Webster University: MA in Counseling

MA in Counseling

Program Description
Learning Goals
Program Curriculum

General Requirements
Admissions
Course Descriptions

Program Description

The MA in counseling professional degree program is designed to prepare individuals for careers in professional mental health counseling; marriage/couple, family, and child counseling; school guidance and counseling, and community counseling. Note that not all emphases are offered at all campuses. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge, practice, and skills for working with individuals, couples, children, families, and small groups in a variety of mental health settings.

The MA in counseling at Webster University is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Learning Goals

The student learning outcomes for the MA in counseling support the development of students as competent counselors in training. The learning outcomes are broadly divided into the following.

Upon completion of the program, students should be able to:

Identify, describe, and apply goals and objectives of professional organizations, professional codes of ethics primarily the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2005); identify and describe ethical and legal considerations in counseling, professional credentialing, role identity of counselors, history and philosophy of counseling, counseling supervision models and practices, ethical decision making models, and advocacy processes leading to success for clients. (Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice)
Define, generalize, and synthesize the impact on the profession of counseling of multi-cultures including ethnic groups, religious and or spiritual belief orientations, urban and rural societies; personal constructs including gender, able-ism, age, race, sexual orientation, and other cultural groups and mores; use of leisure time, career, and differing life patterns in multi cultures; multicultural counseling theory; and the ethnic attributes and dynamics on relationships, issues, cultural trends, and the counseling relationship. Be able to describe the significance of Counselor self-awareness, culturally supported wellness, and counselor’s roles in eliminating bias and in promoting social justice and advocacy for diverse populations. (Social and Cultural Diversity)
Describe, identify, and examine the nature and needs of individual’s at all developmental levels and in multicultural contexts, including theories of human behavior (normal and abnormal) personality development, human resilience, wellness, exceptional abilities, and addictions; and learning processes. (Counseling Theory and Human Growth and Development)
Describe, identify, and appraise vocational choice theories and techniques; the relationship between career choice and lifestyle; sources of occupational and educational information, assessment, and technology; approaches to career decision-making models; interrelationships among and between work, family and life roles including multi-cultural issues; career planning, placement and evaluation; and career development exploration techniques. (Career Development)
Define and appraise group counseling theories, types of group therapy techniques; group design, selection/screening, purpose, development, and dynamics in a multicultural society; ethical practice pertaining to group work; and be able to experience and facilitate effective group counseling. (Group Work)
Identify, implement, and evaluate the various frameworks for ethical appraisal of the individual including methods of data gathering and interpretation, statistical concepts, individual and group testing, case study approaches, historical perspectives, and individual differences from a multicultural and ethnic context. (Assessment)
Define, describe, apply, and evaluate statistical concepts, research design, development of research/demonstration proposals, , and research information, as used to inform evidence-based practice; describe and evaluate the importance of research in advancing the counseling profession and ethical and culturally relevant strategies for interpreting and reporting research and evaluation results. (Research and Program Evaluation)
Identify, implement, and evaluate the various frameworks for ethical appraisal of the individual in
Identify, implement, and evaluate the various frameworks for ethical appraisal of the individual including methods of data gathering and interpretation, statistical concepts, individual and group testing, case study approaches, historical perspectives, and individual differences from a multicultural and ethnic context. (Assessment)
Define, describe, apply, and evaluate statistical concepts, research design, development of research/demonstration proposals, evaluation of research, and research information, as used to inform evidence-based practice; describe and evaluate the importance of research in advancing the counseling profession; and ethical and culturally rele-vant strategies for interpreting and reporting research and evaluation results. (Research and Program Evaluation)
Identify, plan, synthesize and implement the above learning outcomes and criteria professionally. Demonstrate a progressive development of counseling skills and practice including an openness to supervision and self-awareness in a human development and wellness framework that integrates attention to multi-cultural impact. Implement adequate record keeping methods, define and apply ethical practice, and define and generalize the ethical responsibility of practicing counseling only to the extent of one’s competency and to know when, where, and how to refer when out of competency. (Clinical instruction in Foundations of Counseling, Practicum, Internship, and Group Counseling Techniques)
Identify and critique the major concepts and effects on cultures of disaster response counseling, trauma counseling, and crisis counseling, and their differences in specific settings (Infused in some core courses)
Identify, evaluate, and generalize the major impacts, theories, effects, and skills of addictions and substance abuse counseling in specific courses (Substance Abuse elective and some core courses including field experience)
Identify, evaluate, and generalize the impact, effects, and skills of systems theory (Family Systems elective and some core courses including Theory and field experience)

Program Curriculum

Emphasis in Professional Mental Health Counseling

The degree emphasis requires satisfactory completion of 60 credit hours of coursework. Some states require completion of all core courses previous to internship. Note that successful completion of program degree may exceed 60 credit hours for students requiring remedial coursework in writing competency and or professional counseling skill development.

