddressedherein.Thesepoliciesand
proceduresapplytocurrentandnewlyacceptedstudents.
FROMTHECOUNSELOREDUCATIONANDSUPERVISIONPROGRAMDIRECTOR
WelcometoLibertyUniversity,theDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudies,andthe
Ph.D.PrograminCounselorEducationandSupervision!
Weconsideritanhonorandprivilegetosupportyouasyoudevelopleadershipknowledgeandskills
inthefieldofcounseling.Thedepartmentstaffandfacultyareheretoencourage,mentor,and
supportyouduringyourdoctoralstudies.Webelievethatbecomingaleaderinthefieldof
counselingisavitalcalling,andwearecommittedtoprovidingyouwithexperiencesand
relationshipsthatarebothrewardingandrigorous.Itisourdesirethatyouleavethisprogramfully
equippedtomakeaprofounddifferenceinthelivesandcommunitiesinwhichyouwork.Mayyou
devoteyourselftothisendeavorwithamissiontoserveChristashighlycompetent,diversity
honoring,ethicallygroundedcounseloreducators,supervisors,advancedclinicalpractitioners,
scholar-researchers,andsocialjusticeadvocates.
Albeitwearedevotedtowalkingalongsideyouinthemosthelpfulandmeaningfulwayspossible,
ultimatelyyouareresponsibleforyourdegreeandtoobtainingthegoalsyouhaverelatedtoyour
vocation.Itisourhopeandprayerthatyouflourishinallwaysduringyourdoctoraljourney!
LisaS.Sosin,Ph.D.,L.P.C.,L.L.P
Director,Ph.D.CounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram
LibertyUniversity
1971UniversityDrive,Lynchburg,VA24515
PURPOSEOFTHEHANDBOOK
ItisessentialthatstudentsinthePh.D.C.E.S.Programthoroughlyreadandunderstandthe
Handbookasitprovidesadetailedsummaryoftherequirements,structure,andparticularsofthe
Ph.D.PrograminCounselorEducationandSupervision.WhenstudentsenterthisPh.D.Program,
theyagreetoadheretoallofthepoliciesandproceduresoutlinedintheHandbook.Additionally,
becausetheHandbookisrevisedasProgramand/orUniversitypoliciesandproceduresevolve,
studentsmustreviewtheHandbookafewtimesayeartoremainawareoftheHandbookrevision.
Prospectivestudentswillfindinformationthatwillassistthemindeterminingifourdoctoral
programisrightforthem.
Tosummarize,thisPh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgramHandbookisintendedtooffer
informationthatsupplementstheinformationnotedinLibertyUniversity’sCatalog.TheHandbookis
intendedtoclarifyrelevantinformation,policies,procedures,requirements,andexpectationsofthe
Ph.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgramatLiberty.Thefollowingpageswillprovidecritical
informationtothepursuitofthisdegree.Doctoralstudentsareresponsibletoknowandadheretothe
contentofthecurrentHandbookatalltimes.
PH.D.INCOUNSELOREDUCATIONANDSUPERVISIONPROGRAM
PROGRAMOVERVIEW
ThePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgramishousedinTheDepartmentofCounselor
EducationandFamilyStudies,SchoolofBehavioralSciencesatLibertyUniversity.Theprimaryaimofthe
Ph.D.ProgramistomentoradiversebodyofDoctoralstudents,ourfuturecolleagues,whosensea
callingtoextendthefoundationofknowledgeonethicalandeffectivecounseling,counseloreducation,
andsupervisionthroughthedisseminationofresearchandscholarshipandbyimpactingthefieldin
leadershippositionsinclinicalsettings,highereducation,andcounselingassociations.
ThePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionisa66-hourprogram,foundedon33hoursofM.A.
levelcounselingcompetenciesthatcomprisetheCACREPentrylevelstandardsencompassedbyour
CACREPaccreditedresidentialM.A.inClinicalMentalHealthCounselingdegree.Assuch,studentswho
gainentrancetothisPh.D.Programdemonstratethattheyhavepreviouslymetalloftheentrylevel
competenciesoutlinedintheCACREPAccreditationManual(CACREP,2009;2016)priortobeginning
doctorallevelcounseloreducationcoursework.
ThisPh.D.degreeProgramprovideseducationforstudentsseekingcareeropportunitiesasleadersinthe
fieldofcounseling.Graduateswilldevelopknowledgeandskillsthatenablethemtoethicallyand
competentlypromoteadvocacy,socialjustice,andsocialchangeattheindividualandsystemiclevel,
disseminateresearchandscholarshipthatextendstheknowledgebaseofthecounselingfield,and
impactthefieldthroughassociationmembershipandparticipation.
MISSIONSTATEMENT
ThemissionoftheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesistodevelopproduce
ethicallyandspirituallyawarementalhealthcounselorsandcounseloreducatorswhopossessthe
values,knowledge,skills,andpersonaldispositiontopromotethementalhealthandholisticwellness
ofclientsacrossdiversepopulations.ThemissionoftheDoctoralPrograminCounselorEducationand
Supervisionistotrainhighlycompetentcounseloreducators,supervisors,clinicalpractitioners,
researchers,scholars,andleader-advocates.
FacultyintheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesarecommittedtocollaborative
inquirywhereindoctoralstudentsaresupportedindevelopingcompetenciesinleadershiprolesinthe
counselingfield.Tofacilitatetheseoutcomesfacultyandstudentsengageinlearningexperiencesthat
supportthemindeveloping:
1. Collaborativerelationshipswithfacultyandotherprofessionalsinthefieldofcounseling
2. Leadershipskillsincounseloreducation,supervision,advancedclinicalpractice,researchand
scholarship,andsocialjusticeaction
3. Expertiseinanareaorareasofprofessionalidentityandfunctioning
4. Knowledgeandskillsindevelopinganddisseminatingresearchandscholarshipthatmakesa
significantimpactonthefieldandthelivesofothers
5. Competencyandcomfortinparticipatinginprofessionalcounselingorganizations(i.e.,
AmericanCounselingAssociationanditsDivisions)
COMMITMENTTODIVERSITY
LibertyUniversityisaschoolfoundedonChristianvalueslikegrace,truth,andloveforallpersons.As
believersinChrist,wedemonstrateourcommitmenttolovingothersbycelebratingandhonoring
diversity(cf.Matthew22:34-40;Mark12:28-34;Luke10:25-28).Weapproachcounselingleadershipasa
professionthatfostersholistichumangrowthanddevelopmentinthecognitive,emotional,behavioral,
relational,andspiritualdomainsoflife.Ourapproachalsosupportstheworth,dignity,potentialand
uniquenessofotherswhoaremadeintheimageofGod.Thismeansforusthatallpersonspossess
dignityandworthbecausetheyareuniquesubjectsofDivineCreation.Ourvisionisfocusedonnurturing
anacademiccommunityofdiversepeopleandideasandassuringthatdiversityenhancesacademic
excellenceandindividualgrowth.
Ourfacultyandstudentsarecomprisedofpersonsthatrepresentvariousnational,ethnic,spiritual,and
denominationalbackgrounds.Learningtoberespectfulandappreciateotherculturesaddstoeach
student’sexperienceatLiberty.Forthatreason,wearecommittedtonurturingandtrainingadiverse
studentbodyinanatmosphereofmutualrespectandappreciationofdifferences.
TheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesprovidesanacademiccommunityfor
students,faculty,andstafftoteachandlearnfromtheexperiencesofothersandtosubmitpersonal
valuesandassumptionsforreflectionandcriticalexamination.Studentlearning,professionaland
personalgrowthoccurinaclimatethatencouragesadeepenedappreciationofdifferences.Therefore,
wedonotdiscriminateinoureducationalandcounselortrainingprogramsonthebasesof:race,color,
creed,religion,gender,age,national/ethnicorigin,sexualorientation,andphysicalormentaldisability.
Whilerecognizingtheimportanceofalldimensionsofdiversityasmentionedabove,TheDepartmentof
CounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesadherestothefollowinginitiatives:
•Toincrease,throughrecruitmentandretentionmeasures,thediverserepresentationof
students,faculty,andstaff;
•Promotefullimplementationofprofessionalstandardsofpracticeandmulticulturalcounseling
competenciesacrossthecurriculumandinspecializedcourses;
•Toincludeissuesofdiversitythroughouttheinstructionalprogramsandprofessional
developmentactivities;
•Todevelopgraduateassistantshipsopportunitiestoservediversestudentgroups;
•Toprovidedepartmentalopportunitiesforstudentsandfacultytoengageintheexchangeof
ideasandinformationrelatedtodiversity;and
•Tomaintainongoingeducationalopportunitiesandequalityofaccesstoouracademic
community.
•Toequipstudentstoethicallyutilizespiritualityasaforceforhealingwhenandwhere
appropriate.
StudentsinthePh.D.programmustexhibittheAmericanCounselingAssociation’sstandardsandethics
ofthecounselingprofessionregardingsensitivitytoandcelebrationofdiversity.
PROGRAMINTENT
TheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesDoctorofPhilosophyinCounselor
EducationandSupervisionprogramprovidesstudentswithanintegrationofacademiccourseworkand
appliedlearningexperiences.Studentsareexpectedtomastercourseworkconsideredessentialtothe
doctorallevelprofessionalpreparationofcounselorleaderswhoseektoofferservicesconsistentwith
abiblicalworldview.Thoughstudentsareencouragedtoevaluatetheirownspecificneedsandtotake
advantageofavailableresourcesforpersonalandprofessionaldevelopment,thefollowinglearning
outcomesareapplicabletoallstudents:
1. Thestudentwillbeabletoapplysupervisiontheoryandskillstoclinicalsupervision.
2. Thestudentwillbeabletodemonstratecoursedesign,delivery,andevaluationmethods
appropriatetocounseloreducationlearningoutcomes.
3. Thestudentwillbeabletocriticallyanalyzeandevaluatescholarlyresearch,developand
implementresearchdesigns,andproducescholarlyreportsthatdisseminatefindingstothe
professionofcounseling.
4. Thestudentwillbeabletocriticallyanalyze,evaluate,andsynthesizeabroadrangeof
counselingtheories,withanadvancedunderstandingofpsychopathology,toinformcase
conceptualizationanddeliverandevaluateevidence-basedinterventionsacrossdiverse
populationsandsettings.
5. Thestudentwillbeabletoprovideleadershipandadvocacywithintheprofessionandon
behalfofitsclientele.
6. Thestudentwillbeabletointegratefaithandspiritualityintocounseloreducationand
supervisioninanethicalmanner.
ADMISSIONPOLICIES
1.1ADMISSIONREQUIREMENTS
StudentsadmittedtothePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionmustmeetseveraladmission
requirements.ElementsoftheapplicationpackagefacilitatetheAdmissionsCommittee’sabilityto
assessthatpotentialstudentsarewellbeyondmeetingtheentrylevelcounselingcompetencies.
Additionally,studentsdemonstratethroughtheelementsthattheyare(a)preparedfortheacademic
rigorofdoctoralleveltraining;(b)haveasolidfoundationofpreviousprofessionalexperience;(c)are
matureinthattheyareappropriatelyself-awareandemotionallyregulated;(d)areabletocommunicate
effectivelyorallyandinwriting;and(e)arehighlyinterestedandhaveaptitudeforresearch,scholarship,
leadership,andadvocacyinthefieldofcounseling.
AllrequirementsandproceduresstatedintheAdmissionsandAcademicInformationsectionsofthe
LibertyUniversityCatalogandontheLibertyAdmissionswebsitemustbeincludedineachadmission
package.DoctoralapplicantssubmiteachoftherequirementslistedtotheOfficeofGraduate
Admissions,Attention:Ph.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervision.
1. $50ApplicationFee(non-refundable,non-transferable)
2. CompletedApplicationforGraduateAdmission
3. OfficialTranscriptsfromallpreviouscollegesanduniversitiesattendedatthegraduateand
undergraduatelevel.FormerLibertyUniversitystudentsmustpersonallyrequesttranscripts
fromtheUniversityRegistrar.(Note:Transcriptsarenotnecessaryfromundergraduate
institutionswherelessthantwelvehoursweretaken.)Applicantsmusthaveanearned
Master’sdegreeoritsequivalentfromaregionallyaccreditedseminaryorgraduateschool,
withacumulativeGPAofatleast3.25ona4.0scale.
4. TestScores:MAT®orGRE®,andTOEFL®(internationalstudentsonly)
a. TheMillerAnalogiesTest®(MAT®).TheMAT®assessesthestudent’sabilitytosolve
problemsstatedasanalogies.WhereastheGRE®assessesknowledge,theMAT®is
designedtoreflectthestudent’sanalyticalthinking.TheMAT®isanexcellentoption
forstudentswhohavebeenoutschoolforawhile.
b. GraduateRecordExamination®(GRE®).Applicantsshouldsubmitverbal,quantitative,
andanalyticscoresforadmission.ApplicantswhohavetakentheGRE®cancontactthe
CollegeTestingServiceandrequestanofficialscorereporttobesent.
c. TheTestofEnglishasaForeignLanguage™(TOEFL®).InternationalandEnglishasa
SecondLanguagestudentsarerequiredtoprovideevidenceofEnglishlanguage
proficiencybysubmittingTheTOEFL®.TheGraduateSchoolrequiresascoreof80on
theTOEFL®foradmissiontoGraduateProgramsatLibertyUniversity.
5. TwoLettersofProfessionalRecommendation:Thesemustbeprofessionalreferences(i.e.,
professor,clinicalsupervisor,administrator)frompersonswhoarefamiliarwiththeapplicant’s
trainingandsubsequentpractice.Allshouldbeobtainedfromindividualsqualifiedtoaddress
theapplicant’smaturity,motivation,andethics.
6. A300-WordLetterofIntentspecifyingtheapplicant’spurposeandgoalsforenteringthePh.D.
Program.ThislettershoulddetailhowtheapplicantfitsintoourPh.D.Program’smission,
whilestillbringinghisorherownsenseofuniqueness.
7. CurriculumVitaincludingearneddegrees,ministryand/orcounselingexperience,career
goals,andindicatingcounselinglicensure,or,aminimumofatleastoneyearofclinical
experienceinthecounselingfieldwithacommitmenttoobtaincounselinglicensurepriorto
graduationfromthePh.D.Program,ifpossible.
8. VignetteResponse:TheVignetteResponseissubmittedintheformofanAmerican
PsychologicalAssociationFormattedPaper.
9. APh.D.GraduateStatusRecordForm.
10. PersonalInterviewwithCorePh.D.Faculty:Selectedapplicantsmaybeinvitedtoparticipatein
aninterviewwithcorefaculty.
