Admission Procedures Admission Requirements Appeal of Graduate Admission

Transfer Residency Requirement Academic Policies Degree Requirements

The Master of Science with a Major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) at the University of North Georgia (UNG) is a 60-semester-hour program of study designed to prepare individuals to function as counselors in mental health centers, community agencies, governmental agencies, employee assistance programs, prisons, psychiatric hospitals, drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs, college and university counseling centers, religious settings, and private practice. The Master of Science with a Major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA).

The mission of this degree program is to:

• Provide students with the most comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge and skills in the field of counseling;
• Prepare students by exposing them to practical experiences in counseling settings;
• Serve the region by preparing trained counselors for North Georgia communities;
• Provide training in diversity and in awareness of the impact of diversity on client populations and communities;
• Develop an awareness of ethical, legal, and bio-psychosocial factors in counseling;
• Maintain excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service for the faculty and students in the department; and
• Provide services for the broader North Georgia communities through practicum placements, internships, and the professional endeavors of those in the North Georgia counseling program.

New students are admitted fall and spring semesters. The application deadline for fall is April 1, and the application deadline for spring is November 1.

For additional program information, contact the Master of Science with a Major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, College of Health Sciences & Professions, 706-864-1444.

Graduate Studies’ Admission Procedures

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Application materials may be obtained from Graduate Studies or from the UNG website, www.ung.edu/graduate/CMHC. Applicants must pay a one-time, non-refundable application fee. Admission requirements are listed below. When all application materials have been received by Graduate Studies, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of all materials will be forwarded to the program.  Applicants who meet at least the minimum cumulative grade point average calculated in accordance with Graduate Studies admission procedures and obtain at least the minimum GRE test score requirement will be invited to attend a group interview with the program admissions committee. Upon the applicant’s completion of all application requirements and the group interview, a letter from the CMHC program will be sent to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial.

Students who are admitted, but do not enroll within one year of acceptance must reapply through Graduate Studies. Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within the last three semesters must also reapply. All documents and materials submitted to fulfill the application requirements for entry to a program at UNG become the property of the university and will not be returned. These materials are kept for one year for incomplete application files; three years for completed and accepted, but not enrolled.

CMHC Admission Requirements

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Admission in the CMHC program is based on the candidate’s potential for graduate study, previous preparation and experience, and the possession of personal qualities that contribute to success as a counselor. Although no specific undergraduate major is required for admission to the program, students with backgrounds in related fields such as psychology, education, sociology, criminal justice, Spanish, biology, and nursing are best prepared to enter the discipline.

The following documents must be received prior to the application deadline:

1. Graduate Studies Application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions of higher education previously attended. International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received at least a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution and state a calculated cumulative grade point average.
4. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE). Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.
5. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the United States.

In accordance with Board of Regents’ policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

1. UNG Certificate of Immunization. Former North Georgia and Gainesville State students are required to submit documentation for any new immunization requirements since last attended.

Regular Admission

To qualify for regular admission, individuals must:

1. Hold at least an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Studies admission procedures. 
2. Achieve a score of no less than 900 on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) (verbal and quantitative sections combined) if taken before August 1, 2011, or achieve a score no less than 290 (verbal and quantitative sections combined) if taken on or after August 1, 2011.
3. Submit a resume.
4. Submit three UNG recommendation forms from persons who are able to address academic potential, professional experiences in the helping professions, and non-academic experiences that add breadth in understanding the human condition.
5. Submit a personal statement of three-five pages, double-spaced, that is autobiographical in nature that addresses the following:
   a. Brief personal history.
   b. Why you want to become a counselor.
   c. Attributes you possess which would contribute to your effectiveness as a counselor.
   d. Personal characteristics which may inhibit your relationships with clients and what you are doing to resolve those issues.
6. Participate in group interview with CMHC faculty.

All documents listed above must be received prior to the application deadline. The meeting of all admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Final admission is a competitive process that takes all aspects of an applicant’s record into account. 

Provisional Admission

A student may be granted provisional admission in cases where regular admission is not granted and the following conditions apply:

1. Hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Studies admission procedures.
2. Achieve a score of no less than 800 on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) (verbal and quantitative sections combined) if taken before August 1, 2011, or achieve a score of no less than 285 (verbal and quantitative sections combined) if taken on or after August 1, 2011.
3. Meet all other regular program admission requirements.

Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a total of six hours of graduate credit. Student status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of six hours. Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade less than a B in any graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the CMHC program. Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a new application to Graduate Studies and a letter to the CMHC program coordinator after a period of one year from the date the student was removed. Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

Non-Degree Admission

Individuals interested in taking graduate counseling courses, but who do not want to pursue a graduate degree, may apply for admission as a non-degree graduate student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the program coordinator before enrolling in courses and may register for no more than a total of six hours of graduate credit.

The following documents must be received prior to the application deadline:

1. Graduate Studies Application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions of higher education previously attended. International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received at least a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution and state a calculated cumulative grade point average.
4. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) of at least 800 (verbal and quantitative combined) if taken before August 1, 2011, or at least 285 (verbal and quantitative combined) if taken on or after August 1, 2011. Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.
5. Resume.
6. Three UNG recommendation forms from persons who are able to address academic potential, professional experiences in the helping professions, and non-academic experiences that add breadth in understanding the human condition.
7. Personal statement of three-five pages, double-spaced, that is autobiographical in nature that addresses the following:
   a. Brief personal history.
   b. Why you want to become a counselor.
   c. Attributes you possess which would contribute to your effectiveness as a counselor.
   d. Personal characteristics which may inhibit your relationships with clients and what you are doing to resolve those issues.
8. Approval of program coordinator.
9. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the United States.

In accordance with Board of Regents’ policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

1. UNG Certificate of Immunization. Former North Georgia and Gainesville State students are required to submit documentation for any new immunization requirements since last attended.

No more than six hours of graduate credit earned while holding a non-degree status may subsequently be applied toward meeting the requirements of the Master of Science with a Major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. All credit to be applied toward a degree must be approved by the CMHC program coordinator. Non-degree students wishing to apply for regular admission to the CMHC degree program must notify the program coordinator, submit a new application to Graduate Studies, and meet all program admission requirements. Non-degree admitted students who earn a grade less than a B in any graduate counseling course taken while holding a non-degree status will not be allowed to continue to enroll in counseling course work. Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a new application to Graduate Studies and a letter to the program coordinator after a period of one year from the date the student was removed. Non-degree admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

Transient Student Admission

An individual currently enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university as a graduate student in good standing may apply to UNG as a transient student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the program coordinator before enrolling in courses. Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.

The following documents must be received prior to application deadline:

1. Graduate Studies Application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Letter of good standing or Transient Permission Form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at his or her home institution. The letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at UNG. The CMHC program coordinator may require the applicant to submit a transcript of his or her previous college work in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.
4. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the United States.

In accordance with Board of Regents’ policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term: 

1. UNG Certificate of Immunization. Former North Georgia and Gainesville State students are required to submit documentation for any new immunization requirements since last attended.

Transient admission is for one semester term only. Individuals who wish to return to UNG as a transient student for a subsequent term must re-apply to UNG through Graduate Studies.

Appeal of Graduate Admission

A candidate whose application is denied because the Graduate Studies admission cumulative grade point average is below the minimum requirement for the program or because an acceptable test score for an appropriate entrance exam was not earned has the right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be made in written form to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, College of Health Sciences & Professions, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001. Appeals conform to the following procedures:

1. Letter of appeal must be submitted to the CMHC program coordinator addressing the unmet criteria.
2. Applicants must submit the full application by the deadline including the letter of appeal in order to be considered for the upcoming term. Materials submitted after that time may be considered for the subsequent term.
3. Applicants will be asked to attend the group interview or may have an individual meeting with the CMHC program coordinator/Admissions Committee based on availability of faculty members.
4. The Counseling Admissions Committee will make recommendations to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions.
5. Applicants whose appeals are accepted will be admitted provisionally and are not eligible for financial aid while under provisional admission status.
6. Applicants may not appeal for regular admission status.
7. For denial of admittance other than grade point average or GRE, a letter of appeal may be submitted to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions.

CMHC Transfer Residency Requirement

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To be awarded a Master of Science with a Major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, students must earn a minimum of 42 hours of graduate degree requirements in residence. In addition, no more than six hours of transfer credit may be applied toward meeting UNG’s Master of Science with a Major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree requirements. The CMHC program coordinator and the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions must approve all transfer credit. Transfer credit will not be given for any course in which a grade of less than a B was earned. The rationale for this requirement is to maintain program integrity and ensure that students receive the quality training in counseling that the degree entails.