Required Core Subject Area Courses:

COUN 5020 Foundations of Counseling: The Helping Relationship (Requisite Course)
COUN 5050 Human Growth and Development
COUN 5100 Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
COUN 5140 Psychopharmacology
COUN 5150 Psychopathology
COUN 5200 Theories of Counseling
COUN 5220 Assessment
COUN 5230 Psychodiagnostics
COUN 5600 Techniques of Group Counseling
COUN 5630 Substance Abuse Counseling
COUN 5700 Lifestyle and Career Development
COUN 5800 Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
COUN 5850 Research and Program Evaluation
COUN 6000 Counseling Learning Practicum (a minimum of 3 credit hours)
COUN 6500 Internship (total of 6 credit hours)
No school settings may be used for practicum or internship hours toward the Professional Mental Health emphasis.

No elementary or secondary school settings may be used for practicum or internship hours toward the Professional Mental Health emphasis.

In addition to the required 16 core subject area courses listed above, students work with a faculty advisor to select up to four electives from the counselor education program curriculum to fulfill the 60 hour requirement for completion of the degree. Seek advisement for appropriate selection of electives with the Counseling Program coordinator or Counseling Program academic advisor when selecting elective courses. Also, note that certain state licensure laws do not allow for courses to be completed through Directed Studies or electronically (online). The student should consult with the Counseling Program coordinator or Counseling Program academic advisor regarding this option.

Not all areas of emphasis are offered at all campus locations. Students should verify that the emphasis they seek is offered at the campus they select prior to registration.

Emphasis in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling

This degree emphasis requires satisfactory completion of 60 credit hours of coursework. Some states require completion of all core courses previous to internship. This degree emphasis is not offered at all extended campuses. Please consult your local campus for information. Note that successful completion of program may exceed 60 credit hours for students requiring remedial coursework in writing competency and or professional counseling skill development.

Required Core Subject Area Courses:

COUN 5020 Foundations of Counseling: The Helping Relationship (Requisite Course)
COUN 5050 Human Growth and Development
COUN 5100 Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
COUN 5140 Psychopharmacology
COUN 5150 Psychopathology
COUN 5200 Theories of Counseling
COUN 5220 Assessment
COUN 5230 Psychodiagnostics
COUN 5540 Family Systems Theory
COUN 5600 Techniques of Group Counseling
COUN 5640 Marriage and Family Counseling
COUN 5660 Sexual Counseling or COUN 5560 Human Sexuality
COUN 5700 Lifestyle and Career Development
COUN 5800 Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
COUN 5850 Research and Program Evaluation
COUN 6000 Counseling Learning Practicum (total of 3 credit hours)
COUN 6500 Internship (total of 6 credit hours)
No school settings may be used for practicum or internships toward the Marriage, Family and Child Counseling emphasis.

No school settings may be used for practicum or internships toward the Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling emphasis.

In addition to the required 18 core subject area courses listed above, students select electives from the counselor education program curriculum to fulfill the 60 credit hours required for the degree. Seek advisement for appropriate selection of elec-tives with the Counseling Program coordinator or Counseling Program academic advisor when selecting elective courses, as electives may directly relate to the ability to gain licensure as a professional counselor and/or a marriage and family (and child) counselor. Also, note that certain state licensure laws do not allow for courses to be completed through Directed Studies or electronically (online).

Not all areas of emphasis are offered at all campus locations. Students should verify that the emphasis they seek is offered at the campus they select prior to registration.

Emphasis in School Guidance and Counseling

Note: this emphasis area is only approved for student participation in Florida. No other Webster campus offers the school counseling emphasis at this time. School counseling licensure or certification is determined by state departments of education. Therefore, students are responsible for verifying this curriculum with their respective state departments of education to insure that this curriculum meets their state’s requirements.

The degree emphasis requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours of coursework; students may have to complete extra coursework in education courses for emphasis/degree completion. Some states require completion of all core courses previous to internship. Note that successful completion of program degree may exceed 48 credit hours for students requiring remedial coursework in writing competency and or professional counseling skill development.

Required Core Subject Area Courses:

COUN 5020 Foundations of Counseling: The Helping Relationship (Requisite Course)
COUN 5050 Human Growth and Development
COUN 5100 Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
COUN 5200 Theories of Counseling
COUN 5220 Assessment
COUN 5600 Techniques of Group Counseling
COUN 5680 Counseling in the School Setting
COUN 5685 Program Development for School Counselors
COUN 5700 Lifestyle and Career Development
COUN 5800 Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
COUN 5820 Consultation and Supervision
COUN 5850 Research and Evaluation
COUN 6000 Counseling Learning Practicum (total of 3 hours)
COUN 6500 Internship (total of 6 credit hours in a school setting)

In addition to the required 15 core subject area courses listed above, students select electives from the counselor education program and education program curriculums to fulfill credit hours needed for the degree. Seek advisement for appropriate selection of electives with the Counseling Program coordinator or Counseling Program academic advisor when selecting elective courses, as elective choices directly pertain to the ability to gain licensure as a professional counselor and/or certification or licensure as a school guidance counselor. Note that certain state licensure laws do not allow for courses to be completed through Directed Studies or electronically (online).

