Appendix F
Sample Portfolio Guidelines for Counselor Education Candidates and Professional Counselors
Source: Sharon Johnson, Ed.D., and C. D. Johnson, Ph.D.
Sample Portfolio Guidelines for Counselor Education Candidates
Sample Rubrics for Counselor Candidates Sections 2 and 3
Sample Professional Counselor Portfolio
Sample Portfolio Guidelines for Counselor Education Candidates
BECOMING A
PROFESSIONAL
COUNSELOR
A Portfolio for
Counselor Education Candidates
by
Sharon Johnson, Ed.D.
and
C. D. Johnson, Ph.D.
Email:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Statement of Purpose
SECTION 1 Introduction to Counselor Education
1.1Becoming a Professional
1.2Exploring the Academic Program
1.3Academic Preparation
1.4Professional Preparation
1.5Professional Competencies
1.6Candidate, Client, System Outcomes
SECTION 2 Professional Background
2.1Academic Background (transcripts)
2.2Professional Experiences Related to Counseling
2.3Professional Association Membership
2.4Honors, Awards, Grants
2.5Publications
2.6Certificates, Credentials and Licenses (Title and Number)
2.7Letters of Recommendation and Commendation
2.8Specialized Skills
2.9Current Curriculum Vitae
2.10Current Resume
2.11Sample Cover Letter
2.12Community Involvement/Volunteer Service
2.13Mentor/Protégé Experiences
SECTION 3 Professional Preparation
3.1Personal Assessment
3.2Workshops and Training Sessions Attended
3.3Autobiography
3.4Professional/Personal Philosophy
3.5Readings
3.6Videotapes
3.7Professional Fieldwork and Internships
3.8Technology Applications
3.9Journal, Learning Logs
3.10Personal Reflection and Critique
SECTION 4 Sample Materials
4.1Staff Development
4.2Guidance Curriculum Unit
4.3Guidance/Career Center Plan
4.4Presentations
4.5Proposals
4.6Writing Sample Using APA Format
4.7 Results-Based Student Support Program
Purpose of the Portfolio
The portfolio is designed to provide a structure within which the counselor education candidate identifies competencies, experiences and other preparation for entering the field of counseling. It also serves as a place to maintain sample products, letters, papers and other artifacts of professional development.
The portfolio process may be used for a variety of purposes, including initial screening of counseling candidates to determine appropriateness of the individual for a counseling career, evaluation of progress during the program, and the assembly of a product through which graduates can showcase their skills. Although grades are important indicators of progress, they do not reflect the candidate's total growth in the counseling field, where behavioral and affective development are as important as cognitive development. The portfolio can be used to review progress and allows the advisor/mentor to monitor professional and personal development across the curriculum. The portfolio may be formally and informally assessed periodically during each individual's program. Achievements can be documented in many ways, including papers, case notes, counseling plans, evaluations, client reports and videotaped counseling sessions.
Prior to beginning a program, candidates must meet admission requirements such as attainment of minimum grade point average, an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, positive letters of recommendation and completion of an admissions packet which may include forms, autobiography and other pertinent information. Often an oral interview by one or more professors is needed for admission. After formal admission to the program, the candidate enrolls in the initial courses in the program. During counseling classes, candidates are assessed in oral communication skills, written communication skills, analytical ability, listening and assessment of interpersonal skills and personal characteristics. The candidate will have opportunities to make oral presentations, demonstrate interpersonal skills in small groups and produce videotapes demonstrating listening skills. Candidates receive analyses of performance in the indicated areas several times during a counselor education program.
The expectations of commitment, and continuing professional growth and development are also essential to the process of becoming a professional counselor. The portfolio is designed to provide a framework to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses throughout the professional life of the counselor candidate.
TO THE CANDIDATE: Please utilize this portfolio to document progress within the counselor education program: to maintain a record of validated competencies, provide evidence of accomplishments both within the academic program and in the community, and to assist in the process of monitoring your progress as a developing professional. This portfolio will contain a record that is helpful for job-seeking, promotion and evaluation. It is recommended that you maintain the portfolio with the indicated materials as a permanent record of the work and accomplishments you achieved during your studies. Your completed portfolio may be reviewed prior to program completion for evaluation and approval. When you leave, you will take your portfolio with you as a base to be used when you assemble your resume and professional papers for employment consideration.
