CMHC Program Objectives

(also referred to as Student Learning Outcomes)

As noted earlier, the objective of the MA in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is to provide students with learning in both knowledge and skills building for the practice of mental health counseling as outlined by the Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the standard bearer for the profession. The curriculum is designed to meet these standards across eight student-learning domains to ensure that graduates can be competent mental health professionals and meet the necessary licensure requirements of the profession.  These domains are:

1. Professional Identity & Ethics: Students will acquire identities as professional mental health counselors who are knowledgeable about the philosophy, ethics, history, and future trends of the profession with a commitment to life-long learning and professional development. Students will be knowledgeable of the professional ethical guidelines and demonstrate their knowledge and use of at least one ethical decision-making model as they apply it to cases involving various professional domains.

2. Diversity & Advocacy: Students will recognize, understand, and respond to social and cultural differences and change in our society related to (but not limited to) factors of socioeconomic status, unemployment, aging, gender, race and ethnicity, developmental transitions, and sexual orientation. Students will demonstrate their ability to go beyond the conventional practice of providing individual and group counseling and to take leadership in advocating for clients and for systemic change to improve counseling and developmental services and programs.

3. Human Growth & Development: Students will possess a foundation for understanding human behavior and development with the skills needed to provide individual counseling, assessment, and other training to facilitate decision-making and developmental life transitions.

4. Career & Life Planning: Students will be knowledgeable and skilled in helping clients make life and career decisions.

5. Individual & Group Counseling: Students will have knowledge and skill competencies in the counseling process and be able to work effectively in a variety of modalities (individual, group, family) and to use crisis intervention, brief counseling, and long-term mental health approaches.

6. Research & Analytical Skills: Students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and dispositions associated with conducting and interpreting social science research. Specifically, students will demonstrate their abilities of developing research and evaluation questions and selecting and using appropriate methods for data collection and analysis. Students will also show their ability to apply existing theory and research to the practice of counseling.

7. Assessment & Diagnosis: Students will have the ability to gather, interpret, and utilize a variety of assessment data. This will include the ability to select, administer, and interpret appropriate standardized tests for individual and group assessment of client needs and to complete program evaluations. Students will understand the principles of the diagnostic process and established criteria in developing treatment modalities and criteria for a continuum of care.

8. Family Systems Perspective: Students will have an understanding of family and other systems theories and major models of family and related interventions.

For each course that students take, instructors are required to complete an assessment of student learning that matches the criteria set forth for students in all course syllabi. A rubric is utilized for narrative feedback specific to the student learning process that also reflects the final competency level attained by the student for the class or other learning activities. Traced directly to course competencies, narrative assessments submitted by instructors, will provide a summative evaluation of the students’ performance in the class specific to the student learning domain, course outcomes, and areas of professional competency.

Degree Requirements

A total of 90 credits are required to receive this Counseling, CMHC degree. Official degree and course requirements are found in the AU Academic Catalog. In addition to didactic coursework, there is a professional practice component involving clinical experiences through Practicum and Internships. 

Note: Antioch’s CMHC degree does not meet all requirements set forth by every State to receive licensure as a counselor. Students are responsible to know and obtain additional requirements on their own concerning required coursework and clinical hours. 

Personal Counseling Requirement

All students in MA in Counseling programs who started in Fall 2013 or later are required to complete 20 hours of personal therapy with a licensed mental health professional prior to internship. As of Fall 2022, all MA in Counseling, CMHC students are required to complete 20 hours of personal counseling or therapy with a licensed mental health professional prior to beginning Pre-Internship Practicum. These licensed professionals can either be Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, social workers, psychologists, or psychiatrists. Up to 10 hours of personal therapy within two years of matriculation can be recognized. The Completion of Personal Counseling Experience form that verifies completion of this requirement must be submitted to the student’s advisor prior to internship - students cannot start internship until this form is submitted and approved by the advisor. The Completion of Personal Counseling Experience is in the “General Advising Forms” folder in the “M.A. Clinical Programs” folder on Sakai. The advisor cannot sign the Pre-internship Practicum Advisor Meeting form until Completion of Personal Counseling Experience form has been submitted to the advisor. After the student meets with the advisor, the advisor then puts the Completion of Personal Counseling Experience form in the student’s file. 