AllwrittenapplicationmaterialsmustbesubmittedinproperAPAstyleandreflectappropriate
levelsofprofessionalismandscholarshipforthisleveloflearning.
1.2FACULTYREVIEWANDADMISSIONDECISIONS
OncealloftherequiredapplicationmaterialsarereceivedbytheAdmissionsOfficethestudent’sfileis
postedtothePh.D.CounselorEducationandSupervisionCoreFacultyAdmissionsCommitteefor
evaluation.TheofficeofGraduateAdmissionsandtheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamily
StudiesFacultyreservetherighttouseprofessionaljudgmentwhenconductingadmissionreviewsand
mayrequestadditionaldocumentationtoevaluateacandidate’srecord.Inrarecases,ifcertain
documentationdoesnotmeetadmissionstandards,theDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamily
StudiesFacultyreservestherighttoofferadmissionstostudentsbasedonprofessionaljudgment.
1.3NOTIFICATIONOFADMISSIONTOTHEPH.D.PROGRAM
Admissiondecisionsaremadewithinafewweeksfollowingthereceiptofallofthestudent’s
documentation.Officialnotificationofadmission,andanyconditionsattachedtothatadmission,issent
bylettertotheapplicantbytheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandSupervision.Correspondence
ornotificationfromothersourcesdoesnotconstituteofficialnoticeofadmission.Thecohorttermfor
whichtheapplicantisadmittedisstatedintheofficialadmissionletter.
1.4ACCEPTANCEOFFORMALADMISSIONTOTHEPH.D.PROGRAM
Inordertoformallyaccepttheinvitationofadmission,thepotentialdoctoralstudentmustrespond
withinthirtydaysofthedateofacceptancebysendingbacktherequireddocumentsincludingthe
signedLearningContracttotheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesFaculty
AdministrativeAssistant.Forquestionsaboutthisprocess,potentialapplicantsmaycontactthe
DepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesFacultyAdministrativeAssistantMs.Bonnie
Gouldatbcsmith@liberty.edu
OncetherequiredmaterialsarereceivedbyMs.Gould,thestudentbecomesaDoctoralStudentinthe
Ph.D.CounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram.Uponadmission,newstudentsareplacedinthe
Ph.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionCenter,whichisundertheOrganizationstabinthe
Blackboard,jointheFacultyandAdvancedDoctoralStudentMentoringDiscussionBoard,review
upcomingeventsandannouncements,completetherequiredPh.D.inCounselorEducationand
SupervisionOrientationCourseandOrientationQuiz,anduploadrequireddocuments:Learning
Contract,LiabilityInsurance,PersonalCounselingReferralInformation,andBackgroundCheck.
1.5TRANSFEROFCREDITS
WithapprovalofthePh.D.AdmissionsCommitteeuptofifteen(15)semesterhoursofpost-master’s
creditscanbetransferredintothePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram.Transferof
courseworkforpostmaster’sdegreecoursework maybegrantedforthePh.D.Programifthefollowing
requirementsaremet:(a)coursesmustbecomparabletoLibertyUniversity’sgraduatecourses;(b)
coursesmustcarryagradeofatleastaB;(c)coursesmustbepartofastudent’spost-master’sstudy,in
otherwords,thecoursesaredoctorallevelorupper-levelpost-master’swork:700-900level;(d)
courseworkmusthavebeencompletedwithinthefiveyearspriortothestudent’sdateofadmission;
and(e)courseworkisnotpartofacompleteddegree.Correspondencestudiesorlifeexperienceswill
notbeacceptedfortransfercredit.
Itistheresponsibilityofeachapplicanttosupplytranscriptsalongwitharequesttohavethecredit
appliedtothePh.D.degreeProgram.Studentsmayberequestedtosubmitthesyllabusforany
courseworkbeingconsideredfortransferalongwitharationaleofwhythestudentbelievesthatthe
coursemeetsthePh.D.Program’srequirements.
1.6NON-DEGREESEEKINGENROLLMENT
Anon-degreeseekingstudentmaytakeuptotwelvehoursintheprogram.Applicantsforspecial
studentstatusmustsubmitofficialtranscripts,aspecialstudentapplication,aletterofintentstatinga
willingnesstomeetallcourserequirementsandparticipateintheclass,therequiredAPAPaper,and
twoapprovedlettersofrecommendation.Specialstatusstudentsmustreceivepermissionfromthe
ProgramDirectortotakeaPh.D.IntegrativeCorecourse.
1.7PH.D.PROGRAMCLINICALPREREQUISITES
Applicantsmustsubmittheirmaster’stranscriptstoverifythattheyhavemettheentrylevel
ClinicalMentalHealthCounselingcompetencies.Applicantswhoarenotyetlicensedagreeto
obtaintheirlicensepriortograduationfromthePh.D.Program.IfthePh.D.Admissions
CommitteedeemsthatastudenthasnotmetoneormoreoftheclinicalM.A.entrylevelprerequisitecourses,theInvitationofAdmissionletterwilllistthecourse(s)thatmustbecompleted
priortoformaladmission.
Ifastudentbelievesthatpreviouscourseworkadequatelysatisfiesoneormoreoftheclinical
prerequisites,s/hemayappealtheAdmissionCommittee’sdecision.Todetermineifprevious
workadequatelymeetsthecoursecontent,studentsshouldreviewthecoursedescriptionsforthe
clinicalprerequisiteathttp://www.liberty.edu/media/1118/CMHC_Course_Descriptions.pdf.For
eachclinicalprerequisitethatthestudentwishestoappeal,s/hemustclearlyoutlinehowa
previousmaster’slevelcounselingcoursemeetsthecontentandintentoftheclinicalprerequisite.
Asyllabusfromthepreviouscoursemustaccompanytheletterofappeal.Theclinical
prerequisitescanbetakenatLibertyUniversityoranyregionallyaccreditedcollegeoruniversity.
ClinicalPrerequisiteCourses:
• OrientationtoProfessionalIdentity&Function
• EthicalandLegalIssuesinCounseling
• HumanGrowthandDevelopment
• ResearchandProgramEvaluation
• MulticulturalCounseling
• CounselingTechniques&theHelpingRelationship
• AssessmentTechniquesinCounseling
• GroupCounseling
• CareerDevelopment&Counseling
• Psychopathology&Counseling
• ClinicalDiagnosis/TreatmentPlanning
StudentswhoareadmittedtothePh.D.Programwithclinicalprerequisitecourserequirements
completetheserequirements(withagradeofBorbetter)betweenMarchandAugust,ifaccepted
intothefallcohort,orbetweenJulyandDecember,ifacceptedintothespringcohort.Clinical
prerequisitescanbetakenatLibertyUniversityoranyregionallyaccreditedcollegeoruniversity.
ACADEMICPOLICIES
2.1COURSEFORMAT
Althoughtheprogramisclassifiedasanon-lineprogram,toinsurethatfacultymeetthegatekeeping
responsibilityofassessingthecharacter,knowledge,andskillsofstudents,theprogramisdesignedso
alldoctoralcoursesaredeliveredinablendedformat.Assuch,studentsparticipateinbothclassroom
andonlinecourseworkactivitiesduringthe16weeksemesterasoutlinedbelow:
Campus-BasedInstruction:StudentsintheCounselorEducationandSupervisionprogramfulfillthe
classroomcomponentofthecoursesintheintensiveformat.Duringtheintensiveweek,students
meetforMondaythroughThursdayfrom8:00a.m.until5:00p.m.withanhourforlunch.Friday
coursesrunfrom8:00a.m.until12:00p.m.Studentsmustenrollatthestartofeachsemesterfora
givencourse.Theymustcompletetherequiredpre-intensiveassignmentspriortobeginningclass.
Studentswhodonotcompletetherequiredpre-courseworkwillnotbepermittedtoattendthe
intensive.Studentsareexpectedtoenterthefirstclasssessionwiththenecessarytextbooks,course
syllabus,andcompletedpre-classassignments.Studentscanexpecttocompletegroupassignments
afterclasshours.Inmostcases,majorexamswillnotbegivenduringtheweekofclass,unless
specificallystatedinthecoursesyllabusandpre-classinformation.Undernocircumstancescan
studentsmissanyportionoftheweek-longintensive.
Blackboard-BasedInstruction:AllcoursesinvolveonlineparticipationusingtheBlackboard®
platformforthedurationofeachsemester.Inadditiontoclasstime,studentsareexpectedto
activelyparticipateduringthepreandpostintensiveportionsoftheclassoverthedurationofthis
16-weekcourse.Studentsinteractwithotherdoctoralstudentstakingthesamecourse,utilizelinks
toonlineresources,viewsupplementalstreamingvideoclips,andreceivedirectfeedbackfromtheir
professorsusingthisinnovativemeansofdelivery.
2.2PROGRAMOFSTUDY
TheProgramofStudyisaroadmapthroughthePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram.
OnceentrancetothePh.D.Programisascertained,studentsgainaccesstothePh.D.Counselor
EducationCenter,foundundertheOrganizationstabonthestudent’sBlackboard,wheretheycomplete
theNewStudentOrientationandOrientationTesttoinsurefullawarenessofPh.D.Program
requirementsandDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesexpectations.Inadditionto
theOrientationTest,studentspostLiabilityInsuranceandBackgroundCheck,PersonalCounseling
Referralinformation,andthePh.D.LearningContract.Thesetasksarerequiredpriortoregistrationfor
courseworkispermitted.
Thedoctoralprogramcurriculumincludesrequiredcoursework,non-courserequirements,Qualifying
Examination,Practicum,Internship,CandidacyExamination(LearningOutcomesPortfolio),andoriginal
DissertationResearch.StudentshaveuptosevenyearstocompleteallPh.D.Programrequirements.
Facultyandacademicadvisorsandadvanceddoctoralstudentmentorsareavailableatalltimesto
supportstudentsindevelopingproficiencyinalllearningoutcomes.
Thefollowingisanoutlineofthecourseofstudy;includingpre-requisiteMaster’slevelfoundational
competencyrequirements,coreandspecializationcourses,examinations,fieldwork,andscholarly
research.Inadditiontocourserequirements,studentsmustalsomeetnon-courserelated
requirementsthatinsureproperpreparationforleadershiprolesinthefieldofcounseling.Theseare
listedbelowandshouldbeincludedindoctoralstudentsCandidacyExamination/LearningOutcomes
Portfolio.
2.3CLINICALPREREQUISITECOURSES
StudentsadmittedwithoutclinicalprerequisitecoursesmaybegintheirPh.D.coursework.However,
theymayonlyenrollinthepre-QualifyingExaminationcourses(COUC715,COUC730,COUC740and
COUC745)untilallclinicalprerequisitecourseworkiscompleted.Clinicalprerequisitescanbetaken
atLibertyUniversityoranyregionallyaccreditedcollegeoruniversity.
2.4INTEGRATIVECORECOURSES
TheIntegrativeCoreconsistsofthefollowing33hoursofprescribedcoursework:
Pre-QualifyingExam:
COUC715
AdvancedTheoryApplication
COUC730
IssuesinIntegration
COUC740
AdvancedResearchDesign
COUC745
AdvancedMultivariateStatisticsandQuantitativeResearch
Post-QualifyingExam:
COUC710
AdvancedGroupLeadership
COUC714
Supervision&Consultation
COUC720
AdvancedFamily,Systems&Development
COUC747
InstructioninCounselorEducation
COUC750
QualitativeResearch
COUC800
AdvancedAssessment
COUC850
AdvancedCareerCounseling
COUC969
Ph.D.QualifyingExamination
Studentscompletethefourpre-QualifyingExaminationcourses(COUC715,COUC730,COUC740,and
COUC745)andthentaketheQualifyingExam.AfterpassingtheQualifyingExamination,students
proceedinthePh.D.Program.StudentsmayrequesttotakepostQualifyingExaminationcoursesprior
topassingtheQualifyingExamination,butdosoattheirownrisk.Thisisbecausestudentswhodonot
passtheQualifyingExaminationwithintwoattemptsaredismissedfromthePh.D.Program,whetheror
nottheyelectedtotakepostQualifyingExaminationcourses.Itisnotsuggestedthatstudentstake
post-QualifyingExaminationcoursespriortothepassingtheQualifyingExamination;however,thisis
offeredasanoptionforthosewhosefinancialaidbenefitsrequirecontinualenrollmenteachterm.
2.5ADVANCEDCLINICALMENTALHEALTHCOURSES(12HOURS)
COUC805
AdvancedPsychopathology&itsTreatment
COUC815
EmpiricallySupportedTreatmentsforAdults
COUC820
EmpiricallySupportedTreatmentsforChildren&Adolescents
COUC
Elective(700-900levelcourse)
ThePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgramincludesaconcentrationonadvanced
clinicalcompetence.Therefore,theprogramwasdesignedtoincludeaconcentrationinAdvanced
ClinicalMentalHealthCounseling.
2.6PRACTICUMANDINTERNSHIP(9HOURS)
COUC998
Practicum
COUC999
Internship
COUC999
Internship
Inadditiontotheclinicalconcentration,PracticumandInternshipcoursesinthePh.D.inCounselingand
SupervisionProgramaredesignedtofacilitatestudents’skillsaseffectiveandactiveleadersinthe
counselingfield,whichincludeteaching,supervision,andadvancedcounselingrolesandfunctions.
PracticumandInternshipandnon-courseexperiencesthroughoutthePh.D.inCounselingand
SupervisionProgramaredesignedtofacilitatestudents’skillsaseffectiveandinvolvedleadersinthe
counselingfield.Assuch,doctoralstudentsareencouragedtoengageincollaborative,mentoring
opportunitieswithdepartmentfacultythroughouttheirdoctoraljourneyincludingresearch,
scholarship,conferenceinvolvementandpresentations,administrativeopportunities,Ph.D.Program
Review,etc.OpportunitiesforinvolvementarecontinuallycommunicatedthroughthePh.D.Counselor
EducationandSupervisionCenter.AllnewannouncementspostedintheCenterarealsosentviae-mail
toallstudents.