SECTION ONE
INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELOR EDUCATION
1.1 Becoming a Professional
1.2 Exploring the Academic Program
•Entrance Requirements
•Progress Review, Advance to Candidacy
•Exit Requirements and Processes
1.3 Academic Preparation
•Application Form and Process
•Course Requirements
(Signed by Candidate and Coordinator)
1.4 Professional Preparation
• Ethical Standards
•Legal Requirements
•Professional Membership Forms
•Professional Insurance Information
1.5Professional Competencies Monitoring Form
•CTC and CACREP
•Signatures Required
1.6Candidate, Client, System Outcomes
SECTION 2
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
2.1Academic Background (Transcripts)
2.2Professional Experiences Related to Counseling
2.3Professional Association Membership
2.4Honors, Awards, Grants
2.5Publications
2.6Certificates, Credentials and Licenses (Title and Number)
2.7Letters of Recommendation and Commendation
2.8Specialized Skills
2.9Current Curriculum Vitae
2.10Current Resume
2.11Sample Cover Letter
2.12Community Involvement /Volunteer Service
2.13Mentor / Protégé Experiences
SECTION THREE
PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION
3.1Personal Assessment
•Instruments and Scores
3.2 Workshops and Training Sessions Attended
•Title-Presenter-Date-Location-Sponsor
•Competencies Acquired
3.3 Autobiography
3.4 Professional / Personal Philosophy
3.5 Readings
• Names of Books and Authors
• Names of Articles, Authors, and Journal Source
3.6 Videotapes
• Counseling Session
• Job Interview
3.7 Professional Fieldwork and Internships
• Competencies
• Evaluations
3.8 Technology Applications
• Computer-Assisted Guidance Systems
• Multi-media Experience and Competence
3.9 Journal, Learning Logs
3.10 Personal Reflection and Critique
SECTION FOUR
SAMPLE MATERIALS
4.1 Staff Development
• Presentations
• Units
4.2 Guidance Curriculum Unit
4.3 Guidance/Career Center Plan
4.4 Presentations
4.5 Proposals
4.6 Writing Sample Using APA Format
4.7 Comprehensive Guidance Program
Sample Rubrics for Counselor Candidates Sections 2 and 3
Source:
Sharon Johnson, Ed.D.
and C. D. Johnson, Ph.D.
SECTION 2: PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
2.1ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
_____ Excellent Rating: Student demonstrates exceptional achievement in academic studies and consistently seeks out workshops and other academic experiences to increase level of achievement. Student provides evidence of attendance at events, activities, clubs or other academic endeavors outside of required course of study. Student is diligent in monitoring progress and attainment of educational excellence.
• _____ GPA of 3.5 or above for all graduate level courses
• _____ No grade below a B in graduate courses
• _____ GPA of 3.0 for all undergraduate and graduate level courses
• _____ Transcripts included for all college work
• _____ Evidence of 2 or more workshops per year while in program
• _____ Certificate, CEUs, NBCC hours
• _____ List of courses, instructors, dates completed, grades
_____ Adequate Rating: Student demonstrates excellent achievement in either formal academic studies and/or workshops and other academic experiences to increase achievement. Student shows some evidence of attending non-required academic events. Student has maintained accurate records of attainment and educational endeavors.
•_____ GPA of 3.0-3.4 for all graduate level courses
• _____ No more than 2 grades below a B
• _____ Transcripts included for all graduate courses
•_____ GPA of 2.75 for all undergraduate and graduate courses
• _____ Evidence of 1 workshop per year while in program
• _____ Completion of one certificate or 2 CEUs or NBCC hours
• _____ List of courses, instructors, dates completed, grades
_____ Not adequately completed or addressed: Student has passing grades in graduate studies but has attended few additional workshops or other activities that denote a continuing interest in self-development. Records are not consistent nor are there adequate indications of academic involvement or interest apart from attending required classes.
•_____ GPA below 3.0 for all graduate level classes
• _____ More than 2 grades below a B
• _____ Missing transcripts
• _____ No workshops or activities beyond required coursework
• _____ Missing list of courses, instructors, dates, grades
2.2 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES RELATED TO COUNSELING
______Excellent Rating: Portfolio provides evidence of work in a variety of positions, paid and unpaid, jobs, internships, cooperative education or volunteer experiences related to counseling. Portfolio provides evidence of experience, amount of time spent, responsibilities and written evaluation.
• _____ Number of positions and time spent
• _____ Number of volunteer experiences
• _____ Documentation provided
______Adequate Rating: Portfolio provides evidence of minimal work experience or volunteer experiences related to counseling. Evidence includes description of position, amount of time spent, responsibilities and evaluation.
