Professional Counseling, MS
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Accreditation
The Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology offers programs leading to the Master of Science degrees in Professional Counseling and Professional School Counseling as well as the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education. Programs in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology are accredited by The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), 500 Montgomery Street, Suite 350 Alexandria, VA 22314.
Mission Statement
The Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, devoted to excellence in instruction, research, and service, prepares graduate-level counselors and counselor educators to facilitate impactful societal changes at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Program Description
The Master of Science in Professional Counseling (60 semester hours) offers training in four major areas:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
- Addictions Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling- Hispanic Mental Health Emphasis (online)
All degree plans are designed to meet the current educational requirements for the Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential as specified by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. The marriage, couple, and family counseling emphasis degree plan includes coursework meeting all current Texas Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) educational requirements. Each students’ personal and professional development is periodically reviewed by faculty. Students who fail to demonstrate basic knowledge, personal skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and/or counseling skills will be asked to seek remediation or may be dismissed from the program.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of professional orientation and ethical practice into contemporary counseling practice.
- Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of social and cultural diversity into contemporary counseling practice.
- Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of human growth and development into contemporary counseling practice.
- Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of career development into contemporary counseling practice
- Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of counseling and helping relationships into contemporary counseling practice.
- Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of group counseling into contemporary counseling practice.
- Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of assessment and testing into contemporary counseling practice.
- Knowledgeably integrate fundamental principles of research and program evaluation into contemporary counseling practice.
Academic Standards
Students pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Professional Counseling must maintain the following standards:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
- Only two courses with a grade of C can be applied to the degree.
- No course with a grade below C will be applied toward the degree.
- No grade below B in Practicum or Internship will be applied toward the degree.
- Students may not proceed to practicum or internship unless they meet the standards in 1-3 above.
- All requirements, including coursework at Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi and transfer credit coursework, must be completed within seven (7) calendar years from the date of initial enrollment in coursework.
Fitness to Practice
In addition to meeting or exceeding academic standards, students pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Professional Counseling must meet fitness to practice standards that are assessed by faculty throughout the program. These standards include demonstration of emotional and mental fitness in their interaction with others as well as conformance with professional counseling associations and State of Texas codes of ethics and standards of practice.
At regular intervals throughout the program, and at any time a faculty member deems it advisable, students will be evaluated on the Professional Issues and Behavior Rating Scale. Students who fail to demonstrate fitness or conformance to appropriate codes may be asked to enter a remediation plan to remain in the program. If a remediation plan is developed, students must demonstrate satisfactory remediation prior to being allowed to proceed toward graduation. Specific information concerning fitness to practice and codes to which students are expected to conform may be found in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology Master's Student Handbook.
Experiential Learning
Students in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology Master of Science programs will, in some coursework, be expected to participate in experiential learning that will involve some degree of self-exploration and self-reflection. Some training components will encourage personal growth and self-disclosure as part of the training process. While faculty members will exercise professional judgment and make ethical and responsible efforts to ensure the well-being of students when designing such experiences, they recognize that personal growth, reflective practice, and self-exploration can generate discomfort. Students are encouraged to engage in personal counseling. In addition, students who are unable to make use of reasonable opportunities for personal growth and reflection or who are unwilling to participate in appropriate self-disclosure may be referred for departmental remediation processes. Students who have concerns about participating in such activities may wish to speak with a departmental advisor prior to entering the program.
Admission Requirements
Students are eligible to pursue graduate-level course work in Counseling if they meet COEHD graduate admission requirements as specified in the COEHD’s Graduate Policies and Regulations section of this catalog.
The above minimum criteria, along with the following factors, are reviewed by the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology faculty selection committee in determining admissions.
Deadline for Master of Science Student Applications are:
- March 1 - fall semester
- October 1 - spring semester
- March 1 - summer semester
Requirements
- Undergraduate performance – GPA (3.0 in last 60 hours)
- Graduate level work with a B grade or higher
- Interview
- Three letters of recommendation
- 500-700 word written essay, including one's personal/professional career plans, goals, and a statement indicating one's ability to work individually and in groups with diverse populations.