2.7RECOMMENDEDCOURSESEQUENCE
Semester
Courses
st
1 Semester COUC715
COUC740
4thSemester COUC714
COUC720
COUC750
th
7 Semester COUC700900Elective
COUC999
10th
Semester
COUC989
COUC990
Semester
Courses
nd
2 Semester COUC730
COUC745
COUC969
th
5 Semester COUC800
COUC815
Semester
rd
3 Semester 8thSemester COUC870/
COUC871
COUC989
COUC999
9thSemester 6thSemester Courses
COUC710
COUC805
COUC998
COUC747
COUC820
COUC850
COUC989
2.8COURSEPREREQUISITES
CourseNumber
COUC710
COUC714
COUC715
COUC720
COUC730
COUC740
COUC745
COUC747
COUC750
COUC800
COUC805
COUC850
COUC969
COUC805
COUC815
COUC820
COUC998
COUC999
COUCElectives
COUC711
COUC797
COUC806
COUC997
DissertationCourses
COUC870
COUC871
CandidacyExam
COUC989
COUC990
Prerequisites
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
ClinicalPerquisites
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
ClinicalPerquisites
ClinicalPerquisites
ClinicalPerquisites
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC720,805
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam,714,747
AllCoreandAdvancedClinicalMentalHealthCourses
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
COUC715,730,740,745,QualifyingExam
CoreCourses,COUC805,815,820,998
CoreCourses,COUC805,815,820,998
AllCoreandAdvancedClinicalMentalHealthCourses
AllCore/AdvancedClinicalMentalHealthCourses,CandidacyExam
AllCore/AdvancedClinicalMentalHealthCourses,CandidacyExam
2.9QUALIFYINGEXAMINATION
AftersuccessfulcompletionofCOUC715,730,740and745,allstudentsmusttakethePh.D.in
CounselorEducationandSupervisionQualifyingExamination.ThepurposeoftheQualifying
Examinationistoassessthestudent’sprogressandabilitytograsptheknowledgeandlevelof
scholarshiprequiredtosucceedinthePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram.
TheQualifyingExamconsistsofthreeessayquestionspertainingto(1)AdvancedCounselingTheoryand
Practice;(2)EthicalandAppropriateIntegrationofPsychology,Theology,andSpirituality;and(3)
ResearchDesignandStatistics.Allanswersareexpectedtohaveprimarysourcescitedwithtitles,dates,
andauthorsrelevanttothesubjectmatter.TypedanswersshouldstrictlyfollowtheAPA6thEdition
PublicationManual.TobeadequatelypreparedfortheQualifyingExam,studentsshouldbeableto
answerquestionspertainingtothefollowingIntegrativeCoreCourses:
COUC715:AdvancedTheoryApplication
COUC730:IssuesinIntegration
COUC740:AdvancedResearchDesign
COUC745:AdvancedMultivariateStatisticsandQuantitativeResearch
TheQualifyingExaminationisaproctored,closedbookandnotesexamination.Studentsaregiveneight
hourstocompletetheexamination.StudentswhofailoneormoreareasoftheQualifyingExamination
mustretakethoseareasnosoonerthan3monthsfollowingthepreviousattempt.Thestudentcannot
continuetakingcoursesuntilpassingtheentireexam.BecausetheQualifyingExaminationmeasures
students’capacitytosucceedinthePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram,failureon
thesecondattemptonanyorallsectionsoftheQualifyingExaminationwillresultindismissalfromthe
Ph.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram.
ForfurtherinformationabouttheQualifyingExaminationandtoreviewtheQualifyingExamination
GradingRubricseetheQualifyingExaminationManual,postedontheweb-siteat:
http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=24894.
2.10PRACTICUM
AfterpassingtheQualifyingExaminationandpriortotheInternship,anapprovedPracticum
experienceisrequiredforallstudentsenrolledinthePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervision
Program.ToenrollinPracticum,studentsmustcompleteallClinicalPrerequisitesandFoundational
Competencies,includingCOUC714:Supervision&ConsultationandCOUC747:Instructionin
CounselorEducation.ThePracticum(COUC998)consistsof100clockhours.Thestudentandthe
ClinicalDirector(Dr.Pride:mpride2@liberty.edu),alongwithFacultyAdvisors,worktogetherto
determinethenatureof,andrequirementsfor,thePracticumexperience(seethePh.D.Practicum&
InternshipManual,postedonthewebsite:http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=24895,forfurther
information).
2.11INTERNSHIP
InadditiontothePracticum,studentsinthePh.D.programcomplete600clockhoursofInternship
afterfinishingallrequiredcoursework.ThestudentandtheClinicalDirector(Dr.Pride:
mpride2@liberty.edu),alongwithFacultyAdvisors,worktogethertodeterminethenatureof,and
requirementsfortheInternshipexperience(seethePh.D.Practicum&InternshipManual,postedon
thewebsite:http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=24895,forfurtherinformation).
PracticumandInternshipexperiencesprovideopportunitiesforstudentstoapplyanddevelopskills
necessaryforethicalandeffectivecounseling,counseloreducation,supervision,research,scholarship,
andadvocacy.Eachstudent’sPracticumandInternshipisdesignedinconjunctionwiththeProgram
ClinicalDirectortopromotethedevelopmentofcounselor-leaderprofessionalidentityandfunctioning.
2.12CANDIDACYEXAMINATIONPORTFOLIO
AfterstudentscompletetheQualifyingExamination,CoreCourses,AdvancedClinicalMentalHealth
courses,Practicum,andInternship;theymustcompletetheirCandidacyExaminationPortfolio.This
capstoneactivityrequiresstudentstopresentanoverviewoftheirprofessionaldevelopmentasa
counseloreducatortotheirDoctoralFacultyAdvisingCommittee.TheCandidacyExaminationPortfolio
(see:http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=673reflectsthestudent’sproficiencyinthePh.D.in
CounselorEducationandSupervisionProgramLearningOutcomes,readinessfortherigorsof
DissertationResearch,andsolidityasacounselor-leader.Oncethefacultyhaveevaluatedandapproved
theportfolio,thestudentwilladvancetoDoctoralCandidacy.
ForacompletedescriptionoftheCandidacyExaminationandtheCandidacyExamination
GradingRubricstudentsshouldconsultthePh.D.CounselorEducationandSupervision
Manualat:http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=24897)
2.13DISSERTATIONRESEARCH
EachcandidatefortheDoctoraldegreeinCounselorEducationandSupervisionisrequiredtoprepare
anddefendaDissertation.TheDissertationisascholarlyprojectthatrepresentstheresultsoforiginal
andsignificantempiricalresearchofpublicationquality.Thecandidatemustdemonstratetheabilityto
conceive,design,conduct,andinterpretindependent,andoriginalresearchrelatedtothecounseling
field.TheDissertationistheculminationoftheDoctoralProgramandisoverseenbythestudent’s
DissertationChairandDissertationCommitteeMembers.TheDissertationCommittee(Chairandtwo
CommitteeMembers)providescontinualassistance,guidance,andtimelyfeedbackthroughoutthe
processofcompletingtheDissertation.
StudentsascertaintheirDissertationChairandregisterforCOUC989:DissertationProposaland
Researchaftercompletingalloftheirrequiredcoursework(somestudentsenterthisphasewhilestill
completingtheInternship).ItisUniversityPolicythatstudentsmustcontinuallyremainregisteredfor
COUC989duringtheDoctoralDissertationprocess(sixcredits(2terms)arerequiredbutsome
studentsneedmoretimetocompletetheirresearchprojectandmustthereforecontinuallyregister
forCOUC989foradditionalterms).Internationalstudentswhoneedtomaintain6hoursperterm
maytakeupto6Dissertationhourspersemester.Whenthestudent’sDissertationChairgives
permissiontodoso,thestudentwillregisterfortheirfinal3credithoursinthePh.D.program:COUC
990DissertationDefense.
AllDoctoralstudentsmustorallydefendtheirDissertationProposalandtheirFinalDissertationproject.
TheDissertationDefenseisscheduledwhenthestudent’sDoctoralDissertationChairandCommittee
MembersallapproveofmovingforwardwiththeFinalDefense.Successfulcompletionofthe
DissertationDefenseresultsinawardingthestudentwiththeDoctoralDegree(ifallotherdegree
requirementsaremet).
ForacomprehensiveunderstandingoftheDissertationprocessandtoreviewtheDissertationGrading
Rubric,seetheDissertationManualpostedonlineat:http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=24897)
2.14DOCTORALPROFESSIONALIDENTITYCOMPETENCIES
Asfutureleadersinthefieldofcounseling,Ph.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionstudents
developastrongsenseofcounseloridentitybyengaginginactivitiesthatenhanceleadership
competenceandprofessionalidentityinCounseling,CounselorEducation,Supervision,Research,
Scholarship,andAdvocacy.Manyofthesecompetenciescanonlybedevelopedthroughinvolvementin
counselingprofessionalassociations,organizations,andactivities.Topromotedoctoralstudents’
professionalidentityandfunctioningcompetencies,studentsinthePh.D.Programsubmitappropriate
documentation(i.e.,e-mailreceiptofevidenceofACAMembership;e-mailreflectingproposal
acceptance)ofthefollowingprofessionalactivities:
1. MembershipinProfessionalCounselingorganizations,includingTheAmericanCounseling
Association(ACA)/ACADivisions(Seehttp://www.counseling.org/about-us/divisions-regionsand-branches/divisionsforalistACADivisions)
2. L.P.C.Licensure(IfenteredtheprogramwithincompleteL.P.C.Requirements)
3. Involvementwithlegislativeorsocialadvocacy(opportunitiescanbefoundontheACA
website)
4. AttendanceattwoormoreStateorNationalCounselingConferences(fullconferencenota
workshop)
5. Proficiencyinelectroniccoursemanagementsystemandcomputertechnologyskills(i.e.,
teachingassistanceinafacultysectionofaBlackboardcourse;developingacounselor
educationcourseassignmentthatinvolvestechnology[i.e.,creatingawebsite])
6. ParticipationinCounselorEducationProgramEvaluation(i.e.,designastudentsurveyabout
theprogramandcollectsurveydata,conductafocusgroupwithinterviewquestions)
7. Manuscriptsubmittedforpublicationinpeerreviewedcounselingjournal
8. Scholarlypresentationsubmittedtoastate,regional,national,orinternationalcounseling
conference
9. DepartmentorOutsideDepartmentResearch/ScholarshipInvolvement:Participationin
collaborativeresearch/scholarshipwithmentoringother(i.e.,researchstudydesign,data
collection/analysis,manuscriptpreparation,etc.)
10. Assistprogramfacultyteachingagraduatecourseincounseloreducationorpresentina
graduatelevelcounseloreducationclass.
Studentsdemonstrateandprovidedocumentationofmeetingthesetenrequirementspriorto
engaginginDissertationResearchintheirCandidacyExamination/LearningOutcomesPortfolio.
FacultyinthePh.D.Programsupportstudentsindevelopingthesecompetencies.
Studentswhomaintaina3.5GradePointAverageareinvitedbyourFacultySponsorstojointhe
DepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudieschapterofCSI,RhoEta.Studentsarealso
encouragedtojoinChiSigmaIota(CSI)theInternationalHonorSocietyforcounselingstudents.CSI
promotesexcellenceincounselingleadershipfunctions(i.e.,research,scholarship,
professionalism).
2.15DOCTORALSTUDENTFACULTYADVISING
TheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesfacultyandleadershiparecommittedtoa
mentoringmodelofdevelopingcounselingleaders.Topromotefaculty-studentcollaboration,each
doctoralstudentisassignedtoanadvisingcommitteeconsistingoftwoprimaryfacultyadvisorsand
oneacademicadvisingspecialistwhenadmittedtothedoctoralprogram.Studentsgettoknowand
workwiththeiradvisorstoplananddiscusstheirknowledge,skills,andperformanceinthedoctoral
program.Additionally,studentscollaboratewithprogramfacultyinvariouscounseloreducation,
supervision,research,scholarshipandadvocacyrolesthroughouttheirPh.D.Program.Studentsare
encouragedtoconnectwiththeiradvisorsregularly.
2.16PH.D.PROGRAMPROGRESSION
Theprocessthroughwhichastudentmovestograduationinvolvesthefollowingstages:
1. InquiryStage:Thestudentinquiresconcerningtheprogram,receivesprogram
informationfromtheUniversity,andbeginstheprocessofcompletinganapplication.
2. HoldStage:Thestudenthassubmittedanapplicationandiswaitingforfeedback
regardingacceptancestatus.
3. AcceptanceStage:ThestudentisacceptedintothePh.D.Programtobeginwithoneofthe
twocohorts:FallandSpring.Studentsarenotifiedabouttheiracceptancestatusinwriting.
Studentsmustrespondwithinthirty(30)daysofthedateofacceptance,acknowledging
intenttoentertheprogramandagreeingtoadheretotheparticularsoftheAdmission
Contract.Oncethecontractmaterialsarereturnedtotheofficeadministrator,students
receiveaccesstothePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionCenter,whichisunder
theOrganizationstabintheBlackboard,tocompletetherequiredOrientationcourseand
QuizandtoposttheirLearningContract,LiabilityInsurance,andBackgroundCheck.
4. OrientationStage:StudentscompletetheOrientationandOrientationQuiz,postrequired
documents,andthenregisterfortheirfirstpre-QualifyingPh.D.courseor,ifanyare
required,pre-requisiteM.A.entrylevelcompetencycourse.Studentsregisterfortheirfirst
coursebycontactingtheirassignedacademicadvisor.
5. Pre-requisiteCompletionStage:IfstudentshaverequiredM.A.entrylevelclinicalprerequisitecoursestotake,asoutlinedontheirAdmissionContract,thesemustbe
completedbeforeregistrationispermittedforPh.D.courses.
6. Pre-QualifyingExaminationIntegrativeCoreStage:StudentscompletePre-QualifyingExam
CoreCourses(COUC714,COUC715,COUC730,COUC740).
7. QualifyingStage:AftertherequiredIntegrativeCorecourses,studentsregistertotakethe
QualifyingExaminationbycontactingBonnieatbcsmith@liberty.edu.Studentsmustpass
allthreesectionsoftheQualifyingExaminationbeforetakingfurthercoursework(see
QualifyingExaminationforfurtherdetails).
8. DoctoralStudent:FollowingthesuccessfulcompletionoftheQualifyingExamination,
studentsareawardedthedesignationof“DoctoralStudent”andtaketheremainderofthe
IntegrativeCoreCoursesandAdvancedClinicalMentalHealthcourserequirements.
9. Practicum Stage: Students may begin work on their Practicum after they pass their
Qualifying Examination and take COUC 747: Instruction in Counselor Education and COUC
714:SupervisionandConsultation.StudentsworkcollaborativelywiththeDirectorofClinical
TrainingtodeveloptheirPracticumexperience(Dr.MelvinPride:mpride2@liberty.edu).
