Course Descriptions

COUNSELING (COU)

COU 6301 Theories of Counseling
An introduction to the techniques and theories of counseling emphasizing the issues involved in being a helping professional, the development of basic counseling skills, and theories of counseling and psychotherapy, including psychodynamic, existential, person-centered, cognitive, behavioral, and systems approaches.

COU 6302 Lifespan/ Human Growth and Development             
This course covers biological, cognitive, social, and emotional development across the lifespan. Multicultural issues and applications of the material to counseling situations will be discussed.

COU 6303 Techniques of Appraisal and Assessment
An in-depth investigation of the theories, principles and practice of psychological testing. Students gain practical experience with test item development, test format development and statistical analysis as well as an overview of established tests of personality and ability. The appropriate role of counselors and psychological testing in business, counseling and clinical applications are considered.

COU 6304 Multicultural/ Cross-Cultural Counseling                 
An examination of factors relevant to successful counseling with different populations within a culturally diverse society. Counselor characteristics and attitude are examined as well as strategies for developing cultural competence.

COU 6305 Advanced Human Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunctions
Biological, psychological, and social factors influencing the development of both sexual health and sexual dysfunctions are examined. Particular attention is given to causation and treatment of paraphilias and dysfunctions from a cross-cultural perspective.

COU 6306 Research Methodology and Program Evaluation  
The course focuses on clinical research methodology and applying these tools in the evaluation of programs. The class will focus on clinical research topics including: issues of validity, single-case research design, group designs, assessment methods, statistics, and ethical issues. In addition, students will learn to plan a program evaluation, develop measures, and apply clinical research methodology. By the end of the course, students should be able to design and implement an effective program evaluation.

COU 6307 Career Development & Assessment
A study of the theories and assessment techniques currently used in career guidance and development.

COU 6308 Advanced Counseling and Crisis Skills  
A study of the current theories and methods of advanced therapy techniques, and the use of medications in the treatment of abnormal behaviors.

COU 6309 Ethical and Professional Conduct for Counselors  
An introduction to the ethical standards and codes of conduct that are essential for professional behavior. Guidelines from professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors are examined and applied using the case study approach.

COU 6310 Advanced Psychopathology
A survey of the basic concepts of neurochemistry, psychopharmacology, diagnosis, and treatment of abnormal behaviors.

COU 6311 Marriage & Family Counseling
A study of the historical development and the current theories in marriage and family therapy, with emphasis upon treatment planning in marital and family counseling.

COU 6312 Group Counseling                                  
A study of the current theories and techniques in group therapy, including the dynamics of interpersonal relationship and the social, diagnostic, and other factors that impact group psychotherapy.

COU 6313 Counseling Children and Adolescents   
A study of the major therapy schools of thought as they apply to counseling children and adolescents, including psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and systems approaches. Students will also become aware of developmental, sociocultural, ethical and professional issues related to counseling children and adolescents.

COU 6314 Professional Identity and Prepracticum Skills   
A group based experience designed to foster the development of interpersonal skills and self awareness through self-disclosure and feedback. This course will provide the opportunity to explore issues that may affect the counseling process with in a culturally diverse group setting.

COU 6415 Mental Health Clinical Practicum I                              
Supervised field experience in mental health counseling. Students will complete and log practicum hours, and will participate in individual supervision with a field supervisor, as well as group supervision with other students, supervised by a faculty member.

COU 6416 Mental Health Clinical Practicum II                               
Supervised field experience in mental health counseling. Students will complete and log practicum hours, and will participate in individual supervision with a field supervisor, as well as group supervision with other students, supervised by a faculty member.

COU 6317 Introduction to School Counseling
An introduction to the theories and principles of school counseling and guidance for classroom teachers who are beginning their master's studies. This course emphasizes the issues involved in being a helping professional, the development of basic counseling, guidance skills, and theories of school counseling and guidance.

COU 6318 Programs in School Counseling  
An introduction to programs applicable to school counseling and guidance in the elementary and secondary school settings. This course emphasizes program development and evaluation of counseling/guidance curricula and the current theories of school counseling/guidance practice.

COU 6320 Principles for Marital Therapy
This course is a fundamental introduction to the systems approach to interventions that integrates information regarding the marital, sibling, and individual subsystems, as well as family of origin and external social influences. Special emphasis will be placed on the substance abuse issues and systemic treatment approach to it.

COU 6321 Strategies for Interventions in Family Therapy   
This course will focus on different therapeutic interventions that are based on family therapy models. Students will become familiar with importance of language and process in the session and how it can be applied to different family or couple issues.

COU 6322  Family Systems   
A fundamental introduction to the systems approach to intervention that integrates information regarding the marital, sibling, and individual subsystems, as well as family of origin and external social influences.  Clinical diagnosis and treatment are emphasized.

COU 6323  Family of Origin
Theoretical bases of family of origin work and transgenerational family systems approach. In-depth examination of the student’s own family history and review of concepts and therapeutic techniques used in family of origin education and counseling.

COU 6424   Family Therapy Practicum
Professional supervised experience in counseling couples and families; supervision of live and videotapes sessions.