Saint Martin's University

SMU home
Academics home
MAC Program home
Current student home

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 13: Degree candidate status

An important evaluation occurs close to half-way through the Program (following completion of at least 18 hours of coursework). This process, which is typical of most graduate programs, is referred to at Saint Martin's University as "Degree Candidate Status."

This status represents a virtual "contract" and means that the faculty consider you appropriate for eventual graduation (assuming you earn passing grades in your remaining coursework and complete the internship requirement satisfactorily). "Degree Candidate Status" is like a passport to graduation and the beginning of the internship experience.

This coursework varies slightly according to when the student was accepted into the program, but generally the 18 hours of required coursework must include the following classes:

Courses Required Prior to Applying for
Degree Candidate Status

MAC 502: "Group Therapy"
MAC 503: "Individual Therapy"
MAC 512: "Family Systems Theory"
MAC 514: "Developmental Theory and Psychotherapy"
MAC 521: "Gender and Ethnicity in Psychotherapy"
MAC 522: "Abusive Relations"

After completion of these classes, you may immediately apply for Degree Candidate Status, ...or you may decide to wait longer. Although Degree Candidate Status is an important step to accomplish before beginning the internship process, there aren't any significant advantages to seeking Degree Candidate Status early in the Program.

Don't panic!

The responsibility for applying for Degree Candidate Process belongs to the student. You may apply at any time after completing the required 18 hours of coursework. However, you must apply and be accepted prior to beginning an internship. You need simply do four things:

If you have not already done so, hand in the letter from your therapist verifying your completion of the 10 hours of required personal counseling and the Therapy Verification Form.
Fill out the form: "Application for Degree Candidate Status." In this form, list the classes taken, indicate which semester, the name of the faculty, and the grades you received.
Complete a four to five hundred word essay (approx. two to three pages) answering the following questions:
- On what basis do you consider yourself ready for Degree Candidacy Status?
- What do you consider your most significant academic learning experiences in the MAC Program to this point?
- What do you consider your most significant personal learning experiences?
- How was the experience of completing 10 sessions of personal therapy? What did you learn? How did you grow? (There are no implicit or explicit expectations that you present any issues of an emotional or psychological nature that you dealt with during the therapy experience; don't include anything you aren't comfortable disclosing!)
- What are the most important tasks left to accomplish for the remainder of your work in the MAC Program? How do you intend to accomplish them? What could stand in your way and how will you overcome these obstacles?
Obtain a letter of recommendation from a current and more senior MAC student — preferably one who has already received Degree Candidate Status. The letter should be addressed to the MAC Director and should discuss:
- An assessment of your suitability as a future graduate and representative of the MAC Program out in the mental health community
- An assessment of your potential as a clinician/administrator in the field of mental health counseling

The application for degree candidate status can be filled out on-line, printed off using your browser's print function, and then submitted to the MAC Office.

Although the process of applying for Degree Candidate Status may be simple, it is not automatic . It entails an evaluation by the MAC faculty who will consider your academic progress in the Program (including grade point average) and review your personal growth and development as they pertain to preparation and suitability for a career in the mental health field. The MAC Director may ask any or all of your instructors to comment on your academic and personal progress.

Students who are not approved for Degree Candidate Status will be invited to meet with the MAC faculty to examine what alternatives are available to the student, discuss any conditions necessary for reconsideration, and consider the student's future in the Program. Possible alternatives and conditions include the design of an academic or therapy program to deal satisfactorily with those issues that led to the decision not to advance the student to candidacy. Those issues may have to do with academic preparation, personal growth and development, or both. A second alternative is for a student to withdraw from the Program. Final decisions in these matters are made by the MAC faculty.

Next handbook chapter