Counseling services can be helpful to all persons, not just individuals who have emotional or mental disorders, but also for individuals who are functioning effectively as well; graduate students are encouraged to learn about themselves from being a client in a counseling relationship. In addition to self-exploration, being a client provides counseling students with the opportunity to experience what they ask their clients to do, which helps counseling students empathize more fully with clients who seek counseling services.

Students who are seeking personal counseling during their academic program may access this registry (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists). In addition, students may wish to reach out to their State chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (http://www.amhca.org/home) for a registry of licensed counselors in your area. 

WellConnect is also available to students, which provides free counseling and coaching, referrals for local services, and consultations on health and wellness, among other resources. WellConnect can be accessed via a website and phone number 24/7 (866-640-4777). 

Program Planning Considerations

Plan of Study Preparation

It is recommended that students utilize their Plan of Study as a check sheet in order to plan and track their progression through the courses. It is important and useful to write out a rough sketch of classes, quarter to quarter, and revise it as the student progresses through the program. Please keep an updated copy at home and bring it with you to every advising meeting.

Advisor Meetings

During initial orientation, students will be assigned a Faculty Advisor from their chosen specialization within the CMHC/CAT. It is recommended that new students make a 30-minute appointment with their advisor to go over the student’s Plan of Study. Students may consider making appointments to check in with their advisor as needed, particularly in preparation for internship.  Most advisor meetings are conducted over Zoom. Advisors are expected to respond to student emails within 48 business hours.

Students are required to meet with advisors at least 4 times during their program: 

1. During their first term in the program 

2. Two terms before starting practicum

3. Two terms before Internship

4. Two terms before graduation.

Besides meeting with their advisor at the required times, students may also request additional contact/meetings to talk about special questions, interests, or problems they are having. Students sign up for an advising time by using the advisor’s preferred approach to scheduling. Best time to meet with advisors is during the first three weeks of each term before registration starts. There are important meetings that occur at specific times during CMHC/CAT students’ graduate studies. These meetings may be quite brief for some students and longer for others. All Counseling and CAT programs require checkpoints, or “gates” through which students must pass before going on to the next step toward their degree. These special meetings are intended for students and their advisors to maintain contact at critical moments in their passage through the degree process. 

Students are responsible for ensuring that they complete requirements as described in this handbook and that they meet all relevant deadlines for turning in their work. By doing their part to keep up with the necessary procedures and activities, students contribute to creating a positive learning environment for themselves, and will be free to engage with their advisor in substantive discussions of their learning needs. Students who refuse to meet with advisors can have a “hold” placed on their registration record prohibiting them from registering until they meet with their advisor. Advising is mandated throughout the program per CACREP and ACA Code of Ethics. 

Plan Flexibility

For the residential programs, one aspect of the complexity of the registration process is that the more flexible the student’s schedule, the more easily the student will get the courses the student wants. Students cannot always, of course, control their schedule. 

For the low residential program, core counseling classes are mapped out. For electives, advanced theories, and certificates courses, one aspect of the complexity of the registration process is that the more flexible the student’s schedule, the more easily the student will get the courses the student wants. Students cannot always, of course, control their schedule. 

Academic Calendar

For a list of all deadlines and due dates regarding registration and financial aid, students should review the Catalog and the Student Handbook 

Financial Aid

According to the Financial Aid Office, beginning summer 2013, enrollment of three credits is considered half time for graduate students and therefore eligible for financial aid. 

Classes Getting Canceled

Due to budgetary issues, courses with only a few registered students may be canceled by the university administration, sometimes at the last minute. All courses run the risk of being canceled each quarter. Students should plan accordingly so that courses being canceled does not have a negative effect on the completion of the student’s plan of study. 