10. CandidacyExaminationStage:TheCandidacyExaminationisaprogram-learningoutcomes
basedportfoliothatisdevelopedthroughoutthedurationoftheprogramandisevaluated
bytheFacultyAdvisingCommitteeafterallIntegrativeCoreCourses,AdvancedClinical
MentalHealthcourserequirements,thePracticumandInternship,andNon-CourseRelated
Requirementsarecompleted.
11. DoctoralCandidateStage:FollowingthesuccessfulcompletionoftheCandidacy
Examination,studentsareawardedthedesignationof“DoctoralCandidate”andtaketheir
DissertationResearchcourserequirements.
12. DissertationStage:AfterastudentpassestheCandidacyExamination,s/heregistersfor
COUC989(foratleasttwoconsecutiveterms:6credits)undertheirDissertation
Chair/AdvisoruntiltheDissertationDefenseisscheduled.AStudentmustregistereach
subsequenttermforCOUC989untiltheDissertationisDefenseready.Atthattimethe
CommitteeChairwillapprovethestudenttoregisterforCOUC990:DissertationDefense(3
credithours).TheDefenseistheculminationoftheprogramandthelaststagebefore
graduation.
13. GraduationStage:Thedepartmentrequiresthatastudentsuccessfullycompletes
A. AllrequiredcourseworkwithagradeofBorbetter
B. TheQualifyingExamination
C. AllPh.D.Non-CourseRequirements
D. TheCandidacyExamination
E. TheDissertationandOralDefense
StudentsmustalsoreviewtheLibertyUniversityGraduateSchoolwebsiteforadditionalrequirements
thatmayapply.
2.17BREAKINENROLLMENT
OnceadmittedstudentsmustremaincontinuallyenrolledintheDoctoralProgram,whichisdefinedas
takingatleastonecourseperacademicyear.Studentswhodonotregisterforandcompleteatleast
onecourseperacademicyear,losetheirenrolledstatusintheprogram.DuringtheDissertationPhase,
thestudentmustregisterforCOUC989everytermuntiltheirDissertationDefenseisscheduled.
StudentswhobreakenrollmentmustreapplytothePh.D.Program.Pleasenotethatstudentsarenot
guaranteedre-entrancetotheprogram.Ifreadmitted,studentswillbeheldresponsibleforthe
requirementsunderthemostcurrentGraduateCatalogandDegreeCompletionPlan.
Ifgraduatestudyisinterruptedbyactivemilitaryserviceortheequivalent,asmuch astwoyearsof
thattimewillnotcounttowardthetimelimitforthedegree.Insuchanevent,anofficialletterfromthe
appropriateagencyshouldbesenttothePh.D.ProgramDirectortodocumenttheinterruption.There
arenootherexceptionstothispolicy.
2.18COURSEREPEATPOLICY
AsGatekeeperstothefieldofcounseling,thefacultyandleadershipareresponsibletoinsure
competencyandexcellence.Tothisend,thedegreeofscholarshiprequiredbystudentsinthe
programishigh.Whileallcoursegradesareaveragedintostudents’GradePointAverage(GPA),
coursecredittowarddegreecompletionisnotgrantedforagradeofC,D,orF.Anystudentwho
earnsagradeofDorFinanycoursewillnotbepermittedtoretakethecourseandwillbe
academicallydismissedfromthePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram.
IfastudentearnsagradeofCinanycourseinthePh.D.Program,heorshewillbeplacedon
AcademicandRegistrationHold.Thispolicyincludes,butisnotlimitedto,clinicalprerequisite
coursestakenafteradmittanceintotheprogram,integrativecorecourses,electivecourses,orany
otherrequiredcourseasdeterminedbyfaculty.
ThestudentmaypetitiontheAdmissionsCommitteeforpermissiontoretakethecourseby
sendingthemaprofessionallywrittenletterthat:(1)statesthegradereceived;(2)explainswhy
theCwasearned,insteadofaBoranA;(3)expressesunderstandingofandcommitmenttothe
levelofscholarshiprequiredinthePh.D.Program;(4)expressesunderstandingthathis/herPh.D.
ProgramwillremainonHolduntils/herepeatsthecourseandearnsagradeofBorbetter;and(5)
communicatesunderstandingthatanysubsequentCearnedinthePh.D.Programwillresultin
dismissalfromthePh.D.Program(OneCOnlyRepeatPolicy).Theletterofpetitionshouldbe
attachedtoane-mailaddressedtoMs.BonnieGould(bcsmith@liberty.edu)withthesubjectline
stating:PetitionforCourseRepeatforthePh.D.DirectorandtheAdmissionsCommittee.Itisthe
student’sresponsibilitytoinitiatesendingthisletter.Failuretosubmittheletterwithin30daysof
receivingthegradewillresultinanAcademicDismissalfromthePh.D.Program.Ifastudentis
grantedpermissiontoretakethecourse,anysubsequentgradeofCearnedinthePh.D.Program
willresultinAcademicDismissalfromthePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram.
2.19STATUTEOFLIMITATIONS
Thecounselingprofessioniseverevolving.Toinsurethatgraduatesareuptodateinevidencebased
practicesincounselingleadershiproles,thetimeallowedtocompletethePh.D.inCounselorEducation
andSupervisionislimited.ThetimelimitforcompletingthePh.D.degreeisseven(7)years,which
beginstheyearofadmissiontothePh.D.Program.
2.20LEAVEOFABSENCE
Astudentingoodacademicstandingmayrequesttwoleavesofabsencefromgraduatestudyfora
statedperiodoftime(uptoone-year)duringwhichthestudentwillnotmakeacademicprogress.
Reasonsforaleaveofabsenceinclude,butarenotlimitedto,amedical/mentalhealthproblemora
familycrisis.Torequestaleave,thestudentmustsubmitalettertothePh.D.ProgramDirectorstating
thereasonfortheleaveandproposedtimeframe.Leavesduetoamedicalormentalhealthissuemust
bedocumentedbyaletterfromthetreatingprofessional(s).Studentsmustobtainapprovalinwriting
fromthePh.D.ProgramDirectordocumentingauthorizationoftheleavebeforetheleaveisactivated.
2.21GRADUATIONWITHHONORS
LibertyUniversityGraduateSchoolofferstwotypesofhonorsforgraduatingDoctoralStudents.Thefirst
levelofhonors,GraduationwithDistinctionisforstudentswhosecumulativeGPAis3.90-3.94.
StudentswhosecumulativeGPAis3.95to4.0receiveaGraduationwithHighDistinctionhonor.Each
designationisawardeditsownuniqueregaliaaccessoryandwillbeacknowledgedintheDepartmentof
CounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesGraduationbulletin.
2.22AMERICANPSYCHOLOGICALASSOCIATIONFORMAT
ThecounselingprofessionendorsestheuseofthePublicationoftheAmericanPsychological
Association(APA)fortheformattingofallpublications.Therefore,theDepartmentofCounselor
EducationandFamilyStudiesAPAformattingandwritingstyleforallsubmittedcourseand
Dissertationwork.TherulesthatreflectthemostrecenteditionofthePublicationManualofthe
AmericanPsychologicalAssociationarerequired
FINANCIALPOLICIES
3.1TUITIONANDFEES
Allstudentspayanon-refundableApplicationFeeorReapplicationFeeof$50.Otherfeesincludea
TechnologyFeeof$175persemesteranda$25IntensiveFeepercoursetakenoncampus.
Currently,thetuitionforPh.D.Coursesis$520percredithourforfull-timestudents(2ormorecourses
persemesteror6hours)and$570percredithourforpart-timestudents(1coursepersemesteror3
hours).TuitionforClinicalPrerequisitesisthesameasforPh.D.coursesfordoctoralstudentscurrentlyin
thePh.D.Program.Studentsareresponsibletocheckforupdatestotuitionrequirementsbyconsulting
theLUOAdmissionsWeb-site(http://www.liberty.edu/online/doctoral/philosophy-counseling/).
3.2FINANCIALAID
Forcurrentinformationaboutfinancialaid,pleasereferto:
http://www.liberty.edu/financeadmin/financialaid/index.cfm?PID=294
STUDENTEXPECTATIONS
4.1MEMBERSHIPINPROFESSIONALORGANIZATIONS
Asfutureleadersinthecounselingfield,facultyexpectstudentinvolvementinthecounseling
professionthroughassociationmembershipandparticipationasoutlinedintheNon-CourseRelated
ProgramRequirements(seepage23).Additionalopportunitiesforcounselingleadershipinvolvement
include:theAmericanMentalHealthCounselorsAssociation(AMHCA),theAmericanAssociationof
ChristianCounselors(AACC),theChristianAssociationofPsychologicalStudies(CAPS),theAmerican
AssociationofMarriageandFamilyTherapy(AAMFT),theAmericanPsychologicalAssociation(APA)and
otherrelatedassociationsofinterest.Mostprofessionalorganizationsofferreducedmembershiprates
tostudentsaswellasthefollowingbenefits:receiptofprofessionalpublications(journalsand
newsletters);reducedregistrationfeesforprofessionalmeetings(seminars,conventions,workshops)
thataresponsoredbytheparticularorganization;eligibilityformemberservices(libraryresourceuse,
legaldefensefundsandservices,groupliabilityinsurance);opportunitiestopresentresearchand
scholarshiprelatedtothefield,involvementinactivitiesandissueswhicharedirectlyorindirectly
pertinenttotheprofession(legislationandprofessionalcredentialingincludinglicensure,certification);
affiliationwithotherprofessionalshavinginterestsandareasofexpertisesimilartoone’sown;andthe
opportunitytofellowshipand,inthecaseofChristianorganizations,toworshiptogether.
4.2ACADEMICHONESTY&PLAGIARISM
TheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesfacultyserveasgatekeepersofthe
professionofcounseling.Assuchweareresponsibletoholdstudentstothehigheststandardsfor
ethics,bothpersonalandacademic.Onesignificantareaofintegrityinacademicsishonesty.
AcademichonestyatLibertyUniversitymeansthatallworkstudentscompleteisentirelytheirown
(exceptasdictatedbyspecificassignmentguidelines),bothinexaminationsettingsandonpapers.
Academicallyhoneststudentsinnowayattempttotakecreditforanother’swords,ideas,orresearch,
andtheyrepresentboththeirownthoughtsandthosetheycitewithintegrity,accuracy,andrespect.
Suchstudentsdonottwistanother’swords,useanother’sresearchwithoutpropercitations,orsteal
informationfromotherstudents’work.Academicmisconductincludes,butisnotlimitedto,cheating,
falsification,orplagiarism.AcademicMisconductpoliciesandprocedurescanbefoundintheLiberty
UniversityHonorCodeat:http://www.liberty.edu/academics/graduate/index.cfm?PID=19459
MostassignmentssubmittedthroughoutthePh.D.Programareautomaticallyprocessedthroughthe
universityplagiarismsoftwareprogram(SafeAssign).Additionally,Facultyarerequiredtoreportall
incidencesofacademicdishonesty/misconduct.Studentswhoareacademicallydishonest/participate
inacademicmisconductwillfaceconsequencesrangingfromafailinggradeontheassignmentto
dismissalfromthePh.D.ProgramandLibertyUniversity.Suchconsequencesaredeterminedbythe
Ph.D.ProgramFaculty,Ph.D.ProgramDirector,DepartmentChair,AssociateDean,Schoolof
BehavioralSciencesDean,DeanoftheGraduateSchool,andUniversityProvost.Studentswhoengage
inthesepracticeswillfacedisciplinaryactionasoutlinedintheLibertyUniversityOnlineHonorCode
ontheGraduateStudentAffairswebsite:http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=19155.
4.3ACADEMICAPPEALPOLICY
Toappealagradeoradecisionregardingacademichonesty,followthepolicy&procedureoutlinedat
thegraduatestudentaffairswebsite:http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=19155.
4.5GRIEVANCEPROCEDURE
Allfaculty,staff,andstudentsoftheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesshall
performtheirdutiesandstudiesaccordingtothepoliciesofLibertyUniversity.Students,faculty,or
staffmemberswhobelievethatastudent,facultymember,orstaffmemberhasnotactedaccording
totheseprogram,departmental,oruniversitypoliciesareencouragedtocontactthestudent,faculty
member,orstaffmemberdirectlytoinformallyresolvethesituation(cf.Matthew18).
Ifthestudent,facultymember,orstaffmembercannotachievearesolutionoftheissue,the
complainantshouldnotifythePh.D.ProgramDirector.Thesubmitteddocumentationshouldincludea
descriptionoftheperceivedproblembehaviorandallattemptedsolutions.Acopyofthecomplaint
willbegiventothestudent,facultymember,orstaffmemberaboutwhomthecomplainthasbeen
written.ThePh.D.ProgramDirectormaythenmeetwiththepartiesinvolved,separatelyortogether,
mayconveneafacultyorstaffmeetingtoresolvetheissue,and/ormayrequestarecommendation
fromotherUniversitypersonnel.Alldecisionswillberecordedinwritingandsignedbyallparties.
ComplainantswhoarenotsatisfiedwiththeactionofthePh.D.ProgramDirectorasspecifiedabove
mayavailthemselvesofthegrievanceproceduresdelineatedinuniversitypolicies.
4.6COUNSELINGFACULTY-STUDENTINTERACTION
ThefacultyintheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesarededicatedtomentoring
doctoralstudentsinleadershiproles.Anumberofopportunitiesareprovidedforbothformaland
informalinteractionamongstudentsandfaculty.Itisexpectedthatbothfacultyandstudentswill
conductthemselvesinaprofessionalmannerinallinteractions.
4.7BEHAVIORALSTANDARDS
StudentsenrolledinthePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgramatLibertyUniversity
arepreparingforaleadershipcareerthatrequiresthehigheststandardsofpractice,research,
scholarshipandcommunityadvocacy.Therefore,appropriatebehaviorshouldbeevidentinall
communications(e.g.,verbal,writtenindiscussionboards,emails)withotherstudents,Liberty
Universitystaffandfaculty,sitePracticumandInternshipPersonnel,andofcourseclients.Failureto
demonstrateprofessionallysoundbehaviorcouldjeopardizethestudent’sstatusintheprogram.
Specifically,theDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesfacultyexpectsstudents
enrolledinthePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgramtodemonstratethefollowing
behavioralstandards:
1. Awillingnessandabilitytoacquireandintegrateprofessionalstandardsintoone’srepertoireof
professionalbehavior.Studentsmustconductthemselveswithanawarenessthattheirconduct,
personalappearance,attitudes,values,andbehaviorinfluenceclient,peer,andgeneralpublic
opinions.Theyareexpectedtodemonstrateprofessionalismsotheseconstituenciesviewthemina
mannerconsistentwiththespiritofLibertyUniversityandtheprofessionofcounseling.
