Counseling, Community Counseling Concentration (M.A.) - Graduate - 2009 University Catalog

You are viewing the 2009 University Catalog. Please see the newest version of the University Catalog for the most current version of this program's requirements.

Counseling programs in both the public and private sectors, corporate and business training and organizational development activities, and educational administration and supervision roles are integral parts of the American way of life. The mission of the department is to provide qualified and trained personnel for positions of responsibility in these various program areas, enabling organizations to meet the changing needs of society.

In counseling, the department prepares students for work with diverse populations in a variety of settings in the following areas: individual/group counseling, addictions counseling, school counseling, and student affairs/counseling in higher education. In addition, the department offers courses for professional development meeting the requirements for National Board Certification in Counseling and New Jersey State Professional Counselor Licensure.

In the growing area of training and development, the department offers opportunities to current and prospective professionals to gain new knowledge and skills in management education, program planning and organizational analysis.

In educational administration and supervision, the department provides leadership programs for individuals to develop the knowledge and competencies for positions as principals, department supervisors, school business administrators, superintendents, and other personnel.

From the initial core of courses through the field work experience, the department offers courses to train counselors, human services personnel, and educational trainers to work with minority communities, women, families, adult learners, substance abusers (CADC), Prevention Specialists (CPS), businesses and industrial settings, as well as to work in traditional roles in public school administration, supervision, school guidance, school social work, and substance abuse awareness (SAC).

An initial core program, consisting of four courses applicable to counseling, educational training or administration and supervision is required of all students entering the program. The specific coursework to be followed will be determined under the guidance of the appropriate program coordinator. The Program Coordinator will work out an individual program designed to meet each student's particular interests and needs.

COUNSELING w/CONC: Community Counseling

Complete 48 semester hours including the following 5 requirement(s):

  1. CORE COURSES

    Complete the following 2 requirements for 30 semester hours:

    1. Complete 9 courses for 27 semester hours:

      COUN 552 Introduction to Professional Counseling. Start Spring 2010: Introduction to Professional and Ethical Issues in Counseling 3
      COUN 577 Counseling Theories 3
      COUN 579 Appraisal of the Individual 3
      COUN 582 Career Counseling 3
      COUN 584 Group Counseling: Theory and Practice 3
      COUN 588 Counseling Techniques 3
      COUN 595 Multicultural Counseling and Development 3
      COUN 652 Introduction to Marriage, Couples and Family Counseling 3
      ELRS 503 Methods of Research 3
    2. Complete 1 course for 3 semester hours:

      COUN 564 Counseling Children and Adolescents 3
      COUN 570 Counseling Adults 3
      PSYC 561 Developmental Psychology 3
  2. PRACTICUM

    Complete for 3 semester hours.

    COUN 624 Counseling Practicum 3
  3. CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS & ELECTIVES

    Complete the following 2 requirements fo 9 semester hours:

    1. Complete for 3 semester hours.

      COUN 604 Case Management and DSM Diagnosis in Counseling 3
    2. Complete 2 courses for 6 semester hours:

      COUN 540 Introduction to Alcohol/Drug Counseling 3
      COUN 568 Theories of Consultation 3
      COUN 570 Counseling Adults 3
      COUN 665 Ecotherapy: Applied Ecopsychology 3
      COUN 673 Gender Issues in Counseling 3
  4. INTERNSHIP

    Complete 2 courses for 6 semester hours:

    COUN 654 Internship in Counseling I 3
    COUN 674 Internship in Counseling II 3
  5. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

    Successfully complete the Comprehensive Examination.


Course Descriptions:

COUN540: Introduction to Alcohol/Drug Counseling

An introduction to substance abuse counseling and related issues. Provides an overview of the historical context, etiological theories, and psychoactive impact of substances on the brain. The course will focus on evidence-based assessment, diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse/dependence with emphasis on clinical counseling practice informed by theory and research. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: COUN 552; matriculated Counseling MA students only.

COUN552: Introduction to Professional Counseling. Start Spring 2010: Introduction to Professional and Ethical Issues in Counseling

This course is designed to introduce students to the profession of counseling. Students will engage in a critical examination of the roles, functions, responsibilities and typical settings of counseling professionals. Students will study issues related to credentialing, licensure, and professional development. In addition, the course will explore approaches to various types of counseling, principles and techniques, and work of the professional counselor. Students will also learn skills in technological competence and computer literacy necessary for effective professional counseling practice. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the CNEL department only or undeclared graduate students. Start Spring 2010: Matriculation in Graduate Counseling Program or undeclared graduate students.