Students should not structure their schedule such that they absolutely need a particular course (other than “Case Consultation”) in their final quarter. It is recommended that students take only internship and “Case Consultation” in the final quarter, because if another necessary course is canceled, students will have to extend their graduation date. 

Maintaining Active Student Status

Students must take the following steps to maintain active student status. Students must register (1) for a course, or (2) for a Leave of Absence (LOA), or (3) for Enrollment Maintenance (EMF). If a student currently has an Incomplete (INC) in any class, the student must maintain active student status until completed. See the AUS Catalog for more information. 

Leave of Absence Limit

To be on leave, a student must register for the Leave of Absence by the end of the twelfth week prior to the quarter of absence. Leave of Absence registration must be submitted for each quarter the student intends to be on leave. Leaves of Absence can be requested only one quarter at a time. Taking a Leave of Absence may cause financial aid loans to go into repayment.

If a student does not register for courses, a Leave of Absence, or Enrollment Maintenance status by the end of the twelfth week of the prior quarter, the student will be automatically withdrawn. Withdrawn students who wish to resume their degree programs must apply for readmission through the Admissions Office.

Students who are required to complete an SDP must finalize the plan with their advisor prior to taking an LOA. An LOA cannot be taken to avoid or delay processes designed to correct behavior or address failure to make adequate academic progress. 

If an international student wishes to take a Leave of Absence or register less than full-time, the student must consult with the registrar’s office prior to registration or the student’s status in the program might be at risk. 

Students in the military who believe they will need longer than four quarters LOA or may struggle to register for a LOA on a quarterly basis should speak to their advisor.

Students in the low residential CMHC program who take four quarters of LOA, may likely be moved to a different cohort than the one they entered. In some cases, this may result in the student being withdrawn from the program.  Speak with an advisor to learn more. 

Leave of Absence Limit 

Beginning the 2013-14 academic year, Antioch University policy limits the consecutive number of Leaves of Absence to four quarters. Academic programs may limit their total allowable LOAs to fewer than the maximum allowed by the University. Students may take LOA’s as they are needed, as long as they do not take more than 4 in a row, and as long as they graduate within the maximum program length of 6 years.

Changing Degree Programs

According to the AUS Catalog, changing degree programs (within the MA programs: CFT, CMHC, AT, DT) requires an additional admissions interview and/or other requirements. Students cannot transfer from one program to another.  Students will have to apply to be admitted into the program they are wishing to pursue. 

Transferring Credits

Students may transfer up to fifteen (15) quarter credits that are transcript-verified for prior or concurrent graduate-level work from a regionally accredited institution. They must have earned a grade of "B" or better, and the course should have been completed within the last 10 years. If students would like to propose the inclusion of transfer credits towards completion of their degree at Antioch, they need to initiate this request during either the admissions process or their first quarter of enrollment. 

Each course being requested for transfer will be evaluated by Program faculty. If the student is transferring credits from another Antioch University campus, this limit does not apply – meaning students can transfer all credits that qualify to meet the CMHC Curriculum at AUS. Students cannot transfer undergrad credit for grad credit due to licensure requirements after graduation. For information on transferring international credit, see the AUS Catalog. 

Students in the low residential CMHC program, due to this program being a cohort model, students are expected to take core counseling courses with their cohort.  If transfers are approved by the Program Chair, these will be transferred in as elective courses.  Students cannot transfer in core counseling courses. 

Waiver of Required Courses

If students believe they have completed comparable graduate level work before entering the CMHC Program, and do not wish to engage in the learning activity offered by Antioch, they may request waiver of certain required courses in CMHC. This may be done at any point in the student’s application process, but must be done no later than the end of the first quarter of enrollment in the program. Courses may be waived with documentation of recent (within the past 10 years), graduate- level coursework from a regionally accredited institution for which the student received a grade of "B" or better. To be eligible for a waiver, the previous coursework must cover at least 75% of the material covered in the course offered at Antioch. To apply for a waiver, students should complete a Request for Waiver or a Credit Requirement form, which can be found on the SAPCFT project site in Sakai (starting with the title, “AUS MA Programs in the School of CPT…”). Students should attach a copy of their transcript, the syllabus of the course, and any other requested documentation to this form. Students should submit the entire package to their advisor. “Family of Origin Systems,” “Multicultural Perspectives,” and “Psychodiagnostics and Treatment Planning” are not eligible for waiver. It is the faculty’s judgment that the design of these required courses are comprehensive and important to the essential learning and competencies earned towards the Master of Arts in Counseling at Antioch University.The full range of the learning and competency involved cannot be completed on the basis of previous course work. 