Students who do not meet the requirements for full admission into the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology may be admitted on conditional status and take courses approved by the faculty. This conditional status applies to the first nine hours of the students’ program of study. Within these nine hours, students are required to take CNEP 5304 Introduction to Counseling (3 sch), CNEP 5308 Counseling Theories (3 sch), and CNEP 5314 Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling (3 sch). Students must earn a grade of B or higher in each course taken during their conditional admit status in order to proceed to full admission. Students are not permitted to enroll in additional coursework beyond the nine hours specified as a part of their conditional admit status.
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Program Requirements
The Master of Science in Professional Counseling is a 60 semester hour program of study that prepares students to become license-eligible mental health providers. The Professional Counseling degree has four emphasis areas: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; Addictions Counseling; and Clinical Mental Health Counseling- Hispanic Mental Health Emphasis (online).
Degree plans for each emphasis area are as follows:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Emphasis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Requirement | ||
| EDFN 5301 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| Core Courses | ||
| CNEP 5304 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5306 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5308 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| CNEP 5312 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5314 | Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5327 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5328 | Abnormal Human Behavior | 3 |
| CNEP 5354 | Developmental Issues in Human Personality and Behavior | 3 |
| CNEP 5361 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5371 | Psychometrics | 3 |
| CNEP 5381 | Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Strategies | 3 |
| CNEP 5384 | The Counseling Process | 3 |
| CNEP 5397 | Practicum | 3 |
| CNEP 5698 | Internship | 3 |
| CNEP 5698 | Internship (II) | 3 |
| Special Emphasis Courses | ||
| CNEP 5320 | Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5375 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling Strategies | 3 |
| CNEP 5322 | Strategies in Family Counseling | 3 |
| or CNEP 5324 | Counseling Couples | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select three hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Emphasis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Requirement | ||
| EDFN 5301 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| Core Courses | ||
| CNEP 5304 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5306 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5308 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| CNEP 5312 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5314 | Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5327 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5328 | Abnormal Human Behavior | 3 |
| CNEP 5354 | Developmental Issues in Human Personality and Behavior | 3 |
| CNEP 5361 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5371 | Psychometrics | 3 |
| CNEP 5381 | Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Strategies | 3 |
| CNEP 5384 | The Counseling Process | 3 |
| CNEP 5397 | Practicum | 3 |
| CNEP 5698 | Internship | 3 |
| CNEP 5698 | Internship (II) | 3 |
| Special Emphasis Courses | ||
| CNEP 5320 | Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5322 | Strategies in Family Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5324 | Counseling Couples | 3 |
| CNEP 5326 | Family Counseling for Child and Adolescent-Focused Issues | 3 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Addictions Counseling
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Requirement | ||
| EDFN 5301 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| Core Courses | ||
| CNEP 5304 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5306 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5308 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| CNEP 5312 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5314 | Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5327 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5328 | Abnormal Human Behavior | 3 |
| CNEP 5354 | Developmental Issues in Human Personality and Behavior | 3 |
| CNEP 5361 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5371 | Psychometrics | 3 |
| CNEP 5381 | Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Strategies | 3 |
| CNEP 5384 | The Counseling Process | 3 |
| CNEP 5397 | Practicum | 3 |
| CNEP 5698 | Internship | 3 |
| CNEP 5698 | Internship (II) | 3 |
| Special Emphasis Courses | ||
| CNEP 5313 | Theories and Techniques in Substance Abuse Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5321 | Behavioral and Process Addictions | 3 |
| CNEP 5323 | Counseling for Holistic Wellness | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select three hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Clinical Mental Health Counseling- Hispanic Mental Health Emphasis (online)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Requirement | ||
| EDFN 5301 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| Core Courses | ||
| CNEP 5304 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5306 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5308 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| CNEP 5312 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5314 | Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5327 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5328 | Abnormal Human Behavior | 3 |
| CNEP 5354 | Developmental Issues in Human Personality and Behavior | 3 |
| CNEP 5361 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CNEP 5371 | Psychometrics | 3 |
| CNEP 5381 | Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Strategies | 3 |
| CNEP 5384 | The Counseling Process | 3 |
| CNEP 5397 | Practicum | 3 |
| CNEP 5698 | Internship | 3 |
| CNEP 5698 | Internship (II) | 3 |
| Special Emphasis Courses | ||
| CNEP 5329 | Culture and Customs in Hispanic Communities | 3 |
| CNEP 5330 | Professional and Technical Spanish | 3 |
| CNEP 5331 | Strategies and Interventions for Spanish-Speaking Clients | 3 |
| CNEP 5375 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling Strategies | 3 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Comprehensive Examination
In addition to successful completion of all courses required for graduation, students are required to pass a comprehensive written examination. Students generally take this examination while enrolled in practicum. All students should have completed pre-requisites prior to enrollment in Practicum.