COUN564: Counseling Children and Adolescents

This course will provide an overview of theories and techniques of counseling children and adolescents in school and clinical settings. The course is designed to help counseling graduate students develop a knowledge base of skills, theories, and research into critical issues needed for contemporary counseling with children and adolescents. Emphasis will be placed upon a thorough understanding of developmental processes as well as the counselor's role as a facilitator of those processes which enhance resiliency and build cognitive, social and academic success. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: COUN 552, COUN 577. Start Spring 2010: No Pre-requisites.

COUN568: Theories of Consultation

Problems and current practices in small group interaction, social restructuring and cultural encounter. Survey of literature on the influence of interaction on small group behaviors, learning theories, leadership, decision making, social reconstruction, value conflict and perception of self and others. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Major codes CNAC, CNCC, CNSA, CNSC, COHS, ACOU, and SCOU only; and COUN 577. Start Spring 2010: COUN 552, COUN 558.

COUN570: Counseling Adults

This course is designed to identify the special needs of adults as they seek counseling. Special attention is given to the counseling needs of college students, adults returning to academic environs, women, minority groups, the handicapped, and other adults with special needs. Case studies, field visits, and supervised practice will be basic techniques employed. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the CNEL department only, COUN 577.

COUN577: Counseling Theories

A comprehensive study of the major theoretical approaches to counseling. Emphasis is placed on helping prospective counseling professionals understand that the best practices of ethical and culturally responsive counseling are rooted in a sound theoretical foundation. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the CNEL department only or undeclared graduate students. Start Spring 2010: Matriculation in Graduate Counseling Program or undeclared graduate students.

COUN579: Appraisal of the Individual

Examines the use, selection, administration scoring and interpretation of standardized inventories/tests related to the field of counseling. This psychological testing course is designed to provide students with experience using a variety of assessment tools related to treatment planning in counseling in schools, agencies and other settings. Practical experience in test administration and interpretation required. Testing fee. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: COUN 552 and COUN 577 and ELRS 503.

COUN582: Career Counseling

An overview of the process of successful career development with clients in school, college, rehabilitation, community, and government agency settings. Areas of study include critical analysis of the world of work, the impact of multiple roles on career choice and decision making, the major theories of career choice and development, occupational and labor market information, and research in career development and counseling. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the Counseling, Human Development and Educational Leadership Department only; COUN 552 and COUN 577. Start Spring 2010: COUN 552, COUN 577, COUN 579, COUN 588 and Matriculation in Graduate Counseling Program.

COUN584: Group Counseling: Theory and Practice

Course is designed to familiarize counselors, social workers and other practitioners with the use of group counseling methods for the facilitation of personal growth; the treatment of social and emotional disorders and the socioemotional education and enrichment of the individual. Entails examination of the historical and cultural context for group methods. Emphasis on diagnosis, group membership, group process, relevant social, psychological and educational theories in group behavior, treatment and strategies. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the Counseling, Human Development and Educational Leadership Department only; COUN 552 and COUN 577. Start Spring 2010: COUN 552, COUN 577, COUN 588 and Matriculation in Graduate Counseling Program, minimum grade of "B" or better in COUN 588.

COUN588: Counseling Techniques

Introduction to basic counseling techniques and skills common to multiple theoretical perspectives. Students actively engage in self and cultural awareness and reflection necessary for examining the dynamics of the counseling relationship and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the CNEL department only, COUN 552 and COUN 577. Start Spring 2010: Matriculation in Graduate Counseling Program.

COUN595: Multicultural Counseling and Development

Exploration and development of the necessary personal awareness, knowledge and skills for culturally competent counseling practice. Emphasis on historical and current issues and trends associated with race/ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, and ability and how they affect counseling practice. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the CNEL department only, COUN 552 and COUN 577. Start Spring 2010: Matriculation in Graduate Counseling Program.

COUN604: Case Management and DSM Diagnosis in Counseling

Procedures in case conceptualization and case management in counseling, in working with children, adolescents, and adults in school, community agency, higher education, and private practice settings. Intermediate study of the DSM and its diagnostic and practical relationship to counseling. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: COUN 577, COUN 584, COUN 588, COUN 624, matriculation in graduate counseling program or department approval. Start Spring 2010: COUN 552, COUN 577, COUN 588, matriculation in Graduate Counseling Program with concentration in CNCC or ACOU or department approval.

