|
Program Description The Community Agency concentration primarily is designed for and chosen by students who wish to become Licensed Professional Counselors-Mental Health Services Providers (LPC-MHSP). The scope of practice for LPC-MHSP's, as stated in Tennessee Code Annotated 63-23-150(5), includes counselor activity to "Prevent, diagnose and treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated disorders which interfere with mental health; conduct assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives..." The community counseling concentration curriculum meets the licensing statute's requirement for coursework specifically related to diagnosis, treatment, appraisal and assessment of mental disorders. As part of the total 48 semester hour M.S. degree program, students are able to choose six additional semester hours of mental health- related courses as electives. Since many mental health counseling employment opportunities involve work with children, the community concentration also allows students to take their six semester hours of electives in courses related to counseling children. Community concentration students take a nine-hour sequence of practicum and internship in community counseling settings as part of their degree requirements. Since the Tennessee licensing statute requires a total of 60 semester hours including the M.S. degree, most students take an additional twelve hours of post-master's counseling courses which meet their interests and needs. Other elective coursework is available for community concentration students who wish to train for and work in areas such as marriage and family counseling or career counseling. Community concentration graduates find employment in many settings including community mental health centers, children's mental health programs operated by non-profit groups, psychiatric hospitals, alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs, corrections facilities, and counseling centers operated by churches and other religious organizations. The LPC-MHSP and LPC credentials allow for independent practice, and some community counseling graduates choose to work in private practice after getting their licenses. Faculty Stephen J. Leierer, Ph.D. Dr. Leierer comes to us from the Rehabilitation Counseling Department at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. His specialization is in Community Agency counseling. After completing his masters degree, Dr. Leierer worked as a Peace Corps volunteer at The National Teachers College of Honduras. Dr. Leierer is currently conducting research on the topics of the strong interest inventory, clinical judgments of rehabilitation counselors, disability identity, and college career course interventions. Education: - Florida State University, Ph.D., Counseling Psychology
- The University of Iowa, M.A., Physical Education
- Wheaton College, B.A., History
Nancy Nishimuri, Ed.D. Dr. Nishimura received her doctoral degree from The University of Alabama in Counselor Education. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research at The University of Memphis. She teaches clinical laboratory courses, Multicultural Counseling, and Human Sexuality for Counselors in the graduate counseling program. Her research interests include multicultural counseling issues with a specific focus on biracial children and young adults. Dr. Nishimura's professional activities include: the Practicum/Internship Coordinator for the department's counseling program; the Chi Sigma Iota Chapter Advisor for the Kappa Zeta Chapter; a member of the Counselor Education and Supervision Journal Editorial Board; and a member of the CACREP site evaluation team. During her career, Dr. Nishimura has worked as a middle school and high school counselor, psychological examiner, university academic advisor, and a therapist in a university counseling center. Education: - University of Alabama, Ed.D., Counselor Education, 1991
- University of Washington, M.A. (Ed), Educational Psychology, 1973
- University of Washington, B.A., Sociology, 1972
Research Interests: - Multicultural counseling
- Biracial children and young adults
Ronnie Priest, Ph.D. Education - University of Alabama, 1990
N. Dewaine Rice, Ed.D. Dr. Rice has twenty years experience as an administrator in student personnel services. He has held office and served on numerous national and regional professional committees and organizations. Additionally, he is a licensed professional counselor and a national board certified clinical hypnotherapist. He has extensive experience working with community agency counselors, especially in church related and charity settings and with intern supervision. Dr. Rice's passion has continuously been student education. Education: - Memphis State University, Ed.D., Counseling and Personnel Services, 1980
- Memphis State University, M.Ed., Counseling and Personnel Services, 1975
- University of Central Arkansas, B.S., Psychology, 1971
Research Interests: - College student development and identity issues
- Counseling internships
- College student retention
Program Deadlines Fall Semester Application Deadline: March 1
Spring Semester Application Deadline: October 1 Professional Organizations:
|
