Counseling Course Descriptions

5123 SCHOOL COUNSELING ORIENTATION AND ETHICAL PRACTICE

This course introduces studies that provide an overview of historical, contemporary, clinical, and training issues in the practice of school counseling. The course also provides information related to the following aspects of school counseling practice: (a) professional roles and responsibilities; (b) professional organizations; (c) state and national credentialing; and (d) counselor advocacy and self-care. Lastly, the student will be provided with an in depth understanding of the current version of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and state-level school counselor certification and corresponding regulations. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5133 CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING ORIENTATION AND ETHICAL PRACTICE

This course introduces studies that provide an overview of historical, contemporary, clinical, and training issues in the practice of clinical mental health counseling. The course also provides information related to the following aspects of clinical mental health counseling practice: (a) professional roles and responsibilities; (b) professional organizations; (c) state and national credentialing; and (d) counselor advocacy and self-care. Lastly, the student will be provided with an in-depth understanding of the current version of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and state professional counselor licensing act and regulations. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5243 HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN COUNSELING

This course introduces studies that provide an understanding of the nature and needs of persons at all developmental levels and in diverse cultural contexts. This course also provides a systematic study of human development emphasizing physical, personality, cognitive, moral, and psychosocial developmental theories and issues, with an emphasis on facilitating optimal development and wellness over the lifespan. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5283 ASSESSMENT IN COUNSELING

This course introduces studies that provide an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation in a culturally diverse society. This course also provides an understanding of assessment in counseling through (1) an overview of basic counseling assessment concepts, (2) an understanding of test construction, (3) familiarity with instruments, and (4) an overview of test interpretation. It also provides a discussion of typical problems and approaches to individual and group testing in the areas of intelligence, aptitude, achievement, interest, and personality measurement. History, rationale, and ethical issues in the use of counseling assessment instruments are included. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5323 CAREER COUNSELING AND DEVELOPMENT

This course introduces studies that provide an understanding of career development and related life factors. This course also provides an overview of career development theories, program planning, educational planning, assessment techniques, and applied career counseling processes, including those applicable to specific populations in a global economy. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5333 INDIVIDUAL INTELLIGENCE TESTING IN COUNSELING

This course provides an overview of the use of a variety of standardized intelligence tests with an emphasis on history, validity, reliability, administration, and interpretation issues surrounding the use of this branch of counseling assessment. (Prerequisite: COUN 5283, Permission required)

5343 PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT IN COUNSELING

This course provides an overview of the use of a variety of standardized personality tests, with an emphasis on history, validity, reliability, administration, and interpretation issues surrounding this branch of counseling assessment. (Prerequisite: COUN 5283, Permission required)

5373 COUNSELING DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANNING

This course provides an exploration of etiology, classification, differential diagnosis, and prognosis issues surrounding the full spectrum of mental disorders. Included in this course is a comprehensive overview of the utilization of the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in a culturally diverse society. Also, included is an overview of record keeping and treatment planning strategies required of today's mental health marketplace. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5423 COUNSELING PRE-PRACTICUM

This course provides an overview of the basic counseling skills used by the professional counselor in working with children, adolescents, and adults. Included is a laboratory experience in which the student is trained in the application of counseling relationship-building and working-stage skills via role-play activities with others students in the class. (Prerequisite: Unconditional Admission to the Clinical Mental Health or School Counseling graduate program; Permission required)

5443 THEORIES OF COUNSELING

This course examines contemporary and alternative counseling theories that provide the student with models to conceptualize client presentation and that help the student select appropriate counseling interventions. Students will be exposed to models of counseling that are consistent with current professional research and practice in the field so they may begin to develop a personal model of counseling. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5483 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY ISSUES IN COUNSELING

This course includes studies that provide an understanding of the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends in a culturally diverse society. Also included is an overview of social and cultural theories, strategies, and roles to be applied by the pluralistic counselor to establish an environment for optimal client wellness and successful counseling outcomes. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5503 CRISIS AND DISASTER COUNSELING

This course provides an overview of crisis and disaster intervention strategies for the professional counselor. Issues addressed include, but are not limited to, crises of suicide, homicide, grave disability due to a mental illness, domestic violence, school violence, posttraumatic stress disorder, and vicarious trauma. The counselor's role in natural and human disaster intervention is also addressed. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5523 GROUP COUNSELING

This course includes studies that provide both theoretical and experiential understandings of group purpose, development, dynamics, theories, methods, skills, and other group approaches in a culturally diverse society. Issues of group counseling leadership, stages, skills, methods, and ethics issues are also examined. (Prerequisite: Conditional or unconditional admission to the Clinical Mental Health or School Counseling graduate program; Permission required; Required co-requisite: COUN 5530)

5530 GROUP COUNSELING LABORATORY EXPERIENCE

This laboratory experience provides direct experiences in which students participate as group members in a small group activity, approved by the program, for a minimum of 10 clock hours over the course of one academic term. (Prerequisite: Conditional or unconditional admission to the Clinical Mental Health or School Counseling graduate program; Permission required; Required co-requisite: COUN 5523)

5543 COUNSELING PRACTICUM

This course involves intensely supervised practice of professional counseling at a field site in the community. For this practicum experience, students provide a variety of individual, group, marriage, couple, and family counseling direct service activities to field-based clients. Students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of counseling-related services, 40 of which must include direct client contact activities. (Prerequisites: COUN 5123 or 5133 [depending on student's major], COUN 5423 with a grade of B or higher, and COUN 5443; Permission required)

5563 MARRIAGE, COUPLE, AND FAMILY COUNSELING

This course provides the student with an overview of the knowledge, skills, and practices necessary to address a wide variety of issues in the context of relationships and families. Historical, theoretical, and developmental issues in systems counseling are addressed, in addition to introducing the student to the basic skills of marriage, couple, and family counseling. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5573 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY IN COUNSELING