2. Anabilitytoacquireleadershipandprofessionalskillstoreachanacceptablelevelofcompetency.
TheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesprovidesalearningenvironmentin
whichstudentsbecomevulnerableastheytestoutnewbehaviorsandacquirenewskillsas
counselorleaders.Studentswhoconveytheattitudethattheyarenotteachablearenotsuitedfor
doctoraleducation.
3. Awillingnessandabilitytogiveappropriatefeedbackandtoreceiveandintegratefeedbackfrom
faculty,supervisors,andpeers.Studentsareexpectedtobeopentoreceivingfeedbackfromothers,
includingverbalorwrittencommentsinprivateorpublicsettings.Ateachableandopenattitudeis
expectedofallstudents.Thus,regardlessofthequalityofthefeedback,studentsareexpectedto
prayerfullyconsiderthepossibilitythatvaluablefeedbackisfoundinthecomments.Studentswho
areawareofanotherstudent’sbehaviororperformancethatviolatestheLibertyUniversityHonor
Code,theAmericanCounselingAssociation’sEthicsCode,andtheDepartmentofCounselor
EducationandFamilyStudiesbehavioralstandardshavearesponsibilitytointervene.Thisincludes
notifyingprogramfacultyand/ortheprogramdirector.
4.
Anabilitytocontrolpersonalstress,psychologicaldysfunction,and/orexcessiveemotionalreactions
thatinterferewithpersonal,professionalorinterpersonalfunctioning.Counselingisaninterpersonal
professioninwhichcounselorleadersareprovidedwithalevelofinfluenceupontheirdomainsof
practice.Therefore,itisessentialthattheyarenotimpairedbyintrapersonalorinterpersonal
liabilities.Studentsareexpectedtomonitortheirownbehaviorandaddressanypersonalissues
thatmightimpairtheirperformanceinacademicorcounselingsettingsorjeopardizethewell-being
offaculty,staff,clients,orpeers.Studentsareencouragedtodiscusspersonalconcernsabout
themselvesaswellastheirabilitytofunctioninacademicandcounselingsettingswithacademic
andfacultyadvisors,clinicalsupervisorsand/orwithanymemberofthefaculty.Althoughitisagoal
oftheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiestohelpstudentsreachtheir
professionalgoalsitremainstheprimaryresponsibilityofthefacultytoprotectthepublic,the
studentbody,andtheprofession.
5. AlifestylethatisconsistentwithaChristiantestimony.Itisexpectedthatstudentswillconduct
themselvesinamannerthatreflectsChristianlove(e.g.,John13:34-35;Philippians2:2-4;Colossians
3:14-15;James2:8;1Peter4:8-10;1John4:7-8).Feedbacktoothersshouldbegiveninthemost
professionalandChrist-likemannerpossible.InkeepingwiththeapostlePaul’steachings,students
areexpectedgetalongwithothersasmuchaspossible(cf.Romans12:18),tonotholdgrudges(cf.
1Corinthians13:4-7;Ephesians4:31-32;Leviticus19:17-18),andtoencourageoneanother(1
Thessalonians5:11).Amarkofspiritualityandpsychologicalmaturityislovingtheunlovableand
demonstratingthefruitofthespirit(Galatians5:22-23).ThoughweallstruggletolivetheChristian
lifeasweshould,especiallywhenunderstress,wearetochallengeourselvestopursueholiness.
4.6PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT
EthicalConduct:AllstudentsinthePh.D.CounselorEducationandSupervisionprogramare
responsibletobehaveinanethicalmannerthroughouttheirtraining,aswellasinclinicaland
professionalsettings.ViolationsoftheACACodeofEthics,theGraduateStudentHonorCode,orthe
LibertyWay;and/orfailuretotakestepstorectifyviolations,areconsideredextremelyseriousand
mayresultinterminationfromtheprogram.
AlthoughstudentsareexpectedtoadheretotheACACodeofEthics,theGraduateStudentHonor
Code,andtheLibertyWayasaguidetotheirbehaviorthroughouttheirprogram,readingitisjustthe
beginningofunderstandingprofessionalethics.Beinganethicalcounselor-in-traininginvolves
understandingtheunderlyingprinciplesandvaluesassociatedwithprofessionalCodeofEthics.These
arebuiltuponastrongcommitmenttobiblicalprinciples,developingasetofbeliefsthatguideone’s
everydaypractice,beingabletodiscernpotentialaswellasrealizedethicalproblematicsituations,
andhavingthecharactertostandbythesewhenfacedwithchallengingsituations.Thisisanessential
componentofyourprofessionaldevelopment.
ProfessionalDevelopment:TosuccessfullycompletethePh.D.inCounselorEducationand
SupervisionprogramatLibertyUniversityandbeeligibleforgraduation,astudentmustbeable
demonstrateproficiencyinfiveareas:
1. Attainmentofscholasticcompetencyinallcourseworkasevaluatedthroughthe
assessmentofCESstandards,theQualifyingExamination(seesection2.12ofhandbook)
givenaftercompletingpre-qualifyingcoreclasses,theCandidacyExamination(seesection
2.15ofhandbook)givenpriortodissertationresearchandwriting,theDissertationdefense
(seesection2.16ofhandbook)completedattheendofthePh.D.Program,andby
maintaininganoverallGPAof3.0.
2. Acquisitionof,andabilitytoapplyadvancedcounseling,teaching,andsupervisionskillswitha
diversepopulationandtoastandardacceptablebylicensedprofessionalcounseloreducators
andsupervisors.TheseskillsareevaluatedthroughoutthePh.D.Programandultimatelyby
successfulcompletionoftheCandidacy/PortfolioExamination.
3. Demonstrationofemotionalandmentalstabilityandmaturityininteractionwithothers,
includingtheabilitytomaintainhealthyboundaries,communicateappropriately,
successfullymanagepersonalanxietyoruncomfortablefeelings,workcollaborativelywith
others,andresolveinterpersonalconflict.Thisproficiencyisevaluatedthroughoutthe
programinallinteractionswithfaculty,staff,administrators,supervisors,adjuncts,and
fellowstudents;includingbothverbalandwrittencommunications.
4. AdherencetotheProfessionalIdentityandStandardsasoutlinedbytheAmericanCounseling
Association’sCodeofEthicsandtheLibertyGraduateStudentCodeofHonor.Thisproficiency
isevaluatedduringtheprograminallinteractionswithfaculty,staff,administrators,
supervisors,adjuncts,andfellowstudents;includingbothverbalandwrittencommunications.
5. Demonstrationoftheabilitytointegratefaithandspiritualityintocounselingwhere
appropriateinanethicallycompetentmanner.
Thecounselingfacultywilldevelopandevaluatestudentsontheaboveareasofproficiencyonan
ongoingandconsistentmannerinallsettingsinwhichfacultyandstudentsinteract.Thisinteraction
canincludeformalandinformalsettingssuchasclassroom,onlinecommunication,advising,and
personalconversations.
4.7REMEDIATION
If,duringthecourseofastudent’sstudies,afaculty,staff,administratororsupervisorbelievesa
studentlacksrequiredskills,professionalbehaviorsanddispositionstoprogressintheprogram,that
personwillbeginremediationproceduresaimedtoprovidethestudentwithinformationandactions
tocorrecttheimpairment/deficiency.Thepurposeoftheremediationplanistoassistthestudentin
correctinganydeficitsincounselingknowledgeandskills,aswellasproblematicpersonal,
interpersonal,orethicalbehaviorssothestudentmaysuccessfullycontinueintheprogram.Assuch,
remedialinstructionorinterventionsarecloselylinkedtothestudents’developmentalgrowth,
recognizingtherelationshipbetweenthealleviationofdeficienciesandthedevelopmentofnew
competencies.
Weconceptualizeremediationintermsofaresponsecontinuumbaseduponthetypeandseverityof
students’limitations,withtheneedtodistinguishbetweendeficient,lackscompetence,and
impaired:
• Deficient:Requiresskill-basedand/oracademicapproach
• Lackscompetence:Requiresadditionalethicalpractice-basedand/orconceptualapproach
• Impaired:Requiresadditionalintervention-basedand/ortherapeuticapproach
TheproblematicbehaviorcontinuumcanalsobeconsideredalonglinesofAcademic,Clinical,and
Personal,withAcademicbeingmorerelatedtodeficienciesandPersonalmorerelatedto
impairments.ClinicallimitationsmaylikelyhavebothAcademicandPersonalinvolvement.
Additionally,theprogramresponsecanbeconsideredalongacontinuumofeducation,formal
remediation,and termination.
Deficientdescribesthosebehaviors,attitudes,orcharacteristicsthatneedtobethefocusof
attentionandchangebutarenotconsideredexcessiveorinappropriate.Rather,theymaybe
importantcomponentsofthestudent’slearningexperience.Atthislevel,remediationlikelyinvolves
instructionandfeedbacktoaddressthedeficit.
LacksCompetencedescribesadeficitindevelopmentallyappropriateclinicalcompetenciesthatare
neededforethicalpractice.Thesewouldincludeareasuchasperformanceofcounselingskillsand/or
professionalbehaviors,attitudes,orcharacteristics,responsetosupervision,and/orability
applicationofethicsintopractice.Thesebehaviorsareconsideredtobeexcessiveorinappropriate,
requiringremedialactionbeyondthecourseinstructororsupervisor.
Impairmentdescribesthosebehaviorsthatresultinasignificantnegativeimpactonprofessional
functioning.Impairmentisdemonstratedbyoneormoreofthefollowingbehaviors:(a)aninability
and/orunwillingnesstoacquireandintegrateprofessionalstandardsintotheirrepertoireof
professionalbehavior;(b)aninabilitytoacquireprofessionalskillstoreachanacceptablelevelof
competency;(c)aninabilitytocontrolpersonalstress,psychologicaldysfunctionand/orexcessive
emotionalreactionsthatinterferewithprofessionalfunctioning.
TheTypeandSeverityofLimitationareconsideredwhendeterminingtheneed,ifany,forremediation.
StudentsDeterminedtobeDeficient:
Inadequateknowledgebasecommensuratewithstatusinprogram
Inadequate,butimproving,counselingskills
Rudimentaryethicalprocessing
Simplistic,narrow,ordisjointedcaseconceptualization
Insufficientinterpersonalskillsandawareness,butwillingnesstodevelop
StudentsDeterminedtoLackCompetence:
LackofawarenessofethicalprinciplesandobligationsFailurein
responsibilitiestositeand/or supervisor
Unwillingness/inabilitytobeeffectiveinbasiccounselingtechniques
Unwillingness/inabilitytocompleteappropriatedocumentation
Failuretofunctionaseffectivememberoftreatmentteam
StudentsDeterminedtobeImpaired(notinclusive):
I. InterpersonalandPersonalProblems
1.Inappropriateinterpersonal skills
2.Lacksself-control(anger,impulsecontrol)inrelationships
3.Inappropriateboundaries
4.Misleadsorexploitsothers
5.Lacksawarenessoftheimpacttheyhaveonothers
6.Unwillingtoreceivefeedbackin supervision
7.Doesnottakeresponsibilityfordeficienciesand/orproblems
II. ProfessionalCompetence
1.Lacksfoundationalcounselingskills
2.Inappropriateaffectinresponsetoclients
3.Doesnotrecognizelimitationsofexpertiseandcompetence
4.Doesnotapplyethicaland/orlegalstandardstopractice
5.Lacksawarenessofhowtheirbeliefsandvaluesinfluence practice
6.Doesnotdemonstratearespectindividualdifferencesand culture
III. Professional Behaviors
1.Deficitsinpunctuality,professionalappearance,attendance,dependability
2.Doesnotcompleteappropriatepaperworkanddocumentation
3.Doesnotadheretothedepartment’sortheirclinicalsite’spolicies
IV. ProfessionalandPersonalIntegrityandMaturity
1.Makesfalse,misleadingordeceptivestatements
2.Displayedacademicdishonesty
3.Problemswithalcohol/druguseorillegalactivities
4.Inappropriatesexualbehavior
5.Refusedtoconsiderpersonalcounselingwhenrecommended
OncetheTypeandSeverityofLimitationaredetermined,thereareseveralavenuesthatmaybe
pursuedwhendeterminingtheneed,ifany,forremediation.Facultyareencouragedtoconsultwith
theprogramdirector,facultyremediationcommitteemembers,andotherfacultywhendecidingthe
levelofseverityandwhichstagetoengagetheremediationprocess.
EarlyRemediationProcess(Stages1and2)
Facultyoradvisormeetswiththestudent
DetermineactionplanforaddressingdeficitsFollow-up
SecondaryReviewRemediationProcess(Stage3)
Notificationofmeetingwiththedirector
Assessmentofproblematicbehavior
Reviewanddevelopmentofaplan
Acceptanceorappeal
FormalRemediationProcess(Stages 4-6)
Notification
AssessmentofProblematicBehavior
Developmentofa Plan
AcceptanceorAppeal
ProvisionifUnsuccessful
PossibleCommitteeRecommendationsforaRemediationPlan
PersonalCounseling
Increasedsupervision
Reducedpracticumorinternship
Leaveofabsence
Formalreprimand
Formalprobation
Counselingoutoftheprogram
Dismissalfromtheprogram
ImmediateInterventions:
Intheeventofastudent’sdisclosure,eitherverbally,orinwriting,ofeitherthreatofseriousor
foreseeableharmtoselforothers,abuseorneglectofaminor,elderlyordisabledperson,orcurrent
involvementincriminalactivity,thefaculty,staff,administratororsupervisor,willtakeimmediate
action.Thisactionmayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,immediatenotificationofLibertyUniversity
PoliceDepartment,appropriatestatelawenforcement,socialservicespersonnel,emergency
contacts,andnotificationoftheappropriateprogramchairorassociatedean.Theincidentand
actiontakenwillbecomepartofthestudent’spermanentrecord.
FormalRemediationProcessfortheCESProgram:
Note:Theremediationplanisdesignedtoprotectthestudent’srighttoDueProcess.Inaddition,
westresstheimportanceofengagingthestudentintheremediationprocess.Theseprinciplesare
infusedthroughouttheC.E.S.program’sresponsecontinuum.Oncearemediationplanisinstituted,
studentresponsetoremediationeffortsisconsideredwhendecidingstudentstatusinthe
program.Allphasesofthisremediationprocesswillbecomeapartofthestudent’srecord.