Not all areas of emphasis are offered at all campus locations. Students should verify that the emphasis they seek is offered at the campus they select prior to registration.

Emphasis in Community Counseling

This degree emphasis requires satisfactory completion of 48 credit hours of coursework. Some states require completion of all core courses previous to internship. Note that successful completion of program degree may exceed 48 credit hours for students requiring remedial coursework in writing competency and or professional counseling skill development.

Required Core Subject Area Courses:

COUN 5020 Foundations of Counseling: The Helping Relationship
COUN 5050 Human Growth and Development
COUN 5100 Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
COUN 5200 Theories of Counseling
COUN 5220 Assessment
COUN 5600 Techniques of Group Counseling
COUN 5700 Lifestyle and Career Development
COUN 5800 Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
COUN 5850 Research and Program Evaluation
COUN 6000 Counseling Learning Practicum (total of 3 hours)
COUN 6500 Internship (total of 6 hours)

In addition to the required 12 core subject area courses listed above, students select electives from the counselor education program curriculum to fulfill the 48 credit hours necessary for completion of the degree. Seek advisement for appropriate selection of electives with the Counseling Program coordinator or Counseling Program academic advisor when selecting elective courses. Note that certain state licensure laws do not allow for courses to be completed through Directed Studies or electronically (online).

Note that the majority of states call for educational requirements toward professional counseling licensure to include the completion of a 60 credit hour graduate counseling degree. Therefore, students and or graduates who select the Communi-ty Counseling 48 credit hour emphasis may be required to complete additional graduate coursework should the student/graduate relocate to a state that requires a 60 credit hour masters counseling degree.

Not all areas of emphasis are offered at all campus locations. Students should verify that the emphasis they seek is offered at the campus they select prior to registration.

General Requirements

The student is subject to the policies and procedures for graduate studies and the specific requirements of the counselor education program found within this Catalog. As stated in the academic policies and procedure guidelines, the MA in counseling professional degree program is excluded from dual major and sequential degree options.

Courses in the counselor education program are available only to the following: those admitted to the MA in counseling professional degree program and those fulfilling course requirements toward state licensure. All non-degree seeking students must meet program prerequisites and seek advisement for appropriate course selection.

Students participating in the MA in counseling professional degree program are required to understand and follow the ACA Code of Ethics (2005) and adhere to applicable state laws, regulatory policies, and rules and policies governing professional staff behavior at the agency or placement setting. Students have the same obligation to clients as those required of professional counselors. (ACA, 2005)

Professional Commitment

The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2005) requires that institutions providing counselor education screen students for professional, personal, and academic fit with the profession of counseling. Completion and graduation from the MA in counseling professional degree program requires successful completion of all graduate courses with appropriate academic success; development of appropriate interpersonal and counseling skills evidencing competency as a counselor; and being deemed fit for the counseling profession by program faculty as determined by development of counseling knowledge, skills, and counselor formation; interpersonal relations with others in the program, and openness to supervision and feedback. Students’ counseling skills development, interpersonal skills with others in the program, openness to supervision, and academic success and standing will be evaluated on a regular basis throughout the program. Students may be required to complete extra coursework and or personal counseling in order to maintain good standing in the program.

This degree is a professional degree that is regulated by the state licensure boards and the ACA Code of Ethics (2005). As such, students will be required to commit to the above mentioned academic and interpersonal and counseling skills development through various coursework including a minimum of one year of clinical field experience (depending on state), that may demand between 12 and 38 hours per week to equate to a total of 700 - 1000 hours of clinical and supervised instruction. It is imperative that applicants and students understand the time commitment required to develop and evidence counseling and interpersonal skills, openness to supervision, and academic success related to the clinical field experience.

It is highly recommended that students become involved in their local and or national professional counseling organizations for formation of professional identity and the provision of additional learning, professional networking, leadership oppor-tunities, professional liability insurance and legal support; and financial, academic, and career resources.

Students in the MA in counseling professional degree program will be expected to participate in self-growth and self-disclosure experiences in some coursework in the MA in counseling professional degree program as delineated by the ACA Code of Ethics (2005). While contents of self-disclosure will not relate to lowered academic evaluations, contents of self-disclosure may lead to requirement of professional help to address any personal concerns that may be affecting development of competent counseling skills (ACA, 2005).

