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This course provides students with an introduction to the counseling profession. The history, philosophy, and theoretical foundations of the profession, and the scope of practice, credentialing, and other professional issues will be explored. The course provides an overview of the clinical mental health counseling program, the profession, and professional competencies. (Program co-requisite)
This course will present theories and research on the nature and needs of individuals at all levels of life span development. Consideration will be given to socio-emotional, intellectual, physical, moral, and spiritual aspects of development. Students will review theoretical frameworks describing optimal human development, as well as the developmental etiology of problematic behaviors that will serve to introduce students to behaviors and concepts relevant to clinical practice with both children and adults.
This course will introduce students to basic counseling skills. Students will gain experience through role play, practice interviews, and videotaped presentations to learn and practice basic counseling skills. Ethical and culturally responsive practices will be emphasized.
This course provides students with the theoretical background and therapeutic skills necessary for the practice of counseling. The course will focus on the major approaches to counseling and psychotherapy in current use, including historical foundations, empirical foundations, advantages, and limitations to determine which are most appropriate. Students will also begin to develop a personal theory of counseling.
This course covers the standards for professional conduct in counseling, including ethical principles and legislation and court decisions affecting professional behavior. Students will examine and apply ethical standards of the counseling profession, including the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and counselor ethical decision-making processes. Case examples, current federal and state laws/statutes, ethical codes, and standards on assessment, diagnosis, and placement data will be discussed in relation to counseling a variety of culturally diverse populations in multiple settings.
This course explores leadership styles, group dynamics, and group process necessary to run successful groups. The major group counseling theories will be explored, and group skills will be practiced. Students will engage in a variety of practical application assignments and discussions, focusing on counseling of different types of groups, the efficacy of using group therapy as the treatment method with multicultural and diverse populations, and the stages of group development. The course requires that students gain experience as both a growth group participant and as a co-leader.
This course surveys the major theories of career choice, planning, and development as well as standardized methods of assessing vocational interests and aptitudes. Social, psychological, and economic factors influencing career choice are examined. An emphasis will be placed on individual career counseling skills across diverse populations.
This course addresses cultural diversity and its implications for counseling. It considers the psychological impact of factors such as gender, race, ethnicity and culture, religious preference, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and physical disability in a variety of counseling and educational settings. Finally, it reviews counseling issues and advocacy strategies for diverse clients.
This course focuses on the personal and systemic impact of crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events on diverse individuals across the lifespan. Students will explore theory and models applied to crisis situations and will explore emergency management systems and collaboration among schools, agencies, and governmental entities. Students will explore and discuss topics related to counselor competencies, vicarious trauma and counter transference, specific diagnoses, and advocacy. Through contemporary articles and case studies, students will consider and discuss cultural, legal, and ethical issues related to crisis, trauma, and disaster events and response.
This course prepares students for their roles as counselors in areas of prevention and intervention with specific populations in diverse settings. The course is designed to develop competencies in clinical interviewing, diagnostic assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning. Diversity considerations and current models of evidence-based practice will be emphasized. Students will explore therapeutic approaches related to a broad range of mental health issues, aspects of therapeutic alliance, goal-setting, and outcome evaluation. (Prerequisite: MHC515)
This course is designed to provide an overview of principles and application of mental health assessment in a multicultural society. Students will gain an understanding of basic methods of assessment in counseling, to include evaluating, selecting, and using appropriate techniques and standardized testing methods, and to conduct a thorough, culturally sensitive, and ethically responsible assessment.
This course covers the etiology and presentation of major mental health disorders as classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Multiple perspectives of clients’ emotional and psychological distress, disturbances, and behaviors are considered, while including acknowledgment of client strengths and resilience and the social and cultural context. Additionally, the course introduces students to skills in selecting and implementing appropriate treatment strategies and in case presentation.
This course will cover the history of community psychology, with a focus on the various approaches and techniques used by community counselors across diverse populations. Distinctions between traditional clinical interventions and community interventions are highlighted. Students will also develop strategies to promote client understanding of and access to a variety of community based resources.
This course provides counseling students with the theoretical background and therapeutic skills necessary for therapeutic intervention in families, couples, and systems. Information will be provided on contemporary approaches, ethical considerations and professional issues. Counseling practices for different populations and types of families will be explored.
