Stacy Hutto
Managing editor
The Master of Arts degree program in clinical mental health counseling at Southeastern is the first and only graduate clinical mental health counseling program in the state of Oklahoma to receive national accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
According to Dr. Kimberly Donovan, associate professor of counseling and clinical mental health counseling program coordinator, “Our program is unique as our students will graduate from a CACREP-accredited program. This is important since graduating from a CACREP-accredited CMHC program is required for post-graduate employment with the federal government and the Veteran’s Administration. We also offer a high quality education at a low cost, right here on campus. Only full-time faculty members teach in our program, and we maintain a 10:1 student faculty ratio.”
Donovan added that the first-time pass rate and overall scores on the national exam required for graduates to obtain their license to practice have been consistently higher than the national rate and average. Students are able to take the national exam on campus twice per year.
There are no prerequisite courses or majors for admission to the CMHC program. Students are able to apply during the fall, spring or summer semesters.
According to Donovan, the program is very diverse. There are students from all over the United States and abroad enrolled in the program and students in the program come from a variety of fields.
Donovan said, “Right now we have students that are from many different fields. We have students with bachelor’s degrees in music, criminal justice, communication and education, among others.”
While people interested in being admitted to the program come from different parts of the country, Donovan said they focus heavily on students from this area. They look at what the students can give back to the local community.
Another unique aspect to the CMHC program is students who are admitted to Southeastern’s Graduate School can take up to nine hours in the program before being admitted to the CMHC program. Donovan said, “Students can take nine hours and see if the program is a good fit for them. They have to be committed and ready mentally. There is a lot of self-reflection and self-awareness involved in becoming an effective counselor.”
Once students are in the program, they have numerous opportunities to work with faculty and the community. Donovan said, “Our students receive didactic course work and clinical training. They receive supervision from counseling faculty and licensed professional counselors in practicum and internship. Students also have the opportunity to work with faculty on research projects and present with faculty and other students at state and national conferences.”
Donovan explained that students just don’t go to class. They are strong advocates on campus and in the community. Donovan said for the last two years students in the CMHC program have supported the Durant Crisis Control Center and shelter. Students also volunteer at Saint Catherine’s House, Families Feeding Families, the United Way Food Drive and Kick Up Heels, which raises awareness of sexual violence and assault.
Applications to the CMHC program are currently being accepted. For more information, Donovan said that interested students should contact her as well as visit the program’s website: www.homepages.se.edu/cmhc.