Welcome to George Fox University!
We are so pleased you have chosen to teach in the Graduate School of Counseling. 

Because of our identity as a Christian university, the programs in the Graduate School of Counseling (GSC) are grounded in and shaped by our commitment to an integrated understanding of the Christian faith and mental health that embraces diversity and promotes justice.

Through rigorous academic and clinical training we foster the personal and professional development of students with the goal of promoting relational, psychological, academic, physical, and spiritual well-being. Our approach to spiritual integration does not specifically prepare graduates to be Christian counselors or work at faith-based organizations. Rather, George Fox students are trained to understand how various spiritual worldviews and practices, including the Christian worldview, influence the way they practice counseling.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE GSC

From its beginning, George Fox University has been committed to an integration of Christian faith, learning, and living, and to providing an academic experience that achieves intellectual and personal growth while promoting responsibility for world concerns.

The Graduate School of Counseling (GSC) is grounded in and shaped by our commitment to an integrated understanding of the Christian faith and mental health that embraces diversity and promotes justice.  We train graduate level mental health professionals who work in community, private practice, and school settings.  Through rigorous academic and clinical training we foster the personal and professional development of students with the goal of promoting relational, psychological, academic, physical, and spiritual well-being.

GSC Purpose: 

• To train quality masters-level mental health professionals

• To articulate the integration of faith and mental health practice

• To promote wholeness in the student counselor that then impacts clients’ mental health

• To demonstrate cultural proficiency in the practice of mental health counseling

• To foster and promote the formation and development of professional dispositions related to the counseling profession
  
  
  

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS

George Fox University offers four graduate programs in the Graduate School of Counseling (GSC). The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling, and the Master of Arts in School Counseling are nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Educational Specialist in School Psychology, along with the Masters in School Counseling are nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In addition, six certificate and/or licensure preparation programs are available in: Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling, School Counseling, Continuing School Counselor Licensure Preparation, School Psychology, Continuing School Psychology Licensure Preparation, and Trauma.

Our Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) and Marriage, Couple, Family Counseling (MCFC) programs have two Tracks students can enroll in: an In-Person Synchronous Track or a Digital Synchronous Track. 

Expectations of All New Faculty

Regarding this Site
Faculty play a vital role in the Graduate School of Counseling; therefore, it is important that they are well qualified and well trained. We are here to help and support that process. 

• • New faculty members will be expected to have thoroughly reviewed this training site and understand the mission of the GSC prior to teaching their first course. 

Regarding teaching responsibilities

• • Prepare/update a syllabus and Canvas course site.  

    • Because of our CACREP accreditation, we have established learning outcomes and will provide you with the most recent syllabus. 

    • All courses have approved textbooks/course materials that may have been previously ordered due to advance deadlines and Federal early disclosure requirements. The GSC will provide you with a desk copy of the textbook(s). Note - if the textbook adoption date has passed, changes may not be made to the required course materials listed in the syllabus. You may recommend additional materials but may not require additional materials or add assignments based on materials not originally disclosed through the textbook adoption process. 

  • Prepare instruction that reflects the established learning outcomes

  • Prepare thoroughly for each instructional week/meeting

  • Instruct and guide students in an efficient and effective manner

  • Maintain accurate records of student work and attendance

  • Maintain a safe and engaging learning environment

  • Grade and return student work in a timely manner

  • Counsel students as needed on their performance and progress in the course

  • Use the Canvas learning management system for all course work

  • Remain up-to-date on technology and methods of teaching with technology

  • Stay informed about changes and innovations in your field

  • Adhere to GSC and GFU policy guides

Onboarding Timeline & Activities

Adjunct Faculty

Once the hiring member of the Graduate School of Counseling (GSC) has received confirmation of your approval status as a GSC adjunct, the GSC Admin Team begins the onboarding process in coordination with the university through:

• • Submitting contract data to the Executive Dean's Office. 

    • Adjunct contracts are generated by the Executive Assistant to the Executive Dean and go through a multi-level approval process. You will receive an email when your contract is ready for an electronic signature. 

  • Access provided to this site

  • Emailing of syllabus template

  • Determining textbook needs and providing desk copies

  • Inviting new adjuncts to New Adjunct Orientation (an invitation will be sent from the Academic Affairs Office. If not received, email lfair@georgefox.edu)

Full-time Faculty

Once the Graduate School of Counseling (GSC) has received a confirmation from the Executive Dean that you have accepted an offer of employment, the GSC Admin Team continues the onboarding process in coordination with HR and the Office of the Provost (Academic Affairs) by:

• • • Confirming contract preparation. Full-time faculty contracts are prepared through HR and Academic Affairs and go through a multi-level approval process. You will receive an email from Office of the Provost with a link to sign the electronic contract.

    • Access provided to this site

    • Emailing of syllabus template

    • Determining textbook needs and providing desk copies

    • Preparing office space

    • Inviting new faculty to New Faculty Orientation. An invitation will be sent from the Academic Affairs Office/HR along with important fall dates and onboarding information.

Contacts & Support

Graduate School of Counseling

• Department Chair: Anna Berardi (aberardi@georgefox.edu)

• Program Directors:

  • CMHC & MCFC, In-Person Track - Michelle Deeg-Davis (mdeegdavis@georgefox.edu) 

  • CMHC & MCFC, Digital Track - Gene James (ejames@georgefox.edu) 

  • School Counseling - Lori DeKruyf (ldekruyf@georgefox.edu)

  • School Psychology - Danielle Pappas (dpappas@georgefox.edu)

• Clinical Director CMHC/MCFC (Practicum/Internship) - Daniel Sweeney (dsweeney@georgefox.edu)

• Course Leads: each GSC course has a core faculty lead/mentor that you may contact for support. See your course syllabus or contact the GSC Grad Assistant to find out who the course lead is for your class (gscgradasst@georgefox.edu)

• Program & Assessment Manager: Maddy Boylan (mboylan@georgefox.edu) 

• Program Coordinator: Stacy Franks (sfranks@georgefox.edu)

• Clinical Grad Assistant (for CMHC & MCFC programs): gscclinicalgradasst@georgefox.edu 

• GSC Grad Assistant: gscgradasst@georgefox.edu 

Wellness Enterprise (new title effective Aug. 15th: Division of Behavioral & Health Sciences)

• Associate Dean, Erin Johnson (ejohnson@georgefox.edu)

• Executive Dean, Dan Kang (dkang@georgefox.edu)

• Executive Assistant to the Executive Dean, Bryan Dennis (bdennis@georgefox.edu)