A survey of the historical, philosophical, societal, cultural, economic, and political dimensions of and current trends in the community mental health movement; a historical perspective of the counseling profession, counselor roles and functions, and professional affiliations. (3 hours)

 COU 601  Legal & Ethical Issues in Counseling

Focus on the skills and competencies critical to dealing effectively with the complex ethical, legal, and social issues of counseling in a multicultural society; focus on decision-making models in response to the major ethical topics and emerging ethical and legal issues; overview of licensure/certification issues. (3 hours)

 COU 610  Counseling Diverse Populations

Focus on the cultural context of the counseling relationship ; examination of issues and concerns related to such factors as culture, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious and spiritual values, socioeconomic status and various unique characteristics. (3 hours)

 COU 630  Career Development & Counseling Processes

Educational & career planning; career development theories; decision-making models; assessment inventories for career & educational counseling; resources for career & educational planning; computer-assisted career development. (3 hours)

 COU 640  Counseling Techniques

Introduction to the knowledge, techniques, skills, and processes basic to initiating and conducting an effective counseling relationship;  introduction to a model of helping which prizes and respects the genuine, unconditional valuing and care which are the hallmarks of human helping.  Through reading, discussion, written exercises, role-play, observation, feedback, and out-of-class practice experiences, students will acquire an understanding of self and of the counseling experience.  Extensive discussion and attention will be given to the specific nature and process of helping, as well as the unique attitudes and skills required of the effective helper. (3 hours)

 COU 641  Theories in Counseling & Psychotherapy

Examination of the major models of counseling & psychotherapy; theoretical integration; review of outcome research; common factors model; brief counseling models. (3 hours)  

 COU 642  Counseling Families & Couples

A review of issues related to the family  and couples and various theories of family counseling; theoretical foundations and ethical and legal concerns will also be addressed. (3 hours)

 COU 643  Consultation

Examination of consultation models; stages of consultation; managing the consultant, consultee, & client system; ethical & legal issues unique to consultation; strategies for performing effective consultation in organizations, schools, & counseling agencies. (3 hours)

 COU 650  Theories & Practice of Group Counseling

Theoretical and experiential introduction to the nature of group counseling, group dynamics, and group leadership; focus on principles of group dynamics include group process components, developmental stage theories, and group members’ roles and behaviors. (3 hours)

 COU 660  Assessment & Evaluation

Basic statistical concepts & psychometric principles; examination of the most frequently used assessment procedures in counseling; outcome evaluation; multicultural issues; ethical & legal issues involved in the use of assessment procedures by licensed counselors. (3 hours)

 COU 670 Psychopathology/ Diagnosis of Mental & Emotional Disorders

Examination of the major mental disorders in the current version of the DSM; development of diagnostic and case conceptualization skills; medical model of psychopathology; major theories of etiology & treatment; diagnostic principles; differential diagnosis; diagnostic errors; ethical & legal issues involved in clinical diagnosis. (3 hours)  

 COU 671  Treatment Planning in Counseling

Integration of diagnostic, case conceptualization, & treatment planning skills; review of best practice guidelines; empirically-supported treatments; outcome research; treatment manuals; treatment planning in a managed care context. (3 hours)

 COU 680 Research Methods and Program Evaluation

Development of skills for critically evaluating the professional literature; hypothesis generation & testing; examination of quantitative and qualitative research designs; outcome & program evaluation; basic statistical procedures for analyzing data; professional communication of research results. (3 hours)

 COU 690 Practicum

Provide students with supervised field experiences in counseling; Students must complete a minimum total of 100 clock hours with 40 hours of direct service to clients including individual and group counseling experiences; students will be required to present audiotaped sessions in individual and/or group supervision; Students will be required to carry liability insurance for this course. (3 hours)

Prerequisites:  COU 640; COU 641; COU 650

 COU 691  Internship I

An intensive counseling field placement in a professional, clinically-oriented setting or setting compatible with the student’s career goals under the direction of an approved on-site clinical supervisor as well as a member of the program faculty on campus. The experience requires a minimum of 300 hours of which 120 hours are in direct services (includes the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders for students pursuing clinical endorsement).  Prerequisite: Matriculation in counseling program or approval of department chair. (3 hours)

 COU 692 Internship II

An intensive counseling field placement in a professional, clinically-oriented setting or setting compatible with the student’s career goals under the direction of an approved on-site clinical supervisor as well as a member of the program faculty on campus. The experience requires a minimum of 300 hours of which 120 hours are in direct services including the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.  (includes the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders for students pursuing clinical endorsement).  Prerequisite: Approval of department chair. (3 hours)

 Electives (To be developed).