Gatekeeping Admissions: A Collective Cross-Case Study

Within this qualitative study, gatekeeping admissions refers to determining if applicants are qualified to enter the first gate into the counseling profession. The decisions involve evaluating an applicant’s knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions and are required by the ethical codes and accreditation standards within the profession. A nationwide collective cross-case study was conducted to collect data on the tools and processes for deciding whether to admit a student into a clinical mental health counselor education program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (n = 10). The interviews, program documents, and demographic surveys within this study were analyzed for commonalities and contrasts resulting in the discovery of two phases within the admissions gate to the counseling profession. Thematic data analysis was guided by relational cultural theory using software (MAXQDA, Version 2022) leading to the development of a gatekeeping admissions design (AMP=C) that may assist counselor education programs with their admissions protocols whether in public, private, urban, rural, in-person, or virtual settings.

Embargo status: Restricted until 06/2027. To request the author grant access, click on the PDF link to the left.