Master of Art in Counseling

This course will focus on the integration of counseling theory into practice. Candidates will be introduced to techniques, skills, and interventions of counseling applied to a variety of human problems. Using an intensive seminar format, candidates will learn and practice essential interviewing and counseling skills/techniques necessary to become effective counselors within a multicultural society. Candidates will receive instruction on the development of a therapeutic relationship, establishment of appropriate counseling goals, intervention strategies design, client outcomes evaluation, and appropriate termination of the counselor-client relationship. Particular emphasis will be on understanding and applying empathy. Candidates will practice the skills they are studying in simulated counseling sessions in the Counseling Laboratory where candidates are video recorded, observed and given feedback.

This course represents Part 1/2 of the capstone experience for the program by providing the candidate with the opportunity for advanced practice and application of clinical counseling principles with clients in an agency or human services setting under supervision by a professional counselor. In class, emphasis will be placed upon examining and developing case conceptualization, improving counseling skills and implementing intervention strategies within a diverse society. Internship 1 allows for the initial accumulation of a minimum of 300 clock hours (120 clock hours of direct service) toward the minimum 600 total clock hours of internship required for state licensure. Professional identity as a counselor will also be emphasized. Counseling skills will be critiqued through the use of live and/or taped observations in class, in the field, and in the Counseling Laboratory. COU-702 may be taken for 1-3 hours up to two times for a total of 3 semester hours.

This course provides an overview of the major theories of counseling with a special focus on gender, culture, counselor preparation, and common theoretically-based assessment and case formulation strategies. Because the purpose of counseling is to help individuals make personally meaningful changes in their lives, candidates will examine the means by which counseling theories attempt to produce such changes. Candidates will explore the historical and intellectual foundations of major counseling theories, while at the same time, observing skills and techniques employed by practitioners using those theoretical perspectives. Candidates will apply theories to case studies to practice the application of various models to cases. Overall, candidates are encouraged to explore the major theoretical orientations as well as their personal beliefs and values in an effort to develop and deepen their understanding of counseling process and outcomes.

This course will focus on the development of knowledge and skills needed to conduct research and program evaluation. Emphasis will be on reading and understanding research, measurement, research designs and strategies, and descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using computer applications. (Prerequisites: COU 505, COU 506) (Fall).