Courses
CNEP 5304 Introduction to Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is an orientation to the profession of counseling, its history, professional standards, code of ethics, credentials, areas of specialization, and the development of skills necessary to create a helping relationship. It covers the counselor's professional identity in a variety of settings and roles. Opportunities are provided for students to discover through self-awareness their suitability for the helping profession.
CNEP 5306 Career Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course covers classic and contemporary theories of career development, counseling, and decision making, including; the use of career/occupational resources, testing, computer-assisted guidance systems, career development planning, assessing factors contributing to career development, advocating for diverse clients, using assessment tools, facilitating client skill development, and using ethical and culturally relevant strategies for addressing career development including the clients' life experiences. Career services in various settings will be discussed. Multicultural issues and needs of special populations will be presented. There are no prerequisites for this course.
CNEP 5308 Counseling Theories
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to provide an overview of the theoretical foundations associated with best-practices for counseling treatment planning and intervention. Topics addressed in this course include the historical development and contemporary application of counseling theories, review of key concepts that influence client change, essential features of the therapeutic process, and considerations for culturally-relevant and setting-specific applications. Students will be expected to complete designated readings, work in small groups, complete experiential activities, and demonstrate learning across several modes of evaluation. There are no prerequisites for this course.
CNEP 5309 Grief and Loss Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of issues on death, dying, loss, and the impact of grief. Topics addressed in this course include various types of loss, including non-death related, conceptualizations of grief and mourning across the lifespan, evidence-based interventions to support the dying and bereaved individuals, and strategies for identifying and intervening with those who have clinically significant complicated grief. Students will be expected to explore their own grief reactions as well as examine the societal, cultural, and familial expectations surrounding grief and death rituals. There are no prerequisites for this course.
CNEP 5312 Addictions Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of addictions treatment, the counseling dynamics involved in working with addictions, and the global impact of addictions on society. Students will learn the physiological, cognitive, emotional, and societal aspects related to addictions, and how these conditions impact the counseling process when working with clients who present with addiction-related issues. Students will examine specific treatment strategies applicable to the biopsychosocial issues related to addictions, as well as the current ethical and professional issues impacting the field.
CNEP 5313 Theories and Techniques in Substance Abuse Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course provides an overview of the philosophies, theories, techniques, interventions, and treatment approaches most effective in counseling clients who have been diagnosed with an addictive disorder. Specific attention will be paid to examining the relationship between theory and the practice of effective skills. Students will learn best-practices in chemical/substance addictions screening, assessment, case conceptualization, treatment planning, relapse prevention, and recovery.
CNEP 5314 Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to familiarize students with the cultural differences of special populations of people. Emphasis on ethical use of appropriate counseling techniques for use with the major racial/ethnic groups and other special populations of people such as those who are physically or emotionally disabled, older, of different genders or of different sexual orientation. Topics addressed in this course include: theories and models of multicultural counseling; multicultural counseling competencies; cultural identity development; worldview, power, privilege, and oppression, social justice, and advocacy. Students will be expected to articulate effective strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations; recognize the impact of heritage, attitudes, beliefs, and acculturative experiences on individuals' view of self and others; and identify and eliminate barriers, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination at the individual and institutional level. There are no prerequisites for this course.
