Curriculum

This course is designed to provide an orientation to, and overview of, the counseling and human relations professions, including history of the counseling profession, standards, credentialing, professional role and identity development.

This course includes a survey of the physiological, social, and psychological factors that influence the development of personality. It seeks to understand what makes a person distinctively different, along with a critical evaluation of various theories of personality development.

Students learn to conceptualize research problems and develop hypotheses. Emphasis is on defining and measuring the important variables, design of research strategies, analysis of data, interpretation and inference, and writing and implementing a research proposal.

This course is designed to promote understanding of social and cultural diversity through study of such issues as ethnicity, gender, race, socioeconomic status, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, ability/disability, family structure and geographic location. Students will examine how their cultural identity impacts their beliefs, values and actions, and learn the skills for competent ethical practices with diverse populations.

This course provides an intensive look at selected theories of counseling and psychotherapy. The major concepts of each theory are reviewed and critiqued in light of current research and theory. Students are encouraged to begin to define their own theoretical approach.

This course is designed to help students acquire and develop skills essential to the helping process. Core elements include: the nature of the helping relationship, introduction to basic counseling skills, and exploring attitudes and beliefs involved in developing and maintaining the helping relationship and how these fundamental core elements apply to the counselor. Emphasis will also be placed on practitioner self-awareness and self-care. Role-playing videotape experiences and other skill development exercises will be included.

This course enables students to understand the types of groups, their purpose, development and dynamics, counseling theories, and group counseling methods and skills. Ethical and legal considerations of group counseling are also explored. Students are required to participate in small groups for educational and self-assessment purposes.

This course explores the use of measurement and results in the counseling professions. It offers an understanding of group and individual educational and psychometric theories, statistics, and approaches to measurement, as well as techniques for gathering data and information. Concepts of validity, reliability, and factors that influence measurement are covered.

This course provides students an understanding of career development and related life factors. Students study career development theory and decision-making models, procedures for planning and conducting effective job searches, assessment instruments and techniques relevant to career planning and decision-making and the use of career information. Emphasis is placed on understanding the inter-relationships between career development and career decision-making, family, socio-economic status, leisure, individual interests, and abilities.

Students will explore the implications of child development for counseling interventions. Participants will review counseling theory and explore developmentally appropriate counseling techniques. The course will also address the physical, emotional and social development of children and adolescents and examine the relationship between development and counseling needs. Emphasis will be given to working with parents and other family members.

This course provides practical clinical instruction and experience in counseling for the purpose of developing individual and group counseling skills. These experiences are similar to what a professional counselor would be expected to perform and would facilitate the internship experience.

Counseling Internship I: This course provides for the application of theory and the development of counseling skills through professional practice under supervision in an approved setting. Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will complete required hours in a clinical setting. School Counseling students will complete required hours in a school setting.

Counseling Internship II: This course provides for the application of theory and the development of counseling skills through professional practice under supervision in an approved setting. Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will complete required hours in a clinical setting. School Counseling students will complete required hours in a school setting.: : : :

This course will survey the philosophy, objectives, principles and program of comprehensive developmental school guidance programs at the K-12 level. The course will focus on National and State Models of School Counseling.

This course will review the historical and philosophical bases for school counseling programs, explore traditional roles for the school counselor, and examine the ethical and legal responsibilities of school guidance counselors. Focus will be given to recent applications of contemporary theories in educational settings as well as the role of the counselor in assisting all students in academic, career, and personal/social domains.

Electives are non-specific courses available to complement the goals and interests of an individual student. "Open Electives" give students the option of choosing from a wide array of courses. If you are required to take an open elective, you have the freedom to choose courses that interest you beyond those specified as part of your program. Some electives may require that you take a prerequisite course before you can enroll in the course you want.