Practicum and Internship Handbook: Retention and Dismissal Procedure

All students admitted to Counseling programs will receive a copy of this document and a copy of the current Counseling Student Competency Evaluation upon acceptance into the program. It is the responsibility of the student to review this document and to inquire as to current revisions that may be applicable.

Academic dismissal will result from failure to maintain the university’s required grade-point average.

The student should consult the appropriate university catalog regarding academic probation and suspension from degree programs.

Any student who wishes to contest a final grade shall follow the provisions outlined in East Texas A&M University Procedure 13.99.99.R0.05.

In order to receive a master’s degree and/or be recommended for school counselor certification, the student must pass the Program's Master’s Comprehensive Examination. Students receiving a doctorate must pass the Doctoral Comprehensive Examination.

Master's Program

The following course grades are required for progression in the clinical skills sequence: COUN 516 (Pre-practicum) requires a grade of “B” or higher; COUN 548, COUN 551 (Practicum), COUN 552 (1st), and COUN 551 (2nd) require grades of “S”.

Doctoral Program

A course grade of “S” is required to progress from one doctoral internship to another. In accordance with East Texas A&M University Procedure 13.99.99.R0.10 (Academic Honesty), a student may be suspended or expelled for academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to, cheating, falsifying assignments, and plagiarism. If the student disagrees with the charge or level of penalty related to academic honesty, University procedure 13.99.99.R0.10 provides the appeals process.

University Procedure 11.04.99.R0.16 (Academic Probation, Retention and Suspension from Graduate Programs) states “individual departments may reserve the right to suspend from their programs, students who, in their judgment, would not meet the professional expectations of the field for which they are training.” (Revised April 2004). Therefore, a student who fails to demonstrate appropriate communication, interpersonal, or professional skills as identified by a faculty member may be required by the department to seek remediation including, but not limited to, repeating a clinical skills course and/or receiving counseling. In addition, a student who demonstrates personal limitations that impede professional performance, who is harmful to clients, or who violates ethical standards, may be asked to leave the program.

The Counseling Program is obligated by professional ethics and University procedure to assess students as to their potential for meeting the expectations of the professional counseling field.

The Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association (2014) includes the following:

F.8.a. Standards for Students. Counselors-in-training have a responsibility to understand and follow the ACA Code of Ethics and adhere to applicable laws, regulatory policies, and rules and policies governing professional staff behavior at the agency or placement setting. Students have the same obligation to clients as those required of professional counselors. (See C.1., H.1.)

F.8.b. Impairment. Counselors-in-training refrain from offering or providing counseling services when their physical, mental, or emotional problems are likely to harm a client or others. They are alert to the signs of impairment, seek assistance for problems, and notify their program supervisors when they are aware that they are unable to effectively provide services. In addition, they seek appropriate professional services for themselves to remediate the problems that are interfering with their ability to provide services to others. (See A.1., C.2.d., C.2.g.)

F.9.b. Limitations. Counselor educators, throughout ongoing evaluation and appraisal, are aware of and address the inability of some students to achieve counseling competencies that might impede performance. Counselor educators 1. assist students in securing remedial assistance when needed, 2. seek professional consultation and document their decision to dismiss or refer students for assistance, and ensure that students have recourse in a timely manner to address decisions to require them to seek assistance or to dismiss them and provide students with due process according to institutional policies and procedures. (See C.2.g.)

If a faculty member has sufficient concern regarding the personal limitations of a student she/he should consult with colleagues and with the Department Head.

The faculty member will confer with the student, clarifying that the student’s continuation in the program could come under review according to the Department’s Retention/Dismissal Procedure. The faculty member will document concerns using a Counseling Student Competency Evaluation form (CSCE). If warranted, a remediation plan will be developed, including a review date. Copies of the completed CSCE and remediation plan will be placed in the student's Department file and given to the student. It is the responsibility of the faculty member to monitor the remediation plan according to the review date and provide follow-up documentation in the student's file.
If an agreement is NOT reached with the student, if the student fails to progress satisfactorily after the conference, or if the situation is of a nature that suggests Departmental action might be necessary, the faculty member will consult with the Department Head regarding options. If resolution is not reached at this point, the Department Head will refer the matter to the Departmental Retention Committee (DRC). The faculty member will provide the DRC with a written summary of the situation, other pertinent documentation, and his/her recommendation. The DRC may consult with other professionals as appropriate.
The Department Head will notify the student in writing that the DRC will review the matter and that the student may (a) prepare a written statement for the committee's consideration and (b) has the option to appear before the committee in person. If the student wishes to present a written statement to the DRC, this is due within 14 days of the date of the notification letter from the Department Head. If the student wishes to appear before the DRC in person, the student must notify the committee chair in writing within 14 days of the date of the notification letter from the Department Head. The DRC chair will establish the date, time, and location of the meeting and inform the student in writing.
The DRC will make its decision regarding the case and inform the student in writing, with a copy to the Department Head. If the student wishes to appeal, the appeal goes to the Dean for Graduate Studies and Research