Students with a completed certificate in chemical dependency are able to waive the requirement of COUN5290 Survey of Addictions following the guidelines mentioned above.

Waiver of a required course does not result in a reduction of the number of credits required for the master’s degree. If students are given permission to waive a required course, they will have room to take additional elective courses, an independent study, or practicum as part of their required credits. In other words, if a student waives a 3-credit course, the student is required to take an additional 3-credit elective. 

Independent Studies

Independent Studies (IS) are available to support students in meeting their individual academic needs when those needs cannot be met by courses offered by CMHC. To be eligible for an Independent Study, the IS must directly support the student’s area of academic concentration. Independent Studies that duplicate core and elective courses offered by CMHC will not be approved. A packet that describes the IS process is available by meeting with your advisor.  

Independent Studies take a great deal of independent and concentrated effort. Students’ written proposals should reflect both their willingness to participate with the necessary rigor and their academic need for this alternative learning experience. Granting of permission for an IS is not automatic. It is recommended that students apply for an IS option after their core requirement courses have been completed. Independent study courses usually range from 1-3 credits.

To determine the number of credits, per quarter, to take for a single IS course, the student should calculate the amount of time based on the ratio of credits to hours of work as 1 to 33. This means that 1 credit is earned for each 33 hours of focused work. In a typical three-credit course, this represents approximately 100 hours of independent work supervised by the evaluator. The number of Independent Study credits that a student may take varies. The differences are based on the individual nature of each specialization, the number of courses offered, and the number of elective credits students may take. Most specializations within theCMHC allow students to take no more than three (3) IS credits. 

The minimum credential for the evaluator of an Independent Study is a master's degree in a Mental Health related field. The evaluator can be a Core, Teaching, Affiliate, or Adjunct Faculty member here at AUS or someone from the community who has appropriate expertise in the area of a student’s IS. If a student’s preferred evaluator is an expert from the community, approval from the student’s Faculty Advisor is needed before starting the IS. The evaluation process, including evaluator criteria, is described in the IS packet. If the student’s evaluator is not AUS faculty, the Faculty Advisor is the faculty on record to grant credit. 

Enrollment at Other Institutions

In order to continue as a matriculated student in good academic standing, all students are encouraged to take their degree course work at AUS. However, the program recognizes that from time to time, students may wish to pursue course work at another degree granting institution. Courses acceptable for transfer must meet the following criteria: 

1. The college or university is a regionally accredited institution. 

2. The course is at the graduate level. 

3. The course description and/or syllabus meet a minimum of 75% level of equivalence to the AUS course. 

4. Course work must be pre-approved by the student’s Faculty Advisor. 

5. There is a maximum of 15 credits acceptable for transfer from another accredited institution. 

6. The student’s enrollment conforms to total credit limits for the quarter. 

7. AUS students may not matriculate in a degree program at another institution for purposes of taking a course. 

The student should complete the Request to Take Credits at Another Accredited Institution in a Future Quarter Form, found on Sakai, and attach the official course description and/or syllabus. Students submit the form and documents to their advisor who will then forward the material to the chair for approval. Students are required to submit all documents 3-4 weeks before the start of the course or earlier. The relevant chair will grant final approval/denial in writing, on the request form. Once approval is granted, students may register at the institution. Course work, taken at other accredited institutions and applied towards the AUS degree, is subject to the AUS transfer and waiver of credits process and requirements. 