This course provides students with the major theories, concepts, issues, and data in the diagnosis and treatment of addictive behaviors. Students will develop conceptual knowledge, practical skills, and self-awareness concerning the etiology of addiction and its impact across the life-span. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of addictions with diversity and advocacy issues will also be explored. (Prerequisite: MHC555)
This course focuses on increasing students’ awareness, knowledge, and skills regarding the broad range of issues in the field of counseling when addressing human sexuality issues. Students will develop competence and comfort in addressing sexuality issues in counseling with clients across the developmental spectrum. Students will develop the skills and tools necessary to strengthen positive relational and sexual functioning in a therapeutic setting. Personal values clarification, sex education, cultural messages, gender role development, and relational patterns will be examined throughout the course. (Prerequisite: MHC505)
This course provides students with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of hypothesis testing, research design, and analysis as used in counseling research and program design. Students will gain an understanding of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches to research and evaluation, as well as the strengths and limitations of each method. Students will explore the history and theory underlying program evaluation, approaches to evaluation, and techniques used to perform the evaluation and demonstrate program effectiveness.
This supervised practicum experience has a minimum of 100 clock hours over one 16-week semester. The practicum must include 1) at least 40 clock hours of direct service with actual clients that contributes to the development of counseling skills; weekly interaction that averages one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision throughout the practicum by a program faculty member or a site supervisor who is working in biweekly consultation with a program faculty member in accordance with the supervision contract; 2) an average of 1 1/2 hours per week of group supervision that is provided on a regular schedule throughout the practicum by a program faculty member or a student supervisor; 3) the development of program-appropriate audio/video recordings for use in supervision or live supervision of the student’s interactions with clients; 4) evaluation of the student’s counseling performance throughout the practicum, including documentation of a formal evaluation after the student completes the practicum. Site supervisors must have a minimum of a master’s degree in counseling or a related profession with equivalent qualifications, including appropriate certifications and/or licenses, a minimum of two years of pertinent professional experience, and relevant training in counseling supervision. (Prerequisites: MHC501, MHC505, MHC510, MHC515, MHC520, MHC525, MHC530, MHC535, MHC540, MHC545, MHC550, RSM610)
This course is taken for a minimum of 300-hours of internship experience. Each student’s internship includes: 1) at least 120 clock hours of direct service, including experience leading groups; 2) weekly interaction that averages one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship, usually performed by the onsite supervisor; 3) an average of 1 1/2 hours per week of group supervision provided on a regular schedule throughout the internship and performed by a program faculty member; 4) the opportunity for the student to become familiar with a variety of professional activities and resources in addition to direct service (e.g., record keeping, assessment instruments, supervision, information and referral, in-service and staff meetings); 5) the opportunity for the student to develop program-appropriate audio/video recordings for use in supervision or to receive live supervision of his or her interactions with clients; 6) evaluation of the student’s counseling performance throughout the internship, including documentation of a formal evaluation after the student completes the internship by a program faculty member in consultation with the site supervisor. Site supervisors must have a minimum of a master’s degree in counseling or a related profession with equivalent qualifications, including appropriate certifications and/or licenses, a minimum of two years of pertinent professional experience, and relevant training in counseling supervision. (Prerequisite: MHC660)
This course is taken for a minimum of 300-hours of internship experience. Each student’s internship includes: 1) at least 120 clock hours of direct service, including experience leading groups; 2) weekly interaction that averages one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship, usually performed by the onsite supervisor; 3) an average of 1 1/2 hours per week of group supervision provided on a regular schedule throughout the internship and performed by a program faculty member; 4) the opportunity for the student to become familiar with a variety of professional activities and resources in addition to direct service (e.g., record keeping, assessment instruments, supervision, information and referral, in-service and staff meetings); 5) the opportunity for the student to develop program-appropriate audio/video recordings for use in supervision or to receive live supervision of his or her interactions with clients; 6) evaluation of the student’s counseling performance throughout the internship, including documentation of a formal evaluation after the student completes the internship by a program faculty member in consultation with the site supervisor. Site supervisors must have a minimum of a master’s degree in counseling or a related profession with equivalent qualifications, including appropriate certifications and/or licenses, a minimum of two years of pertinent professional experience, and relevant training in counseling supervision. (Prerequisite: MHC661)
