Master of Education in School Counseling Online

This course introduces studies that provide an overview of historical, contemporary, clinical and training issues in the practice of school counseling. The course also provides information related to the following aspects of school counseling practice: (a) professional roles and responsibilities; (b) professional organizations; (c) state and national credentialing; and (d) counselor advocacy and selfcare. Lastly, the student will be provided with an in-depth understanding of the current version of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and state-level school counselor certification and corresponding regulations.

This course introduces studies that provide an understanding of the nature and needs of persons at all developmental levels and in diverse cultural contexts. This course also provides a systematic study of human development emphasizing physical, personality, cognitive, moral and psychosocial developmental theories and issues, with an emphasis on facilitating optimal development and wellness over the lifespan.

This course introduces studies that provide an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation in a culturally diverse society. This course also provides an understanding of assessment in counseling through (1) an overview of basic counseling assessment concepts, (2) an understanding of test construction, (3) familiarity with instruments, and (4) an overview of test interpretation. It also provides a discussion of typical problems and approaches to individual and group testing in the area of intelligence, aptitude, achievement, interest and personality measurement. History, rationale and ethical issues in the use of counseling assessment instruments are included.

This course introduces studies that provide an understanding of career development and related life factors. This course also provides an overview of career development theories, program planning, educational planning, assessment techniques, and applied career counseling processes, including those applicable to specific populations in a global economy.

This course examines contemporary and alternative counseling theories that provide the student with models to conceptualize client presentation and that help the student appropriate counseling interventions. Students will be exposed to models of counseling that are consistent with current professional research and practice in the field so they may begin to develop a personal model of counseling.

This course includes studies that provide an understanding of the cultural context of relationships, issues and trends in a culturally diverse society. Also included is an overview of social and cultural theories, strategies and roles to be applied by the pluralistic counselor to establish an environment for optimal client wellness and successful counseling outcomes.

This course includes studies that provide both theoretical and experiential understandings of group purpose, development, dynamics, theories, methods, skills and other group approaches in a culturally diverse society. Issues of group counseling leadership, stages, skills, methods and ethics issues are also examined. (Corequisite: COUN5530)

This lab provides direct experiences in which students participate as group members in a small group activity, approved by the program, for a minimum of 10 clock hours over the course of one academic term. (Prerequisite: permission required; corequisite: COUN 5523)

This course provides an understanding of research methods, statistical analysis, and needs assessment strategies in the field of professional counseling. This course is designed to assist the student in becoming a critical consumer of research methods such as qualitative, quantitative, single-case designs, action research, and outcome-based research studies. Students are also introduced to ethical and culturally relevant strategies for interpreting and reporting the results of research studies accurately and effectively.

This course is the foundation for students planning to enter the school counseling profession. Special attention is given to the foundations and contextual dimensions of school counseling as well as the knowledge and skill requirements such as organization, planning, implementation, management and evaluation of a comprehensive school counseling program.

This course offers a study of the principles of understanding dysfunction in human behavior and social disorganization. Included in this course is an exploration of etiology, classification, differential diagnosis, and prognosis issues surrounding the full spectrum of mental health disorders in a culturally diverse society. Also included is an overview of record keeping and treatment planning strategies required of today's mental health marketplace.

This course provides instruction in the theories and techniques used in counseling children and adolescents. Also provided is specific instruction on conceptualization of childhood and adolescent problems with emphasis on age- and developmentally appropriate interventions. Focus is directed toward wellness-based developmental, as well as remedial counseling approaches, with accompanying skill development.

This course provides an overview of the basic counseling skills used by the professional counselor in working with children, adolescents and adults. Included is a laboratory experience in which the student is trained in the application of counseling relationship-building and working-stage skills via role-play activities with others students in the class.

This course involves intensely supervised practice of professional counseling at a field site in the community. For this practicum experience, students provide a variety of individual, group, marriage, couple and family counseling direct service activities to field-based clients. Students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of counseling-related services, 40 of which must include direct client contact activities. (Prerequisites: COUN 5123 or COUN 5133, depending on student's major, COUN 5423 with a grade of B or higher, and COUN 5443; permission required)