Remediation for Student Success Process

The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2001, 2005) requires that all counselor education programs in good standing provide for a remediation process for all counselor education students that includes regular and ongoing evaluation of a student’s general fit with the counseling profession. Appraisal will occur with faculty related subjective and objective components for didactic and clinical competencies, attention to ethical code, and openness to supervision, self-awareness and formation, and academic competency. Students may be required to meet with the campus Counseling Advisory Committee if they are not able to demonstrate academic success, appropriate interpersonal and or counseling skills development, and or if they are perceived as resistant to professional clinical supervision. This Committee will review the reasons for student lack of success and will interview relevant instructors and the student to determine the most appropriate path for student success related to a potential future in the counseling profession. The most appropriate path may include but is not limited to: completion of extra coursework and or field experience, completion of and or participation in personal counseling, and or dismissal or time off from the counselor education program prior to completion of the degree program. Hence, successful completion of the MA in counseling professional degree program may require additional coursework beyond the stated number of degree credit hours (48 or 60) for those students requiring remedial coursework and or personal counseling. Student openness to and cooperation with the Committee and adherence to ACA Code of Ethics will be integral to the student’s continued success within the program.

Student Handbook

All students admitted to the MA in counseling professional degree program are required to review and sign the MA in Counseling Student Handbook as a requirement of admission. Students are required to sign the final page of the Handbook stating understanding of and agreement with the personal and professional commitment to the MA in counseling professional degree program.

Background Check

Some states will not provide a professional counseling license to those with a failed background check. If an applicant or student has questions regarding such, check with the state professional counseling licensure board, preferably prior to applying to the MA in counseling professional degree program. Students registering for the school counseling emphasis as of spring 1, 2010 may be required to complete a background check at their own expense. See the Counseling Program faculty coordinator/advisor for further information. Also note that some field experience sites require completion of a background check prior to commitment to the field experience. All background checks are at the expense of the student. See the Counseling Program faculty coordinator/advisor for more information.

Citizenship/authorized alien/immigrant status is now a prerequisite for a professional license by an agency of a State or local government under Title 8 US Code Section 1621. Conviction, guilty plea, or nolo contendere plea involving a crime involving drugs, moral turpitude, or other criminal charges may prohibit licensure or employment .

Professional Liability Insurance

All students participating in counseling field experiences must retain professional liability insurance and proof of such prior to beginning their field experience. Professional liability insurance is at the expense of the student and may be retained through HPSO (Health Professionals Service Organization) found on the American Counseling Association’s Web site, www.counseling.org.

To attain licensure in professional counseling (LPC/LMHC/LCPC); marriage and family therapy (LMFT); and or certification or licensure in school guidance and counseling graduates must complete further clinical training and pass nationally normed, field related examinations (NCE, PRAXIS) after completion of the MA in counseling professional degree. Required exam and or number of required clinical supervised hours following degree completion is dependent on the state in which the graduate pursues licensure. For delineation of individual state licensure and school certification or licensure requirements consult the following Web sites:

Course Transfer

A total of twelve (12) credit hours from a graduate counseling program may be accepted toward the MA In counseling; there will be no course substitutions once a student has transferred 12 credit hours. Although the Webster MA in counseling is not accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), in order to ensure integrity across core content, core courses substitutions will only be accepted from graduate counseling programs that were CACREP accredited at the time the student completed the coursework. All transfer credit will be for elective courses unless the courses are from a CACREP accredited institution (accredited at the time the transferee attended the program).

The MA in counseling degree at Webster University is not accredited by CACREP.

Transfer between campuses after completion of 5 courses

Transfer between Webster University campuses after or during completion of the sixth counseling course but before or during field experience coursework will require the following: a) two letters from Webster faculty at the campus of origin regarding the student’s counseling and interpersonal skills level; b) a phone or personal interview with the counseling pro-gram coordinator and or Practicum faculty supervisor regarding the student’s counseling and interpersonal skills level, experience in the field, and reason for transfer; and c) approval by the office of the Worldwide Director of Counseling for the transfer.

Enrollment in non counseling courses during program enrollment

Participation and enrollment in the professional counseling degree program takes personal and professional commitment. For this reason, counseling students are required to receive written permission from the worldwide director of counseling to register for courses outside of the counseling program while enrolled in the program. Enrollment in non counseling degree related courses is not encouraged.

Admissions

Students who are interested in applying to this degree program should also see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.

