Counseling

Classes

COU 500 : School Counseling Curriculum

Explores lesson planning, curriculum organization, and resources appropriate for implementation of the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance program. Course content meets requirements for grades K-8 and 7-12 certification.

Credits

3

COU 503 : Human Growth and Development

Explores human growth and development across the lifespan. Topics include major theories of development, factors that may affect development, relevant counseling issues encountered at various points of development.

Credits

3

COU 504 : The Exceptional Student

Discusses the disabled, culturally diverse, and gifted. Topics include teaching diverse individuals in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings.

Credits

3

COU 505 : Child and Adolescent Counseling

Explores assessment, diagnosis, etiology, of child and adolescent disorders within a developmental context and the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Topics include therapeutic issues unique to children, effective interventions for children and adolescents, and practice of interventions.

Credits

3

COU 506 : Psychodiagnostics

Examines adult and child psychopathology and behavioral disturbance in the context of the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD). Topics include definitions, etiology, assessment by symptom recognition and assessment instrument, and preferred treatment; appropriate interventions both from a therapeutic and research model; mental disorders from a cultural and spiritual/religious model.

Credits

3

COU 507 : Research Methods

Explains basic behavioral science research methods and statistics then covers research methods and intermediate statistics applicable to counseling research. Topics include the philosophy of science, research ethics, research designs, data analysis, and basic program evaluation strategies.

Credits

3

COU 508 : Mental Health Foundations

Introduces professional issues in clinical mental health counseling. Topics include the history and philosophy of the counseling profession, the professional identity and role of the clinical mental health counselor, the public and private practice of mental health counseling as well as crisis intervention and general framework of consultation, the role of the students' Christian faith and life experiences as a foundation for a personal call to clinical mental health counseling.

Credits

3

COU 509 : School Counseling Foundations

Explores the field of school counseling and the integral part it plays in the school curriculum. Topics include historical development of school counseling, the basic principles and functions of school counseling services and its relationship to the instructional program, underlying philosophical, psychological, and sociological principles undergirding school counseling theory.

Credits

3

COU 510 : Residency I

Orients online students to the graduate Counseling program, provides opportunities for synchronous learning and builds cohesion within the learning cohort. Topics include: scope and sequence of program, APA writing, use of technology, strategies for success in an online program and initial coursework for the summer semester. 

Credits

0

COU 511 : Residency II

Brings cohort members together for face-to-face participation in the Group Counseling Lab to foster ongoing cohort connection. Clinical Mental Health students will have in-person learning for their Couple and Family Counseling Course while School Counseling students will participate face-to-face in the School Counseling curriculum course. Also provides an overview of all second year courses. 

Credits

0

COU 512 : Professional Relationships in School, Family, and Community

Explores counseling techniques, current issues, trends, and problems in the education of special populations. Topics include issues related to all areas of exceptionalities, including the gifted and at-risk populations; communication skills with exceptional children and their families; and other topics determined by current legislative initiatives and school trends.

Credits

3

COU 523 : Counseling Skills

Introduces counseling skills foundational to the application of counseling theory and intervention. Topics include evidence based theoretical foundations of basic counseling skills and factors that influence the application of skills across clinical settings and diverse client populations.

Credits

2

COU 523 : Counseling Skills Lab

Provides experiential learning opportunities to practice and gain competency in the following skills: active listening, intake interviewing, crisis intervention, basic treatment planning and assessment. Role-plays and student/faculty immediate feedback will facilitate counselor self-awareness.

Credits

1

COU 524 : Clinical Interventions and Evidence Based Treatments

Explores contemporary approaches to assessment, treatment planning, and intervention based in bio-psycho-social systems and evidence-based interventions. Topics include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse and addictive disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, and childhood disorders; multicultural and religious contexts in planning and conducting multi-faceted interventions for change; diagnostic interviewing, crisis intervention, treatment planning, and conducting various types of assessments.

