Academic Program Proposal

Date Proposal Activated	Institution and Proposal	Degree Awarded	Academic Program Name	Objection Deadline	MHEC Final Action	Final Decision Date
1/13/2017	Community College of Baltimore County Proposal	L.D.C.	Behavioral Health Counseling Trainee	3/14/2017	Approved	4/20/2017
Behavioral Health Counseling Trainee Program Description
The Lower Division Certificate (L.D.C.) in Behavioral Health Counseling Trainee is includes the coursework most commonly needed by students who enter the Human Services Counseling (HUSC) seeking employment opportunities, and aligns with the Counselor Trainee workforce credential with the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. Students who complete the Behavioral Health Counselor Trainee Certificate will be eligible to apply for Counselor Trainee status, an entry-level workforce credential. The certificate enables students to enter the workforce while completing a degree that prepares them for full certification.  Graduates of the program will be able to utilize a variety of counseling skills and abilities to function effectively as counselors in a <br>variety of settings; assess and document a client's current status and apply basic therapeutic techniques; develop, prioritize, and implement a plan to address a client's presenting problem; conduct themselves professionally and ethically as counselors in culturally-diverse settings; and, express themselves professionally, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of audiences, including clients, other professionals, and external monitoring agencies.  <br>