Admission Requirements

Additional requirements specific to the MA in counseling degree include the following:

Completion and provision of a written essay. The 1-2 page essay will be in response to the following prompt: Comment on your personal and professional interests in the field of professional counseling. Include personal background and work history related to your interest in the field of professional counseling and career goals in the field of professional counseling; also include your thoughts regarding your potential success in forming effective and culturally relevant interpersonal relationships in individual and small group contexts and your aptitude for succeeding at graduate level education.
Strict adherence to a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale
Provision of 3 letters of professional (not friends or relatives) recommendation, one of which must be from a former professor/instructor and on university letterhead.
Participation in a group interview to determine career related interests in the field of professional counseling. This interview will be scheduled through your campus. Seek advisement regarding applicable dates.
Student signature on the related page in the Counseling Student Handbook provided on the first night of the first class or before.

Some program field experiences may require background checks of students.

Additional note: students applying for this program must send their required admission documentation to the campus they plan to attend. Students applying to campuses outside of the US may be required to submit additional documentation and are subject to prerequisite psychology educational requirements. Please consult your campus.

Course Descriptions

COUN 5000 Theories of Personality (3)

This course defines and examines the origins, development, and current status of seminal personality theories, for application in professional counseling and in a multicultural context. Attention is given to those theories that are foundational to the professional counseling field.

COUN 5010 Comparative Psychotherapy (3)

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the major theories of counseling. Dimensions of the course include a comparative survey of various theories and the use of these theories in the counseling situation, skill assessment, and practical applications of the various counseling techniques and modalities.

COUN 5020 Foundations of Counseling: The Helping Relationship (Requisite Course) (3)

This course defines and examines the philosophic bases of counseling and the helping relationship focusing on the foundational and theoretical concepts necessary for working with individuals, groups, children, and families in a multicultural context. Students also practice the development of basic counseling skills, professional identity and related ethics. Students learn to define, generalize, organize, and critique the counseling process and profession including consultation theories, practice, and application in a multicultural society; and some crisis and disaster intervention. Self-growth experiential activities are associated with this course content.

COUN 5050 Human Growth and Development (3)

The student learns to identify, describe, and examine the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels and in multicultural contexts. Emphasis is placed on theories of individual and family development, life span transitions, human behavior (normal and abnormal), personality development, learning processes, wellness, related ethics, and addictions; and the effects of crisis, disaster, and other trauma-related events on persons of all ages. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with the content of this course.

COUN 5100 Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling (3)

This course defines and examines the importance of understanding cultural and ethnic attributes; and the impact these attributes have on relationships, professional issues and trends, and the counseling relationship. Attention is given to the influence of gender roles, ethnic groups, urban and rural societies, cultural mores, various family life patterns, and personal constructs including but not limited to religion, sexual orientation, race, ageism, able-ism, gender, ethnicity, etc., on the counseling relationship; related counselor self-awareness; counselors’ roles in eliminating biases and oppression; and theories of multicultural development and identity formation; social advocacy for diverse populations; related ethics and ethical decision making models; and culturally supported wellness. Self -growth experiential activities are associated with this course content.

COUN 5140 Psychopharmacology (3)

This course provides an introduction to pharmacological agents that affect mental and emotional functions. Focus of the course will be on identification and comprehension of the effects and the actions of psychoactive drugs, including drugs used in the treatment of psychopathological disorders and drugs of abuse. Multicultural and ethical components are integrated.

COUN 5150 Psychopathology (3)

This course focuses on the identification and comprehension of the major psychological disorders as detailed in the current Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (APA). The behavioral manifestations and dynamics of mental disorders will be explored, focusing on therapeutic assessment issues and case conceptualization. Multicultural, crisis and emergency, and ethical components are integrated.

COUN 5160 Issues in Counseling (1-3)

This course is designed to provide for the definition and examination of various aspects of the counseling profession, important trends in the field of professional counseling, and focused topics areas. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

COUN 5200 Theories of Counseling (3)

This course defines and examines the application of basic theories, principles, and related techniques of professional counseling. A major focus will be on the application of the theories and methods used in counseling with consideration for multicultural and ethical contexts. A systems perspective, theories of addictions, and optimal development and wellness for the life span are included.

COUN 5220 Assessment (3)

This course examines the various frameworks for assessing the functioning of individuals, couples, groups, and families in an ethical frame; and the use of assessment in diagnosis and treatment in a multicultural context. Attention will focus on the methods of data gathering; ethical administration and interpretation from a multicultural perspective; historical perspective of the field; related statistical concepts; and reliability and validity of various instruments. Ethnic, cultural, and sex/gender factors are considered. Additional minimal fees for the purchase of assessment tools may be required of the student for this course. Self -growth experiential activities may be associated with this course content.

COUN 5230 Psychodiagnostics (3)

This course is designed to help students conceptualize mental disorders and to develop diagnostic strategies utilizing standard diagnostic nomenclature and treatment strategies, including choice of therapeutic models and indications/contra-indications for particular kinds of counseling. Multicultural and ethical components are integrated.

