Course Descriptions - Master of Education in Counseling


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COUN 5000 -- Personal Growth & Development Group -- 0 credit hours

This non-credit course is an authentic small group experience that focuses on personal growth and wellness. Students will participate for a minimum of 10 clock hours over the course of a semester. Participation in this group experience satisfies a CACREP standard.

COUN 5003 -- Life Cycle Development in Individuals & Families -- 3 credit hours

Designed to aid in the understanding of the nature and needs of individuals in the family system at all moral, cognitive, psychological, social, and spiritual development levels. Intervention strategies in the complex development relationships among individuals in the family system are presented. Counseling in the life cycle of the individual will be the primary focus.

COUN 5013 -- Multicultural Counseling -- 3 credit hours

Designed to provide insight into the diverse components that the multiculturally competent counselor may experience when providing counseling services to individuals, families, and groups. Specific course topic areas include the exploration and application of age; disability; gender; oppression, power, and privilege; race; sexual orientation; social class; spirituality and religion; social justice and advocacy; and the multicultural counseling competencies.

COUN 5023 -- Counseling Theories & Techniques: Affective/Humanistic -- 3 credit hours

Introduces students to theories that conceptualize counseling issues, processes and interventions with an emphasis on affective and humanistic orientations. Additionally, students will become familiar with essential interviewing and counseling skills as well as ethical and legal considerations. Students will become knowledgeable about techniques associated with affective and humanistic counseling approaches through didactic instruction, experiential exercises, and session evaluations.

COUN 5033 -- Counseling Theories & Techniques: Cognitive/Behavioral -- 3 credit hours

Introduces students to theories that conceptualize counseling issues, processes, and interventions with an emphasis on cognitive and behavioral orientations. Additionally, students will become familiar with essential interviewing and counseling skills as well as ethical and legal considerations. Students will become knowledgeable about techniques associated with cognitive and behavioral counseling approaches through didactic instruction, experiential exercises, and session evaluations.

COUN 5043 -- Group Counseling Techniques -- 3 credit hours

Intended to provide the student with both a theoretical and experiential understanding of group work including discussion of the principles of group dynamics, group leadership styles, group counseling theories, group counseling methods, types of group work, and professional preparation standards for group leaders. Ethical and legal issues associated with group work and leadership will also be discussed.

COUN 5053 -- Career Education Counseling -- 3 credit hours

Promotes an understanding of the world of work and theories of career development including ability, interest, values, personality factors, and choice of occupation. Also discussed are occupational/vocational trends, interrelationships between work, family, and other life roles, assessment instruments and techniques relevant to instruction in the area of career guidance as well as various career counseling resources available to the counselor.

COUN 5083 -- Research Methods -- 3 credit hours

Provides students with an understanding of research methods, statistical analyses, needs assessments, and program evaluation. Will focus on understanding research methodologies (i.e., quantitative and qualitative) and how these methodologies can be used for improving counseling effectiveness. Basic statistical procedures involved in descriptive and experimental research are presented. Students will use statistical software packages to calculate descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical and professional issues associated with research and program evaluation will also be presented.

COUN 5093 -- Ethics in Professional Counseling -- 3 credit hours

Students are introduced to ethical standards of professional counseling organizations, credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling (American Counseling Association, American School Counseling Association, National Board for Certified Counselors, and state board specific codes). Students explore the legislation, governmental policy, and legal and ethical considerations relevant to professional counseling. Students examine the impact of technology on the counseling profession and identify ethical and culturally relevant strategies for establishing and maintaining in-person and technology-assisted relationships. Students identify strategies for personal and professional self-evaluation and implications for practice and consider strategies for self-care that are appropriate to the counselor role.

COUN 5303 -- Assessment & Evaluation -- 3 credit hours

Provides an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation in counseling. History of assessment, statistical assessment concepts, reliability and validity, normal-referenced and criterion-referenced interpretation, applicability of instruments to various diverse cultures, and ethical and legal concerns are addressed. Additional areas of focus include strategies for test selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of a variety of instruments frequently used by counselors as well as communicating test results and writing clinical assessment reports.

COUN 5313 -- Psychopathology & Clinical Diagnosis -- 3 credit hours

Provides an exploration of mental and emotional disorders that develop during childhood and adolescence and continue into adulthood. Course content will include age-appropriate diagnostic information as defined by the current edition of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classification system. Students will be introduced to concepts related to etiology, cultural factors, differential diagnosis, and the use of psychopharmacological medications.

COUN 5323 -- Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling -- 3 credit hours

Introduces students to the clinical mental health counseling profession. Students will examine the roles and functions of clinical mental health counseling as it relates to the historical and philosophical context of clinical mental health counseling, professional identity, roles and settings in clinical mental health counseling, standards in credentialing, professional organizations, and models of clinical mental health counseling.