CNEP 5315 Consultation and Responsive Services in Schools
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to train school counseling students to provide both indirect services to children and adolescents via effective consultation and direct responsive services in the school setting. Topics addressed in this course include consultation models, crisis counseling models, crisis intervention, and school counselor roles in consultation and crisis response. Students will be expected to develop interventions in which consultation is the primary method of delivery, appropriately respond to crisis situations encountered in a school environment, create responsive services programming based on applicable data, and demonstrate skills needed for effective consultation and responsive services, and articulate the connection between consultation and responsive services. There are no prerequisites for this course.
CNEP 5316 Developmental School Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive, developmental school counseling programs. The course includes student collaboration with existing school counseling programs to facilitate student professionalism and competence in consultation, strategy selection and implementation, program delivery, and community referral. This course is a requirement for eligibility to take the TExES school counselor examination.
CNEP 5317 Play Therapy: a Counseling intervention
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed for the purpose of studying the theory, techniques, and issues related to counseling children using play therapy. The class will consist of lecture, group discussion, video presentations, experiential activities and case studies. Designed for both school and community counselors.
CNEP 5318 Consultation in School Settings
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to train school counseling students to provide indirect services to children and adolescents through effective consultation with parents, teachers, administrators and external referral sources. The emphasis of the course is on the acquisition of skills that follow a logical consultation model. The course has a didactic and experiential learning component. Students will become sensitized to socio-cultural diversity issues as they impact consultation, and to the ethical and legal issues pertaining to working in the schools. Current research will be used to guide the consultation process.
Prerequisite: (CNEP 5304 and 4308).
CNEP 5320 Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to provide an introduction to marriage, couple, and family counseling. Topics addressed in this course include history and development of marriage, couple, and family counseling; theories and models of family systems and dynamics; theories and models of marriage, couple, and family counseling; and sociology of the family, family phenomenology, and family of origin theories. In addition, roles and settings of marriage, couple, and family counselors as well as professional credentialing and preparation of marriage, couple, and family counselors will be addressed. Students will be expected to successfully complete a variety of tasks, including projects, presentations, examinations, and role plays.
CNEP 5321 Behavioral and Process Addictions
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course provides an overview of the history, theory, and current research perspectives in the etiology, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of behavioral/process addictions. Specific attention will be paid to examining the similarities and differences between chemical/substance addictions and behavioral/process addictions. As this course is intended to add to the preparation of the counselor-in-training for clinical work in a variety of settings, extensive experiential practice in both culturally responsive assessment and intervention with diverse populations will be included.
Prerequisite: CNEP 5313.
CNEP 5322 Strategies in Family Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to focus on clinical applications of major theoretical models of family counseling. Topics addressed in this course include principles and models of assessment and case conceptualization from a systems perspective; interventions and techniques of marriage, couple, and family counseling; and conceptualizing and implementing treatment. Students will be expected to demonstrate application of various approaches, including both case conceptualization and interventions, from a variety of theoretical models via case studies, role plays, and other course activities.
Prerequisite: CNEP 5320.
CNEP 5323 Counseling for Holistic Wellness
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course provides an introduction and critical review of contemporary theory and research in models of holistic wellness including consideration of experiential and interventions that address lifestyle variables. The course also discusses the role of the professional counselor as interventionist in a variety of applied settings in assisting clientele in moving toward optimal health (not just absence of illness), through an integration of physical , psychological, social, spiritual and personal choice components of physical health and lifestyle management.
CNEP 5324 Counseling Couples
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to familiarize students with the assessment and treatment of couple relationships. Major topics include but are not limited to research- and efficacy-based treatment models, legal and ethical standards, couples sexual counseling, premarital counseling and preventive psychoeducational approaches, gender and issues of diversity impacting couple relationships, research relevant to couple counseling, and societal trends.
Prerequisite: CNEP 5320.
CNEP 5326 Family Counseling for Child and Adolescent-Focused Issues
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to focus on evidence-based family treatment of problems that are child- and adolescent-focused. Topics addressed in this course include principles and models of assessment and case conceptualization from a systemic perspective; use of appropriate assessments in family therapy; impact of trauma and addictions on families; evidence-based models and interventions in family counseling for problems that are child- and adolescent-focused; and conceptualization planning of intervention strategies in family counseling. Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to utilize assessments, conceptualize treatment, and plan specific interventions to address child and adolescent related issues in family counseling.
