Missie Mills
Assistant Editor
Milligan is considering a graduate program in
counseling, according to Dr. Lori Mills, associate professor of psychology.
“We have certainly had people who said they wish we had a counseling program
here,” Mills said.
Academic Dean Mark Matson said he is receptive to the idea of a master’s in
counseling program because it would “allow (Milligan) to have a uniquely
Christian focused program that helps people and would both utilize faculty
strengths, and allow for some strengthening of the undergraduate psychology
program.”
“I asked for a study about the feasibility of a master’s in counseling here at
Milligan,” Matson said. Since then, the psychology staff has been developing
ideas about the program, and exploring its possibility.
The program is now in what Matson calls “a study phase.”
Mills said the staff has developed possible course descriptions and sequences of
when courses might be taken, as well as possible tuition costs.
“We are still looking at costs, and also at the demand of the program,” Matson
said.
According to Mills, Matson has been very deliberate about how to proceed with
the program. She said he is not trying to make money, but to simply break even
on costs.
Mills said the staff only wants to proceed with the concept if there is a demand
for it.
“We’re trying to find whether it might be a nice addition that fills a need,”
Mills said.
To gauge undergraduate student interest in such a program, Mills sent out a mass
e-mail to all Milligan students requesting them to take a five-minute survey.
Mills said the survey is “somewhat representative of how much interest there
might be.”
Out of the 56 people who responded to the survey, 86 percent said that they
agree or strongly agree with the statement, “I am interested in pursuing a
master’s degree in counseling.”
Eighty-three percent said that they agreed or strongly agreed that they would
consider Milligan’s counseling program if Milligan were to offer one.
Another possibility is a co-op with Emmanuel School of Religion where students
could get a joint degree in counseling and divinity. Mills said this would be
something unique and attractive to offer students.
“It’s tricky,” Mills said, “because we want (the degree) to be able to be
finished in four years” as compared to the normal three years necessary for
divinity and two for counseling.
“We’re not sure where that is headed,” Matson said, “but that is at least out
there as a part of our thinking.”
Mills said Milligan’s master’s in counseling may begin as early as Fall 2005.
“If that is the case,” Mills said, “we would have to make a decision soon mainly
because of recruiting.”
According to Matson, the program is still purely conceptual and has not been
brought before the Academic Committee or to the President’s Cabinet.