COUN624: Counseling Practicum

This is the second clinical core course in the graduate counseling program. The course requirements include advanced counseling practice supervised by professor; further development of core counseling skills common to all theoretical approaches; and demonstration of the understanding of ACA Code of Ethics and Multicultural Competencies. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the CNEL department only; and departmental approval; and COUN 552 and COUN 577 and COUN 595; and a grade of B or above in COUN 588. Start Spring 2010: COUN 552, COUN 577, COUN 588, COUN 595 and COUN 584, departmental approval, matriculation in Graduate Counseling Program.

COUN652: Introduction to Marriage, Couples and Family Counseling

This course includes an introduction to the major current theoretical approaches of family and couples counseling with emphasis on the counseling process from a family system's perspective in agency, school, or higher education settings within a diverse, multicultural society. Developmental family stages and practice counseling strategies are included. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: COUN 552, COUN 577, and COUN 588 or departmental approval. Start Spring 2010: COUN 552, COUN 577, COUN 588, COUN 595 and COUN 584, departmental approval.

COUN654: Internship in Counseling I

This two-part sequential culminating course is the third of the clinical core in the graduate counseling program. This course requires the students to participate in field placement appropriate to their chosen specialized population, community agency, school or higher education setting. Interns will complete a total of 300 semester hours each semester of direct and non-direct work with clients at the site as per national and state standards. Case presentation, clinical observation, and direct counseling one-to-one and in small groups is required. Weekly class supervision seminars on campus are required as well as weekly supervision with an on-site supervisor. Recording of client contact and non-direct contact hours are entered in an on-going log to be presented at the end of the semester. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the CNEL department only, COUN 552, COUN 577, COUN 588, COUN 595 and COUN 624 with an earned minimum grade of B in each, departmental approval. Start Spring 2010: Counseling majors with a minimum of 33 credits earned in program, COUN 624 with a minimum grade of B, COUN 552 COUN 577, COUN 584, COUN 588, COUN 595, COUN 624, COUN 683 for majors with a concentration in School Counseling, COUN 604 for majors with a concentration in Community Counseling, one specialty course for majors with a concentration in either Student Affairs/Higher Education or Addictions Counseling, Departmental approval.

COUN665: Ecotherapy: Applied Ecopsychology

This course examines how an emergent approach to therapy and counseling seeks to expand the concepts of self and health to include biosphere. Students will explore and evaluate the effects of human perceptions, attitudes and behavior in relation to the natural world. Students will also learn skills and techniques that heal the human psyche within a paradigm that respects and nurtures the environment. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the CNEL department only.

COUN673: Gender Issues in Counseling

This course is designed to explore gender and sex-role issues pertinent to the counseling profession and their effect on the development of children, adults, and family dynamics. Students will utilize the Gender Fair guidelines and Multicultural Competencies as presented by the American Counseling Association. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: COUN 552, COUN 577, COUN 588 or department approval.

COUN674: Internship in Counseling II

This is the second of a two-part sequential culminating course in the clinical core in the graduate counseling program. This course requires the students to participate in field placement appropriate to their chosen specialized population, community agency, school, or higher education setting. Interns will complete a total of 300 semester hours each semester of direct and non-direct work with clients at the site as per national and state standards. Case presentation, clinical observation, and direct counseling one-to-one and in small groups is required. Weekly class supervision seminars on campus are required as well as weekly supervision with an on-site supervisor. Recording of client contact and non-direct contact hours are entered into an ongoing log to be presented at the end of the semester. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students with majors in the CNEL department only, COUN 654 with a minimum grade of B, departmental approval.

ELRS503: Methods of Research

Theory and methods of historical, descriptive, and experimental research; formulation of a research problem; use of bibliographical sources and reference materials; statistics and measurement in research; types and instruments of research; data collection, and analysis. Writing the research report and career opportunities in research. 3 sh.

PSYC561: Developmental Psychology

Philosophical, conceptual, theoretical and research issues pertinent to human development from prenatal life to adulthood are presented. The core conceptual issues of development, such as the nature-nurture controversy, the continuity-discontinuity issue, and the issue of stability-instability, are discussed, and their relationships to the major theories in developmental psychology are examined. 3 sh.

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