COUN 5500 Professional Seminars (1-3)

Students participate in seminars designed to examine contemporary issues in counseling. The professional seminar is an elective course and focuses on issues of current and special interest in the field of professional counseling. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs. Graduate students may apply a maximum of 3 credit hours of these seminars as electives to meet the credit-hour requirements for graduation. This course may not be completed by directed study.

COUN 5540 Family Systems Theory (3)

This course defines and explores the contribution of general systems theory to the development of family therapy. The focus is on examining different family systems’ theories, multicultural influences, and ethical components.. Self-growth experiential activities are associated with this course content.

COUN 5545 Blended Family Therapy (3)

This course focuses on the application of systems theory and family theories to the issues involved in establishing high nurturance blended families. Multicultural and ethical components are integrated. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with the content of this course.

COUN 5560 Human Sexuality (3)

This course defines and examines the theories of human sexuality including the physiological, psychological, and sociocultural variables associated with sexual identity, behavior, and disorders. Human sexuality theory in relation to couple’s counseling is examined, and human sexuality across the lifespan is also reviewed.

COUN 5600 Techniques of Group Counseling (3)

This course examines and defines theoretical and experiential understandings of group theory and types of groups; group purposes, practices, development, methods, related ethics, and dynamics; and facilitative counseling skills in a multicultural society. This course involves student participation in a direct experience as a group member in a small group activity, approved by the program, for a minimum of 10 clock hours over the course of one academic term. Self-growth experiential activities are associated with this course content.

COUN 5610 Techniques of Counseling (3)

This course emphasizes the stages of the helping relationship. Students practice basic counseling and advanced skills. Students learn to help clients identify the problem that provides the focus for counseling and implement a treatment plan; and the significance of openness to supervision and self-evaluation. Multicultural and ethical components are integrated. Students practice skills in role-played situations in class. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs. Self-growth experiential activities are associated with this course content.

COUN 5620 Techniques of Crisis Intervention (3)

This course examines and defines the theory and methods of crisis and disaster intervention. Particular attention is given to the various contemporary techniques of intervention and resolution as related to case conceptualization and applied theory. Multicultural and ethical components are integrated. Students learn to apply assessment and intervention techniques used in the crisis intervention process. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with the content of this course.

COUN 5630 Techniques of Substance Abuse Counseling (3)

This course examines theory, case conceptualization, diagnoses, and treatment of addictions as related to the chemically dependent and the dependent’s family. A portion of the course is devoted to evaluation of the services and programs available to the chemically dependent from the point of view of the dependent, the dependent's family, and society. Multicultural and ethical components are integrated. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with the content of this course.

COUN 5635 Techniques of Counseling Special Populations (3)

This course focuses on the examination and application of counseling theories when working with clients from special population groups, e.g., exceptional students, dropouts, minorities, women re-entering the labor force, and older persons. Ethical implications are also discussed. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with the content of this course.

COUN 5640 Marriage and Family Counseling (3)

This course examines marriage, couples, and family theories and therapies, stressing the identification and application of general systems theory. The focus is on the major constructs in marriage, couples, and family therapies; identification of marriage, couples, and family structures and communication patterns; and the formulation of related treatment plans and goals in a multicultural and ethical context.

COUN 5645 Brief Family Therapies (3)

This course examines and applies brief family therapies to current issues in the development and maintenance of successfully functioning families. Related counseling skills development will occur. Multicultural and ethical components are addressed. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with the content of this course.

COUN 5650 Conjoint Counseling (3)

This course examines the theory and application of differing styles of counseling couples and families, stressing therapeutic practice when counseling couples and or family members simultaneously. The primary focus is on theories, models, and interventions employed when counseling various combinations of persons in relationships (as differentiated from groups). Multicultural and ethical issues will be integrated. Students will explore the various forms of counseling couples, including persons in marriage, same sex unions, work relationships, friends, and extended family members.

COUN 5660 Sexual Counseling (3)

This course examines human sexual behavior and the theories of human sexuality underlying sexual relationship counseling. Current theories, models, and interventions of sex therapies are discussed and evaluated from a multicultural and ethical perspective, with focus on issues related to sexual wellness and counseling individuals with sexual dysfunctions, as well as individuals with history of sexual abuse and individuals with sexual offenses.

COUN 5670 Counseling of Children (3)

This course examines issues related to the counseling of children. Focus is on the application of counseling theories related to children, multiculturalism in treatment of children, techniques for interviewing children and their families, methods for designing and evaluating treatment plans, and the application of counseling related ethical standards and legal requirements. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with the content of this course. Note: If this course is taken at a Webster campus outside of Florida, the course content should not be construed as leading toward a position in school counseling.

COUN 5680 Counseling in the School Setting (3)

This course examines counseling practices and theory in relation to children and adolescents in the school setting and the role and function of the counselor as a partner in the learning process. Focus is on developmental needs and age-related issues; guidance counseling in classroom and multicultural settings; collaboration with school team members and families, and related ethics. Special problems of physical and sexual abuse, substance abuse, suicide, and grief; and career and college preparation are also examined.