Prerequisite: CNEP 5320.
CNEP 5327 Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course offers in-depth consideration of ethical and legal issues that affect the practice of counseling in clinical mental health counseling; marital, couple, and family counseling; addictions counseling; and school counseling settings. The course will assist students in understanding and formulating sound positions on a variety of major issues related to the field of counseling. Students are expected to be familiar with a variety of ethical codes as well as laws regulating the profession. Students will be expected to utilize ethical-decision-making models and codes of ethics to analyze cases, analyze content appropriate to their program emphases, apply relevant codes of ethics and laws, and demonstrate understanding of critical legal and ethical content.
CNEP 5328 Abnormal Human Behavior
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to provide an overview of the principles of understanding the dysfunction in human behavior and development, including the impact of disaster, crises, and other trauma-causing events on developmental processes. Students will learn how dysfunctional behavior manifests and factors that increase one's vulnerability to abnormal human behavior. The primary topics of this course include theories of normal and abnormal personality development and the effects of crisis, disasters, and other trauma on diverse individuals across the lifespan. Students will be expected to demonstrate understanding of abnormal personality development as well as the impact of trauma-causing events on personality development via successful completion of tasks in various assignments which may include case studies, presentations, and examinations.
CNEP 5329 Culture and Customs in Hispanic Communities
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course addresses cultural issues in Spanish-speakers such as concept of family, authority and social organization, communication method, thought, formality of address and spirituality. This course will be offered both as an online course and a study abroad experience. Students who have an opportunity to travel may take this course when it is offered in a Spanish-speaking country.
CNEP 5330 Professional and Technical Spanish
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This on-line course is an orientation to counseling clients in Spanish. Students will become familiar with terms to use to facilitate a session in Spanish. Professional counseling concepts include mental health, counseling techniques, communication skills, understanding and problem solving, goal setting, and consultation with other professionals.
CNEP 5331 Strategies and Interventions for Spanish-Speaking Clients
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This online course provides training in mental health strategies and interventions in counseling. The focus is on theories and techniques appropriate with Spanish-speaking clients.
CNEP 5332 Spanish-Speaking Internship
3 Semester Credit Hours
The Spanish Speaking Internship requires a total of 100 hours of direct service with Spanish-speaking clients and can be repeated once to complete requirements. Students will provide counseling to community members in the CNEP Counseling and Training Clinic or other designated location under faculty supervision.
CNEP 5345 Integrated Care Strategies in Behavioral Health Settings
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course provides a foundation of practice for students preparing for contemporary counseling careers in both primary care and behavioral settings. Students will become knowledgeable of the roles of behavioral health providers working in primary care settings, theories and models of care, and cross-cultural issues. Students also will learn to design and implement comprehensive biopsychosocial treatment plans and develop competencies to engage and support clients across a range of health conditions.
CNEP 5354 Developmental Issues in Human Personality and Behavior
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to address both historical and contemporary research in personality theory from a lifespan developmental perspective. Topics addressed in this course include normative patterns of personality development and adjustment; Major factors and conditions which are related to successful human adaptations including adult-child relations, personality defense mechanisms, developmental stages and abnormal behavior in addition to theories of personality. Social and Cultural foundations of personality development will also be covered. Students will be expected to demonstrate understanding of personality development across the lifespan as well as social/cultural influences on personality development through successful completion of various assignments which may include case studies, presentations, and examinations. There are no prerequisites for this course.
CNEP 5361 Group Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to provide the student with both a theoretical and an experiential approach to group counseling dynamics and processes. Group leadership skills and group membership skills will be emphasized as well as theoretical applications. Specific topics covered include group stages, purposes, and kinds of groups, forming a group and creating trust in a group, initial sessions, orientations, and member roles, models of group and consultation model, group facilitation skills and group leadership styles, person-centered groups, gestalt groups, behavioral groups, reality therapy groups, and REBT groups.
Prerequisite: CNEP 5384*.
* May be taken concurrently.
* May be taken concurrently.
