The Academic Workplace Climate Measure: A new instrument to measure counselor education faculty climate

Authors

• Ryan Holliman, Tarleton State UniversityFollow
• Ryan D. Foster, Tarleton State UniversityFollow
• Pedro Blanco, Tarleton State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Empirical Research Article

Keywords

counselor education, instrument development, workplace climate

Subject Area

Counselor Education

Abstract

Research indicates that between 32% and 62% of faculty in higher education have experienced some form of incivility (Cassell, 2011; Fox, 2010; Heffernan & Bosetti, 2020; Hollis, 2012; Keashly & Neuman, 2008; McKay et al., 2008). Incivility among faculty can be associated with declining health, decreased faculty retention, diminished self-esteem, and lowered psychological well-being (McClendon et al., 2021; Miner et al., 2012; Raskauskas & Skrabec, 2011). Although counselor educators are presumably experts in effective communication and conflict negotiation, anecdotal reports of conflict in counselor education departments are frequent. This study developed an instrument called the Academic Workplace Climate Measure. In a study of 221 counselor educators, the 15-item instrument was established to have a factor solution of two factors (Faculty Relationships, and Leadership Relationships) that explained 63.8% of the variance. Reliability estimates for the instrument as a whole were .94. Additionally, Rasch analysis of the instrument was conducted, which established the instrument as useful in distinguishing among groups, and that the instrument does not show significant differential functioning among gender groups or faculty levels.

Public Significance Statement

This study presents the psychometric data for a newly developed instrument, the academic workplace climate measure. We belive this instrument will be the foundation of future research of the workplace climate of counselor education programs. As well, we believe that it will enhance interventional research in managing dysfucntion in academic departments.

Recommended Citation

Holliman, R., Foster, R. D., & Blanco, P. (2026). The Academic Workplace Climate Measure: A new instrument to measure counselor education faculty climate. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 20(2), 1-25.