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GCABC - Adventure Based Counseling

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CounselingGrad Certificate

General

Learning Outcomes

Description

The Graduate Certificate in Adventure-Based Counseling is designed for learners who have already attained a masters degree in a field of mental health practice and who wish to specialize in adventure- based interventions. Additionally, this 15-credit hour certificate can be taken concurrently with the 60 credit hours required for the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This is one of the very few academic programs with the program objective to incorporate the experience of experiential learning and adventure in modalities designed to heal clients and facilitate their personal exploration. Graduates will possess competencies in both conventional counseling and adventure therapy, including in residential and community-based settings.
Completion requirement

The required course MAEP50000 Intensive Field Experience is a 1 credit course that will be taken 3 times.

Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • MAEP51010
  • MAEP50000
  • MAEP50000
  • MAEP51041
  • MAEP51043
  • MAEP51046
  • MAEP50000

Other Requirements

  • Current Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid (or international equivalent) (see “Emergency Medical Competency” below).

  • Proof of Skill Competency (see “Adventure Skills Training” below)

  • Attendance at a conference or external training for networking and specialization.

  • Documentation of 300 direct service hours that utilize adventure-based counseling interventions.

Adventure Skills Training (AST)

In order to meet graduation requirements, Adventure-Based Counseling students must demonstrate relevant competencies in at least one area of skill concentration in the desired area of practice, e.g., rock-climbing, paddling, challenge course, skiing, etc. Completion and documentation of this learning (in coordination with faculty advisor) may be interwoven into related courses during a term. Suggested (though not endorsed) sources for specific Adventure Skills Trainings include, but are not limited to: Association for Experiential Education; National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS); Outward Bound; Project Adventure; American Mountain Guides Association; American Canoeing Association; Wilderness Education Association; Tom Brown Jr. Trackers School; Animus Valley Institute; School of Lost Borders; Wilderness Awareness School; Boulder Outdoor Survival School, and outdoor leadership and training seminars.

Emergency Medical Competency

In order to meet graduation requirements, emergency medical competency that is appropriate for their practice setting must be demonstrated through acquirement, or maintenance, of Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA). Students should plan to complete an 80-hour Wilderness First Responder or the 16-hour Wilderness First Aid course through a nationally established program prior to completion of their practicum experience. Often this course is taken concordantly with Risk Management and Ethics.