•_____ Number of positions and time spent
• _____ Number of volunteer experiences
• _____ Documentation provided
______Inadequately addressed: Very few or no experiences validated related to counseling, either paid or unpaid. Little or no evidence provided.
2.3 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
_____ Excellent Rating: Student provides evidence of membership in more than one professional association including state, national, regional and divisions. Student also belongs to a minimum of one local or campus counseling or education oriented association. Student provides evidence of leadership positions, dates of meetings attended, agendas or programs for meetings and date when membership began. Student has demonstrated leadership in at least one association activity. Student has evidence of attendance at one or more professional association conferences or conventions each year in the program.
• _____ Number of associations (national, state, local, regional)
• _____ Leadership positions
• _____ Participation in conferences/conventions
• _____ Volunteer assistance with meetings, conferences
2.3PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP (con’t)
______Adequate Rating: Student provides evidence of membership in a minimum of one professional association including state, national, regional and divisions/affiliates. Student also belongs to a minimum of one local or campus counseling or education association. Portfolio provides evidence of membership, meetings attended and date when membership began. Student has volunteered assistance in at least one association activity. Student has evidence of attendance at one or more professional association conferences or conventions during tenure in the program.
• _____ Number of associations (national, state, local, regional)
• _____ Leadership positions
• _____ Participation in conferences/conventions
• _____ Volunteer assistance with meetings, conferences
______Inadequately addressed: Student does not belong to a professional association, has no evidence of meetings attended, leadership, volunteer assistance or other indicators of taking an active role in a professional association.
2.4 HONORS, AWARDS, GRANTS
______Excellent Rating: Student has received one or more scholarships, honors, grants, awards or other recognition of excellence. Background on contributing organization, dates received and other descriptive information such as award letter, certificate, etc. is documented.
______Adequate rating: Student has received one scholarship, honor, grant or award that indicates achievement in a specific identified area which may not relate to academic excellence or professional accomplishment.
______Inadequately addressed: Student has not documented any honor, award or grant.
2.5 PUBLICATIONS
______Excellent Rating: Student has had one or more publications related to counseling such as newspaper articles, proceedings, papers or documents published by professional counseling or educational groups. List of publications follows APA reference format and copies of publications are provided.
______Adequate rating: Student has one publication such as newspaper article, proceeding, paper or document published by professional counseling or educational groups. List of publication follows APA reference format and copies of publication are provided. Student provides list and copies of articles, papers, etc. submitted for publication with notice of rejection or need to revise.
______Inadequately addressed: Student has no evidence of publications, nor materials prepared in appropriate format and submitted for publication.
2.6CERTIFICATES, CREDENTIALS AND LICENSES
_____ Excellent Rating: Student has two or more certificates, credentials or licenses related to education, counseling or specialty area. List of title, number, date granted is provided.
______Adequate rating: Student has earned one certificate, credential or license related to education, counseling or specialty area. List of title, number, date granted is provided.
______Inadequately addressed: Student has no evidence of any certificate, credential or license related to education, counseling or specialty area.
2.7LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION AND COMMENDATION
______Excellent Rating: Student has three or more letters of recommendation or commendation related to education, counseling or specialty area. A list is provided of contributors, date written and competency validated. Competencies validated:
_____1. academic preparation and applications
_____2. professional counseling skills
_____3. team membership contributions
_____4. assumption of leaderships role(s)
_____5. quality of work (writing, planning, time management, organization)
_____6. attitudes toward and from colleagues, management, staff, parents, students, community.
_____7. community involvement and contributions
_____8. interpersonal skills (maturity, relationship building)
______Adequate rating: Student has two letters of recommendation or commendation related to education, counseling or specialty area. A list is provided of contributors, date written and competency validated.
______Inadequately addressed: Student has none or one letter of recommendation or commendation related to education, counseling or a specialty area. There is no competency indicated in the letter.
2.8SPECIALIZED SKILLS
Examples:
1. computer expertise,
2. foreign languages,
3. public speaking,
4. grant writing,
5. video production
______Excellent Rating: Student has validated two or more specialized skills that could be professionally relevant. A list of skills with validation of competency is included.
______Adequate rating: Student has validated one specialized skill that could be professionally relevant. Indication of the skill with validation of competency is included.
