Code of Maine Rules
02 - DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION
514 - BOARD OF COUNSELING PROFESSIONALS LICENSURE
Chapter 2 - LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS
Section 514-2-2 - Education

Universal Citation: 02 ME Code Rules ยง 514-2-2

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

1. Qualifying Degree

The applicant shall provide documented proof of a master's degree or a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution that consists of a minimum of 48 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent and meets the criteria of paragraph A, B, C or D below:

A. A counseling degree from a program that was accredited by CACREP at the time the degree was awarded (subject to the 48 semester hour minimum);

B. A degree in rehabilitation counseling from a program that was accredited by CORE at the time the degree was awarded (subject to the 48 semester hour minimum);

C. A counseling degree that consisted of a minimum of 48 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent as an organized sequence of study that includes curricular experiences and demonstrated knowledge that substantially satisfies each of the 10 core areas of study described in subparagraphs (1) through (10) below;

[NOTE: Nontraditional or specialized counseling programs such as art therapy and dance movement therapy must also satisfy the 10 core areas of study.]

Except for internship, full core area credit will be recognized for a three semester hour course in the designated area. Except for practicum and internship, partial core area credit will be recognized for a course that contains components or significant aspects of a core area, and core area requirements other than practicum and internship may be satisfied by academic work completed in one or more separate courses. In determining whether a course pertains to a core area, the board will consider the content of the course as set forth in course descriptions, catalogs, syllabi, lesson plans, assignment lists, reading lists, or other contemporaneous documents; completed coursework produced by the applicant; any reliable information furnished by the applicant, the instructor who taught the course, a member of the academic department which offered the course, or a senior administrative official of the institution; and the title of the course. No one course will be recognized as satisfying more than one area of study.

In evaluating the applicant's academic credentials, the board shall consider the unavailability of the foregoing materials due to passage of time. In the event of a denial hearing, the board shall give due regard to the credibility of the applicant in evaluating any testimony of the applicant relating to course content, provided that the applicant has first demonstrated to the board a good faith effort to obtain the documentation described in the preceding paragraph.

(1) Human Growth and Development. Studies that provide an understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at different developmental levels throughout the life span.

(2) Social and Cultural Foundations. Studies that provide an understanding of societal changes and trends, human roles, social mores and interaction patterns, and differing life styles.

(3) Helping Relationships. Studies that provide an understanding of philosophic bases of helping processes, counseling theories and their applications, basic and advanced counseling skills, consultation theories and skills, self-understanding and self-development, and facilitation of client or consultee change.

(4) Groups. Studies that provide an understanding of group development, dynamics, group counseling theories, group leadership styles, and group counseling methods and skills.

(5) Lifestyle and Career Development. Studies that provide an understanding of career development theories, occupational and educational information services, career counseling, and career decision-making.

(6) Measurement. Studies that provide an understanding of group and individual educational and psychometric theories and approaches to measurement, data and information-gathering methods, validity, reliability, psychometric statistics, factors influencing measurements, and use of measurement results in the helping process.

(7) Research and Evaluation. Studies that provide an understanding of the types of research, basic statistics, research report development, research implementation, program evaluation, needs assessment, and ethical and legal considerations associated with research and evaluation.

(8) Professional Orientation. Studies that provide an understanding of professional roles and functions, professional organizations and associations, history and trends within the profession, ethical and legal standards, and professional preparation standards and professional credentialing.

(9) Practicum. A course of instruction that provides practical experience in counseling for the purpose of developing individual and group counseling skills. These studies include some counseling activities that a regularly employed licensed professional counselor would be expected to perform.

(10) Internship. A supervised counseling experience of at least 600 clock hours. The internship provides an opportunity for the student to perform all the activities that a regularly employed licensed professional counselor would be expected to perform.

Alternative Experience. In lieu of the practicum and internship described in subparagraphs (9) and (10) above, an applicant may provide documentation of 700 hours of lawfully obtained supervised counseling experience. At least 280 hours must consist of direct client contact hours. Documentation must include supervisor affidavits and a copy of the applicant's final evaluation.

D. A psychology degree from a program that at the time the degree was awarded was accredited by the American Psychological Association or Canadian Psychological Association in clinical psychology or counseling psychology at the doctoral level.

2. Nonconforming Counseling Degree

An applicant without a qualifying degree as described in Section 2(1) of this chapter may meet the educational requirement for licensure by providing documented proof of:

A. A master's degree in counseling from a regionally accredited institution that was awarded on the basis of at least 36 but less than 48 semester hours of study; and

B. Supplemental graduate level coursework in a counseling program at a regionally accredited institution sufficient in amount to equal or exceed 48 semester hours overall, provided that the master's degree and supplemental coursework include curricular experiences and demonstrated knowledge that substantially satisfy each of the 10 core areas of study described in Section 2(1)(C)(1) through (10) of this chapter.

[NOTE: The board strongly recommends that prospective applicants review the educational requirements of this chapter with their academic advisor before taking supplemental graduate level coursework.]

An applicant applying under Section 2(1)(C) of this chapter who completed 48 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent, but whose curricular experiences and demonstrated knowledge do not substantially satisfy the required areas of study, may meet the educational requirement for licensure by completing such supplemental graduate level coursework as the board deems necessary to satisfy the deficiencies found.

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