COUN 6003 -- Practicum -- 3 credit hours

Provides clinical instruction through supervised placement within the student's program of study while completing one 150 on-site clock hours. Particular attention is given to the development of individual counseling and group skills under supervision through an on-site placement in a professional clinical setting. Requires 60 hours of direct, face-to-face contact. Students receive one hour per week of individual supervision in the clinical setting and one-and-a-half hours per week of group supervision provided by program faculty.

COUN 6013 -- Internship I -- 3 credit hours

A minimum of 300 clock hours in a supervised clinical setting that allows for a transition from an educational, student-oriented environment to a professional, clinically-oriented setting. During this experience, the student will receive on-site supervision from a qualified mental health professional while continuing to receive tutorial instruction on campus. Requires 120 hours of direct, face-to-face contact. Both COUN 6013 and COUN 6043 are required to satisfy both the program and CACREP's requirements.

COUN 6043 -- Internship II -- 3 credit hours

A minimum of 300 clock hours in a supervised clinical setting that allows for a transition from an educational, student-oriented environment to a professional, clinically-oriented setting. During this experience, the student will receive on-site supervision from a qualified mental health professional while continuing to receive tutorial instruction on campus. Requires 120 hours of direct, face-to-face contact. Both COUN 6013 and COUN 6043 are required to satisfy both the program and CACREP's requirements.

COUN 6053 -- Advanced Clinical Diagnosis & Treatment -- 3 credit hours

Provides an in-depth understanding of mental and emotional disorders commonly diagnosed in the field of counseling. Classification of these disorders will be considered using the current edition of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Students will be introduced to methods used in the treatment of mental disorders including treatment planning and the use of psychopharmacological medications.

COUN 6063 -- Advanced Clinical Assessment -- 3 credit hours

Offered for students interested in gaining more in-depth knowledge regarding clinical assessment. Special attention is on the administration, scoring, and interpretation of commonly used clinical and personality assessments as well as on advanced assessment report writing.

COUN 6173 -- Theories of Addiction & Pharmacology -- 3 credit hours

This course will introduce students to models and theories used to describe addiction, both contemporary and historical, and to provide an understanding of the effects of addiction on individuals, including the biological, psychological (cognitive, behavioral, and affective), social, and spiritual dimensions of life and functioning. In addition, we will explore the impact pharmacology has on the treatment process. The interaction of the social and cultural contexts with addictive processes as well as differentiation of addiction from other medical and psychological conditions will be explored.

COUN 6174 -- Counseling Procedures & Strategies, Legal Issues, & Prevention Strategies with Addicted Populations -- 4 credit hours

This course will explore techniques and procedures utilized in the treatment of psychoactive substance abuse and dependence, as well as models of programs utilized in the treatment of psychoactive substance addiction, both contemporary and historical. Students will also learn about the legal and ethical factors associated with working with individuals experiencing addiction. Relapse prevention strategies and techniques will be examined.

COUN 6183 -- Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment of Addiction -- 3 credit hours

Students will learn assessment procedures, interviewing techniques, and various assessment inventories related to the diagnosis and treatment of psychoactive substance abuse and dependency. Criteria for diagnosing substance use disorders and the appropriate modality and level of treatment will be explored. Use of collateral data in the assessment process, including professional and nonprofessional material and the presence of dual diagnosis, will be examined.

COUN 6193 -- Relationship Counseling, Group Process, & Techniques with Addicted Populations -- 3 credit hours

Students will learn about techniques for assessing relationship dysfunction and about the impact psychoactive substance abuse and dependency have on relationships. The course will examine appropriate and effective group techniques and strategies implemented with individuals and families whose lives have been negatively affected by addiction. The impact substance abuse and dependency have on medical, physical, spiritual, and psychological conditions of human development will be explored.

COUN 6203 -- Clinical Documentation of Mental & Emotional Disorders -- 3 credit hours

Presents detailed coverage of utilizing and completing the primary documentation components in clinical practice including intake interview reports, session notes, developing and implementing treatment plans, formulating timelines for treatment, assessing and reporting on treatment progress, procedures for making and documenting appropriate treatment recommendations and referrals, and termination summaries in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders. The clinical application of theoretical orientations throughout these processes will also be emphasized.

COUN 6213 -- Gerontology -- 3 credit hours

This course will focus on familiarizing students with the multi-varied aspects of aging, including identifying and addressing substance use and mental health issues. Students will gain an understanding of viable theories and treatment approaches when working with this population. The importance of professional collaboration, working with caregivers and family members, and utilizing a treatment team model will be discussed.

COUN 6223 -- Counseling Latino Clients -- 3 credit hours

Explores the current and historical context of Latino culture in the United States including the significance of language, politics, and individual and group experiences. Students also explore the Latino immigration phenomenon and critical issues in counseling, including resources and techniques for counseling Latino clients. Counseling and psychological research and theory on the cultural, societal, and historical influences on the well-being and characteristics of Latinos will be explored. Various counseling and psychological models and interventions responsive to this population will also be examined.

