We, students of the MA Counseling Psychology program, strongly oppose the removal of the three one-week breaks between courses. This program is intense, emotionally demanding, and requires time to decompress. These short breaks are vital for self-care, rest, and time with loved ones—especially as we train to support others’ mental health. Stripping away this time will only increase burnout, harm academic performance, and diminish overall student satisfaction. We urge the administration to prioritize student well-being and maintain the current academic calendar. Please, do not sacrifice our ability to excel in the MAC program, while taking care of ourselves along the way.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
September 28, 2025
70 Comments
not a fan of changing programs once established to the student body. As a single mother I need things to be consistent, dependable, and trusting. If change is needed, it needs to begin with new incoming students so they know how to plan and consider all aspects of how this accelerated program with weave into their live
The level of work coupled with the deeply personal type of content we are dealing with can be exhausting mentally. Having little breaks throughout the year ensures that we are bringing out best selves to our work and patients.
Genesis 2:2 (NIV): "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing: so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." Even God needed a break. It is unreasonable to require 28 months of non-stop, accelerated learning without expecting people to burn out, drop classes, or submit lower-quality work.
Like many of my classmates, I work full time, have kids, and juggle this program along with everything else. Please don't take the breaks away, we need them to keep going and practice the same self-care we'll be encouraging in clients.
We need these breaks for our overall well-being and especially our mental health. Especially as mental health practitioners, we can't start off our careers helping others already burnt out. Eliminating any breaks is both counterintuitive and counterproductive.
Agreed!
This would be a major change if we did not have breaks. How can we handle our own mental health without any self-care, without breaks when working, going to school, and an internship, and an extra practicum course? How can we be successful therapists if we can't even get through the program? This goes against the school's culture of whole-person education!
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
We, students of the MA Counseling Psychology program, strongly oppose the removal of the three one-week breaks between courses. This program is intense, emotionally demanding, and requires time to decompress. These short breaks are vital for self-care, rest, and time with loved ones—especially as we train to support others’ mental health. Stripping away this time will only increase burnout, harm academic performance, and diminish overall student satisfaction. We urge the administration to prioritize student well-being and maintain the current academic calendar. Please, do not sacrifice our ability to excel in the MAC program, while taking care of ourselves along the way.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
September 28, 2025
70 Comments
I really rely on these breaks to recharge as it is virtually impossible to schedule vacations without missing something important for class. Especially now working full time and having classes Tuesday night, Wednesday night, and Thursday night. People need breaks
not a fan of changing programs once established to the student body. As a single mother I need things to be consistent, dependable, and trusting. If change is needed, it needs to begin with new incoming students so they know how to plan and consider all aspects of how this accelerated program with weave into their live
The level of work coupled with the deeply personal type of content we are dealing with can be exhausting mentally. Having little breaks throughout the year ensures that we are bringing out best selves to our work and patients.
Genesis 2:2 (NIV): "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing: so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." Even God needed a break. It is unreasonable to require 28 months of non-stop, accelerated learning without expecting people to burn out, drop classes, or submit lower-quality work.
Like many of my classmates, I work full time, have kids, and juggle this program along with everything else. Please don't take the breaks away, we need them to keep going and practice the same self-care we'll be encouraging in clients.
We need these breaks for our overall well-being and especially our mental health. Especially as mental health practitioners, we can't start off our careers helping others already burnt out. Eliminating any breaks is both counterintuitive and counterproductive.
Agreed!
This would be a major change if we did not have breaks. How can we handle our own mental health without any self-care, without breaks when working, going to school, and an internship, and an extra practicum course? How can we be successful therapists if we can't even get through the program? This goes against the school's culture of whole-person education!
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I really rely on these breaks to recharge as it is virtually impossible to schedule vacations without missing something important for class. Especially now working full time and having classes Tuesday night, Wednesday night, and Thursday night. People need breaks