Note: If this course is taken at a Webster campus outside of New Mexico or Florida, the course content should not be construed as leading toward a position in school counseling.

COUN 5685 Program Development for School Counselors (3)

This course focuses on theory, design, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive developmental school guidance and counseling programs from a multicultural perspective to include technological interventions and identification of student academic, career, and personal/social competencies; leadership and management and advocacy; and the ASCA model.

Note: If this course is taken at a Webster campus outside of New Mexico or Florida, the course content should not be construed as leading toward a position in school guidance counseling.

COUN 5700 Lifestyle and Career Development (3)

This course examines , evaluates, and applies vocational choice theories, assessments, and techniques; the relationship between career choice and lifestyle; sources of occupational and educational information, assessment, and technology; approaches to decision-making models; interrelationships among and between work, family and life roles including multicultural issues; career planning, placement, and evaluation; and career development exploration techniques and assessments in an ethical context. Self -growth experiential activities may be associated with this course content.

COUN 5800 Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice (3)

This course identifies and examines the history and philosophy of the counseling profession, goals and objectives of professional counseling organizations, the ACA Code of Ethics, professional credentialing and licensure, role identity of types of professional counselors, application of ethical and legal considerations in counseling, self-care strategies, and advocacy processes to address social and institutional barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with this course content. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with the content of this course.

COUN 5820 Consultation and Supervision (3)

This course examines consultation theory and practice as employed by counselors working and supervising in mental health facilities, educational institutions, and other counseling settings. The various theories, techniques and models of consultation and supervision will be explored and applied, examining the framework for consultation with other professionals, educators, parents, and administrators in a multicultural setting and with attention to related ethics.

Note: If this course is taken at a Webster campus outside of New Mexico or Florida, the course content should not be construed as leading toward a position in school counseling.

COUN 5850 Research and Program Evaluation (3)

This course examines areas including statistics, research design, and development of research and demonstration proposals related to the field of professional counseling in a multicultural society through the use of professional counseling literature. Related ethical codes and practices in research are examined. Additional goals of the course include understanding the importance of research in advancing the counseling profession; program development and demonstration proposals; development and evaluation of program objectives; principles, models, and applications of needs assessment; and culturally and ethically relevant strategies for interpreting the results. Additional minimal fees for the purchase of assessment tools may be required of the student for this course. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with the content of this course.

COUN 5900 Advanced Diagnostics and Treatment (3)

This course is designed to prepare the student to assess and treat specific clinical problems (i.e., anxiety disorders, personality disorders, mood disorders). The focus will be assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral problems using standardized diagnostic nomenclature. consideration of multi-cultures and ethical code will apply in discussions. This is an advanced topics course and course content will be specific. Students are expected to have completed foundational courses. Prerequisite: permission of instructor and or academic advisor.

COUN 5925 Foundations of Psychotraumatology (3)

Foundations of Psychotraumatology introduces students to the basic concepts of traumatology and some of the key therapeutic interventions used in dealing with clients suffering from critical incidents and stress and/or posttraumatic stress following accident, assault, disaster, crisis, and or acts of terrorism. The course provides an overview of the historical development of the field of psychotraumatology from early scientific focus at the beginning of the 20th century and leading to current clinical focus on critical incident stress management and post-traumatic stress counseling.. Self-growth experiential activities may be associated with the content of this course.

COUN 5950 Clinical Psychotraumatology (3)

Clinical Psychotraumatology focuses on equipping students with a full range of current counseling interventions with which to counsel clients suffering from critical incidents stress and/or post-traumatic stress following accident, assault, disaster, crisis, and or acts of terrorism. The course provides a thorough analysis of the current, leading clinical perspectives/theories with opportunity to develop a personal counseling intervention model.

COUN 6000 Counseling Learning Practicum (3)

Students are required to complete a 9 or 10 week practicum in conjunction with their counseling curriculum. The practicum is taught as a beginning clinical counseling experience and s focuses on observation of direct client contact evolving to leading counseling sessions; development of counseling and interpersonal skills and openness to supervision; and an understanding of the process of counseling. The site supervisor is required to be a licensed mental health professional and have training in clinical supervision and a minimum of 2 years experience supervising counselors in training. This course requires permission of faculty supervisor/instructor or designee. Each student is required to plan his or her practicum with the Counseling Program coordinator and/or counseling academic advisor before completion of 15 credit hours in the program. The related Professional Practicum Agreement must be submitted to the practicum faculty supervisor/instructor or designee before a student can register for the practicum. Students are required to abide by the ACA Code of Ethics (2005) in their practicum experience. This is a nonpaid practicum.

