Mental    Health       and  School
Counseling

The Mental Health and School Counseling Program at Bowling Green State University is committed to the mission of providing state-of-the-art training in order to prepare highly qualified, ethical, and culturally competent professional counselors who advocate for social justice. The program values an inclusive and diverse learning environment. To this end, the graduate program offers opportunities that integrate learning discovery, scholarship and engagement that challenge traditional and non-traditional students to reach their academic and professional potential.

The MHSC program establishes high standards of academic and professional competence consistent with state and national standards for licensure to practice in educational and mental health environments. The MHSC program demonstrates its commitment to its mission statement by its continued accreditations.  Currently, the MHSC program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).  The Mental Health program is an approved program of the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Board, which means that graduates of this program will be accepted as having met the academic requirements for professional licensure in Ohio.  The School Counseling Program is approved by the Ohio Department of Education, which indicates that graduates of this program have met the academic requirements for school counselor licensure in Ohio. The program is dedicated to engaging in continuous program development related to the latest research in the field as well as the changing licensure requirements our graduates must meet.  The faculty is involved in scholarship, service and professional activities, which are used to enhance the teaching mission of the program and play a role in meeting the educational needs of practitioners in the community.

The educational objectives of the Mental Health and School Counseling Program have been designed to provide a comprehensive professional preparation of graduate students that includes:

• Self-discovery and exploration
• Knowledge and building of counseling theories and practices
• Learning, examining, and understanding of multicultural, diversity, and social justice principles, practices, issues, and trends.
• Fostering a professional identity as a qualified and involved counselor

The Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling curriculum is designed to meet the needs of graduate students wishing to pursue counseling careers in public and private mental health agencies, the criminal justice system, substance abuse programs, religious settings or colleges. Candidates are prepared to sit for the state licensure examination that qualifies individuals to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

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LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS (LPC) may offer to individuals, groups, organizations or the general public counseling services "involving the application of clinical counseling principles, methods, or procedures to assist individual in a achieving more effective personal, social, educational, or career development and adjustment". A LPC may diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders under the supervision of a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

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LICENSED PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL COUNSELORS (LPCC) may offer the same services as above but may diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders without supervision.
 


The Master of Education in School Counseling curriculum is designed to meet the needs of graduate students wishing to pursue school counseling positions in elementary, middle, or secondary schools.  Students who complete this coursework will satisfy academic requirements for K-12 school counselor licensure in the State of Ohio.

• PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR may offer counseling services in a school setting. The scope of practice for an Ohio Professional School Counselor includes assisting students, teachers, parents, and other educators in helping children learn. Services provided include counseling with individuals and with groups; intervening with parents and teachers; consulting with community agency personnel; coordinating mental health programming in schools; and developing, delivering, managing, and evaluating a counseling program.

Only one of the courses with an asterisk behind it is required.

Thesis or Comprehensive Examination Option: Students may complete COUN 6990 Thesis (1-4 credits), or take the 200 question comprehensive examination in their last semester of coursework. 

(9/19/12)

- Additional electives may be selected with advisor approval.  

Sufficient to equal a minimum of 53 semester hours which are required for graduation.  Electives may be selected from other graduate offerings with advisor.  If students wish to sit for the LPC licensure exam, they must take the electives listed above.  Advisors will assist in selecting the appropriate courses.

Thesis or Comprehensive Examination Option: Students may complete COUN 6990 Thesis (1-4 credits), or take the 200 question comprehensive examination in their last semester of coursework.

(9/19/12)

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applying to the Mental Health & School Counseling Program is a three-fold process. Items must be forwarded to the appropriate office as follows:

I. The following items are required for admission consideration to either degree program

• A completed on-line graduate college application and a check in the amount of $45.00 for the application fee. This fee may also be paid by credit card or using an online electronic check. Contact the Graduate School 419-372-2791:                            http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/gradcol/page24959.html.
• Two (2) official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Transcripts must be forwarded directly from the institution(s).
• Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (General exam only) should be ordered from E.T.S. Scores may not be older than six (6) years at the time of admission.

Send the above items to:
The Graduate College
120 McFall Center
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403

II. College of Education Requirements:

• Completion of the Good Moral Character Form
• Completion of the Program Information Form
• Three (3) letters of recommendation (or recommendation forms provided by our Counseling Program). Ideally, these should be from persons familiar with your work habits: supervisors, former professors, or employers.

The above forms can be obtained from and should be sent to:
School of Intervention Services

Attn: Brenda Joy

451 Education Building

Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, OH 43403

III. Program Requirements:

• A resume listing all work and volunteer experiences and academic degrees.
• Writing Sample: Respond to the following questions. The combined length of all answers should not exceed five (5) typed, double-spaced, APA style pages.
  • Why are you seeking a graduate degree in mental health or school counseling?
  • What factors do you believe constitute a culturally competent and sensitive counseling professional? Also, comment on any work experience you may have had working with multicultural and diverse populations.
  • Besides a graduate degree and a job, what do you hope to gain from your experience as a graduate student?
  • What type of population do you believe you would feel most comfortable counseling?
  • Who, if anyone, influenced your decision to pursue graduate work in counseling?

The above requirements can be sent to:
Dr. Gregory G. Garske. Coordinator
 Mental Health & School Counseling Program
 School of Intervention Services
 451 Education Building
 Bowling Green State University
 Bowling Green, OH 43403

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Mental Health and School Counseling Faculty:

Gregory Garske, Ph.D.          Susan Huss, Ph.D.         Larry Branam-Poling, M.S. 

  Kelly Kozlowski, Ph.D.        Courtney Holmes, Ph.D. 

______________________________________________________________________ 

Gregory G. Garske, Ph.D. 
Coordinator Mental Health & School Counseling Program
School of Intervention Services
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403
Email: ggarske@bgsu.edu