COUN 6233 -- Crisis Intervention -- 3 credit hours

Provides students with an overview of counseling skills for working in crisis and trauma situations as well as crisis intervention theory. Students will review case studies and create a crisis resource for a client population or counseling setting of interest. Trauma and crises will be examined, with particular emphasis on how they relate to individuals, families, and communities (i.e. schools, cities, countries, cultural groups).

COUN 6243 -- Human Sexuality -- 3 credit hours

Addresses theories of human sexual development as well as a broad range of topics to include the expression of human sexuality and intimacy across the lifespan; optimal sexual health across all age, gender, and cultural groups; and assessment and treatment of sexual dysfunctions.

COUN 6253 -- Introduction to Play Therapy -- 3 credit hours

Provides an overview of the play therapy field including philosophical basis for play therapy, micro-skills, and ethical issues. Coursework emphasizes child-centered play therapy theory knowledge and skills. Students will become familiar with play therapy, stages and themes, parent consultation, filial therapy, and diversity implications and will be introduced to family and sand play therapy.

COUN 6263 -- Trauma-Informed Counseling -- 3 credit hours

Focuses on developing clinical skills to assess and treat the effects of various traumatic events including natural disasters, sexual and/or physical assault, and other personal tragedies. Students will also gain skills and knowledge about exposure to trauma across the lifespan and will explore multiculturally relevant treatment plans.

COUN 6273 -- Introduction to Adlerian Play Therapy -- 3 credit hours

Provides basic knowledge in the use of Adlerian play therapy skills and techniques to build relationships with children; explore children's lifestyles; help children gain insight into their lifestyles; and help children make changes in their thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. The course will include strategies for developing consulting skills for working with parents and teachers as a part of the Adlerian play therapy process. The emphasis of this course is on play therapy skills. Adlerian theory as applied to play therapy, and working with specific populations using Adlerian play therapy.

COUN 6283 -- Adolescent Intervention -- 3 credit hours

Presents an in-depth survey of various problematic issues and behaviors associated with adolescence and diverse individual and family counseling models for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of these problems. Theoretical foundations, ethical concerns, and adolescent development are also addressed.

COUN 6293 -- Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals -- 3 credit hours

Provides an overview of the role of psychotropic medication in the treatment of a wide variety of mental health conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders. The course will also include an overview of the etiology, pathology, and development of mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders as well as the basic principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Students will also be introduced to fundamental neuroanatomy as it relates to psychotropic medications.

COUN 6303 – Wellness & Stress Management in Counseling -- 3 credit hours

This course provides an introduction and critical review of stress and wellness theory and research, stress prevention strategies, and stress reduction techniques in holistic health including experiential as well as interventions that address lifestyle variable. The course will emphasize the role of experiential interventions as the counselor-in-training incorporates stress management and wellness concepts and techniques personally and professionally in various settings to assist clients pursuing optimal health and lifestyle management.

COUN 6313 – Integrating Spirituality in Counseling -- 3 credit hours

The course provides an introduction and review of spirituality in counseling research and client care techniques for holistic treatment. The course will emphasize experiential activities as well as interventions that address spiritual variable in client care. The course will emphasize how the counselor-in-training incorporates the client’s spiritual/religious concepts, professionally, to assist clients pursuing optimal wellness, health, and lifestyle management.

COUN 6513 -- Mental Health Administration, Supervision, & Consultation -- 3 credit hours

Investigates various theoretical models and applied methodology of administrative organization, leadership style, public advocacy, consultation, and clinical supervision of mental health professionals in a range of treatment settings.

COUN 6613 -- Systemic Family Therapy -- 3 credit hours

Introduction to the historical proponents of systemic and feminist thought. Focuses on the basic systemic models and theories including communication (MRI and Satir), intergenerational (Bowen), strategic (Haley), and structural (Minuchin). An overview of contemporary theories will also be presented. New developments and research in the field will be highlighted.

COUN 6801 -- Special Topics -- 1 credit hour

Includes areas of knowledge and skills related to counseling but not covered in the core curriculum. Credit hours for Special Topics will not substitute for any part of the 60 hours required for the counseling & human development master's degree.

COUN 6802 -- Special Topics -- 2 credit hours

Includes areas of knowledge and skills not covered in the core curriculum. Credit hours for Special Topics will not substitute for any part of the 60 hours required for the counseling & human development master's degree.

COUN 6803 -- Special Topics -- 3 credit hours

Includes areas of knowledge and skills not covered in the core curriculum. Credit hours for Special Topics will not substitute for any part of the 60 hours required for the counseling & human development master's degree.