CMHC Academic Policies

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Procedures for Reviewing Student Competency

Counselor educators and counselors-in-training are required to abide by all ethical standards set forth by the American Counseling Association www.counseling.org/Resources/CodeOfEthics/TP/Home/CT2.aspx. Specifically, Standards F.8 Student Responsibilities and F.9 Evaluation and Remediation of Students. There are two ways in which counselor educators assess student effectiveness which include academic performance (grades) and professional and personal aptitude and behavior. Procedures for reviewing student competency in these two areas are outlined below under the headings, Academic Standing Policy and Professional and Personal Aptitude and Behavior. 

Academic Standing Policy

Graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling students whose academic performance or professional and personal aptitude and behavior is unsatisfactory will be subject to the following:

1. Probation – A student will be placed on probation for any of the following reasons:
   a. Student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0.
   b. Student earns a C, D, or U in any required or elective course.
   c. Student has displayed professional and personal aptitude and behavior that is identified as problematic by faculty members.
   
   No student may be a candidate for the degree or sit for the comprehensive examination while on probation. Probation will be removed when the student’s grade point average reaches 3.0 or higher. In cases where the student is placed on probation due to grade(s), probation will be removed when the course(s) is/are repeated and the grade is S or B or greater, and the overall grade point average is 3.0 or greater. Students who earn a grade of C, D, or U in a required or elective course must repeat the course and receive a grade of B or better (including S) on the second attempt or be suspended from the program. For non-academic circumstances, probation will be removed when students successfully complete remediation. Students who are on probation should not register until advised. Students must also receive a B or greater in any laboratory course.
    
2. Suspension – A student will be placed on suspension for any of the following reasons:
   a. Student earns two grades of C, D, or U in a required or elective course(s).
   b. Student earns one grade of F in any course in the program (including electives).
   c. Student has already served three consecutive terms on academic probation.
   d. The student has displayed professional and personal aptitude and behavior that is identified as “impaired” by faculty members.
   e. The student fails to show progress on remediation plan.
   
   No student may enroll in graduate courses at UNG while on suspension. Courses taken at another institution during the period of suspension will not be recognized for transfer credit. A student seeking to reapply who has been suspended for academic reasons must submit a new Graduate Studies Application and a letter written to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions, after a period of one year from the date the student was removed, detailing a rationale for readmission. A student will be readmitted only upon approval of the Dean and the CMHC Admissions Committee. A student seeking to reapply who has been suspended for professional and personal aptitude and behavior should follow the procedures outlined below under the heading Professional and Personal Aptitude and Behavior.
    
3. Dismissal – A student will be dismissed from the program for the following reason:
   a. Student is unable to eliminate impairment based on cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning and/or impulse control.

Procedures for appeal are outlined below under the heading Professional and Personal Aptitude and Behavior.

Professional and Personal Aptitude and Behavior

Potential counseling effectiveness cannot be assessed in the same manner as academic performance in typical college classes. Students must communicate effectively, be open-minded, tolerate ambiguity, exhibit a high degree of patience, acceptance of diversity, and demonstrate emotional stability and self-acceptance. Students are expected to be able to adhere to the following professional performance criteria:

1. Openness to new ideas
2. Flexibility
3. Cooperativeness with others
4. Willingness to accept and use feedback
5. Awareness of own impact on others
6. Ability to deal with conflict
7. Ability to accept personal responsibility
8. Ability to express feelings effectively and appropriately
9. Attention to ethical and legal considerations
10. Initiative and motivation

When student competency concerns arise, faculty are obligated to assist students in every way possible to be successful in the program.

It is the objective of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling faculty to identify concerns regarding student competency as early as possible and to initiate remediation. Students with competency concerns can be identified both in and out of the classroom at any time during matriculation in the CMHC program. Students are assessed on counseling competencies at the end of the fall and spring semesters by the entire faculty. Students also complete a self-assessment each semester. The focus will include the ten core competencies identified in the counseling profession.

