Graduating with a master's degree in the mental health field shows a dedication not only to serious academic pursuit, but also to internal, emotional growth. We feel the graduation ceremony should honor both of these commitments and achievements. 

Therefore, as a supplement to the official ASU graduation ceremony, we propose an HPC departmental graduation ceremony to honor the work the counseling and therapy students have done in a different way. This ceremony could look a lot of different ways, but ideally would allow space for students to share some of what they have been doing--either through display of art or academic portfolio; through group or individual performance; or through a simple address to the group. A more intimate ceremony, this would allow friends, partners, and family members to get a better glimpse of "just what we've been doing" in our years with the HPC department, and would feel more like a true celebration and recognition of our journey.

Please consider hosting a departmental graduation ceremony for the Human Development and Psychological Counseling Department, beginning in Spring 2013.  We are proud of the work we have been doing here, and we want the opportunity to acknowledge it in a way that feels more personal and true to our experience.