WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:06.340 Thank you again for joining our webinar on how to help counsel veterans presented by Divine Mercy University. 00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:07.940 I'm Julie. 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:15.525 I'm an admissions counselor here at Divine Mercy University, and my contact information's here. 00:00:16.645 --> 00:00:20.885 That number is my direct number, so you can call me or text me at that number. 00:00:20.885 --> 00:00:22.505 You can also email me anytime. 00:00:23.285 --> 00:00:25.385 So that's me on a very bad hair day. 00:00:27.860 --> 00:00:34.200 Anyway, as we go through this webinar, I will have a chance for everyone to ask questions at the end. 00:00:35.140 --> 00:00:39.140 Please, you know, make note of your questions as they occur to you. 00:00:39.140 --> 00:00:40.515 I'd love to answer all of them. 00:00:40.915 --> 00:00:48.695 But for the sake of time limit timeliness and people who might have to drop off right away at the end, we save questions till the end. 00:00:49.875 --> 00:00:52.435 You can pop them in chat as we go along. 00:00:52.435 --> 00:00:56.790 If, you know, you can note some questions in chat, and I will answer them at the end of the webinar. 00:00:57.250 --> 00:00:57.570 Alright. 00:00:57.570 --> 00:00:58.470 Here we go. 00:00:59.090 --> 00:01:03.910 So Divine Mercy University is the graduate school of psychology and counseling. 00:01:05.330 --> 00:01:06.085 So that's all we do. 00:01:06.085 --> 00:01:08.825 We specialize in training, mental health professionals. 00:01:08.965 --> 00:01:09.285 Oops. 00:01:09.285 --> 00:01:10.185 Sorry about that. 00:01:11.205 --> 00:01:15.705 We were actually founded in the late nineties under the name Institute for the Psychological Sciences. 00:01:18.420 --> 00:01:19.460 That college still exists. 00:01:19.460 --> 00:01:22.920 If you've poked around our website at all, you've probably seen that name. 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:25.000 So that's still us. 00:01:25.460 --> 00:01:28.020 That college houses our psychology side. 00:01:28.020 --> 00:01:31.005 So we have another online master's in general psych. 00:01:31.405 --> 00:01:34.125 We also have an an on-site doctoral program. 00:01:34.125 --> 00:01:39.745 So we do have an actual campus with actual doctoral students here, attending classes on campus. 00:01:41.245 --> 00:01:48.700 But what they found through offering those programs was that there was such a need for counselors and particularly for counselors of faith. 00:01:49.240 --> 00:01:59.020 So, what they did to resolve that was to add the second college, the school of counseling that we're discussing, and the master's in clinical mental health counseling. 00:02:00.360 --> 00:02:04.785 So So when a school has more than one college, that's the point at which they take a university name. 00:02:04.785 --> 00:02:09.365 So that's how we went from being plain old IPS to Divine Mercy University. 00:02:11.825 --> 00:02:20.420 We seek to provide our students an effective academic and educational environment to support the integration of the human sciences and the Catholic Christian understanding of the person. 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:23.620 And to that end, our school is accredited. 00:02:23.760 --> 00:02:27.220 We're regionally accredited by the Southern Association or SACS. 00:02:27.605 --> 00:02:29.865 That's here, the first one up on the left. 00:02:31.125 --> 00:02:36.345 So regional accreditation is the baseline baseline you should look for in any US school you attempt. 00:02:36.805 --> 00:02:45.330 If you're looking at various schools and they can't give you a simple yes to the regional accreditation question, that's your sign to go very quickly in the opposite direction. 00:02:45.550 --> 00:02:48.130 So regional accreditation is just a minimum. 00:02:48.670 --> 00:02:52.450 So the way it works is each area of the country has its own accrediting agency. 00:02:52.750 --> 00:02:54.210 Each one has a different name. 00:02:54.365 --> 00:02:58.465 Our region happens to be called the Southern Association or SACS is the acronym. 00:02:59.085 --> 00:03:03.565 So Southern SACS region goes from where we are in Virginia all the way down around to Texas. 