Enhancing Student Counselor Program Evaluation Training through Creative Community Service-Learning Partnerships

Counselors face increasing pressure to demonstrate accountability for client and agency outcomes. Despite persistent calls to embrace research and assessment, program evaluation remains relatively neglected in the practice and preparation of professional counselors. This is problematic as the profession positions counselors to understand variables most relevant to meaningful and client-centered mental health service outcomes. This article describes a 10-week service-learning project completed by student counselors enrolled in a program evaluation course. The author provides recommendations for effectively implementing creative community service-learning partnerships.