Community‐Agency Counseling: A Model for Counselor Preparation

Abstract

This article features a model program of study for entry-level students pursuing a degree in community-agency counseling. The authors provide a review of professional literature concerning accreditation and perceived obstacles that may hinder faculty efforts toward pursuing accreditation. The authors address these perceived obstacles by observing that many programs in community-agency counseling may be close to meeting the accreditation standards as set forth in the American Personnel and Guidance Association's (1979) Standards for Preparation in Counselor Education and that an interdisciplinary approach in program modification may bring such programs into compliance with accreditation standards. The article features a detailed description of a model program in communityagency counseling, with specific focus on curriculum organization for core and elective course work, internship placements, and related features. The authors also discuss the impact of program accreditation in student employment opportunities and professional development. S . Allen Wilcoxonis axtitant professor, and Jean H . Cecil W professor and chairperson, Department of Counselor Education, The University of Alabama, University. DECEMBER 1985 99

Community Mental Health Counseling: An Option for the CACREP Dichotomy

“…Therefore, the existing distinction in required graduate hours between the CC (48 semester hours) and MHC (So semester hours) programs could be resolved by requiring all emphases to feature 60 semester-hour preparation programs. Suggestions of this nature for programs in the CC have already been made in the professional literature (Wilcoxon & Cecil, 1985).…”

“…The combination of required common-core courses and foundational courses would account for 45-48 semester hours of a program, with the remaining 12-15 semester hours representing elective study for a specific emphasis area. In this regard Wilcoxon and Cecil (1985) advocated a preparation program featuring elective study in topical areas that would enhance a student's preparation for supervised practicum and internship placements and subsequent employment.…”