Occasionally, students experience discomfort and struggle with awareness of issues during matriculation in the program. However, faculty members are ethically required to bring attention to any concerns deemed inappropriate (e.g., substance abuse, violent behavior, verbally abusive language, intolerance) that compromise the safety (emotional and physical) of classmates, clients, and future clients. The following procedures were developed in order to address such issues:

1. When a concern arises, the faculty member will informally bring that concern to the student’s attention either in a face-to-face conversation or via email or phone contact.
2. The professor will report the informal conversation at the next available faculty meeting under “Student Issues” on the agenda as documentation of the incident. The professor will seek consultation with other members of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling faculty for suggestions or recommendations to address the issue. At this point, remediation may be considered or the student may be given time to address and rectify the issue on his/her own. Follow-up documentation will consist of end-of-semester evaluations.
3. When an instructor believes a student is not making adequate progress after an informal intervention, the faculty member(s) and program coordinator will consult and formally meet with the student to discuss lack of progress in the program. At this time, the student will be placed on probation and recommendations or requirements for remediation presented. Faculty will complete the Student Remediation Form, which will include expectations and the specified time period the student has to meet expectations. If the student feels remediation is unjust or unfair, the student can appeal the faculty decision by following the procedures listed below.
4. All documentation will include signatures of faculty, student, and department head kept in the student files located in a locked cabinet in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling building.
5. Faculty members will monitor students who are participating in remediation during weekly faculty meetings and will collectively determine whether students are making progress. Faculty will meet with students periodically to review progress of remediation. Minutes of these meetings will be kept on file.
6. Unsatisfactory progress occurs when either the student does not meet the expectations of the faculty or behaviors worsen during the specified time period of remediation. A meeting will be called with the student, all counseling faculty, the department head, and one representative chosen by the student for support. The student will be suspended from the program and conditions for re-admittance presented.
7. If the student believes the evaluation is inequitable, the student is allowed to appeal the decision of the faculty for suspension or dismissal. Procedures for Student Appeal of Remediation

Deadline to appeal (date and time), which must include three full working days, will be given in writing to the student during the meeting. Student must complete the Intent to Appeal Form and submit the form in person to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions prior to the deadline. If three days pass without notifying the Dean, the student forfeits the right to an appeal, and the program requirements/decision will stand. Student will be withdrawn and a hold will be placed on registration.

Appeal Process

In cases of appeal, the Dean will appoint an ad hoc Student Competency Review Committee of three faculty members, within three working days of receipt of the student’s appeal. Committee will consist of one faculty member designated by the instructor initiating the competency report, one faculty member designated by the student, and one faculty member designated by the Dean who will serve as chair of the ad hoc committee. Ad hoc Student Competency Review Committee will require a written statement and any accompanying documentation from the instructor and student and then will hold an oral hearing where the views of the instructor and the student will be heard. Oral arguments will be audio taped. Student will be allowed to go first followed by the faculty member. Faculty member will be allowed in the room while the student is presenting oral arguments. Both the student and faculty member are allowed to have one advisor of his/her choosing present; however, the advisor is not allowed to speak on behalf of the student or faculty member to the committee. Both the student and the faculty member are allowed not more than 15 minutes to present their respective cases, and time will be kept by the chair of the ad hoc committee. Following the oral presentations, the student and faculty member will be asked to leave and the committee will meet to discuss their recommendations. Only qualified counseling faculty/mental health professionals may determine whether or not a student is considered “impaired.” Therefore, the ad hoc Student Competency Review Committee may only identify whether or not a student has received adequate notice of professional and personal aptitude and behavior, remediation, and an appropriate amount of time to meet expectations. Recommendations can address the method of notification of impairment, the reasonable nature of remediation with regards to the impairment, or the amount of time the student has in which to show improvement.

8. Ad hoc Student Competency Review Committee will then make recommendations to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions within ten days of its appointment. The Dean will then send a letter to the student with copies to the student’s file, CMHC program coordinator.

CMHC Degree Requirements

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Graduation requirements for the Master of Science with a Major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling student include:

1. Completion of 60 designated semester hours of study with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, with no grade of less than a B.*
2. Successful passing of the comprehensive examination.
3. Satisfactory completion of practicum and internship requirements.
4. Completion of at least 42 semester hours of graduate degree requirements in residence, with no more than six semester hours of transfer credit.
5. Completion of all degree-related course requirements, including any transfer credits, within a six-year period.

*Degree objectives may require more than the minimum number of hours to meet certain professional standards.