Course Descriptions

This course introduces students to the mental health counseling profession, including its history, philosophy, theoretical foundations, and specialty areas. Students explore the scope of practice, credentialing, licensure, professional associations, and other key professional issues. The course emphasizes the development of students as future mental health counselors, providing an overview of the counseling program, professional competencies, foundational counseling skills, ethical and legal considerations, and multicultural perspectives. 3 sh

This course introduces students to the professional roles, responsibilities, and ethical standards of clinical mental health counselors. Topics include the history and philosophy of the counseling profession; ethical decision-making models; the ACA Code of Ethics; federal and state legal guidelines; and the counselor’s responsibilities to clients, institutions, and society. Students examine confidentiality, mandated reporting, supervision, gatekeeping, and professional boundaries. Special attention is given to emerging issues such as telehealth, technology use, and social media.  3 sh

This foundational course introduces major counseling theories and evidence-based approaches that inform professional counseling practice. The course examines psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and systemic frameworks, emphasizing their application to diverse client populations and presenting concerns. Students develop and practice basic counseling skills, including attending, active listening, empathy, and goal setting, through role-plays, supervised practice, and self-reflection. Special attention is given to cultural responsiveness, ethical considerations, and the early development of a student’s personal counseling orientation and clinical judgment grounded in theory and research. 3 sh

This course provides an overview of human development across the lifespan, from conception through older adulthood. It emphasizes physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development, as well as the influence of culture, environment, and family systems. Students will examine normative and non-normative developmental challenges and transitions, with special attention to applications in clinical mental health counseling. 3 sh

This course examines the counselor’s role as an advocate for equity and social justice in clinical and community settings. Students explore the impact of oppression, marginalization, and privilege on mental health and access to care while studying multicultural counseling models, identity development, and strategies for working with individuals and systems, including couples, families, ethnic groups, and communities. Emphasis is placed on developing culturally responsive interventions, fostering counselor self-awareness, enhancing multicultural competence, and promoting client empowerment through advocacy and systemic change, in alignment with the ACA Code of Ethics and CACREP standards. 3 sh Prerequisites: COU 5000, COU 5100

This course examines psychological disorders as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), with emphasis on diagnostic criteria, comorbidity, etiology, and treatment considerations. Students develop comprehensive, culturally responsive treatment plans using evidence-based strategies tailored to diverse client needs. The course addresses co-occurring disorders, differential diagnosis, ethical decision-making, and the role of the professional counselor in assessment and treatment planning. Psychopharmacology is also explored, providing students with knowledge of common psychiatric medications and their relevance to counseling practice. 3 sh
Prerequisites: COU 5000, COU 5100, COU 5200, COU 5300

This course provides in-depth training in group counseling methods, including group counselor orientations and behaviors, group theories, principles of group dynamics, group process components, developmental stages of groups, group members’ roles and behaviors, therapeutic factors of group work, and program design and evaluation. Students will demonstrate group facilitation skills and will interact through the group process by participating in a process group with their peers in this course. Group counseling skills, appropriate selection criteria and methods, as well as leadership approaches, characteristics, and styles are studied. Ethical and legal considerations of group counseling are also explored. 4 sh
Prerequisites: COU 5000, COU 5100, COU 5200, COU 5400

This elective course explores a rotating range of specialized topics in counseling. Possible themes include play therapy, eating disorders, telemental health, trauma-focused care, or other emerging issues in the profession. Students engage in focused readings, applied learning, and project-based assessments tailored to the selected topic. 3 sh
Prerequisites: COU 5000, COU 5100, COU 5200

This course provides an overview of substance use and behavioral addictions, including etiology, diagnostic criteria, and intervention strategies. Topics include the neurobiology of addiction, co-occurring disorders, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and culturally responsive treatment approaches. Students examine prevention, ethical considerations, relapse prevention strategies, and the role of family and community in recovery. 3 sh
Prerequisites: COU 5000, COU 5100, COU 5200, COU 5400

This course equips students with the knowledge, skills, and frameworks to conduct comprehensive, culturally responsive assessments and develop evidence-based treatment plans for individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions. The course covers the use of screening tools, diagnostic criteria, and biopsychosocial models, alongside motivational interviewing and collaborative goal setting. Students learn to apply relapse prevention, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented strategies and will gain competency in assessment, treatment planning, ethical decision-making, and interprofessional collaboration in addiction counseling contexts. 3 sh
Prerequisites: COU 5100, COU 6000

