Master of Science in School Counseling with School Counselor Certification

COUN 510. Counseling Theories. 3 Hours.

This course surveys the major theories of counseling and psychotherapy with emphasis on the application of these theories to counseling situations.

COUN 511. Introduction to Counseling Services. 3 Hours.

This course introduces students to the scope and purposes of the counseling profession. Standards of preparation, codes of ethics, professional organizations, and licensure and certification requirements will be studied. The importance of the essential characteristics of effective therapists will be examined. Prerequisite: Admitted into the Educator Preparation Program or by instructor permission.

COUN 512. Career Development and Information. 3 Hours.

This course combines the use of current career information and career development theories in career counseling. It provides an overview of evaluating educational, occupational, and personal social information for career development. The course will cover the nature of work, the dynamics of vocational choice and development, psychological and sociological factors in job selection, manpower trends, occupational surveys, job analysis, and recent publications dealing with these topics. The course may be taken concurrently with COUN 525 for Elementary School emphasis.

COUN 516. Pre-Practicum. 3 Hours.

Supervised experience in individual counseling will be provided in a laboratory setting. Demonstration of professional standards, counseling, skills, and personal characteristics appropriate to the counseling relationship is expected. This course must be taken within the first 12 hours of the program. Prerequisite: Admitted into the Educator Preparation Program or by instructor permission.

COUN 517. Assessment in Counseling. 3 Hours.

This course integrates theory and practice related to the use of standardized aptitude, achievement, and interest tests. The utilization of appraisal data for educational and vocational advising, placement, and follow up will be covered. Experience will be gained in the administration and interpretation of selected aptitude, achievement, and interest assessments.

COUN 520. Counseling Diverse Populations. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on the multicultural issues that may arise within the context of counseling clients. The course is designed to raise students' awareness of their own values and their clients' values, how these values may differ in the areas of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and socio-economic class, and how these differences may impact the therapeutic relationship.

COUN 523. School Counseling. 3 Hours.

This course provides an overview of school and vocational counseling programs. An in-depth study of the functions of school counselors will be provided, which includes counseling, consulting, coordinating, and assessment services. Students will learn how to develop a comprehensive school counseling program, working with and serving students, teachers, staff, and administration.

COUN 525. Practicum. 3 Hours.

This course provides experience in applying counseling skills and techniques under supervision in placement settings. Instructors grade this course on a (S) satisfactory or (U) unsatisfactory basis. NOTE: Students who are working a full-time job are only allowed to register for one other course when taking Practicum. Prerequisite for School Counselor Option: COUN 510, COUN 511, COUN 516, COUN 528, PSY 575, and PSY 543 all with a grade of B or better. Prerequisite for Clinical Mental Health Counseling Option: COUN 510, COUN 511, COUN 516, COUN 528, PSY 503, PSY 543, and PSY 575 all with a grade of B or better. Students may take COUN 512, PSY 560, COUN 585, and COUN 541 concurrently with Practicum and must have prior approval of Practicum/Internship Coordinator prior to enrolling.

COUN 528. Group Procedures in Counseling. 3 Hours.

This course examines the dynamics of group process and practice with emphasis on theory and techniques of group leadership. A research paper on theory, procedure, or issues in group counseling is required. Prerequisite: COUN 511 and COUN 516 with grades of B or better, plus permission of the instructor.

COUN 530. Bereavement Counseling. 3 Hours.

This course is an in-depth study in counseling individuals who are coping with significant losses, dying, and death. Counseling theories and approaches, which assist people through the grief process, will be highlighted. Prerequisite: COUN 516.

COUN 534. Counseling Children and Adolescents. 3 Hours.

This course is a didactic and experiential course that prepares students to work with the special needs of children and adolescents. This course will focus on developmental needs, specific therapeutic interventions, and common emotional issues of children and adolescents. Group and individual counseling techniques will be practiced, and treatment options will be covered. Prerequisite: COUN 516.

COUN 536. Introduction to Trauma Counseling. 3 Hours.