Letters of Accommodation  

According to  Antioch University's Disability Support Services office, students with a letter of accommodation need to talk with their instructors at the beginning of the quarter if the student wants to arrange for extended time on assignments. If a student does not have an agreement in writing at the beginning of the quarter, that student will not be allowed extra time on assignments, and therefore, if the student turns in an assignment late, the student risks not receiving credit for the course. 

Dropping a Class

Students can drop a class in myAntioch under “Register for Sections” prior to the drop deadline for a full refund. Please notify Liz White if you have dropped a class so your sequence can be updated accordingly. Also contact Liz White for assistance if you need to drop a class past the deadline (no refund), as students are no longer able to drop classes themselves once the deadline has passed. If students need to drop all their classes, that is a leave of absence.

Leave of Absence

If a student decides to drop to zero credits within any given semester, this will require a student to take a Leave of Absence and complete the Change of Status form. A student is permitted two consequent semesters of leave and must return to the Program after the second leave. A student is allowed a total of three leaves of absence during the program; after that if a leave is required, the student must withdraw from the university. Please notify Liz White if you would like to submit a leave of absence or withdraw from the university. 

Faculty/Student Communication
In order for faculty to maintain contact with students, each student must have an active University email account throughout their time in the program. Personal email accounts are not suitable for Antioch purposes and students should refrain from using them. Important notices and program matters will be sent to students via Antioch email. Students should not rely on messaging systems available in Sakai to communicate with their instructors. Further, students should note that the University’s registrar’s office will only accept emails sent via the student’s Antioch email address. 

Textbooks

Students are expected to have their textbooks by the first day of each semester. Students can anticipate that they will be required to complete readings and submit academic work during the first week of each class. Students may choose to order a hard copy of the textbook, a digital copy, or even rent their textbook(s). Not having access to your textbooks is insufficient grounds for any extension on academic work due the first week of class. Vouchers are available for students experiencing financial hardship. Please visit the bookstore’s website for more information.

Technology

Students utilize AUDirect to access their student accounts, Sakai, email and all other university resources that are offered digitally. More information on technology, including resource pages and technology, can be found on the Student Resources and Tutorials page of this handbook.

Students enrolled in the CMHC Program are expected to have access to reliable technology at all times while enrolled in the program. This includes having access to a dependable computer with a stable internet connection. Students will routinely be required to complete written assignments and submit those assignments via Sakai, communicate via email with faculty and staff, use Zoom to complete class assignments and have meetings with faculty, attend faculty group supervision through Supervision Assist, and more. Lack of Internet access or access to a computer is not an acceptable reason for missing assignments or meetings throughout the program. If a student experiences a hardship that might impact their ability to fully participate in the program, they should meet with their advisor for support and assistance. Students may access Information Technology supports through our IT Department.

Supervision Assist

Students will be required to purchase a software called Supervision Assist during their academic program for courses that require students to record practice sessions with their peers or counseling sessions with clients during Practicum and Internship. Supervision Assist is a comprehensive, HIPAA-secure application that integrates all the tools the University, supervisors, and students will need for successful Practicum and Internship training. Supervision Assist allows students to do the following: 1) conduct live sessions in a HIPAA-secure environment; 2) cloud record counseling sessions; 3) track activity logs online with electronic supervisor signatures; 4) instantly view progress towards graduation; and 5) complete and review evaluations online. The cost of Supervision Assist is $197 and offers students lifelong access to any documents completed during their Practicum and Internship experience while at Antioch. This fee is included with the course, Foundational Counseling Skills, and as such eligible for federal aid. Supervision Assist is an especially useful feature when students apply for professional licensure in their State. To learn more visit their website and contact Paige Crickard for information on how to register your software.

Retention and Dismissal Policies

AUS’ dismissal policies, procedures, and practices, detailed below, assure due process for students. Students are expected to adhere to all AUS and academic program-related policies and procedures, abide by the ACA Code of Ethics, to demonstrate academic and professional competency in their CMHC coursework and fieldwork, and to maintain satisfactory progress toward completing their CMHC degree requirements. Consistent and/or egregious failure to meet these performance standards can result in dismissal from the University. These standards are not intended to be punitive; rather, they are intended to represent the high level of integrity and capability the CMHC program expects of its graduates. 