This course prepares students to provide effective, ethical, and culturally responsive addiction counseling to individuals, families, and groups across diverse settings. The course emphasizes evidence-based practices for addressing substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions. Students will explore theoretical models of addiction counseling, family systems approaches, peer support models, and group dynamics. Students will develop competencies in establishing therapeutic alliances, facilitating group processes, engaging families, and integrating community resources to promote sustained recovery and wellness. 3 sh
Prerequisites: COU 6000, COU 6100

This course prepares students to respond effectively to individual, group, and community-level crises and trauma-causing events. Students explore psychological first aid, trauma-informed interventions, crisis prevention, emergency response systems, and post-crisis recovery models. Trauma content covers interpersonal violence, abuse, combat-related trauma, systemic oppression, sudden loss, community violence, and large-scale disasters. Emphasis is placed on ethical decision-making, counselor self-care, and culturally responsive practices when addressing acute stress, grief, and post-traumatic growth. 3 sh
Prerequisites: COU 5100, COU 5200, COU 5400, COU 5500

Building on Counseling Theories and Techniques I, this course expands students’ mastery of evidence-based counseling models and practices while integrating techniques for assessment and intervention. Students refine their skills in applying various approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, narrative, and integrative approaches to various client scenarios across the lifespan. Clinical experiential activities, case studies, and supervised skill application enable students to demonstrate competency in theoretical integration, ethical decision-making, and the intentional use of counseling strategies to facilitate client growth and change. 3 sh

Prerequisites: COU 5000, COU 5100, COU 5200

This course introduces students to theories, research, and practices related to career development across the lifespan. It covers major career development theories, the influence of work on mental health and identity, career assessment tools, decision-making models, and strategies for supporting diverse clients in a rapidly changing labor market. Emphasis is placed on the integration of cultural, social, and economic contexts in career counseling. 3 sh

Prerequisites: COU 5100, COU 5200, COU 5400

This course provides an introduction to the foundational concepts, instruments, and procedures used in psychological and educational assessment within clinical mental health counseling. Students explore diagnostic interviews, mental status examinations, symptom inventories, and assessments of cognition, personality, achievement, aptitude, and behavior. Emphasis is placed on interpreting results, understanding psychometric properties, adhering to legal and ethical standards, and applying assessments in a culturally appropriate and practice-relevant manner. 3 sh

Prerequisites: COU 5100, COU 5200, COU 5500

This advanced, seminar-style course offers an in-depth exploration of emerging issues, specialized interventions, and innovative practices in the field of addictions, treatment, and recovery. The course addresses current research, evolving clinical approaches, and policy trends impacting addiction counseling. Topics may include trauma-informed care, co-occurring disorders, medication-assisted treatment, recovery-oriented systems of care, culturally specific interventions, and the impact of social determinants of health on recovery outcomes. Students critically evaluate contemporary literature, engage in case-based discussions, and apply advanced counseling skills to complex clinical scenarios. Emphasis is placed on integrating ethical decision-making, advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration to meet the diverse needs of clients and communities in recovery. 3 sh

Prerequisites: COU 6000

Practicum prepares counselors in training for mental health practice by integrating theory, techniques, and evidence-based practices. Practicum is a structured and immersive experience designed to strengthen professional skills and ethical reasoning, deepen theoretical understanding, and prepare students for the clinical mental health counseling profession. Skills are assessed through weekly group supervision, on-site and faculty guidance, evaluations, video recordings and review and case conceptualizations. Students will engage in 1.5 hours of faculty-led group supervision per week. Over the course of the semester, students will complete a minimum of 100 total hours at an approved site, with at least 40 hours dedicated to direct service with actual clients. 3 sh

Prerequisites: COU 5000, COU 5100, COU 5200, COU 5400, COU 5500, COU 5600   

Internship I is the supervised clinical experiences for counselors in training. Building on Practicum, this advanced course integrates counseling theory, culturally responsive techniques and practices, psychopharmacology, evidence-based strategies, and intervention planning, while also exploring the use of technology in counseling. Counselors in training will also strengthen caseload management, record keeping, and referrals. Emphasis will be placed on professional skills, ethical reasoning, and applying theory to practice through faculty-led group supervision (1.5 hours weekly), on-site supervision, evaluations, video reviews, and case conceptualizations. Over one semester, students complete 600 hours—including 240 direct service hours—in an approved mental health counseling setting. 8 sh

Prerequisites: COU 7000

This culminating graduate experience allows students to integrate and apply knowledge, skills, and dispositions developed throughout the program. Under faculty supervision, students design and complete a significant scholarly or applied project. Options may include research, program evaluation, intervention development, or other approved professional products. 3 sh

Prerequisites: 30+ sh of core coursework incl. COU 5700