CNEP 5371 Psychometrics
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to provide the student with a basic knowledge for testing and measurement in the counseling field. Topics addressed in this course include historical perspectives concerning the nature and meaning of assessment and testing in counseling, methods of effectively preparing for and conducting initial assessment meetings, use of assessments for diagnostic and intervention planning purposes, basic concepts of standardized and non-standardized testing, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessments, group and individual assessments, validity and reliability in assessments, the use of assessments relevant to academic/educational, career, personal, and social development, use of environmental assessments and systematic behavioral observations, use of symptom checklists and personality and psychological testing, use of assessment results to diagnose developmental, behavioral, and mental disorders, and ethical and culturally relevant strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment and test results, and program evaluation and the use of findings to effect program modifications. Covers functions of testing in education; educational and social issues related to testing and use of test results; theoretical aspects of psychometrics; selection of commercial standardized tests; and common commercial standardized tests. Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the foundation and history of psychometric assessment, knowledge of the psychometric properties of assessments, including validity, reliability, and norming groups, knowledge of how to select, administer, interpret, and report the results of psychometric assessments, how to conduct a biopsychosocial assessment, and how to conduct a program evaluation and interpret the results. There are no prerequisites for this course.
CNEP 5374 Individual intelligence Testing
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Testing, scoring, and interpretation procedures for the Wechsler scales.
CNEP 5375 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Strategies
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to be a competency-based course with a primary focus on the practice and acquisition of specific techniques and interview skills. Topics addressed in this course include essential interviewing and decision-making skills, evidence-supported counseling strategies, culturally responsive modalities for initiating, maintaining, and terminating counseling, treatment planning, and strategies for promoting wellness and self-care. The student will demonstrate the ability to implement these competencies through discussion, conceptualization assignments, and experiential activities.
Prerequisite: CNEP 5384.
CNEP 5381 Psychodiagnosis and Treatment Strategies
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to cover types of human distress, as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, including the development of tools for the understanding and critical appraisal of abnormal human behavior across the life-span. Strategies and techniques for working with clients in a variety of settings are considered. The primary topic in this course is the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis and the use of current diagnostic classification systems. Students will be expected to demonstrate understanding of the diagnostic process and treatment planning via successful completion of tasks in multiple case studies, mid-term examination, and final evaluation. Pre-req: A minimum of 12 semester hours of core counseling courses must be completed, including CNEP 5304, and CNEP 5308.
CNEP 5384 The Counseling Process
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to teach students how to use beginning counseling skills. Topics addressed in this course include counselor characteristics and behaviors that influence the counseling process, essential interviewing, counseling, and case conceptualization skills, and self-care strategies appropriate to the counselor role. Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to understand and use basic micro-skills in counseling practice, and demonstrate knowledge of counselor characteristics and behaviors that can affect the counseling process. They will also be expected to demonstrate the practice and understanding of self-care via intentional personal wellness activities. Must earn a grade of "B" or better to pass. Pre-req: A minimum of 12 semester hours of core counseling courses must be completed, including CNEP 5304 and CNEP 5308.
CNEP 5385 Bridge Supervision
1 Semester Credit Hour
Supervised counseling experience during breaks between academic semesters. Counseling setting must be the same as the practicum/internship setting either the previous or following semester. The course, while not required for the degree, is required for all students who obtain hours towards the practicum/internship requirements during between-semester breaks.
CNEP 5390 Professional Seminar
1-3 Semester Credit Hours (1-3 Lecture Hours)
Contemporary issues in Counseling/Educational Psychology; topics vary with professional identification of participants. May be repeated when topics vary.
CNEP 5397 Practicum
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course is designed to provide 100 clock hours of supervised counseling experiences, including 40 hours of direct service with clients. The clinical setting must be approved by the Clinical Coordinator. The semester prior to enrollment the student must complete the practicum application process. Students will be expected to demonstrate satisfactory counseling skills as well as a professional counseling identity as evidenced by a grade of B or above in the course and satisfactory ratings on professional behavior ratings. Students who earn a grade below B will be required to re-take the course.
CNEP 5399 Specialized internship Experience
3 Semester Credit Hours
A supervised field experience in counseling and counseling-related activities. An internship application must be completed and submitted to the instructor.
