Online MA in School Counseling

Introduction to the history and development of the counseling profession, including its professional standards, codes of ethics, credentials, professional organizations, areas of specialization, and program evaluation. Review of the counselor’s consultative role and identity in multidisciplinary teams and in advocacy for the profession. (3 Hours)

Provides a comprehensive study of contemporary practices of leadership, advocacy, and accountability in the school counseling profession. Includes an in-depth study of comprehensive school counseling programs such as the TEA model and the ASCA National model. Students will complete activities for each of the four delivery components: system support, individual planning, responsive services, and guidance curriculum. Accountability measures, leadership qualities and styles, legal and ethical practices, and serving diverse populations in school settings will be examined. (3 Hours)

Introduction to measurement theory including standardization of test administration and scoring procedures, assessment of test reliability and validity, norm referenced and criterion referenced assessments. Review of commonly used individual and group administered instruments that measure attitudes, aptitudes, achievements, interests, and personal characteristics. Students will also understand cultural, ethical and legal issues related to assessment and testing. (3 Hours)

Exploration of career counseling development, theories of career choice, career counseling issues throughout the lifespan, use of occupational testing and computer-assisted guidance systems, sources of educational and occupational information, career decision-making processes, and services provided in schools and agencies. (3 Hours)

Introduction to the field of professional school counseling and the roles and responsibilities of school counselors regarding comprehensive school counseling programs. Topics include: the history and emergence of school counseling, approaches to school counseling, current issues, advocacy, consultation, collaboration, certification, and ethical and legal standards. Special attention to cultural issues. (3 Hours)

Examination of counseling related research techniques, methodologies, and practices including basic statistical and qualitative analysis, outcome measures, program evaluation, data analysis, application, and evidence-based practices. (3 Hours)

Exploration of the process and stages of human intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development from prenatal origins tough geriatric maturity. Includes theories of learning and individual, family, and personality development. Explores the impact on human development, such as systemic, environmental, crisis, trauma, or differing abilities. Focus on ethical and culturally relevant strategies for promoting resilience, optimum development, and wellness across the lifespan. (3 Hours)

Understanding of dysfunction in human behavior or social disorganization to include, etiology, nomenclature, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Characteristics, risk factors, and warning signs of clients at risk for mental health and behavioral disorders, including suicide risk assessment, and the impacts of crisis, trauma, and abuse will be addressed. (3 Hours)

Exploration of the major theories and techniques of professional counseling. Evidence-based counseling strategies and techniques will be stressed. Students begin developing a personal model of counseling. (3 Hours)

Exploration of legal and ethical considerations including ethical decision making specific to clinical mental health and school counseling, including record keeping, documentation, third party reimbursement, business law, family law, state education codes, state LPC Board rules, appropriate use of technology, privileged communication, and informed consent processes. (3 Hours)

Exploration of the theoretical foundations of group counseling including group dynamics and development, factors contributing to group effectiveness, group leadership characteristics, group formation, types of groups, ethics, and cultural considerations. Participation in on-line synchronous small group activities for a minimum of 10 clock hours is required. (3 Hours)

Development of knowledge, skills, and approaches for effective cross-cultural counseling such as cultural identity development, multicultural counseling competencies, social justice and advocacy, including studies of change, ethnic groups, gender studies, family systems, urban and rural societies, population patterns, cultural patterns, spiritual beliefs, the effects of power and privilege, and differing lifestyles. (3 Hours)

Review mental health service delivery modalities within the continuum of care such as inpatient, outpatient, partial treatment and aftercare. Explore evidence-based strategies and interventions, including psychopharmacological approaches indicated in the treatment of mental disorders. (3 Hours) Prerequisite(s): COUN 7337

Development of methods or techniques used to provide counseling treatment interventions for individual clients, including the practice of counseling skills and guidance curriculum to help clients set and attain challenging educational, career, personal, and social goals.  (3 Hours) Prerequisite(s): COUN 8302 or consent of instructor.

An exploration of child and adolescent counseling with a focus on aspects that are unique to counseling with this population. These aspects include legal and ethical implications, developmental and systemic factors impacting this population, risk-factors and frequently presenting concerns of youth, and application of theories and techniques appropriate to meet the needs of children and adolescents. (3 Hours)

Understanding of physiological, emotional, cultural, social, and physical factors related to addictions. Exploration of counseling treatment strategies and biopsychosocial interventions applicable to the issues related to gambling, sexual, eating, alcohol, or drug addictions. (3 Hours) Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite(s): COUN 8302, COUN 8312, COUN 8352

Exploration of theoretical foundations and skill development for counseling couples and families. Provides key concepts, techniques, strengths-based approaches, therapeutic process, and consultation skills with parents, families and caregivers. (3 Hours) Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite(s): COUN 8302, COUN 8352

Closely supervised experience in the practical application and integration of principles and techniques specific to the student’s specialization at an approved site. Students gain a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the professional counselor. Required synchronous group supervision supplements the site experience. Requires a minimum of 40 direct service hours and 100 total hours. (3 Hours) Prerequisite(s): COUN 6315 or COUN 6351, and COUN 7335, COUN 8302, COUN 8310, COUN 8312, COUN 8314, COUN 8352

Closely supervised experience in the practical application and integration of principles and techniques specific to school counseling at an approved site. Students build on the skills they developed in Counseling Practicum and gain a more in-depth understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the school counselor as articulated in state or national models for school counseling programs. Required synchronous group supervision supplements the site experience. (3 Hours) Prerequisite(s): COUN 8390

Closely supervised experience in the practical application and integration of principles and techniques specific to school counseling in an approved site. Students build on the skills they developed in practicum and Internship I and gain a more in-depth understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the school counselor in state or national models for school counseling programs Required synchronous group supervision supplements the site experience. (3 Hours) Prerequisite(s): COUN 8325

Closely supervised experience in the practical application and integration of principles and techniques specific to school counseling at an approved site. Students build on the skills they developed in practicum and Internship I and Internship II gain a more in-depth understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the school counselor in state or national models for school counseling programs Required synchronous group supervision supplements the site experience. (3 Hours) Prerequisite(s): COUN 8330