00:03:03.565 --> 00:03:08.790 So UT, Auburn, UVA, all those schools are accredited by SACS just like we are. 00:03:09.990 --> 00:03:15.450 When you start talking about psychology and counseling, there are a couple of extra accreditations that can be earned. 00:03:16.070 --> 00:03:21.050 APA, American Psychological Association here is kind of the big dog of all of those. 00:03:21.190 --> 00:03:22.710 Most people have heard of the APA. 00:03:22.710 --> 00:03:24.845 It's pretty common commonly mentioned. 00:03:26.825 --> 00:03:31.885 So, our school did receive APA accreditation back in 2016. 00:03:32.025 --> 00:03:39.645 In fact, we became only the second school in the whole history of the APA to receive the full seven year accreditation grant on the first try. 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:45.840 When you start talking about counseling, the extra accreditation for that type of program is known by the acronym, CACREP. 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:49.420 CACREP is something, we are working towards. 00:03:49.420 --> 00:03:51.120 We're at the tail end of the process. 00:03:51.915 --> 00:03:55.775 We've done everything we need to do, and we've submitted all of our documents to KCRAB. 00:03:55.915 --> 00:04:00.895 We're just waiting for them to schedule the on-site review and hopefully, god willing, award accreditation. 00:04:01.195 --> 00:04:08.910 So it sounds like it should be quick from here on out, but as with any other bureaucracy, it's nothing is quick. 00:04:08.910 --> 00:04:13.090 So we're probably eighteen months to two years from wrapping this up. 00:04:14.190 --> 00:04:23.135 But once once we do, the 10 states that require CACREP accreditation will come under our umbrella, and our degree will be fine in 48 states. 00:04:23.675 --> 00:04:26.475 The two hold out that's degree for counseling, that is. 00:04:26.635 --> 00:04:34.610 The two hold outs will be Illinois and New Hampshire, and that's because you have to go to school in state in Illinois and in person in New Hampshire. 00:04:34.830 --> 00:04:41.890 So as long as you don't have plans to move to Illinois or New Hampshire anytime soon, this program will be great for you and good for licensing in your state. 00:04:42.365 --> 00:04:42.525 Alright. 00:04:42.525 --> 00:04:47.825 Again, any questions about accreditation, I'd be happy to answer, but let's, just pop them into the chat now. 00:04:48.125 --> 00:04:49.585 Talk about that at the end. 00:04:49.885 --> 00:04:50.385 Alright. 00:04:50.765 --> 00:04:57.660 So, some things to consider to kind of figure out if, becoming a mental health professional is the right path for you. 00:04:59.660 --> 00:05:05.840 Are you concerned by mental health challenges of, service members you encounter and their families? 00:05:09.260 --> 00:05:14.555 Do you want a career post service that would enable you to work directly with individuals and their families? 00:05:15.975 --> 00:05:19.915 Are you able to support others in their difficult problems and in their challenges? 00:05:21.015 --> 00:05:26.215 And, finally, if you were to apply and be admitted, are you committed to completing the program? 00:05:26.215 --> 00:05:29.170 Are you someone who finishes what you begin? 00:05:29.870 --> 00:05:30.370 Alright. 00:05:32.830 --> 00:05:36.370 So let's talk a little bit about mental health statistics for veterans. 00:05:37.230 --> 00:05:39.010 It's a little bit of a grim picture. 00:05:39.805 --> 00:05:46.945 So, some of the worst wounds that veterans carry might be wounds that aren't visible to the naked eye. 00:05:49.325 --> 00:06:00.450 You can see a few statistics there around the brain image, but it's important to note that recognizing mental illness is the first step toward recovery. 00:06:00.990 --> 00:06:01.490 Right? 00:06:02.510 --> 00:06:04.750 Recognizing the problem, it's hard to get help. 00:06:04.750 --> 00:06:08.125 If you don't get help, you don't improve, obviously. 00:06:08.745 --> 00:06:09.145 Alright? 00:06:09.145 --> 00:06:18.600 So in 2017, fourteen percent of suicides were by US veterans, and that number remains high to this day. 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:28.060 The rate of PTSD is 15 times higher in active duty service members compared to just general population of civilians. 00:06:29.960 --> 00:06:37.095 The depression rate in active duty service members is also very high as compared to the general population. 