Date of Award

Fall 12-6-2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Robyne Elder

Second Advisor

Dr. Roger "Mitch" Nasser Jr.

Third Advisor

Dr. Laura Metcalfe

Abstract

This study sought to explore undergraduate and faculty perceptions about oncampus counseling services. On-campus counseling services for clarification purposes, could be understood as a behavioral health service used by undergraduate students to discuss and address identified personal issues during a semester-based academic school year. The data was collected via a written response survey and it was administered at a private Midwestern university throughout the spring, summer, and fall traditional undergraduate semesters of 2018. The study looked to understand students’ perceptions on the overall need and functionality of the current counseling services promoted at their university. Furthermore, faculty interviews were conducted to collect data on perceptions about the overall need and functionality of counseling services. The research focused on the concern that both student and faculty perceptions can be representative of how counseling services are promoted and utilized on a university campus. The qualitative research instruments used for the study included a 10-question, written response survey for students to complete in a controlled classroom setting; and a five-question interview administered to faculty members. The researcher included both open-ended survey and interview instrumentation to have two forms of qualitative measurement within the study focusing on the similarities of participant responses from different data-measurements. Data responses were then separated into primary, secondary and shared responses for classification purposes. Primary responses were defined as student and faculty responses, which addressed the research questions directly. Secondary responses were answers that added value to the study but did not directly address the content of the research questions. The secondary responses helped to generate additional awareness of concerns by both iii faculty and students, but were not a focus of the initial research questions. The shared responses were recurrent answers that both faculty and students reported in their answers. Results of the study showed a growing need for on-campus behavioral health services and they were accessible, however, participants did not know where counseling services could be located on campus, despite a highly visible campus awareness campaign. The study’s further results (location, qualifications, and counselor’s role) indicated that a joint approach of counseling awareness initiatives (online campus self-referrals, tv-monitor advertising) in collaboration with yearly data collection (student behavioral health concerns, faculty input on services offered) could allow for students and faculty to have a more in-depth understanding of on-campus counseling services and accessibility of counseling-services offered. With a greater understanding of both faculty and students, each group would be able to determine if applicable referrals should be made on behalf of students in addition to having instantaneous knowledge of what counseling services are best used for when in need.

Rights

Copyright 2019

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