CNEP 5696 Directed individual Study
1-6 Semester Credit Hours
May be repeated when topics vary.
CNEP 5698 Internship
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course, to be taken twice (6 hours), is designed to provide 600 clock hours of supervised counseling experiences, including 240 hours of direct service with clients. The clinical setting must be approved and appropriate to the student's emphasis. Students will be expected to provide direct counseling services appropriate to their program specialties and to fulfill additional roles common to the role of a counselor in their specialty as evidenced by evaluations from supervisors. Students must earn a "B" or better to pass.
CNEP 6305 Advanced Theories in Individual and Group Counseling
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course will examine the historical, theoretical, ethical, and philosophical foundations of counseling. We will explore major theories of counseling and psychotherapy including an in-depth study of one’s personal practice theory. Projects may include the development, research, utilization, and evaluation of theoretical applications in school and community settings. We will address the relevance of counseling theories in counselor education and supervision.
CNEP 6310 Advanced Counseling Strategies
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
In-depth study of various counseling strategies appropriate to the development levels of elementary, middle, and secondary school students, adults, couples, and families. Includes case conceptualization and efficacy of theories and treatment strategies of National and International crises, disaster, and other trauma-causing events, short term and intermediate intervention strategies and advocacy methods with at-risk and multicultural populations.
CNEP 6315 Professional, Legal, and Ethical Issues
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course provides an in-depth examination of professional, ethical, and legal issues in counselor education and the behavioral sciences. Major issues, including ethical and legal concerns, standards of conduct, and codes of ethics are covered. The NBCC, ACA, IAMFC, ASCA, and Texas LPC Codes of Ethics along with ethical decision-making models are critiqued. In addition, this course provides an orientation to the field and to the program.
CNEP 6316 Research, Writing and Publishing in a Multicultural Society
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Study of the professional standards of writing, publishing and presenting proposals in a diverse society. Topics include a review of contemporary research on diverse populations. Special emphasis is placed on student gaining knowledge and skill for conducting and communicating the results of scholarly inquiry through processes of editing, consultation and peer review processes.
CNEP 6320 Advanced Appraisal Techniques and Psychometrics
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This class focuses on facilitating student skills in development, planning, implementation and evaluation of assessment and testing programs. Topics include critical evaluation of validity and reliability of standardized and non-standardized assessments. Emphasis is placed on design parameters, specific assessment measures, and their use in program evaluation.
CNEP 6335 Consultation Theory and Professional Advocacy
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to identify effective consultation approaches/styles and advocacy action planning. Students will acquire skills in assessing needs of counselors in training, developing programs and techniques for change, and program evaluation.
CNEP 6340 Diversity in Counselor Education
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
(3 SCH). This course provides students with the awareness, knowledge, and skills required of counselors, counselor educators, and counseling supervisors to be effective leaders and advocates in an increasingly pluralistic and diverse society. The course will provide students opportunities to develop multicultural competencies by critically examining how issues related to social justice and diversity impact various therapeutic, instructional, consultative, and supervisory relationships.
CNEP 6350 Advanced Clinical Supervision
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Study of counselor training and supervision with an exploration of the major theoretical/conceptual models and an overview of current trends and practices. Course includes didactic and applied experiences. Legal, ethical and multicultural issues and challenges in diverse settings are addressed, in addition to the purposes of clinical supervision and the role of the supervisor.
CNEP 6354 Counselor Education Pedagogy
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
(3 SCH). This class is designed to facilitate development of students' knowledge, skills, and dispositions through an in-depth review of evidence-based practices associated with effective teaching practices used in counselor training thereby preparing students for careers in counselor education.
CNEP 6355 Leadership and Advocacy in Counselor Education
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is an exploration of issues of leadership in counselor education within a diverse society. Focus on problem identification, analysis, supervision, and problem-solving approaches within a multicultural framework. Emphasis is placed on leadership roles, theories, and skills.
