Plain language analysis:
This rule corrects inadvertent omissions when the board updated the education equivalency standards in CR 13-009. Section 1 maintains the language of MPSW 14.01 (2) (b) and then adds a sentence to the end of the paragraph to clarify the internship experience includes an average of one and a half hours of group supervision throughout the internship similar to the language in the practicum experience.
Section 2 clarifies an applicant may complete up to 18 credit hours outside of the master’s degree if necessary to meet the equivalency requirements. This provision is necessary in order to avoid permanently preventing applicants from being able to meet the requirements because their degree program was missing some of the required content.
Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation: None
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: Illinois requires the master’s and doctoral degree come from a counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs or the Council on Rehabilitation Education or a psychology program approved by the American Psychological Association and the Council for the National Registry of Health Service Providers. Any program not accredited or approved by the program will be evaluated by the Board to determine equivalency. The equivalency standards are not specified by rule.
Iowa: Iowa requires mental health counselors meeting the educational requirements by demonstrating an equivalent to a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs to have an internship which includes a minimum of one and a half hours per week of group supervision by a program faculty member supervisor. Iowa does not indicate whether courses outside of the degree will be considered to meet the requirements.
Michigan: Michigan requires education programs to meet the 2009 standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs or the Council on Rehabilitation Education.
Minnesota: Minnesota requires a supervised field experience in counseling that is not fewer than 700 hours but does not indicate the required supervision hours. Minnesota allows 20 credits to be completed postdegree for purposes of meeting coursework requirements.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
Stakeholders approached the board requesting the clarifications.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:
This rule was posted for economic comments and none were received. The rule retains the current requirements where were inadvertently removed in CR 13-009. Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:
The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.
Effect on small business:
These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at Kirsten.Reader@wisconsin.gov, or by calling (608) 267-2435. Agency contact person:
Sharon Henes, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Room 151, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708; telephone 608-261-2377; email at DSPSAdminRules@wisconsin.gov. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXT OF RULE
Section 1. MPSW 14.01 (2) (b) as affected by CR 13-009 is repealed and recreated to read: MPSW 14.01 (2) (b) At least 6 semester hours or 8 quarter hours academic credit in a supervised internship counseling experience that provides documented proof of a minimum of 600 hours of supervised internship experience with at least 240 hours of face-to-face client contact. The internship experience includes evaluation of the student’s counseling performance throughout the internship and one hour per week of individual or triadic supervision throughout the internship performed by the onsite or field supervisor. The internship experience further includes an average of 1½ hours per week of group supervision that is provided on a regular schedule throughout the internship by a program faculty member or a student supervisor.
Section 2. MPSW 14.01 (3) is created to read:
MPSW 14.01 (3) Notwithstanding sub. (1), an applicant may, at an institution which was accredited by its regional accrediting association at the time the course was completed, complete up to 18 credit hours outside the program of studies leading to a master’s degree in order to meet the requirements in sub. (2).
Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. The rules adopted in this order shall take effect on September 1, 2018.
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(END OF TEXT OF RULE)
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