Evaluation and Retention

Evaluation Process

Once each semester the faculty go into executive session and review the performance record of all students enrolled for that semester. Faculty identify students deserving achievement awards and academic honors as well as those students who are experiencing personal or academic difficulties. Advisors will meet with students not making satisfactory academic or personal progress to determine appropriate remedial measures. When personal issues are involved, students are encouraged to seek counseling outside the department. The University Counseling Center provides counseling for students free of charge. The Learning Center is also available for all types of academic assistance.

Removal from Candidate/Applicant Status

According to policies for graduate studies at the University, students may be removed from candidate/applicant status for:

• Failure to complete a required course of study within the official time period unless a waiver is obtained
• Failure to maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for two successive semesters.

In addition, the Department of Human Development Counseling has established other policies based on professional and ethical considerations which may lead to revocation of candidate status. The list of considerations which can lead to a recommendation that a student be removed from candidacy includes, but is not limited to, any one or combination of the following:

• Behavior which is inconsistent with the Ethical Standards of the American Counseling Association, Ethical Principles of Psychologists of the American Psychological Association, or the Code of Ethical Principles for Marriage and Family Counselors of the International Association for Marriage and Family Counselors and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Existence of emotional or other psychological problems which impede the student’s performance in functions basic to counseling.
• Repeated disruptions of the learning environment of students and faculty after the Department Chair has called this behavior to the attention of the student in writing and has made a recommendation that will help the student obtain assistance for alleviation of this problem.

The Department of Human Development Counseling also subscribes to the University’s Student Disciplinary Code for situations not covered by the above considerations.

Employment as a Counselor

The American Counseling Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Association for Marriage and Family Counselors, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy have developed the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice which apply to persons offering counseling and related clinical services in a variety of settings including private practice.

All HDC students are expected to follow these standards whether they serve as employees or volunteers in the human services. Student behavior which is inconsistent with these ethical standards and principles can lead to a recommendation that a student be removed from candidate/degree status in accordance with the Removal from Candidacy/Degree Status Policy.

A student employed in a group private practice or agency or engaged in volunteer work must receive appropriate on-site supervision for the duration of the experience. Professional counseling services offered by students are the responsibility of the agency, private practice or volunteer unit, not of the Department of Human Development Counseling or UIS.

Appropriate on-site supervision in a group private practice is defined as supervision provided by a person with a master’s degree or doctorate in counseling or related fields and professional counseling experience of two years’ duration. Students providing counseling or related clinical services in agencies or volunteer units must receive on-site supervision in accordance with agency/unit policies and procedures/guidelines.

A student is not permitted to engage in unsupervised independent private counseling practice while enrolled as a student in the Department of Human Development Counseling or its courses.

A student engaged in employment or volunteer work which concerns the provision of counseling or related clinical services will notify the HDC faculty advisor of this fact in writing as soon as it occurs.