Counseling Program
Course Descriptions
COUN 503
Professional Orientation and ethics in Counseling / 2 units
This course is designed to address the development of a professional identity as a counselor. Students reflect on the knowledge, dispositions and skills needed to provide effective counseling interventions to diverse client populations. They are introduced to the counseling profession – its purpose, history, ethical codes, professional organizations and certification and licensing practices.
COUN 504
Pre-Practicum in Counseling Techniques / 3 units
Each student will be able to demonstrate basic counseling skills, techniques, and professionally ethical and legal behavior. Students develop knowledge of and skills in core counseling techniques, including attending, listening, empathy and challenging. Students are introduced to, and practice through peer helping, helping skills models appropriate to a variety of counseling settings. Videotaping of individual counseling sessions for purposes of assessment, self-assessment and reflection on counseling skill development is included. Students are able to accurately critique their level of skill development.
COUN 505
Human Development / 3 units
Students examine growth and development throughout the lifespan including physical, cognitive, social, and psychological functioning. Individual and group differences are studied. Students learn proactive program development and counseling strategies to enhance development and to address development and transitional issues in development at all ages.
COUN 506
Ethical and Legal Issues in School Counseling / 1 unit
This course addresses the ethical and legal issues related to school counseling professionals. Students review state and federal guidelines and laws. Ethical guidelines from CACREP are emphasized.
COUN 508
Research Methods in Counseling / 3 units
Students study quantitative and qualitative research designs, data analysis procedures and evaluation models as they are applied to counseling-related research questions. Findings from counseling literature are reviewed. Use of computer-based analysis programs is introduced.
COUN 510
Career Development Across the Lifespan / 3 units
Students study career development theories and examine educational, personal, and occupational aspects of career development at all stages of the lifespan. Workplace demographics, employment trends, legal and ethical issues, worker satisfaction factors, and career development services delivery models are presented.
COUN 512
College Counseling / 3 units
Students examine the developmental needs and personal, academic and career concerns of persons enrolled in higher education and the counseling services and student development programs designed to meet these needs. Students examine leadership skills utilized in student services, differences in service, and delivery of services in community college, college and university settings. Students design, conduct, and report on assessment of college counseling programs and services.
COUN 515
Multicultural Counseling / 3 units
Students examine the beliefs, behaviors, and values of variety of ethnic groups. Students complete self-assessments of cultural competencies and examine their self-assessments in the context of cultural identity models. Effective techniques for providing culturally appropriate services to individuals and groups are presented.
COUN 518
Organization of Student Support Systems / 3 units
Students learn to develop comprehensive plans for guidance and counseling services in K-12 settings and to evaluate service outcomes. Students develop leadership and advocacy skills for promoting quality counseling services designed to meet student needs.
COUN 520
Counseling: Theory and Practice / 3 units
Philosophical and psychological theories of personality development and functioning are presented. For each theory presented students learn the nature of the person, personality constructs, and appropriate intervention strategies and counseling goals.
COUN 525
Group Dynamics / 3 units
Utilizes didactic and experiential learning to examine group dynamics in a variety of work and other social settings. Students develop knowledge of and skills in counseling group leadership and facilitation as well as large group presentations.
COUN 530
Assessment Techniques in Counseling / 3 units
Students develop skills in the development, selection, administration, interpretation of standardized tests, report writing, and other tools used to assess various cognitive, behavioral, and affective modalities used in practice. Required prerequisites: COUN 520 and professor approval.
COUN 532
Designing Career Development Interventions / 3 units
Students develop competence in assessing client interests and skills, designing career centers, outlining job search strategies, writing résumés, developing job banks, planning networking strategies, and designing individual and group interventions for a variety of client-presenting problems. Students review career development services currently offered in higher education, business, and community settings. Recommended prerequisite: COUN 510.
COUN 535
College Student Development / 3 units
Provides an introduction to major theories and research on development of college students and addresses the relevance and use of this information for the work of student affairs professionals, counselors, administrators, and others interested in the educational development of students in college settings.
COUN 536
Counseling Children and Youth in School Settings / 3 units
Students will explore and understand a variety of issues germane to K-12 counseling settings. Students will also gain competence in counseling techniques and interventions appropriate to working in these settings. Additionally, students will become familiar with and practice presentation and consultation skills suitable for working with students, parents, teachers and other school staff.
COUN 537
Applied Techniques for Counseling in School Settings / 3 units
Students will gain awareness of the history, stages and purposes of consultation and develop strategies to promote, develop, and enhance effective teamwork and partnerships within the school and greater community. Students also enlarge their knowledge and skill base to effectively work with issues that may affect the development and functioning of students and explore with several specific models for intervention in depth.
COUN 541
Advanced Counseling: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning / 3 units
Students develop comprehensive case studies of clients using various assessment methods and deliver case presentations. Tests and other diagnostic tools (e.g., DSM-IV-TR) are used to formulate individual counseling intervention plans. Professional issues associated with counseling practice and collaboration with community agencies are examined. Required Prerequisites: Practicum – COUN 588P or 589P, COUN 520 and professor approval.
COUN 543
Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling / 3 units
Students review basic CACREP-relevant standards, evidence-based practice, advanced ethical concerns, and forensic mental health issues. The course also includes a clinical instruction requirement. Required Prerequisites: COUN 503, COUN 520, and professor approval.
COUN 544
Introduction to Family Counseling / 3 units
Students are exposed to required CACREP standards for family counseling. Cross-cultural and ethical-legal issues are examined as well as other professional practice issues. Required Prerequisite: COUN 504 and COUN 520.