00:06:41.395 --> 00:06:57.180 Fifty five percent of women and thirty eight percent of men experience some form of sexual harassment in the military, and that can lead to other mental health mental health issues, including PTSD, etcetera. 00:06:58.360 --> 00:06:58.860 Alright. 00:07:03.505 --> 00:07:07.045 You know, there there must be a reason that veterans aren't seeking care. 00:07:08.625 --> 00:07:15.285 There is a stigma sometimes attached to seeking help, especially for, mental illness. 00:07:16.530 --> 00:07:18.390 Personal embarrassment is one. 00:07:19.970 --> 00:07:22.370 Long wait times to receive mental health treatment. 00:07:22.370 --> 00:07:28.290 There are very few providers, as related to the need, and that's across the population. 00:07:28.290 --> 00:07:30.530 That's not related to military only. 00:07:30.530 --> 00:07:32.565 It's also in the general population. 00:07:33.585 --> 00:07:49.690 Again, a stigma over the need for mental health services and shame over needing to seek out that kind of health and the fear that should you seek that kind of thing that you would be seen as weak somehow or less in some way. 00:07:52.790 --> 00:08:08.215 There is a general lack of understanding about mental health problems and treatment options, and we seek to remedy remedy that as a university, through providing well trained mental health professionals can address these problems. 00:08:14.850 --> 00:08:23.385 So veterans who return to civilian lifestyle tend to need mental health services. 00:08:25.285 --> 00:08:43.940 And and I don't know if you have any guesses about the percentage of them who actually received that help, but to stop the suspense right now, I'll tell you that that number is fewer than fifty percent of veterans who need mental health services receive them. 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:53.395 So, again, the need across this veteran population and across the population in general is huge. 00:08:53.395 --> 00:09:00.215 There are far too few counselors, particularly counselors of faith, to address the need that's out there. 00:09:01.555 --> 00:09:04.055 With this kind of training, you could be part of that solution. 00:09:06.070 --> 00:09:06.470 Right. 00:09:06.470 --> 00:09:13.930 So, DMU has a lot of special training in trauma for the students. 00:09:14.870 --> 00:09:22.265 In particular, we have a center for trauma and resiliency studies that is run by one of our counseling professors, doctor Keyes. 00:09:22.805 --> 00:09:32.750 You can find our center for trauma and resiliency studies on our website under the academics tab, and the bio for doctor Keyes is in the counseling pages of the website under faculty. 00:09:34.410 --> 00:09:41.705 The workshops, include all of the things listed here and more. 00:09:42.965 --> 00:09:57.440 The goal is to, train certified traumatologists who can respond to the need for mental health services for those who've experienced trauma. 00:09:58.220 --> 00:10:07.980 We also run a Green Cross center out of the school, led by doctor Keyes and the CTRS, which responds to disasters around the world. 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:25.370 So Green Cross responds much in the way that Red Cross does, but whereas Red Cross responds to the material needs of disaster victims, Green Cross goes to respond to the mental health and trauma needs of disaster victims and also first responders. 00:10:26.150 --> 00:10:37.690 So this is, you know, an active ongoing work that our students are able to participate in and also training available to all of our students. 00:10:43.115 --> 00:10:46.655 So what will you gain from the master's in clinical mental health counseling? 00:10:46.955 --> 00:10:50.335 This degree does lead to licensure as a mental health professional. 00:10:51.810 --> 00:10:57.510 You will be able to accept insurance, provide therapy for individuals, couples, and families. 00:10:58.770 --> 00:11:12.335 You can specialize in the area that interests you most, whether it's marriage and family, trauma, addictions, you know, whatever it is, children, you know, if you wanna work with kids, that's, you know, also a possibility. 00:11:12.555 --> 00:11:15.375 So there are many different ways to specialize. 00:11:17.355 --> 00:11:30.720 You will gain practical experience through your internship and your practicum working in, mental health facilities, and all of these will serve to train you to become a very effective licensed mental health counselor. 