Counseling and Human Services

The Department of Counseling and Human Services, DCHS, offers an accredited master’s degree program that focuses on training quality Clinical Mental Health and School Counselors. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditations of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Additionally, DCHS provides advanced training for current school and mental health counselors in need of professional development for their respective licenses. DCHS provides a highly specialized graduate program in Counseling and Leadership through a partnership with the United States Air Force Academy. DCHS also offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services. This degree is designed to meet entry level workforce preparation in the broad and expanding field of Human Services as well as prepare students for continuation to graduate degree programs in the Social Sciences.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Counseling and Human Services at UCCS is to provide excellence in professional preparation of undergraduate, masters and advanced degree seeking students. Experienced faculty deliver high quality professional education that leads to transformational change. Using a reflective, ethical, developmental and systemic lens; students develop counseling knowledge and skills and personal characteristics to become facilitators of change and social justice among diverse clientele.

Philosophy

The philosophy behind the training programs emphasizes that counselors assist clients and students with life challenges through dynamic, holistic, developmentally appropriate, strength-based interventions which emphasize the creation of healthy coping skills and wellness.

Further, through various interventions, counselors seek to prevent problems before they are created by helping clients and students foster effective communication, problem solving and conflict resolutions skills, as well as healthy and adaptive behavioral patterns.

Commitment to Personal Growth

DCHS faculty members recognize the importance of human growth and personal development for all people throughout the life span. This includes counselors-in-training. The personality of the counselor and capacity to effectively relate to and “join” with others in the counseling alliance are instrumental in delivering effective counseling interventions. Therefore, the curriculum for programs includes significant experiential coursework designed to enhance the self-awareness, adaptability, and continuing personal growth of each student in the counseling program. Program applicants must be committed to their own personal growth as well as their professional and academic development.

Faculty

Joe Wehrman, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Rhonda Williams, Ed.D, Professor
David Fenell, Ph.D., Professor
Rosenna Bakari, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor
Leann Morgan, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Lori Notestine, Ph.D., Instructor
Kim Severn, MA, Instructor
Diane Stutey, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Programs of Study

Counseling and Human Services, MA

Counseling and Human Services,BA