Student Competency Review (SCR) 

In compliance with the accreditation standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, program faculty conduct a systematic developmental assessment of each student’s progress throughout the program. The focus of the comprehensive assessment is on the student’s academic status, including performance in coursework, clinical skill performance, professional conduct, and inter- and intrapersonal development. These qualities and behaviors are also evaluated continuously throughout the program to determine appropriate student fit with the profession of mental health counseling. Every counselor education training program has an ethical obligation to fulfill gatekeeping responsibilities in order to both honor their commitment to the students they admit and to protect future clients from impaired practitioners. For this reason, evaluation of each student is an ongoing process in the counseling program. 

The SCR involves MA faculty formally reviewing each student’s performance after two quarters of admission or having completed 12 credits of graduate-level coursework during the MA programs meeting. The SCR serves as the early review point and includes review of percentages of courses completed at “Required” and “Intermediate” assessments, as well as other themes related to professional competencies. An annual review is also conducted, serving as the mid-point review. The SCR and annual reviews include review of professional behaviors within and outside of the classroom, to include communication, interpersonal interactions with faculty/staff and peers, and overall progress toward developing professional counselor dispositions. 

In preparation for the early and mid-point evaluations, CMHC faculty formally reviews the course evaluations for these students and any other students of concern. In the SCR meeting, faculty advisors present their assessments and make one of the following recommendations: 

• Pass with no concerns.

• No-pass with the stipulation to continue monitoring progress again next quarter.

• No-pass with concerns that require corrective action.

• No-pass with concerns that require disciplinary action.

MA in Counseling, CMHC students who receive SCR no-passes with stipulations for follow-up review are generally considered to be in compliance, but the faculty advisors make sure that the students involved can handle the issues of concern by themselves and will show due diligence in remaining compliant. In contrast, no-passes with concerns that require corrective and disciplinary action are considered more serious. In these cases, the CMHC faculty recommends that the seriousness of these concerns necessitate that the CMHC Program take a more active role in addressing these problems; and, in some instances, the CMHC faculty recommend that the concerns are so serious that they necessitate more unilateral action, i.e., removing a student from an internship and/or withdrawing the student from the program. Please note, faculty have an ethical obligation to discuss student concerns with one another. Therefore, do not ask for a faculty member to “not tell anyone” regarding any student information.

Digital conduct refers to a set of rules pertaining to the use of online spaces here at AUS. Students, faculty, and staff are required to follow HIPAA guidelines in both synchronous and asynchronous forms of communication. We do not condone the sharing of personal information, disrespect toward other users, inappropriate content, disruptive behavior, and sharing copyrighted works. We also expect participation from students either through verbal discussion, use of chat, or by keeping cameras on. Students are expected to attend all required sessions or let instructors know of any anticipated absences.

Core faculty in the digital programs have the authority to determine or give final approval to the program curricula and operational and procedural policies for the program. 

Failure to Successfully Complete a Required Course

In alignment with the AUS Academic Policies, students who do not receive credit for a required course in their program’s curriculum may retake the required course once, and must do so within two quarters, or the next time the specific course is offered, whichever comes first. If the student does not receive credit in their second attempt of the required course, they will be administratively withdrawn from the MA degree program in CMHC. Future reentry to the program or a different graduate program within AUS requires a full admission process; admission is not assured.

Student Development Plan (SDP)

Intention and Purpose of SDP

When student competency and professional disposition concerns arise, faculty members are obligated to assist students in every way possible to be successful in the program. The process of creating an SDP is meant to be a collaboration between student, advisor, and support faculty.  Faculty members are ethically required to bring attention to any concerns deemed inappropriate (e.g., disturbing behaviors observed/reported inside or outside of class; unprofessional or disrespectful communication; verbal, email, or post of intolerance of diverse views; or any other behaviors which compromise the safety [emotional and physical] of staff, classmates, clients, and future clients). Overall, it is the duty and aim of faculty to identify supports to assist students in success, while at the same time, fulfilling their duty to ensure that students are prepared to ethically and competently deliver counseling services to clients, and future clients. Students required to complete  SDP, can be asked to meet with the faculty ethics committee regarding the concern and SDP process, in addition with their faculty advisor. 