This course provides an introduction to working with populations who have experienced trauma. The focus of the course is to assist counselors in training to become familiar with the symptoms, evaluation, and treatment processes associated with trauma. The course requires basic knowledge of crisis intervention, assessment, and counseling skills.

COUN 538. Advanced Counseling. 3 Hours.

This course is based on the skills necessary to work within the field of counseling. The focus of the course is to expand on current theories and methods of advanced therapy techniques required in the mental health professions. The course extends specific counseling skills and explores specific specialties within the field of counseling. Prerequisite: COUN 510.

COUN 540. Introduction to Play Therapy. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to (1) assist those who work with children in understanding the fundamental tenets of play therapy, (2) help participants develop an effective philosophy of and approach to play therapy, (3) increase participants' understanding of the inner world and behavior of children, (4) help students connect with children on a feeling level, (5) promote self-awareness and self-understanding, (6) increase participants' understanding of child development, particularly with children ages three to nine, (7) enhance participants' sensitivity to and acceptance of others, and (8) equip students with beginning level play therapy skills. Prerequisite: COUN 516.

COUN 541. Counseling the Substance Abuser: Prevention, Intervention and Treatment. 3 Hours.

This course is based on the fundamental assumption that substance abusers and their families are a heterogeneous group and must be treated from an individualized perspective. Clients dealing with substance abuse issues vary in their behavior patterns, the physical effects of drugs on them, and the life consequences of their drinking or other drug use, their personality, their social environment, gender, culture, and other life-span variables. Counseling strategies need to fit the goals and needs of the individual client. The counselor must develop the skills needed to work either as a substance abuse specialist or as a generalist who must sometimes address substance abuse problems/issues. Each student will be able to describe the history and scope of drug use in the United States, developmental correlates, and cultural differences affecting drug and substance abuse. Students will be able to document their understanding of drugs and addictions, recovery, and social problems with citations from current research.

COUN 542. Assessment and Treatment of Addictive Disorders. 3 Hours.

This is an advanced course in addictions treatment with emphasis on the practical application of knowledge of addictions to help develop skills and attitudes expected of addiction professionals. Emphasis will be placed on the core functions of addiction counselors and the competencies modes of addiction. Prerequisite: COUN 541.

COUN 543. Core Functions and Competencies of Addiction Counseling. 3 Hours.

This is an advanced course in addictions treatment with emphasis on the practical application of knowledge of addictions to help develop skills and attitudes expected of addiction professionals. Emphasis will be placed on the core functions of addiction counselors and the competencies model of addiction. Prerequisite: COUN 541 and COUN 542.

COUN 585. Crisis Intervention: Theory and Practice. 3 Hours.

This course is an overview of crisis intervention. Major theoretical models of situational crises are examined and operationalized across a variety of service delivery systems. Students will develop conceptual competency necessary for professionals engaged in crisis interventions. Special emphasis is given to contemporary research in suicidology, disaster psychology, and crisis management for public schools. Topics of discussion include emergency situations such as natural disasters, terrorism, school violence, abuse, and crisis interventions with diverse populations. Prerequisite: COUN 516.

COUN 589. Individual Study. 3 Hours.

This course provides individual instruction. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.

COUN 597. Special Topics. 3 Hours.

Instructors will provide an organized class designed to cover areas of specific interest. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.

PSY 540. Research Literature and Techniques. 3 Hours.

Students will review and research studies produced by investigators in student's major field with emphasis on investigative and verification techniques employed. Demonstrate competence in using systematic research techniques by investigation and formal reporting of a problem.

PSY 543. Human Growth and Development. 3 Hours.

This course examines physical, cognitive and psychosexual development across the human life span. Emphasis is given to the complex process that grows out of the interactions between a changing person and a changing world that continues throughout the entire life span.

PSY 575. Ethics in Counseling and Psychology. 3 Hours.

Students explore the range of ethical issues that professionals may encounter within the field of psychology. Through lecture, discussion, reading, and role-plays, students will explore such issues as ethical codes and ethical decision-making, boundaries of competence, confidentiality, dual relationships, insurance/third party payments, advertising, assessment, teaching, therapy, and research.