______Inadequately addressed: Student has no validated specialized skills.
2.9CURRENT CURRICULUM VITA
1.Identifying data
2.Educational background
3.Professional experiences (in reverse chronological order)
4.Licenses and credentials
5.Members in professional organizations
6.Research experience
7.Honors, awards, and scholarships
8.Publications (include special reports, booklets)
9.Contributions to the community
10.Consultation
11.Professional presentations
______Excellent Rating: Student has an current vita that indicates ongoing interest and effort toward becoming an actively involved, participating member of the professional community. Item #3 indicates 3 or more professional activities while student is in the counseling program. Vita is accurate, has a professional appearance, complete information and provides a clear presentation of the student’s interests and efforts.
______Adequate rating: Student has a current vita that clearly represents participation in 1 or more professional activities while student is in the counseling program. Vita is accurate, has a professional appearance, complete information and provides a clear presentation of the student’s interests and efforts.
______Inadequately addressed: Student has a limited vita that is presentable but does not clearly portray an interest nor efforts toward becoming an active professional.
2.10PREPARING A RESUME
______Excellent Rating: Student has a resume that is current, accurate, concise, and relevant to a counseling position. Resume has a professional appearance, uses appropriate type for emphasis, is printed on high quality paper, contains no spelling, typographical or punctuation errors and uses laser print. Resume makes the best presentation of the candidate’s qualifications. Resume addresses most of the following categories:
_____ Identifying data
_____ Objective
_____ Overview statement
_____ Accomplishments
_____ Education
_____ Major course work
_____ Experience
_____ Specialized skills.
_____ Professional affiliation, campus/community activities, honors, awards
_____ Interests
_____ References
______Adequate rating: Student has a resume that is current, accurate, concise, and relevant to a counseling position. Resume has a professional appearance, contains no spelling, typographical or punctuation errors. Resume makes the best presentation of the candidate’s qualifications.
______Inadequately addressed: Student has a resume that is presentable, includes appropriate information but does not clearly portray the candidate’s qualifications in a professional manner
2.11SAMPLE COVER LETTER
______Excellent Rating: Student has a cover letter that is three paragraphs long, is written on high quality paper with a printed personal letterhead, is directed to a specific individual and emphasizes the candidate’s unique qualifications for a counseling position. The language is compelling, with no spelling, grammatical or typographical errors.
______Adequate rating: Student has a cover letter that includes most of the following requirements: 1) is three paragraphs long, 2) printed on personal letterhead, 3) is directed to a specific individual 3) emphasizes the candidate’s unique qualifications for a counseling position, and, 4) has no spelling, grammatical or typographical errors.
______Inadequately addressed: Student has a cover letter that is presentable but does not meet the indicated requirements for an adequate letter.
2.12 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, VOLUNTEER SERVICE
______Excellent Rating: Student has contributed to the community through active involvement and/or volunteer service in more than one activity related to counseling. Portfolio includes evidence of the service provided, how long the service was provided, where it was done, supervisor’s validation and what results occurred. Student reflection analysis of how experience affected you, what was enjoyed, what was learned and how service contributed to the community or group.
______Adequate rating: has contributed to the community through active involvement and/or volunteer service in one activity related to counseling. Portfolio includes evidence of the service provided, how long the service was provided, where it was done, supervisor’s validation and what results were attained. Student reflection analysis of how experience affected you, what was enjoyed, what was learned and how service positively contributed to the community or group.
______Inadequately addressed: Student has no indication of community involvement or volunteer service related to counseling.
2.13MENTOR / PROTÉGÉ EXPERIENCES
______Excellent Rating: Student has selected a mentor and through reflection is able to identify positive impact on knowledge, attitudes and skills gained from the experience. Student has also acted as a mentor to another student or counselee. Student includes written reflection and analysis on own growth through being a mentor and growth seen in protégé. Summary demonstrates a clear understanding and appreciation of the benefits and costs of mentor/protégé experiences.
______Adequate rating: Student has experience as a mentor or a protégé and provides a summary of what was learned, analysis of the experience and reflection on the benefits and costs of the relationship.
______Inadequately addressed: Student does not provide evidence of learning through a mentor or a protégé experience.
SECTION 3 Professional Preparation
3.1PERSONAL ASSESSMENT
______Excellent Rating: Student has taken 3 or more assessment instruments, lists instruments, results and interpretation of results. Student has a clear understanding of the meaning of each assessment, the personal characteristics each portrays and how the results relate to his/her personal experiences, skills, goals and self-perception. Student is able to correlate results to demonstrate a more holistic view of self.