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Counseling and Guidance

Everly Hall 221
1776 University Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96822

Tel: (808) 956-7905
Fax: (808) 956-3814
E-mail: counsled@hawaii.edu
Web: www.hawaii.edu/coe/departments/dce

Faculty

*Graduate Faculty

*B. Y. Cartwright, EdD (Chair)—rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation counseling, transcultural counseling, and ethical decision-making
*M. J. D’Andrea, EdD—developmental counseling, adolescence and family life, counseling diverse populations, and counseling research
*J. A. Daniels, EdD—school counseling, development counseling, adolescent counseling, loss and transition counseling, group counseling, and counseling homeless children
*M. B. Salzman, PhD—school counseling, school-home-community partnerships, multicultural counseling, existential and Adlerian therapies, and school-based prevention

Degree and Certifications Offered: MEd in counseling and guidance

The Academic Program

Counseling is providing expert, specialized assistance to a client. It stresses the facilitation of human development, rational thinking and planning, problem solving, decision-making, and stress management in practical situations. Counseling generally focuses on helping individuals with problems and concerns arising from everyday life.

Students majoring in counseling gain knowledge and understanding of normal and abnormal developments, theories of personality and counseling, counseling skills, career and vocational guidance and counseling, cultural differences, family counseling, ethical and legal issues in counseling, research, and testing.

Accreditations

The rehabilitation counseling program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

The curriculum in rehabilitation counseling meets eligibility requirements for certification as a rehabilitation counselor and as a rehabilitation services provider.

Graduate Study

Master’s Degree

The master of education in counseling and guidance (EDCG) is a 2-1/2 year-round, minimum 48-credit professional degree for the development of counselors in rehabilitation counseling.

The department provides learning experiences for its students through departmental and community resources within the following required program components:

  1. Knowledge and understanding of counseling: (a) normal and abnormal developments in physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and personality areas; (b) theories of personality and counseling; (c) individual and group counseling methods; (d) career development, career guidance, and vocational counseling; (e) differences related to ethnicity, culture, sex-membership, and lifestyle; (f) professional literature and research; (g) theories and procedures in assessment and evaluation; (h) ethical and legal principles of counseling.
  2. Knowledge and competency in the professional specialty of rehabilitation counseling including medical, functional, and environmental aspects of disability rehabilitation services and resources.

Goals and Objectives

The Rehabilitation Counseling Specialty goals are:

  1. to prepare graduate students to become qualified rehabilitation counselors to assist individuals with physical, mental and emotional disabilities to achieve an increased sense of empowerment, responsibility and maximum independence, and
  2. to increase the supply of qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors available for employment in the state, the region, and the nation, particularly in the Hawai‘i State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, the State Workforce Development Division, Community Rehabilitation Programs, the Hawai‘i Centers for Independent Living, and other community-based programs.

Objectives that help prepare rehabilitation professionals in the delivery of effective, efficient and culturally appropriate services to individuals with disabilities seeking to achieve their personal, educational and vocational goals include:

  • Establishing and maintaining a comprehensive recruitment plan to attract qualified applicants from culturally diverse groups, including individuals with disabilities in particular;
  • Training competent rehabilitation practitioners who adhere to the Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors;
  • Providing access to potential applicants in neighboring islands through distance education modalities,
  • Building collaborative partnerships with the Hawai‘i State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, the State Workforce Development Division, Community Rehabilitation Programs, the Hawai‘i Centers for Independent Living, private rehabilitation organizations and other community-based programs providing services to individuals with disabilities;
  • Updating the curriculum to ensure it reflects standards of the profession, and
  • Implementing a systematic evaluation of the Rehabilitation Counseling Specialty outcomes.

Admission Requirements

Admission is based on previous preparation and background, intellectual and affective potential for graduate study, and personal qualifications that contribute to success as a counselor. Application to the program presumes satisfactory completion of a bachelor’s degree with an acceptable undergraduate grade-point average.

Three letters of recommendation relating to the candidate’s personal qualifications and/or professional background, one official transcript from each institution attended, and statement of objectives must be submitted directly to the department. These should show evidence that an applicant’s personal qualifications, motivation, and academic preparation indicate competence and potential success in counseling and guidance. A writing sample and interview will also be required.

Applications are considered for the fall and spring semesters. Full-time students are defined for the purposes of the Counseling and Guidance program as carrying 9 credits during regular (fall and spring) semesters, and between 6 and 9 during each of the two summers. Part-time students can expect that completing the program will take considerably longer.

Program Requirements

Candidates may elect either Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis) options or Plan C (comprehensive examination). Prior to registration, every accepted candidate will be assigned a preliminary advisor with whom he or she will develop a degree program plan. This program must be approved by the student, the advisor, and the graduate program chair. A substitute for a required course may be allowed if the substituted course is equivalent in content and caliber. Specific procedure must be followed, and supporting documentation is required.

A student shall be advanced to candidacy on the basis of having successfully completed 24 credit hours of required courses, including one practicum. Continuation in the program is based on satisfactory progress toward the degree as determined by the faculty and the Graduate Division. Students who fail to attain a grade of B or better in practicum/internship will not be allowed to continue in the program.

All classified counseling and guidance students shall preregister for counseling and guidance courses. Preregistration forms can be obtained from the department office and its website approximately three weeks before the end of the previous semester. Students should consult their advisor before completing preregistration forms and should secure their advisor’s written approval.

EDCG Courses