00:11:35.275 --> 00:11:48.260 Skills that transition from the classroom, from the military, obviously, self discipline, analytical skills, conflict resolution, leadership, grit, teamwork, work ethic. 00:11:48.880 --> 00:11:58.100 We are anxious and always looking for solid active duty or veterans to, you know, join our school. 00:12:01.695 --> 00:12:07.715 Here are just a few from each program who are veterans or active duty. 00:12:11.870 --> 00:12:17.810 Garrett Boyer is in our doctorate in clinical psychology program, so he's on campus as a student in NorthID. 00:12:20.350 --> 00:12:28.155 Noel is an online student in our master's in psychology program, And father Derek Barna is active duty military. 00:12:28.215 --> 00:12:31.435 He's a chaplain in the air force, I believe. 00:12:32.135 --> 00:12:32.635 Alright. 00:12:37.670 --> 00:12:55.855 So as a counseling student, you will be able to get hands on experience in your practicum and internship, which are done in your own area based on the kind of counseling that you'd like to do. 00:12:56.555 --> 00:13:02.015 Some people have chosen to work in, for the VA. 00:13:02.155 --> 00:13:07.100 We have a student placed at the medical center here, locally in Martinsburg, West Virginia. 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.640 It's not too far from us. 00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:16.320 We have students who have worked at the Friends Hospital in Philadelphia and for the VA in Montana. 00:13:17.260 --> 00:13:22.885 So there are a number of possibilities. 00:13:23.505 --> 00:13:25.845 Our internship placement is 100%. 00:13:26.465 --> 00:13:37.490 You will get one, and we will help you with it based on, again, the kind of counseling work you'd like to do, whether it's addictions, trauma, marriage, and family, what have you. 00:13:38.790 --> 00:13:45.030 Our acceptance requirements for the master's in counseling are just baseline a bachelor's degree in any field. 00:13:45.190 --> 00:13:47.110 We're an entry level program. 00:13:47.110 --> 00:13:52.505 So, if your degree is in synchronized swimming or advanced basket weaving, great. 00:13:52.505 --> 00:13:54.125 You know, we'd love to talk to you. 00:13:54.585 --> 00:14:00.365 We do require a GPA of three point o overall or in your major or in your last 60 credits. 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:03.520 This is not necessarily a deal breaker. 00:14:03.520 --> 00:14:12.900 If you're close to it, typically, you know, tip close to three point o but a little under, typically, we can find a three point o in your major or in your last 60 credits. 00:14:13.215 --> 00:14:17.875 But if not, you know, there are some workarounds, so don't let that be the reason that you don't apply. 00:14:18.975 --> 00:14:20.675 We also require the GRE. 00:14:21.535 --> 00:14:24.115 We don't use the GRE to make admissions decisions. 00:14:24.495 --> 00:14:26.515 It's really just a box you have to check. 00:14:27.390 --> 00:14:29.470 We, you know, we don't really care what you get. 00:14:29.470 --> 00:14:31.010 We just need you to do it. 00:14:31.630 --> 00:14:36.110 I tell people all the time, if I had to take that test for this program, I'd go tomorrow. 00:14:36.110 --> 00:14:39.645 I'd mark c for every answer and just rip that Band Aid off. 00:14:40.605 --> 00:14:44.385 If you begin your application, I'll be happy to put that in writing for you. 00:14:48.525 --> 00:14:53.400 We also would would need official transcripts sent from your university directly to us. 00:14:54.920 --> 00:15:00.060 If you're an international student, those transcripts would need to be evaluated for US equivalency. 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:11.745 As you're working through your application process, you do work on scholarships and federal aid if that's something that you wanted. 00:15:13.085 --> 00:15:17.105 Once that's all done, we would set you up for interviews and hopefully admissions. 00:15:21.085 --> 00:15:23.570 So here's where it gets real. 00:15:24.670 --> 00:15:30.350 Right now, the degree is $8.66 a credit, and it's a 66 credit master's degree. 00:15:30.350 --> 00:15:35.250 So $8.66 times 66 is $57.01 56. 00:15:36.035 --> 00:15:39.975 There's a $50 technology fee per class for a total of 1,100. 00:15:41.075 --> 00:15:45.975 There are lab fees if you move through your studies that total $3.75. 