Stage1:NotificationbyAdvisor(s).Whenadeterminationismadebyafacultymemberthat
problematicbehaviorofanacademic,clinical,orpersonalnatureexists,andcouldnotberesolved
onaninformalbasis,thefacultymemberdiscussesthiswiththestudentandherorhisadvisor(s).If
studentproblematicbehaviorisbroughttotheattentionofthedepartmentthroughothermeans
(e.g.,from anotherstudent,reportfromuniversitystaff,evaluationfromsupervisor,etc.),the
student’sadvisor(s)willnotifythestudentanddiscussthe concerns.
Thestudentandherorhisadvisor(s)willmeettodiscusstheproblemandcollaborativelyoutlinea
remedialactionplantoaddresstheconcerns.Thisinteractiveprocessshouldallowthestudent
ampleopportunitytoreacttotheinformationpresentedregardingaproblemarea.Iftheproblem
isresolved,nofurtheractionisneeded.Theadvisorwilldocumentthemeeting,theremedialaction
plan,andoutcomeintothestudent’spersonalrecord.Theadvisor(s)willfollowupwiththefaculty
toensurethattheagreed-toremedialactionplanwascompletedandthebehavioralissuewas
successfullyresolved.
Iftheproblemisnotresolvedatthisstagebecausethestudentdoesnotengageintheprocess,
disagreeswiththevalidityoftheconcerns,ordoesnotagreewiththeremedialactionplan,the
advisor(s)willnotifytheprogramdirectoroftheoutcomeofthemeeting.Ameetingwillthenbe
scheduledwiththestudent'sadvisor(s),theprogramdirector,thestudent,andtheconcerned
facultymemberasappropriate.ThismeetingwillbeconsideredaPhase3remediation.
Stage2:PrimaryAssessmentofProblematicBehavior:Ifthebehaviorsaddressedbytheprogram
facultyandtheadvisor(s)persist,theadvisor(s)willagainmeetwiththestudentandoutline,
verballyandinwriting,thecontinuednatureandextentofproblematicbehavior.Informal(e.g.,
interviewwithstudentandfaculty)andformal(e.g.,instruments)maybeutilizedaspartofthe
assessmentprocess.Thisincludesfeedbackfromthestudentconcerningtheoutcomeofany
remedialactionstakenbythestudentinresponsetotheconcernsraisedduringthenotification
session.Whenitisapparentthatthestudentisengagedintheprocessbuthasnotmetthegoalof
theinitialremedialaction,acollaborativeapproachinvolvingstudentengagementwillbeusedto
evaluateandrefinetheremedialactionplan.Iftheproblemissuccessfullyresolved,nofurther
formalactionisneeded.Theadvisor(s)willdocumentthemeeting;outlinetheagreedadaptationsto
theremedialactionplan;andtheoutcome.Theadvisor(s)willfollowupwithfacultyandthe
programdirectortoensurethatthebehavioralissuesweresuccessfullyresolvedandallagreed-to
remedialmandateswereimplemented.
Stage3:SecondaryAssessmentofProblematicBehavior:Ifthefacultyadvisor(s)orcorefaculty
determinethatthestudent’sbehaviorsareatalevelthatrequiresaformalremediationprocess
(Stage4)orthestudentrejectsorappealsaremedialactionplan,ameetingwillbeheldwiththe
student,hisorheradvisor(s),theprogramdirector,andreferringfacultymember(ifappropriate).
Themeetingdatewillbesettoallowthestudenttheopportunitytoprovideadditionalevidenceto
thegroupforconsiderationatthemeeting.Thepurposeofthemeetingwillbetoeither1)
collaborativelyre-assesstheproblembehavioranddeveloparemedialactionplanor2)determine
thattheproblemneedstobeaddressedbytheprogramcorefacultythrougharemediationplan.
Theprogramdirectorwilldocumentthemeetingandoutcome.Theprogramdirectorwillreportthe
meetingoutcometothefacultyRemediationCommittee.
Stage4:ReferraltotheRemediationCommittee:Incaseswhentheoutcomeofthemeetingof
thestudent,advisor(s),andprogramdirectorresultsinadecisionthatthesituationshouldbe
broughttotheRemediationCommittee,ameetingofthecommitteewillbescheduled.Thestudent
willbeinformedinadvanceofthetimeofthismeetingandwillhaveanopportunitytoprovide
additionalinformationorevidenceinwritingtothecommitteeforconsiderationatthemeeting.The
studentmayrequestormayberequestedtobeinattendance.Onceallinformationhasbeen
presented,theRemediationCommitteewilldecidethelevelandscopeofremediationrequiredto
assistthestudentanddevelopaformalRemediationPlan.
Stage5:DevelopmentofaRemediationPlan:TheRemediationCommitteewillreviewthe
presentedinformation,examinetheremedialactionplandevelopedbythestudentandadvisor(s),
evaluatetheprogressmadetowardsremediatingproblembehaviors,anddevelopaformal
RemediationPlan.Thepurposeoftheremediationplanistoassistthestudentincorrectingany
deficitsincounselingskillsorpersonal,interpersonal,orethicalproblemssothatthestudentmay
successfullycontinueintheprogram.Theelementsoftheplanwillbecongruentwiththeextentof
thecorrectionneeded.
RemediationPlanscanincludesuchactionsasrepeatingparticularcourses,obtainingpersonal
counseling,completingadditionalassignments,reviewingtheethicscode,transferringtoanon-
licensureprogram,oracademicdismissalfromtheCEFSorLibertyUniversity.
Theprogramdirectorand/orotherdesignatedpersonswillinformthestudentofthedecisionboth
orallyandinwriting.Thestudentwillhavefiveworkingdaystorespondinwriting(andorally,if
desired)totherecommendation.Thecommitteewillreviewthestudent’sresponsetotheaction
decidedandwillmakeafinaldecisionregardingthedispositionofthecase.Shouldthestudentfileno
responsetotheaction,thedecisionofthecommitteewillbeconsideredasfinal.Theprogram
directorandthestudent'sadvisor(s)willnotifythestudentinwritingandorallyoftheoutcomeof
themeeting.
Stage6:AcceptanceorAppeal:Thestudentwillbegiventheopportunitytoaccepttheplanof
correctionortoappealit.Ifaccepted,thestudentwillfollowtheplanasdevelopedandregularly
reportprogresstoherorhisadvisor(s).Ifnotfullyresolved,additions,amendments,orextensionsto
theplanmaybeimplemented.Iftheproblematicbehavioriscorrected,nofurtheractionisneeded.
Fouroptionsareavailabletofacultywhenreevaluatingthestudent:(1)continuationintheprogram,
(2)continuedprobationandremediation,(3)counselthestudentoutoftheprogram,and(4)
dismissalfromtheprogram.
ProvisionifUnsuccessful:Ifremediationisunsuccessfulorthestudentrefusestocomplywiththe
RemediationPlan,thestudentwillbedismissedfromthePh.D.C.E.Sprogram.Noticeofdismissal
fromtheprogramwillbeprovidedtothestudentinwritingbytheprogramdirector.Shouldthe
studentdecidetoappeal,thestudentwillfollowappealproceduresasdescribedintheuniversity’s
GraduateCatalogandontheGraduateStudentAffairswebsiteat:
http://www.liberty.edu/academics/graduate/index.cfm?PID=19155
4.8REMEDIATIONFORPRACTICUMAND INTERNSHIP:
If,duringthePh.D.PracticumorInternship,astudentfailstosuccessfullydemonstratetherequired
skillsinthesecoursesandconsequentlyreceivesfailingevaluationsorifastudentisdismissedfroma
site,thesupervisorwillnotifythestudent’sprofessor.Theprofessorwillwriteanincidentreportand
sendittothePracticum/InternshipofficeoftheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamily
Studies.TheClinicalDirectorandtheLeadershipTeamwillexaminethenatureandreasonforthe
skillsdeficitand/ordismissal.Atthatpoint,thestudentmayreceiveagradeofFforthecourseandbe
placedonholdinthePh.D.Programinordertofulfillremediationproceduresaimedtoaddressand
resolvetheverifiable deficits.
ForbehaviorsthatconstituteaviolationoftheUniversity’sHonorCodethestudent’sprofessorwill
filloutanHonorCodeViolationform,whichwillbeinvestigatedbythePh.D.Director,LUOnlineand
GraduateStudentAffairs.Studentsaregivenanopportunitytoappeal.Forfurtherinformationon
theexpectationsforclinicalcoursesandtheremediationprocessforPh.D.PracticumandInternship,
seethePracticumandInternshipManual.
4.9SEXUALHARASSMENT
Sexualharassment,likeanykindofharassment,onthebasisofcolor,race,religion,ornationalorigin
haslongbeenrecognizedasaviolationofSection703ofTitleVIIoftheCivilRightsActof1964,as
amended.SuchbehaviordoesnotbefitacommittedChristian.Accordingly,LibertyUniversitystrongly
disapprovesofsexualharassmentandintimidationofitsemployeesorstudents.
4.10PERSONALCOUNSELING
Studentsarestronglyencouragedtoseekindividualandgroupcounselingasapartofthedoctoral
educationalexperience.Evenifastudentisaparticipantinasupportgrouporself-helpgroup,that
participationalonedoesnotreallyprovidethenecessarybenefitsforcounselorpreparation.As
Christianswhoarecalledtoserveotherswiththetrainingofacounselingleader,itisimperativethat
wedealwithourownpersonalissuesthatmayinterferewithourabilitytoimpactothersin
meaningfulways.Moreover,gettingtheexperienceofbeingintheseatoftheclientwillhelpyou
betterunderstandyourclients’experiencesincounseling.
Asnotedabove,personalcounselingmightberequiredbytheDepartmentofCounselorEducationand
FamilyStudiesadministrationasaconditionofcontinuingintheprogram.Whenastudent’spersonal
issuesareassessedtobeinterferingwithprogresstowardbecomingadoctoral-leveltrained
professionalcounselor,adevelopmentalplaniscreatedtohelpthestudentaddresstheproblematic
issues.Insuchcases,theDepartment’sleadershipmustagreewiththechoiceoftheprofessionaland
might,insomecircumstances,requirethestudenttoseeaparticularcounselor.Areleaseof
informationwillbemandatoryinordertoobtainprogressreportsfromthetreatingcounselor
4.11FACULTYENDORSEMENT
Uponsuccessfulcompletionoftheprogramofstudiesanddemonstrationoftherequisite
competencies,facultymembersmayendorsestudentsforemployment,certificationsandlicensure.
Uponrequest,thefacultywillwritelettersofrecommendationforemploymentinthestudent’s
specifiedareaofspecializationorforadvancedstudies(e.g.,Post-doctoralprograms).Endorsement
onlyoccurswhenfacultybelievestudentsarequalifiedtoperformthedutiesassociatedwith
credentialingoremployment.
Inadditiontocredentialingandemployment,facultymembersendorsestudentsforPracticumand
Internship.Endorsementoccursonlywhenstudentshavesuccessfullycompletedtheprerequisite
coursesandiffacultymembersbelievestudentsarequalifiedtoperformthedutiesassociatedwiththe
PracticumorInternship.IncompliancewiththeACACodeofEthics,regardlessofacademic
qualifications,facultydonotendorsestudentswhomtheybelievetobeimpairedinanywaythatwould
interferewiththeperformanceofthedutiesassociatedwiththeendorsement.
GENERALINFORMATION
5.1REGISTERINGFORCLASSES
AllPh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionstudentsentertheprogramwithaholdontheir
accountsuntiltheysuccessfullypasstheQualifyingExamination.StudentscanfindalistofPh.D.
coursesofferedeachterm(allhaveaCOUCpre-fix)inASIST.ToregisterforClinicalpre-requisite
coursesorPh.D.courseslistedonASISTpriortopassingtheQualifyingExaminatione-mail
phdcounseling@liberty.eduorcall855-466-9218.AfterpassingtheExamstudentslogintoASISTand
registeronline.
AlthoughstudentsmaybeabletoregisterforcoursesoutofsequenceviaASISToraregistration
advisor,itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytofollowtheprogramsequenceoutlinedinthisdocument.
StudentswhotakepostQualifyingExaminationcoursesorelectivespriortopassingtheQualifying
ExaminationdosoattheirownriskinthatstudentswhodonotpasstheQualifyingExaminationare
dismissedfromtheprogramandwouldnothavetakenthosecourses.Studentswhotakethisriskare
responsibleforthecostsinducedbythatrisk.Forfurtherinformationaboutthis,contact
phdcounseling@liberty.edu.
5.2GRADUATETEACHINGASSISTANTSHIPS(GTA)
TheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudieshasalimitednumberofGraduateTeaching
Assistantship(GTA)positionsthatareawardedtoqualifiedstudentsonanannualbasis.These
assistantshipsareintendedtosupporttheinstructionalandadministrativeneedsoftheundergraduate
andgraduateprogramsaswellassupportGTAsintheirgrowthasscholars.GTAsareexpectedtowork
20hoursperweek.Stipendsaregrantedannually.SomeoftheGTAresponsibilitiesincludeassisting
facultywithresearch,completingadministrativedutiesassociatedwithmanagementoftheDepartment
ofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudies,andteachingundergraduate/graduatecourses.
QualificationsforbecomingaGTAinclude:(a)admissiontothedoctoral programwithoutdeficiencies
orprovisions;(b)full-timestudent,typicallytakingaminimumofsix(6)graduatehoursasemester;(c)
goodacademicstandingasdefinedbytherespectiveacademicunit;(d)commandoftheEnglish
languageandabilitytocommunicateclearly;and(e)basicagreementwiththeDoctrinalPositionand
StatementofPurposeofLibertyUniversity.
ApplicantsforGTApositionsmaybeobtainedfromtheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamily
Studies’AdministrativeAssistant(Ms.BonnieGould:bcsmith@liberty.edu).Appointmentsmaybe
terminatedatanytimeforcause,forexample,improperperformanceofduties,violationofaccepted
standardsofbehavior,orfailuretomaintainscholasticeligibilityforgraduateschool.
5.3ACADEMICSUPPORT
StudentsobtainacademicsupportfromcontactingourPh.D.advisorsatphdcounseling@liberty.edu
andfromtheirFacultyAdvisingCommittee.Additionally,studentshavefullaccesstotheLiberty
Libraryon-line.Whenoncampus,theStudentIDcardcanbeusedtocheckoutmaterialsfromthe
Libraryandtoaccesscomputeraccounts.ThisIDcanbeobtainedfromtheOfficeofHumanResources
(seeCardServiceswebsiteat:http://www.liberty.edu/onecard/index.cfm?PID=21386).Studentsin
needofwritinghelpcancontacttheonlinewritingcenter:
http://www.liberty.edu/academics/graduate/writing/index.cfm?PID=17176
5.4COMPUTERNEEDS
EachcourseinthePh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgramrequiresthestudenttouse
computerprograms,whichfunctionintheprocessofcoursecompletion.Additionally,studentsneed
tobringalaptopcomputerwithwirelessInternetfunctioningtoeachdoctoralintensive.Inorderto
successfullyaccomplishprogramrequirements,eachstudent’slaptopcomputermusthavethe
capacityto:
• ReadandwriteinMicrosoftOffice®software
• AccessonlinesitesincludingtheLibertyUniversitywebsite
• SendandreceiveemailviaLibertyWebmail.ThestudentisrequiredtouseLiberty
WebmailinallcorrespondencewiththeUniversityandtochecktheirLibertye-mail
accountevery24-48hours.
