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School of Health Professions - Student Handbook 2019 - 2020


Graduate Certificate in Veterans Services

Certificate Option


This section of the Student Handbook describes policies and procedures that are specific to the Veterans Services program. Academic policies that are common to the School of Health Professions are provided at the following website address: https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/current/policies.aspx 

Mission, Goals, and Objectives

The mission of the graduate certificate in Veterans Services at Texas Tech University Health Sciences center forwards the mission of the University by providing a practitioner training program focused on the unique needs of diverse communities. As part of the college’s ongoing commitment to veterans, this certificate provides professionals with skills and knowledge they need to support veterans as they transition to civilian life. We are committed to preparing entry-level professionals to work competently and ethically through the mastery of evidence-based practices. Our focus centers on empowering veterans to make informed choices, build viable careers, and live more independently within the community.
 
The goal of the program is to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to assist veterans in achieving their education and career goals, how to be a self-advocate, and to acclimate back into civilian life.
 
The objectives of our program are linked to our mission statement. They are to provide:
  • Educational experiences that facilitate the development of knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to the practice of qualified health professionals with a diverse veteran population in a wide variety of contexts.
  • Learning opportunities to support the ability to implement culturally responsive and ethically sound health professionals throughout their careers, and to advocate for individuals with disabilities and the profession.
  • Clinical training experiences focused on translating acquired knowledge, attitudes and skills to evidence-based practice in a wide range of real-world environments.
The graduate certificate in Veterans Services is designed for:

  • Clinical Rehabilitation Counselors who wish to advance their knowledge

  • Veterans who want to serve other veterans

  • Active-duty personnel interested in a career serving veterans

  • Students and professionals in rehabilitation sciences, health and human services, counseling, and social science

  • Veterans’ Administration employees who wish to advance their knowledge

  • Education and career advisors who work with veterans

  • Veterans’ services officers

  • Human resources professionals in organizations committed to hiring veterans

  • Law-enforcement personnel and other first responders

  • Military family members who wish to advocate more effectively

Graduates will have career opportunities in almost every aspect of the helping profession in substance abuse counseling, health and human services, community mental health centers, community resource centers, homeless shelters and services, Veteran Affairs’ hospitals including their specialty units and research/service centers.

Program Design
Courses are taught completely online and students may begin the graduate certificate program in the fall or spring semester. This certificate only requires 12 credit hours to be completed.

 

Admissions Requirements

1.    Online Application

  • SHP Application information can be accessed through this website. Please make sure that all information on your application is correct before selecting “Submit.” If a change needs to be made, please email health.professions@ttuhsc.edu

2.    Application Fee

  • The $75 Merlin Application Fee can be paid through the online application by credit card. You may also pay by check or money order; mail a check or money order to the Office of Admissions and Students Affairs (3601 4th Street MS 6294, Lubbock, TX 79430). Please make checks and money orders payable to “TTUHSC.” Your application will not be considered for admission until your fee has been paid.

3.    Official Transcripts

  • The Office of Admissions and Student Affairs must receive a current, official transcript from every institution that you’ve attended. If you have attended TTU or TTUHSC, you only need to send official transcripts from the other institutions you’ve attended. Transcripts must be in a sealed envelope from the institution and must have been printed within the last year. Please send all official transcripts to the following address:

TTUHSC SHP Admissions and Student Affairs

3601 4th Street MS 6294

Lubbock, TX 79430

4.    Criminal Background Check

  • All students must complete a criminal background check prior to entering the graduate certificate program in Veteran’s Services.

5.    Office GRE Scores

  • The GRE is not required for the graduate certificate program in Veteran’s Services.

6.    Bachelor’s Degree

  • Individuals applying for the graduate certificate in Veteran’s Services must already hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferably in a related area such as psychology, sociology, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, social work, special education or nursing; however, degrees in other areas will be considered.

7.    Minimum GPA

  • Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.5 is required; this includes all courses taken at every institution attended, or must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 credit hours from all institutions.

8.    Letters of Recommendation

  • Two letters of recommendation are required for an application to be complete, but the program prefers three letters of recommendation be submitted. Letters of recommendation are submitted online through the SHP Application. A recommender's name and email address will be required. Your recommender will receive an email with a link to our recommendation form for them to submit electronically.

9.    International Applicants

  • All foreign coursework must be evaluated by a Foreign Credential Service. We also require TOEFL/IELTS Scores for any applicant for whom English is their second language (scores are considered on a case by case basis). Please refer to our International Applicants webpage for more information and TOEFL/IELTS exemptions.

Application Process

Prior work experience, paid or voluntary, in human service settings will normally be expected. Persons applying with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission
 
The applications for admission to the graduate certificate in Veteran’s Services are reviewed and rank ordered according to:

  • Academic performance

  • Career goals

  • Previous work or volunteer experience to the field

  • Unique individual contributions to the field

  • Writing skills

  • Computer literacy

The faculty admissions committee selects the top applicants and rank orders them according to the selection criteria. Selected applicants are contacted for a telephone interview. Recommendations for admission are made to the Dean of the School of Health Professions.

Expected Student Outcomes
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the psychosocial, social, vocational, and health needs of veterans, and the impact of those needs upon the veteran and their family system;
  • Demonstrate the ability to facilitate various types of groups for veterans; and
  • Demonstrate the ability to network and link veterans and their families with specialized services.

Academic and Clinical Behavior:
Department-Student Agreement

Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health,
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Students are expected to conduct their behavior in accordance with the following regulations:
  1. The use of unauthorized written or oral references during examinations (cheating) is prohibited. This applies to all forms of electronic communication (e-mail, instant messaging, texting, etc.) for web-based examinations.
  2. The inadequate citation of references or assistance on papers or class presentations (plagiarism) is prohibited.
  3. Habitual tardiness, unexcused absences and lack of participation in class activities is prohibited.
  4. Students will behave in accordance with the Code of Ethics set forth by the School of Health Professions and respective program/professional organizations.
  5. Students will comply with all rules and regulations of the clinical facilities to which they are assigned.
I certify that I have received a copy of the Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health Student Handbook for my personal use and reference.
I assume responsibility to read, review and thoroughly understand the rules, regulations, code of ethics and honor code as outlined in this Student Handbook. I agree to abide by all rules, regulations and codes while I am a student in the Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Within one week after receipt of this handbook, I agree that I am responsible for writing an inquiry to the Program Director for clarification of any information in this handbook, including inquiry about consequences for my failure to comply. If I do NOT write an inquiry within one week after receipt, I am declaring that I fully understand my responsibilities and any consequences for my failure to meet those responsibilities.
By entering a web-based course, you are signifying that you have read and agree to all applicable guidelines, policies, regulations and rules set forth in the TTUHSC School of Health Professions, Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health Student Handbook and the TTUHSC Information Technology Policy.