C.A.G.S. in Mental Health Counseling

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) Program in Mental Health Counseling is designed to qualify students to become licensed mental health counselors in the state of Rhode Island. Students take a variety of advanced counseling and research courses. Students gain advanced training in counseling through the advanced clinical practicum courses and also learn advanced group counseling skills. In addition, students design and implement their own research project. This provides students with the opportunity to study an area of specific interest and to learn more about the integration of research and practice. Students have a major advisor who supervises the project, but students also choose additional faculty members to be part of their research project committee. Additionally, students complete a course in clinical supervision through which they have the opportunity to teach counseling skills to less advanced students and learn about the essential aspects of supervising clinicians. The program emphasizes the reflective practitioner model and encourages students to remain open to ongoing learning experiences so as to increase their sensitivity to the evolving issues of diversity in counseling.

In addition to the core courses, students complete a one year internship usually consisting of 20 hours per week. Students obtain internship placements in a variety of clinical settings and working with a variety of client populations. Examples of internship settings include community mental health centers, adoption agencies, family service agencies, alternative education programs, psychiatric hospitals, children and adolescent residential programs, and other related social service agencies. While on internship, students take an internship class each semester to provide them with the opportunity to discuss their internship experience, receive feedback about their performance, and learn about other students' internship experiences.

Admission Requirements

• A completed application form accompanied by a fifty-dollar nonrefundable application fee. Forms may be obtained from the office of the academic dean responsible for the program to which the student is applying.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records. The dean’s office will obtain any Rhode Island College transcripts.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of B (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) in all undergraduate course work. Applicants with undergraduate GPAs less than 3.00, may be admitted to degree candidacy upon the submission of other evidence of academic potential, for example, satisfactory performance in postbaccalaureate work, professional experience as evidenced by publications or letters of recommendation, and/or high scores on the standardized tests.
• A copy of candidate’s teaching certificate (when applicable).
• An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) for most programs. See specific programs for exceptions.
• Three letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate’s potential to do graduate work. Placement references are generally not applicable.
• An interview may be required.
• A minimum of 6 credit hours of course work in psychology or related field.
• A Performance-Based Evaluation of professional work or volunteer experience.
• A current résumé.

Retention Requirements

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 each semester. Grades below B are not considered of graduate quality and are of limited application to degree work.
• A minimum grade of B- in Counseling and Educational Psychology 531 or 532 or their equivalent. Students who receive a grade of B- or lower in either of these courses must consult with their advisor before registering for any subsequent course in the plan of study.
• A minimum grade of B in Counseling and Educational Psychology 538, 539, or 540. Students who receive a grade below a B in any of these courses must retake the course. After retaking the course, a recommendation to continue from the student’s advisor is required.
• A passing score on the M.A. comprehensive examination.
• A minimum grade of B in Counseling and Educational Psychology 610, 611, 683, and 684, and a recommendation to continue from the program director.
• A satisfactory rating on the internship portfolio.
• Failure to meet any one of the above requirements is sufficient cause for dismissal from the program.

Course Requirements

The M.A. in counseling (agency counseling concentration) is awarded when the student has completed all 500- level courses and satisfactorily passed a written examination prepared and administered by the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, and School Psychology. The examination is based on the student’s knowledge of human development, counseling approaches, and intervention strategies.

The C.A.G.S. in mental health counseling is awarded when the student has completed

1. The 500-level courses required for the M.A. in counseling and an additional 27 credit hours of graduate course work at the 600-level as specified in the student’s integrated plan of study for a total of 60 credit hours.
2. A two-semester, 12-credit internship in a cooperating mental health agency, and submission of a performance portfolio at the conclusion of the internship, and
3. A passing score in the Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensure Examination (nonthesis option) or successful completion of a field project (thesis option).

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