• OperateSPSSsoftwareforcomputerdataanalysis
Uponadmission,eachstudentisassignedacomputeraccountandanemailaddressonLiberty
University’ssystem.Correspondencefromthecampus,includingtheDepartmentofCounselor
EducationandFamilyStudiesOfficewillbedeliveredviathisemailaddressonly.
http://www.liberty.edu/informationservices/index.cfm?PID=20923.
5.5E-MAILACCOUNT&COMMUNICATION
Uponadmission,eachstudentisassignedacomputeraccountandanemailaddressonLiberty
University’ssystem.Correspondencefromthecampus,includingtheDepartmentofCounselor
EducationandFamilyStudiesOffice,willbedeliveredviathisemailaddress.Studentsare
stronglyurgedtochecktheirLibertyUniversityemailaccountsregularly(every24-48hours)for
communicationfromtheuniversityandcounselingfaculty.Studentsarerequiredtorespondto
e-mailsfromthedepartmentleadership,andfacultywithin24-48hours,usingtheirlibertyemail
address,inamannerthatsufficientlyaddressesthecontentofthee-mailreceived.
Studentsareexpectedtocommunicateinaprofessionalmanneratalltimeswheneveremailing
classmates,professors,oranyemployeeofLibertyUniversity.Becausethereisnoaccompanying
toneofvoice,facialexpressionsorbodylanguage,emailcommunicationismoreeasily
misinterpreted thanface-to-face.Youremailsshouldbecourteousandwellthoughtouttoavoid
knee-jerkresponsesthatwillbeinterpretedas“flaming”orsarcasm.Communicatecomplaints
directlytotheindividualinvolved.Donotsendablanketemailtoeveryoneintheclassorto
administrativepersonneluntilyouhavecommunicatedyourconcernsdirectlytotheperson
involvedandallowedthemtimetorespond.DonotpostamessagetotheclassonBlackboard
thatismoreappropriateforanindividual.Avoidoffensivelanguageofanykind.Becausestudents
areresponsibletobehaveinanethicalmannerthroughoutthecourseoftheprogram,continual
unprofessional,discourteouscommunicationcannotbetoleratedandmayresultinremediation
proceduresuptoandincludingdismissalfromtheprogram.
5.6DRESSCODE
Whenoncampus,studentsareexpectedtocomplywiththedresscodeoutlinedintheGraduateSchool
CodeofHonorfoundattheGraduateStudentAffairswebsite:
http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=19155.
5.7GENERALPOLICIESANDPROCEDURESRESOURCES
CounselorEducationandSupervisionDoctoralStudentsabidebythepoliciesandproceduresofThe
LibertyUniversityGraduateSchoolandthisPh.D.inCounselorEducationandSupervisionProgram
Handbook.Forthemostuptodateinformationonthesepoliciesstudentsareencouragedtoexplorethe
followingresources:
LibertyUniversityGraduateSchoolHandbook:
http://www.liberty.edu/academics/graduate/index.cfm?PID=19155
LibertyUniversityCodeofHonor:http://www.liberty.edu/academics/graduate/index.cfm?PID=19459
DepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesWebsite:
http://www.liberty.edu/academics/arts-sciences/counseling/index.cfm?PID=5975
Ph.D.CounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesWebsite:
http://www.liberty.edu/academics/behavioralsciences/counseling/index.cfm?PID=673
5.8THELIBERTYUNIVERSITYLIBRARIES
TheJerryFalwellLibrary(http://www.liberty.edu/library/)makesasignificantnumberofresources
availabletodoctoralstudentsthroughthelibraryholdings,databases,andtheinterlibraryloanservice.
ThelibraryresourcesareavailabletoLiberty’sstudentsthroughtheLibraryfacilitiesoncampusand
onlinethroughproxy-serve.MaterialsfromlibrariesacrosstheUnitedStatescanalsobeobtained
throughinterlibraryloanservices.Studentsalsohaveaccesstoresearchtutorialsandworkshopstoassist
themintheiracademics.ThelibraryprovidesacompletelineofResourcesandDatabases,including
journals,books,videos,transcripts,etc.AlistofCounselingResourcesrelevanttocounselingstudentsis
foundathttp://libguides.liberty.edu/content.php?pid=544016&sid=4475341
5.9ADDITIONALSUPPORTS
- AtomicLearning
http://www.liberty.edu/informationtechnology/it-services/index.cfm?PID=28038
- OnlineCommunities
http://www.liberty.edu/aboutliberty/index.cfm?PID=26187
- StudentCounselingServices
http://www.liberty.edu/studentaffairs/studentcare/
- Tutorials
http://www.liberty.edu/online/tutorials/
5.10ACADEMICDOCUMENTS
CourseDescriptions
http://www.liberty.edu/media/1118/PhD_Counselor%20Education%20and%20Supervision_Cour
se%20Descriptions_2015_2016%20.pdf
DegreeCompletionPlansandotherPh.D.documentsonthePh.D.Web-site:
http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=673Orhttp://www.liberty.edu/media/1270/DCED-PHDD.pdf
5.11CONTACTINFORMATION
DepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesContactInformation
(Forfurtherinformationcall434-592-4049)
AdministrativeLeadership
Email
Phone
Fax
RonaldE.Hawkins,Ed.D.
Provost
rehawkin@liberty.edu
Dean,SchoolofBehavioralSciences
434-592-4030
434-522-0442
KevinD.Corsini,Ph.D.
ViceProvost
kdcorsini@liberty.edu
434-522-4691
434-522-0442
SteveWarren,M.A.
AdministrativeDean,
SchoolofBehavioralSciences
sewarren@liberty.edu
434-582-2155
434-522-0477
MarkMyers,Ph.D.
AssociateDean,CounselorEducationmjmyers@liberty.edu
andFamilyStudies
434-592-3909
434-522-0477
EliasMoitinho,Ph.D.
ResidentialChair
434-592-4084
emoitinho2@liberty.edu
434-522-0477
Ph.D.ProgramContactInformation:
DepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudies
Leadership
Email
LisaSosin,Ph.D.,L.L.P.,L.P.C
DirectorofPh.D.CESProgram
lssosin@liberty.edu
434-592-4042
434-522-0477
MelvinPride,Ph.D.,L.P.C
ClinicalDirector
mpride2@liberty.edu
434-592-3901
434-522-0477
Phone
Fax
Full-TimeResidentialInstructionalFaculty
Faculty
Email
Phone
Fax
JeanneBrooks,Ph.D.
jdbrooks6@liberty.edu
434-592-4041
434-522-0477
DeniseDaniel,Ph.D.
ddaniel@liberty.edu
434-592-4652
434-522-0477
MaryDeacon,Ph.D.
mmdeacon@liberty.edu
434-592-6058
434-522-0477
434-592-7891
434-522-0477
NicoleDiLella,Ph.D.
FernandoGarzon,Psy.D.
fgarzon@liberty.edu
434-592-4054
434-522-0477
VictorHinson, Ed.D.
vdhinson@liberty.edu
434-592-4046
434-522-0477
DavidJenkins,Psy.D.
djenkins@liberty.edu
434-592-4045
434-522-0477
AnitaKnight,Ph.D.
aknight7@liberty.edu
434-592-3115
434-522-0477
JoyMwendwa,Ph.D.
jmmaweu@liberty.edu
434-592-4057
434-522-0477
MelvinPride, Ph.D.
mpride2@liberty.edu
434-592-3901
434-522-0477
GarySibcy,Ph.D.
gsibcy@liberty.edu
434-522-0477
LisaSosin,Ph.D.
lssosin@liberty.edu
434-592-4042
434-522-0477
JohnC.Thomas,PhD., Ph.D.
jcthomas2@liberty.edu
434-592-4047
434-522-0477
FredVolk,Ph.D.
nmdilella@liberty.edu
fvolk@liberty.edu
434-522-0477
FullTimeFacultySupportStaff
Staff
Email
Phone
Fax
BonnieGould,
AdministrativeAssistant
bcsmith@liberty.edu
434-592-4049
434-522-0477
LaurenLaughlin,
FacultySupportCoordinator
llaughlin@liberty.edu
434-592-4049
434-522-0477
KelliYuzon
Practicum&Internship
FacultySupportCoordinator
PHDpracticum@liberty.edu
PHDinternship@liberty.edu
434-592-5542
434-522-0477
AbbyRetzlaff
Practicum&Internship
FacultySupportCoordinator
PHDpracticum@liberty.edu
PHDinternship@liberty.edu
434-592-4049
434-522-0477
DEPARTMENTOFCOUNSELOREDUCATIONANDFAMILYSTUDIESTEACHINGFACULTY
Thefollowinginformationsummarizestheprofessionalachievementsandqualifications
oftheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesfaculty.
JeannieBrooks,Ph.D.,LPC(NorthCentralUniversity)iscurrentlyanAssociateProfessorin
theDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesofLibertyUniversity.Dr.Brooks
hasworkedinthecounselingfieldforovertwentyyears.Shehadaprivatepracticewiththe
SamaritanCounselingcenterofEastTexasforovertenyears.Herspecialtyareasare
workingwithtroubledadolescents,alcoholanddrugaddiction,aswellashelpingchildren
andfamiliesadjusttodivorce.Dr.Brookshasworkedinschoolsprovidingprogrammingfor
alcohol/drugabuseandviolenceprevention.Shedesignedandimplementedaprogram,
“CrossCountrywithMaggie”,forwhichsheprovidedprogrammingforover30grade
schoolsfor7years.Dr.BrooksworkedcloselywiththelocalJuvenileProbationOffice
providingparenting,alcoholanddrugabuse,andhealthycopinggroups.Finally,sheworked
closelywiththeCourtsinherareaandsurroundingcountiesprovidingpsychological
assessments,referral,andtreatmentservicesforchildrenandparentsadjustingtodivorce.
Herpassionclearlyhasbeenchildrenandherprofessionalandpersonallifeisindicativeof
this.Here-mailaddressis:jbrooks6@liberty.edu
DeniseDaniel,Ph.D.,LPC,ACS,RN(RegentUniversity)isanAssociateProfessorinthe
DepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesofLibertyUniversity.Herjobincludes
instruction,studentadvisementandresearchinbothonlineandtraditionalclassrooms.
Additionally,sheisamemberontheUniversity’sInternalReviewBoardcommitteewhose
functionistopromoteandreviewresearchproposals.Hermostrecentpublicationwastitled,
“Theintegrationoftechnologyintoanonlinedoctoralprogramincounseloreducationand
supervision,”whichwasco-authoredwithMartinGlassandRichardMasonandpublishedin
TheJournalofTechnologyinCounseling.Hermostrecentpresentationincludedaposter
presentationon,“Groupcohesionanduniversalityinanonlinesupportgroup,”thatwascopresentedwithDr.AgathaParks-SavageattheSouthernAssociationofCounselorEducators
andSupervisorsConferenceinOrlando,Florida. Onlinesupportgroups,onlinetherapy,and
women’sissuesanddevelopmentcontinuetobeherprimaryresearchinterests.Sheisa
memberofACA,ACESandCAPS.Shecanbereachedatddaniel@liberty.edu.
MaryM.Deacon,Ph.D.(UniversityofVirginia,CounselorEducationandSupervision)isanAssociate
ProfessorofCounselingandtheProgramDirectorfortheResidentialClinicalMentalHealthCounseling
andMarriageandFamilyCounselingprograms.Herprofessionalexperiencesincludeprovidingcareer,
mentalhealth,andsubstanceabusecounselinginuniversityandcommunitymentalhealthsettings.
Herteachingandresearchinterestsincludetheareasofgirls/women’scareerdevelopment,enhancing
supervisionforcounselor-trainees,socialjustice,genderequity,andmulticulturalcompetency.Dr.
Deaconhaswrittenintheareasofincreasingfemaleaccessinscience,technology,engineering,and
math(STEM)anddevelopmental/sociallearningtheoriesofcareer.Shehaspresentedherfindingsat
severalnationalconferences,includingtheAssociationforCounselorEducationandSupervision,
AssociationforAssessmentinCounselingandEducation,NationalCareerDevelopmentAssociation,
AssociationforSpiritual,Ethical,andReligiousValuesinCounseling,AmericanEducationalResearch
Association,andChiSigmaIota(counselinghonorssociety).Dr.Deaconisalicensedprofessional
counselor(LPC-Virginia),nationallycertifiedcounselor(NCC),certifiedclinicalmentalhealthcounselor
(CCMHC),andanapprovedclinicalsupervisor(ACS).Shecanbereachedatmmdeacon@liberty.edu.
NicoleM.DiLella,Ph.D.,LCPC,NCC,(LoyolaUniversityMaryland)isanAssistantProfessorin
theDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudies.PriortojoiningthefacultyinJuly
2015,Dr.DiLellaworkedasaClinicalCounselorattheCommunityCollegeofBaltimore
County(CCBC)inBaltimore,Marylandprovidingclinicalservicestocollegestudentsforfour
years.InherfinalyearatCCBC,sheservedasLeadClinicalCounselorandDirectorofthe
CounselingServicesDepartment,providingadministrativeoversightandsupervisingother
counselorsandinterns.Dr.DiLella’sprofessionalexperiencealsoincludesprivatepractice,
workasaschoolcounseloratamiddleschoolinNorfolk,Virginia,andworkatanon-profit
communityagencyinHampton,Virginia.Asneeded,Dr.DiLellahasbeendeployedthrough
theGreenCrosstobothdomesticandinternationaldisastersitestoprovideclinicaland
supervisionservicestothoseaffectedbythesehorrendousevents.Clinically,shehasspenta
majorityofhertimeinthesubfieldsoftraumaandpersonalitydisorders.Dr.DiLellaisa
LicensedClinicalProfessionalCounselor(LCPC),CertifiedSchoolCounselor,andCertified
Traumatologist.SheisamemberofmanyprofessionalorganizationsincludingtheAmerican
CounselingAssociation(ACA),AmericanCollegeCounselingAssociation(ACCA),GreenCross
AcademyofTraumatology,InternationalSocietyfortheStudyofPersonalityDisorders
(ISSPD),andAmericanAssociationofChristianCounselors(AACC).Dr.DiLellahascoauthored
peer-reviewedpublicationsonpersonalityandspirituality.Sheplanstocontinuepursuing
herresearchinterests,particularlyinpersonalitypathology,trauma,dysfunctional
spirituality/spiritualstruggle,andsexuality.Heremailaddressisnmdilella@liberty.edu.