This course provides an overview of commonly prescribed psychotropic medications in the field of professional counseling. The course assists the counselor in understanding his or her role in working with medical professionals in the concurrent treatment of mental health issues using an interdisciplinary approach. Also addressed in this course are medications and drugs of abuse included in the substance-related disorders section of the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5583 DEVELOPMENTAL SCHOOL COUNSELING

This course is the foundation for students planning to enter the school counseling profession. Special attention is given to the foundations and contextual dimensions of school counseling as well as the knowledge and skill requirements such as organization, planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of a comprehensive school counseling program. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5593 SUBSTANCE AND BEHAVIORAL ADDICTION COUNSELING

This course provides an overview of assessment and treatment methods available for clients and their family members struggling with the full spectrum of substance-related disorders or behavioral addiction issues (e.g., gambling, sex, Internet, pornography addiction, etc.). (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5613 COUNSELING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

This course provides instruction in the theories and techniques used in counseling children and adolescents. Also provided is specific instruction on conceptualization of childhood and adolescent problems with emphasis on age- and developmentally-appropriate interventions. Focus is directed toward wellness-based developmental, as well as remedial counseling approaches, with accompanying skill development. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5623 HUMAN SEXUALITY IN COUNSELING

This course focuses on sexual development and educational issues as applied to the field of professional counseling. Major emphases are placed upon becoming comfortable with one's own sexuality, assisting parents with providing sexual education to their children, providing education with regard to sexual matters, and diagnosing and treating sexual dysfunction. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5633 GRIEF COUNSELING

This course addresses the mental health, social, and cultural manifestations of grief arising from bereavement, along with counseling interventions. Course content also covers characteristics of grief throughout the life cycle, as well as, age-appropriate interventions. Course readings, class discussions, exercises, and assignments are designed to examine issues related to loss events, grief, and bereavement from academic, personal, and professional points of view. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5643 RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING

This course provides an introduction to studies related to the matters of religion and spirituality and their overlap with the delivery of professional counseling services. Also provided is an opportunity for students to examine their religious and spiritual belief systems and develop sensitivity to and respect for the religious and spiritual themes and goals in the counseling process as befits each client's expressed preferences. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5653 LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER ISSUES IN COUNSELING

This course examines current issues related to counseling gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered clients. Issues addressed include affirmative counseling; identity development; homophobia and heterosexism; family and relationship issues; youth, aging, and the "coming-out" process; spirituality issues; HIV/AIDS, addiction, suicide, conversion therapies, and other issues; as well as ethical and professional issues in working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered clients. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5663 INTRODUCTION TO PLAY THERAPY

This course is designed to assist counselors who work with children to understand the fundamental tenets of play therapy. Students will develop an effective philosophy of and approach to play therapy and an increased understanding of children's worldviews. In addition, play media will be utilized to enhance the counseling relationship and to promote self-understanding, personal growth, and development in children. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5863 RESEARCH IN COUNSELING

This course provides an understanding of research methods, statistical analysis, and needs assessment strategies in the field of professional counseling. This course is designed to assist the student in becoming a critical consumer of research methods such as qualitative, quantitative, single-case designs, action research, and outcome-based research studies. Students are also introduced to ethical and culturally relevant strategies for interpreting and reporting the results of research studies accurately and effectively. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5873 COUNSELING CONSULTATION, ADMINISTRATION, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION

This course provides an introduction to studies related to the provision of counselor consultation services, counseling administration, and program evaluation procedures. The course places special emphasis on effective application of current theories and practices related to these three critical roles of today's professional counselor. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5913 CLINICAL SUPERVISION IN COUNSELING.

This course serves as a didactic and experiential course for graduate and post-graduate students who wish to assume the role of clinical supervisor to pre- and post-graduate counselors-in-training. Goals include the assimilation and application of major theoretical/conceptual models and approaches to clinical supervision in a variety of settings. (Prerequisites: COUN 5923 with a grade of B or higher; Permission required)

5923 COUNSELING INTERNSHIP I

This course requires the completion of a supervised internship experience in clinical mental health counseling, comprising of 300 clock hours of counseling-related experience, 120 of which must involve direct client contact. This course is intended to reflect the comprehensive work experience of a clinical mental health counselor at a field placement site. The student must be supervised on an individual and weekly basis by a university-approved site supervisor and must also attend weekly group supervision under the tutelage of a qualified university supervisor. (Prerequisites: COUN 5373, COUN 5523, and COUN 5543 with a grade of B or higher; Permission required)

5933 COUNSELING INTERNSHIP II

This course requires the completion of an advanced supervised internship in clinical mental health counseling, comprising of 300 clock hours of counseling-related experience, 120 of which must involve direct client contact. The course is intended to reflect the comprehensive work experience of a clinical mental health counselor at a field placement site. The student must be supervised on an individual and weekly basis by a university-approved site supervisor and must also attend weekly group supervision under the tutelage of a qualified university supervisor. (Prerequisites: COUN 5503, COUN 5573, and COUN 5923 with a grade of B or higher; Permission required)

5960 DIRECTED READINGS IN COUNSELING

Individualized literature study in the field of professional counseling, under the direction of a graduate-level counseling professor. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5970 SPECIAL STUDIES IN COUNSELING

Individualized or group projects focused on the field of professional counseling and selected in consultation with a graduate-level counseling professor. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5980 COUNSELING SEMINAR

Small group study of a topic related to the field of professional counseling and announced by the department. (Prerequisite: Permission required)

5990 APPLIED COUNSELING RESEARCH

Independent research specifically focused on the field of professional counseling and designed in consultation with a graduate-level counseling professor. (Prerequisite: Permission required)