Professional Orientation in Counseling (2)

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.

Prepracticum in Counseling Techniques (3)

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.

Human Development (3)

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.

Research Methods in Counseling (3)

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.

Career Development Across the Lifespan (3)

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.

Multicultural Counseling (3)

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.

Counseling Psychology: Theory and Practice (3)

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.

Group Dynamics (3)

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.

Assessment Techniques in Counseling (3)

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.

School Specialization Requirements: 13 Units

Ethical and Legal Issues in School Counseling (1)

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.

Action Research in School Counseling (3)

This course involves acquiring knowledge and skills in action research for program improvement and accountability and professional development. Students engage in field-based action research projects in conjunction with their fieldwork and share the results of their projects through manuscript dissemination and conference presentations.

Organization of Student Support Systems (3)

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.

Counseling Children & Youth in School Setting (3)

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.

Applied Techniques for Counseling in School Setting (3)

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.

Clinical Instruction in School Specialization: 9 Units

Practicum: School (3)

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.