Logistics about the online MA Arts program.
Logistics of the Master of Science Counseling Online Program.
This course explores the myriad of developmental, relational and spiritual issues that women navigate across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on strength of identity, fulfilling purpose, and finding joy in living to the fullness of design. Aimed at helping professionals, the course's topics will include appropriate assessment of women, treatment planning, and the building of supportive relationships.
A survey of Biblical and theological issues commonly encountered in faith-based therapy. An application of a Biblical world view in getting to the core of the counselee’s problems and fostering transformative change. Specific application of a faith-based model to the lives of counselors and clients will be explored. Students will be asked to deeply examine their own spiritual beliefs and their contribution to healthy functioning as a person of faith and as a counselor.
An exploration of difficulties experienced by children (up through age 12) and their parents as understood from the perspective of healthy development and biblical guidelines for parenting. Emphasis will be on incorporating parents in the intervention process, supporting their primacy as God’s intended agents for disciplining children toward spiritual, emotional, and behavior health. Additional topics will include interviewing, assessment, treatment planning, how children learn, parent training programs, and research support for biblical wisdom on child rearing.
Focus on developing the basic counseling skills that a beginning counselor needs in order to deliver quality counseling services to clients, as well as to most effectively contribute to a counselee’s transformative and meaningful change. Students will gain insight into their own values, reaction patterns and interpersonal styles as important tools in understanding and helping others.
A survey of assessment instruments which are involved in appraisal and counseling processes, including intellectual, personality, and vocational interest inventories. Attention is given to features of validity/reliability, report writing, and ethical practices in the use of assessment devices. Students are afforded opportunities to administer various assessment instruments under supervision.
This course is a study of the processes involved in group development, dynamics, and closure as they relate to counseling. Leadership styles, elements of cohesion, issues of confidentiality, and ethical guidelines are examined. Students are introduced to theoretical approaches in leading groups and review the long–term effectiveness of group work. This course utilizes both didactic and experiential activities as elements of the learning experience.
Assessment procedures, diagnosis, and treatment planning will be the emphasis of this course. A focus on understanding individual and group standardized tests of personality, depression, anxiety, and other mental stressors are introduced. Cultural competency in the areas of specific populations, ethical and legal considerations, and historical perspectives are addressed in this course.
Students will take the CPCE (Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam) to fulfill this program requirement. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions over the course material from required professional counseling courses. The examination will be similar in nature and preparatory in function to the National Board of Certified Counselors’ (NBCC) National Certification Examination (NCE). This examination may be taken when required course work has been completed but before the CO590 Supervised Counseling Internship course. The preference is for students to take the CPCE the same semester as practicum if all the required courses have been completed.
A survey of developmental theories, decision–making paradigms, and principles for vocational guidance. Factors involving choice of colleges and/or other educational options as they relate to career planning, and information service tools as they relate to the career counseling process are included.
This course is a survey of issues related to crisis, trauma, bereavement, and stress responses. Theories of the causation and treatment of trauma will be covered, including both acute and chronic states of crisis. Empirically - supported models of intervention will be addressed to help the student develop a compassionate, Biblically - grounded philosophy of crisis intervention.
An in–depth examination of causes, classifications, referral procedures, and intervention strategies relating to character, personality, cognitive, and affective disturbances. The student will gain a working knowledge of the DSM.
This course is an analysis of a broad range of theories in counseling. The nature of the counseling relationship and techniques used in promoting counselee change, and role and practice of the professional counselor will be taught.
Developing and implementing a treatment plan, reporting, and assessing progress with benchmarks through diagnostics, referral procedures, and an understanding of biopsychological responses including consideration of psychotropic medications and mood altering chemicals.