Section 1375.140  Approved Clinical Professional Counseling Programs

a)         On or before December 31, 1998, the Division, upon recommendation of the Board, shall approve similar degree programs that meet the following requirements:

1)         Master's degrees shall be from a college, university or school recognized by the educational governing authority in the jurisdiction in which it is located.  Doctoral degrees shall be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

2)         The program shall be 2 academic years and shall require an individual to complete a minimum of 30 semester hours or equivalent hours in any of the following 10 core areas:

A)        Human Growth and Development and Maladaptive Behavior

B)        Counseling Theory

C)        Counseling Techniques

D)        Group Dynamics, Processing and Counseling

E)         Appraisal of Individuals

F)         Research and Evaluation

G)        Professional, Legal and Ethical Responsibilities relating to professional counseling, especially as related to Illinois law

H)        Social and Cultural Foundations

I)          Lifestyle and Career Development

J)         Practicum

b)         Beginning January 1, 1999 the Division shall, upon the recommendation of the Professional Counselor Examining and Disciplinary Board, approve counseling, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or similar degree programs at the master's or doctoral level if the program meets the following requirements:

1)         The institution is a regionally accredited institution of higher education.  Doctoral degrees shall be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

2)         The programs, wherever they may be administratively housed, must be clearly identified and labeled as offering counseling, rehabilitation counseling or psychology programs.  Such a program must specify in institutional catalogues and brochures its intent to educate and train counselors.

3)         The program is an organizational entity within the institution.

4)         The program has an integrated, organized sequence of study.

5)         The program must be 2 academic years in length and require an individual to complete a minimum of 48 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours with a minimum of one course (beginning January 1, 2008, "course" is defined as 3 semester hours or equivalent) in each of the following areas described in more detail in Appendix A of this Part:

A)        Human Growth and Development

B)        Counseling Theory

C)        Counseling Techniques

D)        Group Dynamics, Processing and Counseling

E)         Appraisal of Individuals

F)         Research and Evaluation

G)        Professional, Legal and Ethical Responsibilities relating to professional counseling, especially as related to Illinois law

H)        Social and Cultural Foundations

I)          Lifestyle and Career Development

J)         Practicum/Internship

K)        Psychopathology and Maladaptive Behavior

L)         Substance Abuse

M)       Family Dynamics.

6)         The program has faculty responsible for the program and has a sufficient number of full-time instructors to make certain that the educational obligations to the student are fulfilled.  The faculty must have degrees in their areas of teaching from professional colleges and institutions.

7)         The program has an identifiable body of students who are matriculated in that program for a degree.

8)         The program has a one year residence.  Residence requires interaction with faculty and other matriculated students.  One year's residence is defined as 24 semester hours taken on a full-time or part-time basis at the institution accumulated within the time frame and course of study of the program.

c)         Reevaluation of an Approved Program

1)         The Division may reevaluate any approved program at any time if it has reason to believe that the program has failed to continue to satisfy the minimum requirements of this Section or that its decision was based upon false, deceptive or incomplete information.

2)         A program whose approval is being reevaluated by the Committee shall be given at least 15 days written notice prior to any recommendation by the Board and may either submit written comments or request a hearing before the Board.

d)         For the purposes of this Section, course shall be defined as an integrated, organized course of study that encompasses a minimum of one school semester or equivalent hours.  No student designed courses, independent study courses, workshops or correspondence courses may be used to satisfy the core courses.

e)         The Division, upon recommendation of the Board, has determined that all master's degree and doctoral programs in professional counseling that are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) and doctoral programs in psychology approved by the American Psychological Association and the Council for the National Registry of Health Service Providers are approved programs.

f)          Individual Program Requirements

1)         Individuals applying for licensure as a clinical professional counselor who have not graduated from a master's or doctoral program approved by the Division shall submit their transcripts and program materials to the Division for evaluation by the Board to determine if they meet the requirements of this Section.

2)         Individuals applying for licensure above who are deficient in any of the content areas set forth in subsection (b)(5) of this Section may complete any deficiencies in an approved counseling, rehabilitation counseling or psychology program.  The applicant will be required to submit proof to the Division that he or she has passed such a course and/or the experience.  Proof shall include, but not be limited to, curriculum, practicum, and program materials, internship handbook and course materials.

3)         Individuals who are admitted to a degree program prior to January 1, 1999 have until January 1, 2003 to meet the educational requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this Section.  After that date the applicant will be required to meet the curriculum requirements set forth in subsection (b) of this Section.

(Source:  Amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 16277, effective December 2, 2004)