COUN 545
Substance Abuse Counseling / 3 units
Students are exposed to required CACREP standards for addictions and substance abuse counseling. Assessment and clinical practice models are covered. Cross-cultural and ethical-legal issues are examined as well as other professional practice issues. Required Prerequisite: COUN 504 and COUN 520.
COUN 546
Human Sexuality / 3 units
Students are exposed to required CACREP standards and licensure requirements for human sexuality. Cross-cultural and ethical-legal issues are examined as well as other professional practice issues. Required Prerequisites: COUN 504 and COUN 520.
COUN 547
Crisis Intervention Counseling / 3 units
Students are exposed to CACREP standards associated with crisis intervention. The course emphasizes forensic mental health issues (e.g., risk assessment) as well. Required prerequisites: COUN 520, COUN 530 and professor approval.
COUN 548
Forensic Ethical-Legal Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling / 3 units
This course introduces CMHC students to issues expected as they interface with the legal system. Special emphasis is placed on the ethical-legal issues presented in forensic practice venues for assessment. CMHC students learn the ethics and law that pertain to theory, research, needed for practice. The ethical portion includes a detailed analysis of the ethics codes from the American Counseling Association, American Mental Health Counseling Association, and other relevant counseling organizations. Students translate principles into guidelines and decision making required in CMHC practice. The legal portion includes review of various State mental health-related laws.
COUN 549
Pyschopharmacology with Culturally Diverse Clinical Mental Health Clients / 3 units
This course gives CMHC students a historical perspective on the use of medication in treating mental disorders within the context of social, cultural, gender, and religious issues. The central focus will be on the major classifications of psychotropic drugs, specifying their psychiatric uses, benefits, side effects, toxicities, combinations, and biochemical actions as they work with culturally diverse clients. This course will also explore how clinical mental health counselors can best work with medical practitioners in providing more comprehensive client care.
COUN 559
Consultation, Training, and Supervision / 3 units
Students develop training and consultation skills and strategies. This course offers students the opportunity to bridge the concepts of counseling with the applied topics of site supervision, training and consulting, and performance consulting. The methods of instruction will include both didactic instruction and interactive learning.
COUN 587P
Clinical Mental Health Practicum / 3 units
Practicum students demonstrate knowledge of and skills in personal/social, academic, and career development domain assessments and individual and group interventions appropriate to a variety of adult counseling settings. Course includes a minimum of 100 clock hours of practicum experience that includes a combination of peer counseling related to personal/social, academic, and career development issues; community service programs serving adult populations; job shadowing of professional counselors; observing and being a participant-observer of group dynamics in various counseling settings; and attending meetings directly relevant to the functioning of a counseling staff and/or counseling center. At least 40 hours of the practicum experience involved direct client contact. Prerequisites are required (see advisor).
COUN 588P
Practicum: School / 3 units
In the school-based counseling practicum students demonstrate knowledge of and skills in personal/social, academic, and career development domain assessments, and individual and group interventions appropriate to K–12 counseling settings. Course includes a minimum of 100 clock hours of practicum experience that includes a combination of individual and group counseling related to personal/ social, academic, and career development issues; job shadowing with credentialed school counselors; observing and being a participant-observer of group dynamics in various school settings; participating in classroom guidance activities; attending meetings directly relevant to the functioning of a counseling staff and/or counseling center; and planning, implementing, and evaluating systemic interventions related to the organization and administration of comprehensive counseling and guidance programs. At least 40 hours of the practicum experience involves direct client contact. Prerequisites: COUN 504, and either COUN 503 or 520 must also be taken before this course and the remaining course taken concurrently.
COUN 589P
Practicum: Adult / 3 units
In the counseling practicum students demonstrate knowledge of and skills in personal/social, academic, and career development domain assessments and individual and group interventions appropriate to a variety of adult counseling settings. Course includes a minimum of 100 clock hours of practicum experience that includes a combination of peer counseling related to personal/social, academic, and career development issues; community service programs serving adult populations; job shadowing of professional counselors; observing and being a participant-observer of group dynamics in various counseling settings; and attending meetings directly relevant to the functioning of a counseling staff and/or counseling center. At least 40 hours of the practicum experience involved direct client contact. Prerequisites: COUN 504, and either COUN 503 or 520 must also be taken before this course and the remaining course taken concurrently.
COUN 590F
Fieldwork in School Settings / 3 units
Students obtain an internship placement at a school site and function in the role of a school counselor, working under the supervision of a P.P.S. credentialed counselor on site. university supervision also is provided. School sites are selected to meet the requirements for the State of California Pupil Personnel Services Credential – School Counseling Specialization. Course must be taken a minimum of two times to meet program and/or credential requirements. Prerequisites: COUN 505, 515, 525, 588P and school specialization course COUN 518.
COUN 592F
Internship in College Counseling / 3 units
Students obtain an internship placement in a community college, college, or university setting under the on-site supervision of a qualified counseling professional. Course can be taken twice to meet requirements. Prerequisites: COUN 505, 515 and 525, 589P and required college specialization courses.
COUN 593F
Internship in Career Counseling / 3 units
Students obtain internship placements in educational, business, government, and community settings where career development services are offered. Students do their internship under the on-site supervision of a qualified counseling professional. Course can be taken twice to meet requirements. Prerequisites: COUN 505, 515, 525, 589P and required career specialization courses.
COUN 597F
Clinical Mental Health Internship I / 3 units
Students obtain an internship placement in a clinical mental health setting under the on-site supervision of a qualified counseling professional. Course can be taken twice to meet requirements. Prerequisites are required (see advisor).
COUN 598F
Clinical Mental Health Internship II / 3 units
Students obtain an internship placement in a clinical mental health setting under the on-site supervision of a qualified counseling professional. Course can be taken twice to meet requirements. Prerequisites are required (see advisor).
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