Plymouth State University
College of Graduate Studies
Counselor Education
Advisory Board Meeting
March 12, 2007
Present: Gary Goodnough, Tonya Tookes-Reznik, Dennise Maslakowski, Michael
Fischler, Robin Hogan, Joe Cullen, Bob Claflin, Patrick Cate, Peter Whelley, Danielle
Morse, Jodi Parsons, and Lori Van Houten.
Gary welcomed the group and each member of the panel introduced themselves.
Tonya was introduced as the new clinical coordinator for the practicum site and explain
how the center was being run and the students’ responsibilities.
Gary gave an overview of current enrollment in each of our programs.
School Counseling
39
Mental Health Counseling 12
Self Design
16
School Psychology
26
CAGS
11
Non-matriculated
32
These numbers tend to fluctuate some what from year to year, but overall the program
has doubled over the last 6 or 7 years.
Dennise gave an overview of the proposed EDD program. The program will be a 60
credit experience that will include 5 core courses, 15 hours in classes with in the student’s
interest, and Externship and the final dissertation. The program is set up to be a less
“cookie cutter” than other programs, and will allow freedom for the student’s to pursue
their own interests while fulfilling the requirements for the EDD. The process to have the
program approved is on going.
Gary asked what the group what trends they are seeing in the field. The need to better
understand student needs assessments was of concern to several of the group. Peter
suggested that a course on RTI (Response to Intervention). There is a need for more
course work on the interpretation of collected data. Dennise mentioned that there is an
RTI course being held in the fall in the Special Education category. It was suggested that
a counseling based course in RTI may be helpful. Also suggested was a research design
course directed more towards the counseling students.
As another way for PSU to meet the needs of our community, Peter suggested a Child
Development Clinic. There are many programs already in place that would be able to
facilitate this program; Special Education, School Psychology, Reading/Writing and RTI.
Many schools need to contract out for developmental, social, and emotional testing.
There are changes coming in the School Psychology program. Changes include
increased support for students in internships, curriculum based assessment, and NASP
certification.
Marketing for the program is moving forward now that we are CACREP certified. Post
cards are being sent to all New England Colleges and Universities targeting programs in
Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work. A large mailing to School Psychologist with
parenting and child development brochures was recently completed. The flyer for the 4th
annual Diversity Institute was included in the School Psychology mailing as well as sent
to the licensed Mental Health counselors in New Hampshire. I was suggested that with
the CACREP certification, we may want to run some ads in professional journals.
What is needed to keep our programs up to date? Patrick mentioned the importance of
our program’s flexibility and self design. Danielle mentioned that the Electronic
portfolio has been an asset. Robin and Danielle both mentioned the need for counselors
to have some course work in teaching strategies. From a supervisor’s point of view,
often a student will inter the classroom with no teaching experience at all. The supervisor
then ends up teaching the student how to work in the classroom. Robin suggested a
course in teaching strategies geared to counselors.
Peter suggested that awareness on the part of school districts on how to provide a stipend
to students in internships would be helpful when dealing with the critical need of school
psychologists.
With thanks to the members of the group, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 pm.