Why Are Counseling Psychology Students SA Ging?

Abstract

The goal of this manuscript is to encourage Division 17 and counseling psychology students to evaluate the purpose and clarify the mechanisms of the Division 17 Student Affiliate Group (SAG). Survey data collected from 125 postgraduates and 377 students (representing 35 counseling psychology training programs) were analyzed to assess the relationship between student membership in SAG and postgraduate membership in Division 17. In addition to SAG and Division 17 membership status and intentions, the survey qualitatively assessed student opinions about the viability of SAG within Division 17. Results indicate that among postgraduates, SAG membership is significantly correlated with current Division 17 membership, and that current SAG members are somewhat more likely than nonmembers of SAG to state intentions to join Division 17. These results and the summary of the qualitative comments are discussed in terms of perceptions of the extent to which SAG fulfills its role as the link between Division 17 and counseling psychology students.