Prerequisites: COUN 5020, COUN 5050, COUN 5100, COUN 5150 or COUN 5230, COUN 5200, COUN 5800, and permission of COUN 6000 faculty supervisor (or designee) to register for the Practicum. In addition, per ACA Code of Ethics (2005), COUN 5600 is a prerequisite for Practicum sites that require the student to participate in group counseling; COUN 5540 is a prerequisite for Practicum sites that require the student to participate in family counseling; and COUN 5630 is a prerequisite for Practicum sites that require students to be participate in ial substance abuse counseling.

This course may be repeated for credit. Seek advisement early in the program regarding program plan. The practicum is graded on the credit/no credit grading option; however, grades of W and F are permitted. No grades of Incomplete are permitted; hence, students should be prepared to complete all required clinical hours when registering for the Practicum. For Practicum students taking leave due to military or exceptional medical situations, see the Counseling Program advisor and the practicum faculty supervisor/instructor for grade completion options. Additional fees are required of students in this course for professional liability insurance and purchase of taping equipment. Students are required to provide evidence of professional liability insurance prior to seeing clients.

This course is time consuming and demanding. Students should be prepared to apply more hours to this course than other courses; Students will be required to complete 100 clinical hours (40 hours of direct client counseling) in this course; meet for a minimum of 50 consecutive minutes with their site supervisor per week; and meet for a minimum of 90 minutes (or more) of group supervision per week with other Practicum (only) students to complete this course. Weekly skills evaluations and activity logs are critical components to this this course. Self-growth experiential activities are associated with this course content.

COUN 6500 Internship (1.5 to 3 credit hours per term, for a total of 6 total credit hours, and 9 total credit hours in FL)

Internship is an intensive counseling experience that provides the student with the opportunity to perform a variety of counseling activities expected of a professional mental health counselor (e.g., application of diagnostic and therapeutic skills, case conceptualization, documentation, termination and referral techniques, intake, staff meetings, weekly supervision, etc.). Interns are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of group facilitation as part of the total internship experience; and are required to experience a variety of counseling experiences primarily including individual counseling. Sites are required to provide a comprehensive experience. Sites that only provide group facilitation, case management, and/or intake activities will not be approved. The site supervisor is required to be a licensed mental health professional with formal training and or education in clinical supervision and a minimum of 2 years experience supervising counselors in training. The Professional Internship Agreement are required to be completed by the student and the internship on-site supervisor and submitted to the internship faculty supervisor/instructor and/or Counseling Program coordinator prior to the initial class meeting (see counseling program coordinator or 6500 instructor for more information). Students are required to provide evidence of professional liability insurance prior to seeing clients. No school settings may be used for an internship sites unless in the states of New Mexico and Florida and specifically related to pursuance of school guidance certification or licensure.

Prerequisites: COUN 5020, COUN 5050, COUN 5100, COUN 5150 and or COUN 5230, COUN 5200, COUN 5800, COUN 6000 and approval by internship faculty supervisor to register for COUN 6500. In addition, per ACA Code of Ethics (2005), COUN 5600 is a prerequisite for Internship sites that require the student to participate in group counseling; COUN 5540 is a prerequisite for Internship sites that require the student to participate in family counseling; and COUN 5630 is a prerequisite for Internship sites that require students to participate in substance abuse counseling.

This course may be repeated for credit. The internship consists of four terms of 1.5 credit hours each of COUN 6500 (some variation in FL). Approval of a 3-credit-hour per 9-week term (full time) internship requires extensive, documented experience in professional counseling of individuals and groups. Typical candidates for a full internship include Chaplains and active school guidance counselors; all other students are expected to complete a part time/1.5 credit hour (some variation in FL) internship in keeping with ethical code regarding competency. The internship is graded on the credit/no credit grading option; however grades of W and F are permitted. No grades of Incomplete are permitted in this course; students should be prepared to complete all required clinical hours in the registered term when registering for COUN 6500. For internship students taking leave due to military or exceptional medical situations, see Counseling Program advisor and the practicum faculty supervisor/instructor for grad completion options. This course requires permission of the internship faculty supervisor/instructor or designee. Additional minimal fees are required for this course for professional liability insurance; and potentially for lab fees and taping equipment. This course is time consuming and demanding. Students should be prepared to apply more hours to this course than other courses. Students will be required to complete a total of 600 (hours may differ in Florida) clinical hours including 240 hours of direct client counseling (hours may differ In Florida) during the total 4 term internship; meet weekly for a minimum of 50 consecutive minutes with their site supervisor during all terms of internship; and meet for a minimum of 90 minutes (or more) of group supervision per week with other Internship (only) students for all terms of internship In order to complete this course. Weekly skills evaluations and activity logs are critical components to this course. Self-growth experiential activities are associated with this course content.