History of the Counselor Education Program
Western’s Graduate Counselor Education Program Mission Statement:
The Counselor Education Program is committed to standards of excellence in the counseling profession. The program acknowledges a commitment both to the students who will pursue professional preparation as community and school counselors, and to the larger public to be served by our graduates.
Beginnings
In 1974, the Counselor Education Program, initially known as the Guidance and Counseling Program, was proposed and established in “A Report prepared for the Connecticut State Department of Education in accordance with the Procedures and Standards for Certification.” Faculty from the Psychology Department were responsible for this initial planning of the Guidance and Counseling Program. At this time, a Master of Science Degree was to be awarded to students who complete the 33-credit program.
In 1977, Dr. Daniel Joynt was transferred from the Psychology Department to the Education Department, with the specific charge and responsibilities for developing and coordinating the Guidance and Counseling Program. For 14 years, Dr. Joynt served as the Program’s first coordinator, later re-titled as unit leader. The Program remains housed in the Education Department. At this time Dr. Mary Friel also transferred from the Psychology Program to the Education Department to teach courses in the new Counselor Education Program. Additionally, Dr. Esther Morgan and Dr. Harold Burke, from the Psychology Department are additionally asked to teach counseling courses.
In 1985, a Community Advisory Board was established to help with the ongoing development of the Counselor Education Program. In 1989, a Community Agency Counseling tract was developed as a separate tract from that of program’s School Counseling tract. At this time, Dr. Barbara McNelis joined the Program. Today, both tracts offer a 39-credit master’s degree.
In 1990, the Counselor Education Program explored feasibility of national accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). In 1995, the Counselor Education Program was reviewed by the national CACREP team and initial acceptance was granted. In 1997 full accreditation was granted through to 2002. In 2002, the Counselor Education Program is again in the process of being reaccredited by CACREP. Many steps continue to take place insuring the professional training of counseling students
In 1992, Dr. Theresa Canada joined the Counselor Education Program, and in 1993 the program moved from a current 39-credit master’s degree to a 48-credit master’s degree. In 1994, Dr. Barbara McNelis assumed position as Unit Leader.
In 1996, Dr. Kathryn Campbell joined the Counselor Education Program, and assumed the position of Unit Leader in 1999. At this time, Drs. Corrine Fitzpatrick and Thomas Cordy joined the program to contribute as teaching faculty.
In 1998, Dr. Mike Gilles and in 1999 Aram Aslanian joined the Counselor Education staff replacing Dr. Daniel Joynt, who retired and who is currently President Elect for the Connecticut Counseling Association, (CCA) and Dr. Mary Friel, who also retired and who is now a Faculty Emeritus. Dr. Barbara McNelis, retired and became Faculty Emeritus in 1999.
In the Spring of 2001, the Counselor Training Center is established with Drs. Aram Aslanian and Mike Gilles providing supervision of counselor education students in their conducting of family counseling sessions for participating families.
In early Fall of 2003, the Counselor Education Programs received full CACREP reaccreditation. In July 2003, Dr. Mike Gilles assumed the leadership position of CACREP Unit Leader when Dr. Campbell stepped down to assume Department Chair of Education & Educational Psychology.
Additional Highlights
During the mid 1980’s The Counseling Program established a tradition of having a special Spring Graduation Ceremony honoring the 30 or so graduates, their immediate family and friends, along with faculty. This celebration, planned by the students, featured a special speaker and congratulatory acknowledgment from the University President.
Bob Schmidt and Gail Lehman, two graduates of the Counselor Education Program, have been highly recognized for their contribution to the development of counseling service in the state of Connecticut. They both served as Past Presidents of the Connecticut Counseling Association (CCA).
Thanks…
The Counselor Education Program must acknowledge the on-going support and cooperation from the WCSU administration and the many schools and community agencies that have provided excellent sites and supervision for several hundred counseling students. We thank you all.
Submitted by:
Daniel Joynt, Ph.D. – Faculty Emeriti
June 2002
Additions August 2003 by Dean Lynne W. Clark
