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Student handbook

(Table of contents)
Chpt 1: Introduction
Chpt 2: Why a personal therapy requirement
Chpt 3: How personal therapy works
Chpt 4: Early evaluation
Chpt 5: Professionalism
Chpt 6: Common style errors to avoid
Chpt 7: Empowering your writing
Chpt 8: Grades and GPA
Chpt 9: Avoiding burnout
Chpt 10: Various policies
Chpt 11: Student Complaint Process
Chpt 12: Faculty complaint process
Chpt 13: Degree candidate status
Chpt 14: Looking ahead: post graduation
Chpt 15: Applying for graduation
Chpt 16: Friday night baccalaureate
Chpt 17: The formal graduation

(On-line forms)
Common style errors
Intent to receive therapy
Verification of therapy
Degree candidate status

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology ("MAC")

MAC student handbook:
Chapter 11: Student grievance/complaint process

The MAC Program is part of an academic community. As such, we abide by the standards of Saint Martin’s University and are bound by the rules and regulations of the larger society. We also share a mutual responsibility for maintaining conditions under which higher education and learning can flourish.

We support the values of openness, honesty, civility, and fairness.

It is important to note that these values and conditions carry with them certain rights and responsibilities. It is true that the students, faculty, and staff in the MAC Program differ widely in their specific interests, in the degree and kinds of experiences they bring to the Program, and in the functions and roles they perform. Yet, all must share alike in prizing academic, interpersonal, and clinical honesty; in responsibly obtaining and providing accurate information; and in resolving differences through due process, mediation, and with a strong will toward collaboration.

We want this endeavor to work as much as you do and we take your grievances and complaints seriously. We have established the following procedures for student grievances or concerns.

The level system

We consider student complaints as important and serious. As we view it, our acceptance of you into the Program represented a commitment to your academic and professional growth. Consequently, our intent is to help you succeed in your course of study. If you are upset or in disagreement about something that has happened with a faculty member, or by a grade you have received, we want to help you to either understand the context of the problem or resolve it if possible. In either case, we want to help you come to peace with what has happened so that you can continue to enjoy academic progress in future classes.

If you earn a grade with which you disagree, or have difficulty with other academic decisions (such as course offerings, cancellations, misunderstandings over assignments, definitions of full-time status, etc.), the MAC program has established a three-level resolution procedure. The resolution process rarely goes beyond the first one or two levels and the goal is always to clear up the issue at the lowest level possible. The appeal process is:

Level One:

Politely and non-defensively discuss the problem with your MAC instructor. This action is often sufficient to clear up any problems or misunderstandings.

Student Complaint Process are dealt with individually, rather than as a group or in front of a class. Level One, therefore, requires a high degree of individual responsibility. We recognize that discussing concerns with a faculty member may be intimidating and scary. To ease this burden and to facilitate effective problem resolution, the MAC faculty are open to your bringing in a mutually agreed upon third person for moral/emotional support. Usually such a person will be another MAC student.

Level two:

If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, you may address the issue, in writing, to the three resident MAC faculty members. The letter would be addressed in care of the MAC Director.

Please understand that none of the individual faculty members will become involved in an academic decision regarding another faculty member alone. The three resident MAC faculty, as a group, will attempt to resolve the dilemma as fairly as possible. They may respond in writing, or they may ask you to come in and meet with them as a group. A response to your complaint or concern will take place within 20 working days. Again, if you requested, or were asked, to meet with the MAC faculty, you would be allowed to invite an agreed upon third party (someone in the MAC program) who could serve as a support for you.

Level three:

If the matter is not acceptably resolved, the problem may be taken before the Dean of the University of Social Sciences, Dr. Rex Casillas. The Dean will listen to your understanding of the problem and then consult with members of the MAC faculty before making a decision. That decision may involve taking the situation to the Saint Martin's University central administration.

Please do not skip levels and go directly to the Vice-president or President of the University — that is inappropriate and circumvents the correct line of authority. It tends to create more problems than it solves. It may also be tempting to complain to other students or to the MAC staff. Again, that would be inappropriate and would not be consistent with the clear and direct communication that we try to emphasize in our classes. In addition, bringing problems to MAC staff could put them in an awkward situation of a split allegiance — wanting to support you, the student, and wanting to support the program or faculty. The most mentally healthy approach is to deal directly with the people actually involved in the problem.

In summary, the students and the faculty are a team. When problems arise, as they invariably will, we will be most effective if we remain united in our common goal of providing or earning a quality graduate-level education in counseling psychology.

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