Academic Review Process/Academic Moratorium

Academic Review Process:

In accordance with Oklahoma Administrative Code the Board approves or disapproves all coursework received by the agency in the form of a University transcript. The coursework is placed on a spreadsheet which includes the following:

• University Name
• University Program
• Course Prefix
• Course Number
• Course Name
• Number of Hours Earned
• Course Description from the Course Catalog for the Semester the Course Credit was Earned

The course descriptions are obtained from the University. Once the coursework has been collected it is submitted to the appropriate Licensure Committee for review. The committee consists of two Board members and both members are licensed. The committee members review each course and make recommendations to approve or disapprove. If a course is approved, the committee members also assign the most appropriate academic category for each course. The committee's recommendations are presented to the full Board and the Board votes on the committee's recommendations.

The Board believes that this process is a fair and equitable method by which to ascertain the fitness of coursework received by the agency. The anonymity of the process ensures all applicants are treated equally and that action is taken solely on the basis of what the regulations require.

Academic Moratorium:

In 2015, in accordance with §59-1905, the Board examined its academic review processes in an effort to uphold the academic standards outlined in the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC). Recognizing the impact the Board's actions may have on future applicants and in order to offer deference to students and University programs, on August 28, 2015 the Board adopted an academic moratorium to be effective for a period of three (3) years. The Board voted that all disapproved coursework that was both accrued prior to August 28, 2015 and approved by the agency prior to August 28, 2015 (as substantiated by agency documentation), will remain approved through July 31, 2018.

However, as of August 1, 2018 any application received must document that the applicant completed a sixty (60) semester credit hours or ninety (90) quarter credit hours graduate degree program consisting of Board approved counseling-related coursework, including internship, from a regionally accredited college or university that follows a planned, sequenced mental health program of study which is reflected in the university catalog and approved by the governing authority of the college or university.

In addition to reviewing individual courses received on transcripts received by the Board. The Board also worked with many university programs to gather, review and vote on coursework currently being offered. You may find a list of Board approved programs and coursework at the following link: Academic Requirements