00:15:46.995 --> 00:15:50.380 And then there's a residency fee that totals 4,500. 00:15:50.380 --> 00:15:57.520 So residency is when you come to campus for a long weekend of conference style, in person learning. 00:15:58.380 --> 00:16:05.025 The fee is 1,500 per residency that covers your training, obviously, but also your hotel, most of your meals while you're here. 00:16:05.025 --> 00:16:06.725 So, really, you just have to show up. 00:16:07.265 --> 00:16:07.585 Alright. 00:16:07.585 --> 00:16:14.805 So all that together gives you a total tuition value for the whole program start to finish of $63.01 31. 00:16:15.105 --> 00:16:19.730 We do have a number of ideas for ways to make that affordable, which I will share with you here shortly. 00:16:21.790 --> 00:16:24.350 We do participate fully with the federal loan program. 00:16:24.350 --> 00:16:28.530 So if you felt like you wanted or needed a student loan, we can certainly set that up for you. 00:16:29.870 --> 00:16:36.345 Some employers do offer tuition reimbursement, so it's worth investigating to see if that might be a benefit for you at your place of employment. 00:16:38.005 --> 00:16:41.605 We also participate fully with the VA, with the GI bill. 00:16:41.605 --> 00:16:43.465 We're also a yellow ribbon school. 00:16:43.925 --> 00:16:48.485 So if you have any of those benefits or if they can be assigned to you, we participate with all of those. 00:16:48.485 --> 00:16:51.900 We're happy to help help you. 00:16:51.900 --> 00:16:54.640 We also have a very nice scholarship program available. 00:16:54.940 --> 00:16:58.960 Our scholarships are designed very nicely so that everybody qualifies for something. 00:16:59.660 --> 00:17:04.320 The way scholarships work is you can apply for four, then you can accept two. 00:17:05.555 --> 00:17:07.395 They are all listed on our website. 00:17:07.395 --> 00:17:12.855 You can read through what the requirements are for each one, see if, any of them might be a fit for you. 00:17:14.915 --> 00:17:19.700 We do, have a scholarship that is particular to veterans. 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:25.960 It's called our Patriot Scholarship, and that's good for up to a 10% off your tuition for your whole time in school. 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:32.105 We also so at DMU, you can go two tracks. 00:17:32.105 --> 00:17:37.805 You can either apply for scholarships or you can take a tuition reduction through a partnership agreement. 00:17:38.265 --> 00:17:43.005 We do happen to have a partnership agreement in place with the archdiocese for the military services. 00:17:44.590 --> 00:17:50.690 Service members and their families receive 25% off the cost of tuition for their whole time in school. 00:17:52.350 --> 00:17:53.970 That includes veterans also. 00:17:54.110 --> 00:17:56.430 And then, I believe so we have to look at that. 00:17:56.750 --> 00:18:02.465 And then religious and clergy received 50% off the cost of tuition for their whole time in school. 00:18:03.485 --> 00:18:09.565 So, that's about the end of the webinar information. 00:18:09.565 --> 00:18:12.145 I hope I thank you for sharing your time with us today. 00:18:12.350 --> 00:18:16.910 If you have questions about any of this information, I would be happy to answer them. 00:18:16.910 --> 00:18:18.610 I thank you again for your time. 00:18:19.550 --> 00:18:24.210 We are offering, as a thank you for your attendance, a an application fee waiver. 00:18:25.395 --> 00:18:33.575 You just need to apply by within the next week, November 17, to qualify for an additional $2,000 scholarship in addition to that. 00:18:33.715 --> 00:18:42.830 And if you, once you begin the application, if you just remind me that you're in the webinar, then I would be happy to help you, secure that scholarship. 00:18:43.370 --> 00:18:43.690 Alright. 00:18:43.690 --> 00:18:45.450 My direct contact information is there. 00:18:45.450 --> 00:18:47.130 You can call or text me at that number. 00:18:47.130 --> 00:18:49.230 Email is also a great way to reach me. 00:18:49.930 --> 00:18:52.430 And there's my personal meeting link at the bottom. 00:18:53.705 --> 00:18:59.945 If you would like to speak with me one on one, you can, use that link to view my calendar and choose the time that works for you. 00:18:59.945 --> 00:19:04.205 But thank you again for coming, and I hope you guys have a great end of the week.