E. Specialty Descriptions

The School Counseling Program

The School Counseling Program prepares individuals to serve as counselors in public or private schools at levels K-12.The School Counseling Program at Portland State University is designed to prepare knowledgeable and competent professional school counselors who: (1) advocate, care, and support for all students, (2) engage in participatory leadership to help all students reach high academic expectations, (3) collaborate with others in and beyond their school communities to ensure opportunities for meaningful participation and growth for all students, and (4) commit to lifelong professional development.

We prepare professional school counselors to develop comprehensive school counseling programs based on the American School Counselor Association National Model, Oregon's Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Framework, and Oregon's Teacher Standards and Practices Commission school counselor competencies. We teach school counselors to actively engage as self-reflexive practitioners in developing and evaluating counseling programs and educational practices that promote teaching effectiveness, community responsibility, and social justice. We are guided by Oregon's Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Framework to enhance the learning of all students by integrating academic, career, personal /social development, and community involvement. We promote collaboration between school counselors and other professionals to create learning communities where students are engaged as learners, passionate about what they do, and empowered as people. We are informed by a vision for school counselors that defines five school counselors competencies: (1) leadership, (2) advocacy, (3) teaming and collaboration, (4) counseling and coordination, and (5) assessment and use of data. The counseling emphasis in schools is on facilitating the growth and development of all students, in delivering services that facilitate learning and in providing assistance for crisis situations. We believe these competencies are necessary in removing barriers to student achievement.

CACREP recommendations and the 1998 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) revisions in school counseling licensure have prompted revision of the school counseling program and a school counseling program core has been defined. Additionally, a Licensure Only option has been introduced in order to enable highly qualified students with MA/MS/MSW graduate degrees from clinical programs to be recommended for licensure as school counselors; prior to the introduction of this option, competent professionals outside of the school counseling program were unable to become licensed as school counselors in Oregon.

The completion of the School Counseling Program results not only in TSPC licensure as a school counselor, but also eligibility as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) through the state licensure board. This program is CACREP accredited until 2023.

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program

Rehabilitation counselors help people deal with the consequences of crisis and traumatic situations that include chronic illnesses and disabilities. The ultimate goals of the rehabilitation counseling process typically include providing psychosocial adaptation services and coping skills to deal with the loss incurred by chronic illnesses and disabilities, as well as job training, and development and placement services. This small, but highly regarded program was recently ranked 18th in the nation by US News and World Report. The program faculty are nationally and internationally known for their involvement in the rehabilitation community and their high-quality research. They work closely with many of the local rehabilitation agencies and facilities to fill the critical shortage of well-trained rehabilitation counselors. Offered as a graduate program, the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program consists of 90 credit hours of coursework, including practicum and internship experiences. The program is committed to serving a range of people with disabilities who represent diverse cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.

In the fall of 2013 the program was retitled from Rehabilitation Counseling to Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, with 90 credits required to meet the new CACREP standards. In 2016, this program received dual CACREP accreditation as a Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. This dual program is CACREP accredited through 2023. Graduate are eligible for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential, the NCE, and Oregon state licensure as an LPC.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Clinical Mental Health Counselors provide diagnostic and intervention services to a wide variety of clients seeking personal and mental health counseling. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) specialty within the Department of Counselor Education prepares professionals to work in public mental health agencies, public and private community counseling agencies, employee assistance programs, day treatment and in-patient hospital settings, and private practice. CMHC graduates may also find employment in community colleges and university settings. The curricular experience of the CMHC Master’s degree is organized around core foundation courses, an intensive on-campus practicum training clinic experience, interpersonal growth experiences, advanced theory and practice courses, and a culminating half-time field internship placement. The program consists of 90 graduate credits designed to meet CACREP national accreditation standards for professional counselors and the academic degree requirements to become licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon and other states. Prior experience in a helping relationship is highly recommended for individuals pursuing this specialization. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program meets the requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Oregon. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling This program is CACREP accredited until 2023.

The Marriage, Couple, and Family Program

The Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program prepares individuals to work in mental health centers, community agencies, private practice, and additional settings in which counselors support clients with relationship and family issues. Emphasis is placed on preparing counselors for systemic assessment and intervention in the counseling process with a focus on diversity and equity.

Beginning in the fall of 2008, as part of the changes to the Counselor Education Department, all of the courses for the Marriage, Couple, and Family Program moved from Continuing Education to Counselor Education. This program has been formalized as a 90-credit hour program. The program consists of 90 graduate credits designed to meet CACREP national accreditation standards for professional marriage and family counselors and the academic degree requirements to become licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Oregon and other states. This program is CACREP accredited until 2023.