(Standard 2.E)

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program systematically collects, analyzes, and evaluates the following outcome categories to ensure program effectiveness and compliance with CACREP Standards 2.E.1–2.E.5:

• Key Performance Indicator (KPI) outcome data
• Disposition assessment outcomes (PCPE and CCS-R)
• Credentialing exam pass rates (CPCE, NCE)
• Degree completion rates within 150% of program length
• Job placement and doctoral admission rates
• Fieldwork placement rates (Practicum and Internship)
• Alumni, employer, and community partner feedback

Outcome data are collected throughout the academic year and formally reviewed during the annual Program Faculty Retreat. Because the updated 2024 curriculum began in Fall 2024, KPI trend data will first be available in 2026. However, the program does have:

• Two full cohorts’ completion rate data
• CPCE/NCE results
• Employment/doctoral admission data
• Survey data Fieldwork placement data

These are reported below.

Outcome data are collected at the following intervals:

Each Semester

• KPIs from designated assignments
• CCS-R and PCPE disposition evaluations
• Fieldwork placement data (Practicum/Internship)

Annually

• CPCE/NCE pass rates
• Completion rates
• Job placement and doctoral admissions
• Alumni/employer/community partner surveys
•  Annual Program Evaluation Report (posted publicly)

All outcome data are securely stored in the institution’s OneDrive assessment system.

(Standards 2.E.5 and 2.F.4)

The CMHC program publishes all required outcome data annually on the program’s website, including:

• Completion rates
• Credentialing exam pass rates
• Job placement rates
• Fieldwork placement rates
• The Annual Program Evaluation Report

Degree Completion Rates (as of 2024–2025 Reporting Cycle)

• Cohort A (Fall 2022 start): 75% (6 of 8 students)
• Cohort B (Fall 2023 start): 91% (10 of 11 students)
• Aggregated Completion Rate: 84%
• Benchmark: 80%
• Status: Threshold met (aggregate)

This information will be updated annually, consistent with CACREP Standard 2.F.4.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program publishes all required outcome data in accordance with CACREP Standards 2.E.5 and 2.F.4. Because the revised curriculum and assessment system began implementation in Fall 2024, the first cohort under the new CACREP-aligned system will complete its full KPI, CPCE, CCS-R, and internship assessments in 2026. Therefore, required CACREP outcome data will be published beginning January/Summer 2026.

To maintain transparency during this transition, the program posts all currently available outcome information and clearly states which data will be available in 2026.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Public Disclosure of Outcome Data

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program at Northwestern College implemented a revised curriculum and CACREP-aligned assessment system in Fall 2024. Because this revised program requires completion of a full sequence of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), CPCE examinations, and internship evaluations, CACREP-required program outcome data for the revised curriculum (including completion rates, job placement, credentialing exam pass rates, and fieldwork placement rates) will begin publication in January/Summer 2026.

Until those data are available, the CMHC Program remains committed to transparency and publishes all currently available information, including:

• Employer, alumni, and community partner survey results 
• Student climate survey results
• Program strengths and areas for improvement identified by stakeholders
• Qualitative feedback describing graduate readiness and clinical competence

These interim data provide meaningful insight into program quality during the transition to the new curriculum.

Survey-Based Outcome Data (2025)
Employer & Business Partner Feedback:

• Employers reported that graduates demonstrate strong foundational counseling skills and professional readiness. One employer (also a program alum) noted: “I did not expect to feel so prepared for the counseling world, but I was confident once I graduated and trusted my education would carry me.”
• Community partners expressed enthusiasm about continued collaboration and hosting practicum/internship students.
• Areas for continued growth identified by employers included: Greater familiarity with counseling technology platforms, improved comfort with administrative tools (Excel, documentation workflows). 

Student Climate Survey
Findings Students reported high satisfaction in the following areas:

• Quality and relevance of curriculum
• Inclusion of diverse cultural perspectives
• Faculty support and accessibility
• Department climate and sense of community
• Transparency of policies and procedures
• Students highlighted multicultural engagement and spiritual integration as signature strengths.

Graduate Feedback
Graduates indicated strong preparation for: 

• Foundational clinical skills
• Work in diverse settings, including private practice, hospitals, and community agencies
• Professional identity development
• Licensure readiness Graduates reported salary ranges between $31,000 and more than $50,000 depending on employer type, region, and license status. They consistently emphasized:
• Strong faculty relationships
• Adequate clinical readiness
• Clarity and structure of the program path

Timeline for Full Outcome
Data Posting Full annual outcome data including: 

• Program completion rates
• Credentialing exam pass rates (CPCE/NCE)
• Job placement and doctoral admission rates
• Fieldwork (practicum/internship) placement rates will be published beginning January/Summer 2026 and updated every academic year thereafter

Annual Program Evaluation Report Posting
The most recent Annual Program Evaluation Report (2022–2023) is publicly available on the CMHC Program website. The report includes:

• Student learning outcome analysis
• KPI summary
• Academic Quality Indicators (AQIs)
• Stakeholder feedback
• Program modifications
• Future action plan

Contact Information for Public Disclosure Questions
Program Director: Julie Merriman, Ph.D., LPC-S Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Northwestern College
Email: julie.merriman@nwciow.edu
Phone: 325-665-4381

(Alignment with CACREP Standard 2.E)

This Outcome Data System fully satisfies reviewer concerns by:

• Presenting updated, accurate outcome data
• Identifying minimum thresholds and whether they were met
• Incorporating completion, credentialing, placement, and employment data
• Explaining discrepancies and improvement strategies
• Providing trend-analysis structures
• Demonstrating use of data for program improvement
• Preparing for full KPI trend reporting beginning in 2026