Improving Professional Dispositions as a Utility of the SDP

CMHC students who require an SDP are given the opportunity to rectify academic deficiencies and/or unprofessional behavior that are interfering with their capacity to satisfactorily complete the requirements for the CMHC Program. Action items identified as a way to increase competency and make progress are delineated in an SDP.

 Most of these issues are typically concerned with problems related to classroom performance, including: no credit granted for courses, academic progress warning, academic progress probation, chronically late assignments, failure to utilize corrective feedback, difficulties with class participation, chronic absenteeism and tardiness, insufficient English proficiency, or substandard scholarship and academic writing. Additionally, the SDP covers professional dispositions related to the counseling profession including ethics, interpersonal effectiveness, respectful communication, reflective practices, self-awareness, applied critical thinking, and awareness of diversity and social justice. Problems may also concern internship-related matters such as inability to obtain a clinical internship site, inability to retain a clinical placement, lack of client retention during clinical placement, onsite supervisor concerns, and excessive quarters needed to complete clinical placement.

When an SDP is created, the advisor will meet with the student, and a support instructor and/or program ethics committee to identify the areas of concern either academically, or concerning professional dispositions connected to the counseling profession. Next, action steps and activities will be identified as ways to support the student in their development and progress in the CMHC program. A timeframe will be set to complete the action steps. Additional meetings between the advisor, student, and support faculty will be established to track progress. The outcome of completing the SDP successfully, or not, will be communicated throughout the process. Failure to successfully complete the SDP may result in the student being withdrawn from the program. Students on SDP for a behavioral concern will not be allowed to start practicum or internship until they have demonstrated successful progress and are officially removed from the SDP.  Students who do not follow the SDP criteria can be blocked from registration for further classes and/or dismissed from the MA in Counseling Program.  

Disciplinary Action

MA in Counseling, CMHC students who require disciplinary action have been found to violate criminal law, professional and ethical standards, and/or Antioch University (AU) policies related to physical violence, property damage, and behaviors that interfere with AU’s mission and community function. These breaches are considered the most serious problems and are addressed in accordance with the Student Conduct (6.103) and Academic Integrity (6.105) policies in the AUS Student Handbook. 

Because these problems are considered more serious, they are likely to lead to more strenuous disciplinary actions. When it has been determined that there is a clear violation of these standards, they are much more likely to lead to withdrawing students from the program. Furthermore, due process for students involved in corrective and disciplinary actions are defined and protected under the Student Rights (6.102), Grievance (6.109), and Appeal (6.111) policies contained in the AUS Student Handbook. 

Unsatisfactory Progress & Student Discipline

The MA in Counseling, CMHC Program’s corrective action and dismissal process are specific to its own policies and procedures for ensuring that its students consistently adhere to ethical and competency standards of behavior. However, these standards are consistent with and are implemented within the AUS policies and procedures pertaining to the ethical and academic standards expected of its students. Three particular sets of AUS policies and procedures relevant to corrective action and dismissal are the University’s standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (6.199), Student Conduct (6.103), and Academic Integrity (6.105). In these cases, the CMHC Program always integrates the implementation of its policies and procedures with those of the larger University system.

Student Rights and Complaints 

Students at Antioch University have certain rights and responsibilities. Clear, effective communication is a critical element to the many relationships that support student success at Antioch University. For faculty, supervisors, and students, the best first recourse is always to address a concern directly. If, however, support is required to efficiently resolve an academic (or non-academic) issue, Antioch University has a formal grievance procedure in place. Students can access the Student Grievance Policy (Policy 6.109) from among AU Student Policies on the AUS website's Student & Campus Resources. 

Antioch University policies are gathered in the table below with a quick overview of the contents and a link for convenient access to the full details.