CNEP 6360 Research Design and Statistics
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed as a doctoral level survey of Research Design and Statistics. The major focus will involve an examination of the theoretical assumptions underlying various research designs and the use of inferential statistics. Special emphasis will be placed on the selection of appropriate design for specific applications in counseling and educational contexts. The course will involve both theoretical exploration and instruction on the use of computer-based statistical tools (SPSS).
CNEP 6365 Advanced Research & Design in Wellness and Stress Management Practices
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Advanced skill development in designing programs and working with clients experiencing stress related disorders that impact the overall quality of their lives. A special emphasis will be placed implementation of design strategies for development and evaluating programs for improving performance and health.
CNEP 6370 Quantitative Research Methods I
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course will focus on expanding each student's knowledge of research design and statistical analysis beyond CNEP 6360 and EDLD 6392. Specific topics will include general linear model approaches to analysis of variance and regression analysis. Students will utilize SPSS to complete regularly assigned problems in order to demonstrate their competence. In addition, a special emphasis will be placed on the development of advanced quantitative skills needed to evaluate programs and student processes within a counselor educator model.
Prerequisite: CNEP 6360.
CNEP 6372 Quantitative Research Methods II
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This research methodology course is designed to provide doctoral students with application experience in quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method data analytic procedures. Students will address promises and pitfalls using advanced univariate, multivariate, and non-parametric techniques introduced in CNEP 6360 and CNEP 6370. Students will act as consultants and evaluators on projects developed by student research teams in the department. This course is designed to help students address data analytic applications relevant to professional consulting, clinical and counseling practice as well as contexts involving program evaluation in a wide range of professional settings.
CNEP 6384 Qualitative Research Methods I
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is experientially based on the philosophy, design, and practice of qualitative research. It is understood that participants have a solid background in methods (as defined by the positivist and post-positivist tradition) and statistics. Students will situate qualitative inquiry/research in their philosophical, theoretical, and historical situations, learn methods of qualitative design, and develop a capacity to collect, analyze, and interpret qualitative empirical materials.
CNEP 6385 Qualitative Research Methods II
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course provides learners with advanced knowledge about and practice with specific qualitative designs commonly used in counseling research. It is understood that participants have a solid background in research methods generally (as defined by the positive and post-positivist tradition) as well as introductory understanding of qualitative methods specifically. Learners will deepen their understanding of general qualitative methods (e.g., phenomenology) and will focus attention on one or more theory-driven approaches (e.g., descriptive phenomenology, hermeneutic phenomenology, specific grounded theory approaches), with particular attention to consistency of method approach including data analysis.
CNEP 6390 Special Topics
3 Semester Credit Hours (6 Lecture Hours)
Special topics is an advanced study in an identified area of academic interest. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Covers the knowledge base of the counseling profession.
CNEP 6395 Doctoral Practicum
3 Semester Credit Hours
Provides/demonstrates professional counseling expertise with effective application of multiple counseling theories. Demonstrates case conceptualization and effective interventions across diverse populations and settings. The experience includes a minimum of 100 clock hours. Students will experience both the direct delivery of services and weekly individual and group supervision. Opportunities for the evaluation of students’ counseling skills will be provided. Students must earn a grade of 'B' or better to pass.
CNEP 6396 Doctoral internship
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course is designed to provide an intensive, supervised professional experience in an approved counseling setting. Topics addressed in this course include counselor education, pedagogy, research, supervision, leadership and advocacy, consultation, and training. Students will be expected to earn a total of 300 clock hours and will receive supervision in the five core areas of counseling, supervision, teaching, research/scholarship, and leadership/advocacy. Students repeat the internship for another 300 clock hours and another 3 semester hours of credit. Students must earn a grade of 'B' or better to pass.
CNEP 6397 Research Seminar
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course focuses on the application of research skills and inquiry methods. Students will be exposed to various methodological approaches and the components of scientific inquiry. Attention also will be given to ethical and legal issues in research.
CNEP 6398 Dissertation in Progress
1-6 Semester Credit Hours (1-6 Lecture Hours)
Completion of an approved research project under the supervision of a dissertation advisor. (Nine semester hour minimum.)
CNEP 6696 Directed individual Study
3-6 Semester Credit Hours (6 Lecture Hours)
May be repeated when topics vary.