College of Education
College of Education Partners
Air Force Counseling Program
The intent of both UCCS, and USAFA, is to provide new commanders the skills necessary to
address the many issues cadets experience. The principles taught in this program are applicable
to all levels of command and will prepare students for the most challenging aspect of leadership,
the management of human resources.
History of Partnership
The UCCS Department of Counseling and Human Services (CHS) has operated as a stand-alone program since 1967. The Department offers the degree of Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Services. Programs exist for school counselors, community counselors, and student affairs professionals.
A pilot master’s degree program in Counseling and Leadership was initiated by the CHS Department and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in 1999-2000 to prepare a small cohort of seven future Air Officers’ Commanding (AOC). The program was discontinued because of the needs of the Air Force. The program was resumed in 2003-2004 as the need for specific human relations and leadership preparation was recognized as important to AOC success with their cadet squadrons.
The philosophical foundation for the CHS program is based on the most viable theories of human nature, development, and learning. Moreover, the program holds an idealistic vision of human potential and what people can become. The program is designed to be continually evolving and places considerable responsibility on students for their own learning. The focus of the program is student-centered with the intention of helping students develop their own unique counseling and leadership style. Students are trained to facilitate development in their clients by creating an environment that promotes personal growth. Students will master specific counseling theory knowledge and skills to accomplish this goal.
Students are encouraged to seek a variety of ways to develop and learn. Fundamental to this philosophy is Arthur Comb’s articulation of the concept of “self as instrument” in which effective counselors and leaders are those “who have learned to use themselves effectively and efficiently for carrying out their own and society’s purposes.” Such a philosophy draws heavily on the humanistic notion that self-actualization is integrally connected with human growth and the cognitive belief that simulating self awareness and cultivating problem solving are fundamental to human learning.
In 2003 the Air Force Academy, under the recommendations made by the Agenda for Change, resurrected a pilot program at UCCS, which combined courses from the Counseling Program with Leadership courses recommended by the Academy. The program is designed to offer both an introduction to systemic leadership and a strong foundation in the fundamentals of counseling. The intent of both UCCS, and USAFA, is to provide new commanders the skills necessary to address the many issues cadets experience. The principles taught in this program are applicable to all levels of command and will prepare students for the most challenging aspect of leadership, the management of human resources.