Graduate Course Descriptions

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the principles of human growth and development across the lifespan. Students will examine the biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence individual development and their implications for clinical mental health counseling and music therapy. Emphasis will be placed on ethical and culturally responsive counseling practices.

This course provides an overview of the application of general systems theory to assessing, conceptualizing, and intervening with families. The course reviews several major models of family therapy and introduces attitudes and techniques from each model to support families in their effort to modify relationships. The course also examines issues of family development, including the roles of gender and culture on developing family beliefs, rituals, rules, and values. Ethics in family therapy and applications to practice settings are reviewed.

This course provides an overview of the therapeutic approaches and interventions which address the unique psychological and developmental needs of children and adolescents. Theoretical models and ethical counselor-child/adolescent relationships are explored, along with a focus on multicultural awareness. Effective communication strategies for counselor with family and school communities are emphasized, and empirically supported treatments are reviewed.

Review of moderate and serious pathological and diagnostic schemas using DSM, with secondary emphasis on treatment implications. Strategies for assessing and formulating clinical and cultural material are examined. Students are introduced to symptom clusters which distinguish different mental health problems and are presented with a dimensional model for understanding diagnosis within the context of personality styles. Implications for diversity are examined.

This course emphasizes the development of professional competencies in the areas of collecting, evaluating, classifying, and using accurate occupational, educational and personal-social informational materials. Also discussed are theories of vocational choice, the psychology and sociology of work, vocational interests and aptitudes, and the use of information in helping a wide diversity of people decide on matters of curricular choice, career aspiration, the meaning of work in one’s own life, and the implications of work in society. Students will develop an understanding of how family and culture impact career development and decision-making.

Examination and exploration of drug-and alcohol-related issues in relation to self, significant others and professional roles across the life span. Discussion of basic concepts in understanding alcoholism and drug addiction, dual diagnosis and medications, including effects on mental health and relationships, counseling strategies and an understanding of clinical settings that service these populations. Implications for culturally diverse populations are reviewed.

This course introduces students to the field of clinical mental health counseling. Specifically, students will gain knowledge of professional identity as a counselor that is based in the history of counseling, certification and licensure as a professional counselor, the roles and process of counseling, and understand current trends within the field of clinical mental health counseling. Ethical standards of professional practice in the field of clinical mental health will be reviewed along legal, social and cultural considerations.

The purpose of this course is to prepare the students to deal with the inevitable crisis situations they will encounter as counselors. Students will reflect on how people deal with crises, explore their crisis experiences, and start to develop their skills in crisis intervention. The students will also examine some of the relevant research on crisis, resolution, and resilience. However, the major focus throughout the course will be on learning the practical skills and requisite knowledge and attitudes of helping people in crisis. It is important for students to self-monitor because the course could be emotionally challenging.

This course will provide students with an understanding of multicultural and pluralistic trends within and among diverse groups nationally and internationally. Theories of multicultural counseling, identity development, multicultural competencies, social justice, and strategies for working with and advocating for individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities will be reviewed. Specific attention to counselors’ self-awareness, beliefs, understandings, and acculturative experiences will be facilitated through assignments and experiential learning activities to increase understanding of self and culturally diverse clients. Students will gain an understanding of their role in eliminating biases, prejudices, and intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination. For students in the school certification programs, this course is a prerequisite for PSYC 642.

An introduction to basic concepts in counselor assessment, which includes, but is not limited to: the use of assessment in counseling; the assessment process; types of assessments; basic statistical and measurement concepts; multicultural considerations; and communicating assessment results. For students in the School Counseling certification programs, this course is a prerequisite for PSYC 654.