Factors Associated with the Inclusion of Managed Care Concepts in the Curricula of Master's Level Counselor Preparation Programs

Abstract

A survey of 60 counselor preparation programs was conducted to determine to what degree the behavioral methodologies endorsed by managed care are included in the curricula. The majority of respondents indicated that community counseling programs provide a generalist rather than a specialist approach to counselor education. Only one-fourth of the programs teach a specific course in managed care concepts, but nearly one-half of the surveyed counselor preparation programs incorporate managed care concepts into existing courses. Respondents were evenly divided as to whether the emphasis on managed care in the treatment community should influence the curricula. Results suggest that the specialist training advocated by managed care is not fully endorsed by counselor preparation programs.