Theory and practice of counseling children and adolescents in school and community settings. Characteristics of English language learners and exceptional needs students and the provision of counseling services to these children. Various topics include counseling related to disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, death and dying, child abuse, substance abuse, youth violence, teenage pregnancy, risky sexual behavior, behavioral disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, chronic health problems, and eating disorders.
- Course Instructor : Amanda Prugar
Basic individual and group assessment techniques, test item construction, reliability, validity, and standardization. Students will become familiar with authentic, screening, diagnostic, formative, benchmark, and summative assessments relative to decision-making. Students will critique various assessment instruments (intelligence tests, ability tests, achievement tests, screening tests, interest tests, and personality tests) used by counselors. Socio-cultural factors, ethical factors, and legal codes relative to assessment of special populations, diverse learners, and English language learners will be addressed. Prerequisite: CNS 504 Statistics with a grade of “B” or better.
- Course Instructor : Kerry Gragg
This course is an exploration of major events in human development from conception through death. Developmental concepts that have universal application will be covered.
- Course Instructor : Amy Hayes Siler
Counseling Theory is a comprehensive overview and integration of the major theoretical perspectives on the counseling process. An examination of the historical development of counseling theory; an exploration of affective, behavioral, and cognitive counseling theories; and the application of theoretical material to case studies are included in the course. Foundational elements of the counseling process will be explored via academic activities and observation and critique of videotaped master therapist counseling sessions. Students will develop an initial personal theoretical orientation for counseling endeavors.
- Course Instructor : Amy Hayes Siler
Elements of group dynamics, ethical issues special to group work, and group leadership skills. Students will compare four types of groups—task and work groups, psychoeducational groups, counseling groups, and psychotherapy groups. Various theoretical approaches to groups counseling as well as adaptations with specific populations and specific settings will be addressed. Includes a 10-hour group laboratory experience.
- Course Instructor : Deborah Schratz
Assumptions and roles of mental health counseling within the context of the community and its health and human service systems, including functions and relationships among interdisciplinary treatment teams and the historical, organizational, legal, and fiscal dimensions of the public and private mental health care systems.
- Course Instructor : Trevor Stiffler
The course focuses on school counselors in Pre-K-12 inclusive settings as they work with diverse learners, English language learners, parents, administrators, teachers, and community agents. Students will become familiar with special education guidelines, multidisciplinary assessment, educational planning, and behavioral intervention. They will be able to articulate the standards-driven nature of curriculum, learning theory, instructional practice, and inclusion. Focus will be on 1) inclusive counseling practices, 2) types of disabilities and implications for learning, 3) classroom management, 4) school-wide behavioral support, 5) literacy and instruction in core areas, 6) English language learning, 7) instructional methods, and 8) evidence-based academic and behavioral interventions.
Prerequisite: The course is open to graduate students in the School Counseling Program in the Master of Arts in Counseling Program.
- Course Instructor : Amanda Prugar
This course is designed for students to learn knowledge and skills for the practice of family therapy. Models of family therapy will be reviewed and critiqued in light of the Christian worldview of the student. Techniques, assessments, interventions, and strategies will be discussed and roleplayed to develop preventative approaches as well as resolving specific problems that impede family functioning.
- Course Instructor : David Collins