FernandoGarzon,Psy.D.,LP(FullerTheologicalSeminary)istheIRBChair,andProfessorin
theDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesatLibertyUniversity.Hisdiverse
professionalexperiencesincludepracticingasaclinicalpsychologist,directingtheprovider
servicesdepartmentofamanagedcareinsurancecompany,beinganassociatepastorfora
Latinochurch,anddoingpastoralcareministry.Hisresearchinterestsfocusoninvestigating
Christianinterventionsincounselingandevaluatingcounseloreducationpracticesin
spirituality.Dr.Garzonhaswrittenintheareasof forgiveness,Christianinnerhealingprayer,
multiculturalissues,andlaycounselingmodelsofministry.Heisthefacultyadvisorofthe
studentchapteroftheAmericanAssociationofChristianCounselors(AACC)atLiberty
UniversityandaboardmemberoftheEasternRegionaldivisionoftheChristianAssociation
forPsychologicalStudies(CAPS).HeisafrequentpresenteratbothCAPSandAACC
conventions.Dr.Garzoncanbereachedatfgarzon@liberty.edu.
VictorHinson,Ed.D.,LPC,NCC(ArgosyUniversity)isaProfessorofCounselinginthe
DepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudies.Dr.Hinsonhasvariedprofessional
experiencesinpastoralcareandcounseling,professionalcounseling,studentcounseling,
andmentoringyoungmarriedcouples.Asapastor,hehasover14yearsofexperienceas
seniorpastorofchurches,discipliningandmentoringindividuals,teachinggroupsand
facilitatingsmallgrouptherapyinchurchesandthecommunity.Histeachingandresearch
interestincludeclinicalmentalhealthcounseling,groupcounseling,marriageandfamily
counseling,andadultchildrenofalcoholics.Hise-mailaddressisvdhinson@liberty.edu.
DavidE.Jenkins,Psy.D.,LP,HSP-P(GeorgeFoxCollege)isaProfessorofCounseling,and
DirectoroftheM.A.inAddictionsCounselingProgramintheDepartmentofCounselor
EducationandFamilyStudies.Asalicensedpsychologist,Dr.Jenkinshasover17yearsof
clinicalexperienceinavarietyofsettingsbothpublicandprivate,mainlyinoutpatient
settings.Hehasworkedprimarilywithadultsandadolescentsinindividual,marital,and
familytherapy.PriortojoiningthefacultyoftheDepartmentofCounselorEducationand
FamilyStudies,Dr.JenkinshasbeenactiveinleadershipforseveralyearswiththeAmerican
AssociationofChristianCounselorsandpresentlyservesasDirectoroftheChristianCare
Network,anationalreferraldirectoryofstatelicensedChristianmentalhealthprofessionals.
HeisalsoamemberoftheAmericanPsychologicalAssociationandtheNorthCarolina
PsychologicalAssociation,andmakesregularpresentationsatconferences,seminars,
workshops,andretreats.Dr.Jenkins’teachingandresearchinterestsincludeprofessional
ethics,addiction,integrationofChristianfaithandclinicalpractice,and
marital/identity/genderissuesrelatedtotheimageofGod.Hise-mailaddressis:
djenkins@liberty.edu.
AnitaM.Knight,Ph.D.,LPC(RegentUniversity)isanAssociateProfessorintheDepartment
ofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudiesatLibertyUniversity.Dr.Knighthasworkedin
bothsecularandChristiancounselingsettingsandmostrecentlyoversawawomen’scenter
onacollegecampusprovidingpersonalcounselingservicesforcollegestudentsand
educationalprogrammingonwomen’sissues.Dr.Knighthasalsodevelopedandlauncheda
programonthreecollegecampusesconsistingofpsycho-educationalgroupsandindividual
counselingservicesforstudentsstrugglingwithtestormathanxietywiththesupportofthe
NationalScienceFoundation.Dr.Knighthasservedastheheadcounselorforadivisionof
TeenChallenge(aChristianresidentialfacilityforadolescents),conductedwomen’sgroups
forwivesofmenwhostrugglewithsexualaddictions,andprovidedfamilycounselingin
severaldifferentsettings.Dr.Knightco-facilitated“BurningHeartContract”discipleship
groupsoncollegecampuses.Dr.Knightisalicensedprofessionalcounselorinthestateof
VirginiaandcurrentlybelongstoseveralprofessionalorganizationsincludingtheVirginia
Counselors’Association(VCA),theSouthernAssociationofCounselorEducatorsand
Supervisors(SACES),andtheAmericanAssociationofChristianCounselors(AACC).Dr.Knight
enjoysresearchandwasawardedagrantfromaprofessionalcounselingorganizationto
studyemotionalintelligenceandcounselingskills.Dr.Knight’sactiveresearchinterests
involvecounselingskillsandtechniques,emotionalintelligence,attachmenttheory,and
effectivepracticesincounseling.Here-mailaddressis:aknight7@liberty.edu.
EliasMoitinho,Ph.D.,LPC-S,LMFT,BCPCC(SouthwesternBaptistTheologicalSeminary)isan
AssociateProfessorandResidentialChairintheDepartmentofCounselorEducationand
FamilyStudies.Dr.MoitinhoisaLicensedProfessionalCounselor(LPC,Texas),aLicensed
MarriageandFamilyTherapist(LMFT,Texas),andaBoardCertifiedProfessionalChristian
Counselor(BCPCC).Dr.Moitinhohasmanyyearsofministryandteachingexperiencehaving
servedinvariousrolessuchaspastor,counselor,seminaryprofessor,anddirectorofa
Christiancounselingcenter.PriortojoiningLibertyheservedastheHopefortheHeartChair
ofBiblicalCounselingatSWBTS.Dr.Moitinhoisinterestedincross-culturalcounseling
focusingspecificallyontheHispanic/Latinopopulation,theuseofScripturesincounseling,
marriagecounseling,andfamilyministry.Inadditiontohisministryexperienceinhisnative
countryofBrazil,Dr.MoitinhohastaughtasaguestprofessorinseminariesinMexico,Cuba,
andSpain.HeisanactivememberoftheAmericanAssociationofChristianCounselors
(AACC).Hise-mailaddressis:emoitinho2@liberty.edu.
JoyMaweuMwendwa,Ph.D.,NCC(OldDominionUniversity)isanAssistantProfessorinthe
DepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudies.Dr.Mwendwaservedasacollege
andcommunitycounselorforsevenyears.Shehasparticipatedindifferentinternational
counselinginstitutesandserviceopportunitiesinIreland,Malawi,andKenya.Herresearch
interestsincludequalitativeandindigenousresearchmethodology,theprofessionof
counseling,multiculturalcompetence,andthesupervisoryrelationship.Here-mailaddress
is:jmmaweu@liberty.edu.
MelvinE.Pride,Ph.D.,LPC,NCC(LoyolaUniversityMaryland)iscurrentlytheResidentialand
OnlineDirectorofClinicalTraining,andanAssociateProfessorintheDepartmentof
CounselorEducationandFamilyStudies.Dr.PrideholdsaMasterofArtsinChristian
CounselingandDiscipleship(MACCD)fromCapitalBibleSeminary(CBS)aswell,andserved
asaProfessorofCounselingatCBSforovertenyears.HeisalicensedClinicianbothin
MarylandandinVirginia,andisaNationalCertifiedCounselor(NCC).Dr.Pridehasover15
yearsofcounselingexperiencespecializinginbothmarriageandfamily,andinindividual
counselingissues.Additionally,Dr.Pridehasapassionforunderstandingdifferencesamong
diversepeoplegroups,andforbridgingrelationalobstaclesamongthem.Heisanordained
ministercertifiedinconflictresolutionbytheLombardMennoniteInstituteandhasworked
asatransitionalinterimPastorforchurchesinconflictandtransition.Hehasconducted
manyleadershiptrainingseminarsaswellasseminarstargetinghealthyrelationshipsand
conflictresolution.Dr.PrideisamemberoftheAmericanAssociationofChristianCounselors
(AACC),theAmericanCounselingAssociation(ACA),andtheAssociationforSpiritual,Ethical,
andReligiousValuesinCounseling(ASERVIC).Dr.Pridemaybecontactedbye-mail:
mpride2@liberty.edu.
GarySibcy,Ph.D.,LP,LPC,LMFT(TheUnionInstituteandUniversity)hasbeeninprivate
clinicalpracticeforthepastdecade.Dr.SibcyisaProfessorintheDepartmentofCounselor
EducationandFamilyStudies.HecurrentlypracticesatPiedmontPsychiatricCenter,aprivate
practiceownedbyCentraHealthandVirginiaBaptistHospital.Hispracticeincludestreating
children,adults,andfamilies.Hespecializesintreatingchildrenwithdisruptivebehavior
disordersandanxietydisorders.Inadults,hespecializesinanxietydisorders,PanicDisorder,
SocialPhobia,andPersonalityDisorders.Dr.Sibcy’sresearchhasfocusedonattachment
theoryanditsclinicalapplicationtochildhooddisorders,personalitydisorders,andfamily
development.Hehaspublishednumerousarticlesonawiderangeofclinicalissuesin
counseling,clinicalpsychology,andbehaviormedicine.Heiscurrentlyconductingresearchon
anewtreatmentprotocolfortreatingdisruptivebehaviordisordersinchildren(AttachmentBasedFamilyTherapyforOppositionalDefiantDisorder).Hisdoctoralresearchfocusedon
attachmentandpersonalitydysfunctioninbothoutpatientandinpatientclinicalpopulations
andhehasrecentlyco-authoredabookonattachment.Hehasco-authoredabookon
attachmentinterventionsforangrydefiantchildren.Otherresearchprojectsincludean
outcomestudyontheeffectivenessofDBTgrouptherapyforpatientswithsevereBorderline
PersonalityDisorderandthedevelopmentofclinician-friendlymeasuresforattachment
problemsinchildrenandfamilies.Hise-mailaddressis:gsibcy@liberty.edu.
LisaS.Sosin,Ph.D.,LPC,LLP(LibertyUniversity).LisaS.SosinistheDirectorofthePh.D.
PrograminCounselorEducationandSupervision,andAssociateProfessorintheDepartment
ofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudies,LibertyUniversity.Dr.Sosinhas30yearsof
licensedclinicalandteachingexperience.Dr.Sosin’sclinicalpracticeincludestheassessment
andtreatmentofchildren,adults,couples,andfamilies;aswellasteaching,supervising,
publicspeaking,andconsultationtocliniciansintraining,physicians,educators,
organizations,andclergy.Dr.Sosinhasdevelopedgraduatecurriculum,community
programs,professionalpresentations,andpublicationscoveringdiversesubjectsincluding
creativityincounseling,qualitativeresearch,familydevelopmentandfunctioning,evidence
basedpractice,clinicalexcellence,psychotherapeuticprocess,emotiondevelopmentand
regulation,andcreativityincounseling.Dr.Sosin’sprimaryresearchinterestsincludethe
integrationofspiritualityandempiricallysupportedinterventions,qualitativeresearch
relatedtocounselingpractice,andemotionregulation.Here-mailislssosin@liberty.edu.
JohnC.Thomas,Ph.D.,LPC,NCC,CSAC(UniversityofSouthCarolina),Ph.D.(Capella
University)isaProfessorintheDepartmentofCounselorEducationandFamilyStudies.Dr.
ThomasworkedasanEmployeeAssistanceConsultant(EAC)withDuPontforovertwelve
years.Dr.Thomas’sprofessionalexperiencealsoincludesprivatepractice,clinicaldirectorof
theLexington/RichlandAlcoholandDrugAbuseCouncilinColumbia,SouthCarolina,adjunct
professorattheUniversityofSouthCarolina,andchairofthecounselingandpsychology
programatFloridaBibleCollege.Educationally,Dr.ThomasholdsaDoctorofPhilosophy
(Ph.D.)degreeinCounselingandaGraduateCertificateinAlcoholandDrugStudiesfromthe
UniversityofSouthCarolina,aPh.D.fromCapellaUniversityinOrganizationalPsychology.
Dr.ThomasisaLicensedProfessionalCounselor(LPC),CertifiedSubstanceAbuseCounselor
(CSAC),andCertifiedEmployeeAssistanceConsultant(CEAP).Heisamemberofmany
professionalorganizationsincludingtheAmericanAssociationofMarriageandFamily
Therapy(AAMFT),EmployeeAssistanceProfessionalAssociation(EAPA),American
CounselingAssociation(ACA),andtheAmericanAssociationofChristianCounselors(AACC).
Dr.Thomashasauthoredabook,numerousprofessionalpublicationsaswellastwo
curriculumseries.Hise-mailaddressis:jcthomas2@liberty.edu.
FredVolk,Ph.D.(WichitaStateUniversity)isaProfessorintheDepartmentofCounselor
EducationandFamilyStudieswhoteachesIntroductoryandAdvancedResearchMethods.He
earnedhisMaster'sinCommunity/ClinicalPsychology,andhisPh.D.inHumanFactors
PsychologyfromWichitaStateUniversity.PriortojoiningLibertyin2006,Dr.Volkwasan
AdjunctProfessorinPsychologyatGeorgetownUniversity.Dr.Volkalsoconductedresearch
anddesigneduserinterfacesinappliedsettingforovertenyearsinprofessionalpositionsin
advancedtechnologyandengineeringgroupsatNortel,SprintandSASInstitute.Hehas
authoredorco-authoredpapersintheAcademicExchangeQuarterly,AppliedSocial
PsychologyandPerceptualMotorSkillsandcollaboratedonpublicationpresentationsat
numerousprofessionalgatherings.Dr.Volkisactivelyinvolvedinvariousresearchprojects
including,in2005,theNationalScienceResourceCenterwhereheresearchedtheprevalence
oflearningunituseandprofessionaldevelopment,and,from2005to2006,theSmithsonian
CenterforEnvironmentalResearchwhereheconductedevaluationsoftheSmithsonian
biodiversityscienceintheclassroomprograms.Hise-mailaddressis:fvolk@liberty.edu.