Student Progression Policy for the Division of Counseling

Students are evaluated by faculty upon completion of their initial nine hours of graduate study. This evaluation includes: current GPA, performance on specific courses and assignments in relation to stated student learning outcomes, written and communication skills, and overall style of interactions with faculty, staff, and peers within the program. In addition, students are evaluated by a core faculty member prior to the beginning of the practicum class. This evaluation includes: ability to perform a basic listening skills sequence and establishment of therapeutic relationships, appropriate responses to supervision, and basic conceptualization of clients in their caseloads. Students are evaluated again during their final internship. This evaluation includes: evaluation of the student’s counseling skills including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of clients, record keeping, information and referral, and familiarity with professional activities and resources. These evaluations are used to identify specific strengths and weaknesses and readiness to enter the counseling field. In addition, students must successfully complete comprehensive exams for the core curriculum, program, and multicultural proficiency.

To remain in good standing within the program, students are expected to maintain specific academic and professional standards. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Furthermore, all course grades must be "C" or above. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Furthermore, students may be suspended from the program if their cumulative GPA is not 3.0 or above upon completion of the following semester.

Students may choose to not register for one semester and remain in good standing. However, if a student does not register for two or more consecutive semesters, he or she will be considered inactive. In such cases, students must seek readmission in order to resume work in the program.

Coursework, practicum and internships provide both students and faculty opportunities to determine “professional goodness-of-fit.” In addition to assessing academic performance, faculty utilize these times to evaluate students’ suitability for the counseling profession. Students who do not possess characteristics deemed as essential for counselors will be asked to develop, in collaboration with faculty, remedial plans of correction. Such plans might include referrals for individual counseling to address specific identified issues. In cases where remedial plans are unsuccessful or inappropriate, the student will be asked to withdraw from the program. In such cases, career services will be made available to assist such persons in finding a more appropriate vocational direction.

Students admitted to the Graduate Studies in Counseling at Indiana Wesleyan University are expected to behave in a professional and ethical manner. Failure to conform to acceptable standards of behavior in classes, practicum or internships is considered cause for disciplinary action, which may include educative advisory or warning, development and implementation of a remedial plan, or dismissal from the program. Once admitted to the program, non-academic cause for disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to: 

• Behavior that is prohibited under the ethical standards and practices of the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), NAADAC/IAAP, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), American School Counselors Association (ASCA) National Association of Student Personnel Association (NASPA), Association of College Personnel Administrators (ACPA) and/or the Counselor Licensure laws in the state of Indiana. 
• Indecent or malicious behavior and disrespect directed toward instructors, supervisors, administrators or fellow students; use of profanity or verbal/physical intimidation toward others; failure to follow reasonable instructions; or any form of sexual harassment. 
• Use of deceit or fraud, academic or otherwise, to gain admission to or in any activity within the program. 
• Conviction of a felony (eg. offenses involving possession, sale or consumption of a controlled substance, sexual transgression). 
• Conviction for a misdemeanor offense committed during or related to the practice of any counseling procedure or activity.