Research Graduate School Programs For A Selected Career Path

Research graduate school programs for a selected career requiring a graduate degree

In the first two modules, you explored your career options and identified available positions related to your interests. You also determined which of these positions requires a master's or a doctoral degree. For this assignment, research graduate school programs for the selected career using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet. For this assignment, you will need to complete the following: Select one of the careers that require graduate-level degrees. Identify at least three graduate school programs you would consider attending.

For example, if you hope to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC), you would first need to earn a master's degree at the very least. You would want to research programs that provide master's degrees in counseling. Include research on whether you would fulfill the requirements for licensure in your state of residence if you completed those specific programs. Cover the following: Indicate which license you would seek and which programs would or would not prepare you to be eligible for licensure. If you want to become licensed, ensure that these programs meet your state's requirements for licensure.

For example, if you wish to become an LPC, you would have to review the American Association of State Counseling Boards and locate your state's licensing board website address. For each of the three graduate school programs, research and discuss the institution's accreditation. Is it nationally or regionally accredited? Most state licensing boards require the higher level of those two options, which is regional accreditation. You might want to review the US Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to determine whether the school is regionally accredited.

Most states also require a specialized accreditation for licensure as an LPC or a psychologist. For counseling licenses, most states honor programs that have the CACREP designation. For psychology licenses, APA accreditation is usually required. Click here to find programs with the CACREP designation. Discuss any concerns you may have about applying to or attending graduate school. List any questions you have about the application or licensure process. Provide at least two authoritative references or sources for the information you have discussed. One of these can be the textbook. Submission Details: Write your initial response in a minimum of 300–400 words. Apply APA standards to cite sources.

Paper For Above instruction

Choosing the right graduate school program is a critical step toward achieving a career that requires advanced education and licensure. For this discussion, I selected the profession of Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), which necessitates a master's degree in counseling and subsequent licensure. I researched three graduate programs that offer relevant master's degrees, assessing their accreditation status and alignment with licensure requirements to determine their suitability for my professional goals.

The first program I considered is the University of Florida’s Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. The University of Florida (UF) is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This accreditation meets most state licensing requirements for LPC licensure (UF, 2023). Additionally, UF’s program is CACREP-accredited, which is a significant credential recognized by many state licensing boards (CACREP, 2023). CACREP accreditation ensures the curriculum meets national standards for counselor preparation, which is vital for licensure qualification.

The second program I examined is the University of Central Florida’s Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services. UCF is also regionally accredited by SACSCOC. It holds CACREP accreditation as well, which is a prerequisite for licensure in numerous states that mandate CACREP standards for LPC candidates (UCF, 2023). The program’s curriculum incorporates practicum and internship placements aligned with state licensure requirements, providing practical preparation.

The third program is Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Professional Counseling. Liberty University is regionally accredited by SACSCOC. However, while Liberty offers a CACREP-accredited program, it is essential to verify whether the specific program satisfies state licensure requirements (Liberty, 2023). Liberty's programs are designed to prepare students for the National Counselor Examination (NCE), which is a common licensure exam. Nevertheless, the program’s location affects licensure eligibility, as some states do not recognize online or distance programs for licensure purposes.

Having evaluated these programs, I am confident that UF’s and UCF’s CACREP-accredited programs align well with my licensure goals, provided they fulfill the specific state requirements. Liberty’s online program offers greater flexibility but may entail additional considerations regarding state-specific licensure regulations. A concern I have is ensuring that the chosen program’s curriculum aligns precisely with licensure standards in my state, which could vary or change over time. I plan to consult my state’s licensing board and the CACREP website to verify program compliance before enrollment.

In summary, selecting a graduate program that is both accredited and aligned with licensure requirements is essential. The USC Department of Education’s database and the CACREP website are valuable resources in verifying accreditation status and licensure compatibility (Department of Education, 2023; CACREP, 2023). Future questions I have concern the application process specifics, including prerequisites and internship requirements, and how online programs are evaluated by state boards.

References

  • American Counseling Association. (2023). CACREP accreditation. https://www.cacrep.org
  • Department of Education. (2023). Database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs. https://ope.ed.gov/dapip
  • Liberty University. (2023). Master of arts in professional counseling. https://www.liberty.edu
  • UCF College of Community Innovation and Education. (2023). Counseling and psychological services programs. https://ccie.ucf.edu
  • University of Florida. (2023). Mental health counseling program. https://counseling.ufl.edu

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