Credits

3

COU 526 : Counseling Theories

Examines the major classical and contemporary theories of counseling and psychotherapy. Topics include an overview and evaluation of major approaches; critical examination of theories for key theoretical constructs, personality formation, development of pathology, therapeutic processes that produce change/healing, the nature of the client-counselor or counselor-student relationship, and its effectiveness; theory analysis from an ethnic, cultural, and Judeo-Christian perspective. The purpose of this examination is to move students toward a personal model of therapy that reflects and integrates the present research regarding points of convergence and their own philosophy of life or worldview.

Credits

3

COU 527 : Couple and Family Counseling

Summarizes the primary theories and approaches to counseling with couples and families. Topics include classical and current family and marriage models, sensitivity to the diverse forms of marriage and families in a contemporary society, the development of a personal theory of an evidence-based marital counseling approach with couple and family counseling.

Credits

3

COU 534 : Integration of Christianity and the Counseling Profession

Facilitates the student's integration of the Christian faith with professional counseling practice at the personal, theoretical, and pragmatic level. Students will engage in thoughtful discourse to ethically integrate Christian theology with the practice of counseling, in both clinical and school settings. Practice includes the application of spiritual assessments and interventions aligned with models of counseling. 

Credits

2

COU 582 : Classroom Management

Presents models of classroom management and related discipline issues. Topics include research orientation with a focus on diversity of current American culture and classroom practice.

Credits

3

COU 590 : School Counseling Practicum

Provides students with field-based counseling experiences within the school setting. The practical experiences enable students to transfer acquired knowledge into applied practice. The completion of the required hours includes guidance curriculum activities, individual planning, responsive services, and system support. 150 hours with a minimum of 40 direct service.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

(unless individually waived by professor) COU 509, COU 521, COU 523, COU 582, COU 625.

COU 591 : School Counseling Internship I

Provides students with field-based counseling experiences within the K-12 school setting. The practical experiences enable students to transfer acquired knowledge into applied practice. The completion of the required hours (300 hours with a minimum of 120 direct service) includes guidance curriculum activities, individual planning, responsive services, and system support. 

Credits

3

Prerequisites

(unless individually waived by professor) COU 590 and Candidacy Approval.

COU 592 : School Counseling Internship II

Provides students with field-based counseling experiences within the K-12 school setting. The practical experiences enable students to transfer acquired knowledge into applied practice. The completion of the required hours (300 hours with a minimum of 120 direct service) includes guidance curriculum activities, individual planning, responsive services, and system support.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

(unless individually waived by professor) COU 590, 591, and Candidacy Approval.

COU 595 : Practicum: International Counseling

Examines individual and group counseling skills in the context of an international and multicultural setting. Topics include counseling models shown to be effective for identified culture, development of cross-cultural sensitivity through an examination of the country's national identity and cultural features. Students will attend weekly seminars prior to their travel and receive daily group and individual supervision during the trip. Diversity coursework prior to the class is preferred. This class does not meet the Prerequisites for starting internship or replace COU 597 Mental Health Counseling Practicum.

Credits

1

COU 596 : Internship: Intercultural Counseling

Provides counseling students an opportunity to learn, develop and apply counseling skills in a multi-cultural setting, primarily in an international context. Topics include counseling models shown to be effective in the identified culture, application of skills in individual and group sessions, development of cross-cultural sensitivity through an examination of the country's national identity and cultural features. In preparation, students will attend weekly seminars prior to their travel and then receive group and individual supervision each day that services are provided. It is preferred that students have taken a diversity counseling class prior to this practicum.

Credits

1

Prerequisites

COU 506 and 526.

COU 597 : Mental Health Counseling Practicum

Provides field-based, supervised counseling experiences for graduate students entering the field of clinical mental health counseling. Students will complete 100 hours of counseling related services, 40 of which must be direct service (1.e., individual, group, and relationship counseling). Students will attend weekly individual or triadic supervision sessions along with group practicum class.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

COU 506, COU 526, COU 521 (B- or better) and COU 523 (B- or better).

