Counseling Program Guides: Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Evaluation

Department of Counseling
East Texas A&M University
2600 W. Neal Street
Commerce, Texas 75428

Developed By
Michael K. Schmit, PhD, LPC
CACREP Liaison
May 3, 2026

Evaluated Program Objectives

PLO 3: Students Will Apply Various Aspects of Developmental Theory Within the Counseling Process
PLO 4: Students Will Apply Theories and Models of Career Development

Methods of Assessment

PLO 3 at T1:

• (a) Autobiographical Developmental Paper and Rubric (Knowledge) in COUN 545: Developmental Issues and Strategies in Counseling
• (b) Alumni Survey (item 10.3)
• (c) Site Supervisor/Employer Survey (item 4.3)

PLO 3 at T2:

• (a) Item 6 on the “Counseling” domain from the Field Site Supervisor’s Evaluation in COUN 552: Internship II (Skill)
• (b) Alumni Survey (item 10.3)
• (c) Site Supervisor/Employer Survey (item 4.3)

PLO 4 at T1:

• (a) Career Autobiography and Analysis in COUN 512: Career Development (Knowledge)
• (b) Alumni Survey (item 10.4)
• (c) Site Supervisor/Employer Survey (item 4.4)

PLO 4 at T2:

• (a) Assessment Report (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory & O*NET Interest Profiler in COUN 517: Assessment in Counseling (Knowledge & Skill)
• (b) Alumni Survey (item 10.4)
• (c) Site Supervisor/Employer Survey (item 4.4)

Scoring

1 = Does Not Meet Expectation
2 = Meets Expectation
3 = Exceeds Expectation

Benchmarks

Rubrics, Surveys, & CSCE: ≥ 80% of students will score ≥ 80% (2 – “Meets Expectation”) on quiz, exam, or assignment; meet or exceed a rating of a “2” on a single item; or obtain an average rubric score that either meets or exceeds a rating of a “2.”

Demographic Characteristic of Gender (Male/Female): >.5-unit difference in score may suggest a meaningful difference.

Summary of Program Evaluation Results

		PLO 3 at T1	PLO 3 at T2	PLO 4 at T1	PLO 4 at T2
Rubric Assessment Data (a)	Rubric Average	2.90	2.54	2.89	2.98
	n	54	64	52	44
	“ns” < 2	2	0	0	0
	Percentage	96.3	100	100	100
		PLO 3 at T1	PLO 3 at T2	PLO 4 at T1	PLO 4 at T2
Demographic Characteristic of Biological Sex-Male (a)	Male Average	3	2.46	2.9	3
	n	6	12	10	6
	“ns” < 2	0	0	0	0
	Percentage	100	100	100	100
		PLO 3 at T1	PLO 3 at T2	PLO 4 at T1	PLO 4 at T2
Demographic Characteristic of Biological Sex-Female (a)	Female Average	2.89	2.56	2.89	2.98
	n	48	52	42	38
	“ns” < 2	2	0	0	0
	Percentage	95.83	100	100	100
		PLO 3		PLO 4
Systematic Follow-up Studies-Alumni (b)	Alumni Average	1.78		2.22
	n	9		9
	“ns” < 2	2		0
	Percentage	77.78		100
		PLO 3		PLO 4
Systematic Follow-up Studies-Site Supervisors/ Employers (c)	Site Supervisor/ Employer Average	N/A		N/A
	n	0		0
	“ns” < 2	N/A		N/A
	Percentage	N/A		N/A

Note. Italicized and bolded values did not meet the established benchmark.

Program and Curriculum Modifications

1. PLO 3 at T1 & T2: The average score from “Rubric Assessment Data” exceeded the established benchmark, and no apparent differences were identified between male and female students. Data from “Systematic Follow-up Studies-Alumni” for PLO 3 did not meet the benchmark score of “2 or higher” for more than 80% of students. Given the low response rate (n = 9), no immediate concern was identified. Data from “Systematic Follow-up Studies-Site Supervisors/Employers” was incomplete. Eight site supervisors/employers initiated the survey but stopped after completing portions of the demographic fields. 
2. PLO 4 at T1 & T2: The average score from “Rubric Assessment Data” exceeded the established benchmark, and no apparent differences were identified between male and female students. Data from “Systematic Follow-up Studies-Alumni” for PLO 4 met the benchmark score of “2 or higher” for more than 80% of students. Although a low response rate (n = 9) was observed among alumni, the core faculty agreed to watch and wait for a subsequent data collection round. Data from “Systematic Follow-up Studies-Site Supervisors/Employers” was incomplete. Eight site supervisors/employers initiated the survey but stopped after completing portions of the demographic fields. 
   Based on the data analysis and review, the core faculty have made the following recommendations:
   •  In Summer 2026, the CACREP Liaison will review the Site Supervisors/Employers Surveys to determine if a process/function issue exists that may explain why respondents completed only the demographic portion. 
   • Faculty will implement a direct assessment method at local conferences (e.g., NETCA, TCA) where alumni and site supervisor/employers are known to attend. This is a feasible option since the department purchases an exhibitor's booth at NETCA and TCA.  
   • ETAMU's CSI Chapter will host an Alumni Event during the fall semesters, starting Fall 2026, to strengthen our relationship with alumni, with the anticipation of improved future survey response rates for follow-up studies.
   • To strengthen our relationship with Alumni, Site Supervisors, and Employers, the core faculty have agreed to reserve 50 spots for them at our Annual Murphy Day Conference scheduled for April 22, 2027. Additionally, core faculty will personally invite Alumni, Site Supervisors, and Employers to the event.  

Other Substantial Program Updates/Changes

1. August 31, 2024 – East Texas A&M University ended its partnership with Collin College, resulting in the Counseling Department no longer offering coursework at the Collin Higher Education Center, located at 3452 TX-399 Spur, McKinney, TX 75069.
2. August 6, 2025 – CACREP reaccredited the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS) Program through October 31, 2031. CACREP's official statement was “Reaffirm Accreditation with a Progress Report Required – Progress Report due by May 15, 2026.”
3. August 11, 2025 – CACREP granted the School Counseling (MS) Program continued accreditation with no requirement for follow-up reporting, reflecting the Board's approval of the teach-out plan, with an accreditation end date of December 12, 2025.
4. March 20, 2026 – CACREP approved the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS) Program's Substantive Change Report, which addressed the program's planned transition from a fully in-person delivery model to a hybrid delivery model. In this hybrid model, an estimated 55-60% of courses will be offered online, either synchronously or asynchronously.
5. The Department of Counseling at ETAMU completed two successful faculty searches for existing faculty lines. Both faculty members begin their full-time appointment starting in Fall 2026.
6. The Department of Counseling at ETAMU was approved for an additional full-time faculty line. This appointment will start in Fall 2027.
7. The Department of Counseling at ETAMU received approval from the THECB to offer two graduate certificates, one in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (21-semester hours) and the other in School Counseling (24-semester hours), with an anticipated start date of Fall 2026.