COU 598 : Counseling Internship

Provides a multi-semester experience resulting in one credit for each of 100 hours of internship activity with a supervision seminar focusing on the integration of theory and practice. This weekly supervision seminar supplements the supervision students are receiving at their internship sites. The seminar is conducted using a clinical staffing format in which students present cases, and discuss therapeutic, diagnostic, ethical, faith integration, and treatment-planning issues encountered at their internship site. Didactic instruction occurs on an as-needed basis relevant to the issues presented by students. The seminar instructor maintains contact with the interns' site supervisor throughout the year.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

COU 506,521, 526, and admission to Candidacy.

COU 599 : Field Continuance

Designed to facilitate a student's continuation of internship hours required for the program. Must have program coordinator's permission to enroll.

Credits

0

COU 604 : Career Counseling

Investigates the theoretical framework for career education. Students will apply counseling skills and tools to assist individuals with career development. Topics include major theories of career development, sources of occupational information, principles of assessment in career counseling, career decision making through the lens of multiculturalism, gender, age, and lifestyle.

Credits

3

COU 610 : Assessment

Examines assessment procedures commonly used in counseling. Topics include a review of historical basis for assessment, test statistics, cultural factors related to assessment, test selection, ethical considerations, and the relationship of assessment procedures to diagnosis and treatment.

Credits

3

COU 611 : Intelligence Testing

Provides supervised practice and training in the administration, scoring, interpretation, and reporting of individual intelligence testing in school settings, specifically the Weschler Individual Assessment and the Stanford Binet (SB-V). This course is an elective for school counselors but meets one requirement for the School Psychological Examiner's Certificate.

Credits

3

COU 613 : Diagnostic Assessment

Explores the administration, scoring, and interpretation of academic, social, emotional, and behavioral assessments used in diagnosing children and adolescents.

Credits

3

COU 625 : Group Counseling

Engages advanced level study of theory and practice of group counseling. Topics include various theoretical approaches to group work including the basic principles of group dynamics, processes, developmental stages, member roles, and leadership tasks.

Credits

2

Prerequisites

COU 523 Counseling Skills.

COU 625 : Group Counseling Lab

Provides experiential learning through group participation. Students will apply knowledge into the practice of group counseling by leading and facilitating group process. Additionally, students will utilize their experience as group participants to analyze group process and dynamics.

Credits

1

COU 627 : Social and Cultural Diversity

Focuses on counseling interventions when working with clients of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Topics include counseling special populations regarding age, gender, sexual orientations, disabilities, and socio-economic status.

Credits

3

COU 628 : Crisis, Trauma, and Recovery

Provides advanced study of crisis and trauma and the ramifications for the victim and family system. Topics include evidence-based treatment modalities of crisis intervention and trauma recovery, practical skills of intervention, development and implementation an effective therapeutic treatment approach, cultural implications, and existential issues.

Credits

3

COU 632 : Psychology of Education

Applies psychology to teaching with emphasis on research, theories, and practical applications relating to contemporary issues. Designed for educators and counselors as practitioners in school settings.

Credits

3

COU 651 : Addiction Counseling

Introduces the multiple etiologies of addiction development. Topics include assessment, intervention, and relapse prevention for chemical and behavioral addictions; understanding, assessing and treating addictive behaviors within a systems context of family, friends, community, and culture; the role of a Christian worldview.

Credits

3

COU 675 : Human Sexuality

explores human sexuality from an integrated psychological, physiological, sociological, and theological perspective. Topics include human dynamics including psycho-sexual development, human reproduction, sexual identity, and sexual disorders, perspectives regarding appropriate expression considering scriptural principles.

Credits

3

COU 695 : School Psychological Examiner Practicum

Provides field experiences in public school settings as diagnosticians. As diagnosticians in training, students assess children and adolescents, participate in diagnostic teams, and assist in determining educational needs. Practicum students are supervised by a certified School Psychological Examiner or a School Psychologist as well as a university professor.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

COU 610, COU 611 and COU 613.

COU 696 : Counseling Professional Capstone

Provides students with a forum to acquire information related to developing and maintaining a professional practice. Topics include comprehensive and licensure examinations and certifications, job search, and securing supervision.

Credits

1