Master of Arts in Counseling

Students will participate in a process group training experience led by a trained faculty facilitator. Students will grow in the critical relational skills that are necessary to counsel effectively, have vulnerable interaction and receive targeted feedback from members. Students will have a safe, confidential place for personal character development. This accelerated 2-week course includes 4 days on the Concordia University campus.

The study of individual and family development across the life span including normal and abnormal behavior with an emphasis on childhood and adolescence. An examination of neurobiological, affective, cognitive, personality, moral, psychosocial and faith development, as well as strategies for facilitating optimal development. Course also includes an understanding of developmental crises, disability, psychopathology, and situational and environmental factors that effect development. Various theories of development are addressed with a focus on psychodynamic, attachment, self and interpersonal neurobiological theorists. Prerequisite: COUN 600 or (COUN 600A and COUN 600B).

An investigation of counseling, psychotherapeutic theories and techniques and their application to the helping relationship and process. The course provides an orientation to wellness, prevention, and counseling theories to assist in selection of appropriate counseling interventions. The study of models of counseling consistent with current professional research and practice, development of a personal model of counseling, and multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, and disasters.

The study of the principles of the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis, and the use of current diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and the International Classification of Diseases. This course covers the impact of co-occurring substance use disorders or medical psychological disorders, established diagnostic criteria for mental or emotional disorders, treatment modalities and techniques, and placement criteria within the continuum of care. Emphasis is placed on the neurobiological and interpersonal conditions that create developmental deficits which underlie the mental disorders and their symptoms. Prerequisites: COUN 600 or (COUN 600A and COUN 600B), COUN 601

The study of group counseling theory, techniques, dynamics, process and stages. An examination of therapeutic factors of group work, approaches, pertinent research and literature, group counseling methods, and evaluation of effectiveness. Leadership styles as well as basic and advanced group interventions will also be explored.

The study of history, professional roles and responsibilities of the counseling profession, including ethical, legal and Christian standards/principles for conduct. An examination of professional organizations, preparation, credentialing and the creation of a plan for lifelong professional and personal development. Students will also investigate specific ethical and licensure standards within California and their home state.

An investigation of the history, philosophy and cultural dimensions of mental health counseling, including the roles of identity of mental health counselors, ethical considerations and the training and credentialing of mental health counselors. Includes professional issues and practice guidelines for the mental health counselor, including conducting community needs assessments and creating and overseeing community interventions to address those needs.

Theories and techniques for helping in a multicultural world, including development of cultural self awareness, identity development, promoting cultural social justice, individual and systemic strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations, and counselors' roles in eliminating biases and prejudices, as well as an understanding of processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination.

The study of assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals, including basic concepts of standardized and nonstandardized testing and other assessment techniques, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, statistical concepts such as reliability and validity, social and cultural factors related to assessment and evaluation of individuals, families and groups, and ethical strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment instruments and techniques in counseling.

This course includes advanced counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques, application of counseling constructs, assessment and treatment planning, clinical interventions, therapeutic relationships, psychopathology, or other clinical topics. Application of modalities such as crisis intervention, brief, intermediate and long-term approaches.

This course is designed to provide students with the foundations of crisis counseling, including crisis theory; multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, or disasters; cognitive, affective, behavioral, and neurological effects associated with trauma; brief, intermediate, and long- term approaches; and assessment strategies for clients in crisis and principles of intervention for individuals with mental or emotional disorders during times of crisis, emergency, or disaster. Specialized skills, methods and interventions for working with those suffering with traumatic stress and exploration of the impact of trauma on the individual, family and community.

An investigation of Career development theories and techniques, including career development decision-making models and interrelationships among and between work, family, and other life roles and factors, including the role of multicultural issues in career development. Additional emphasis on career assessment instruments that facilitate lifelong career development.

The study of Addictions counseling, including substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and addiction, major approaches to identification, evaluation, treatment, and prevention of substance abuse and addiction, legal and medical aspects of substance abuse, populations at risk, the role of support persons, support systems, and community resources. The issues that contribute to various addictive behaviors, as well as various models of recovery.

An examination of basic research methods and practice, statistical methods, research reporting and evaluation, ethical considerations and use of research to inform evidence-based practice, and the value of research in advancing the profession of counseling. Additional emphasis will also be placed on needs assessment and program evaluation.

The purpose of this course is to facilitate students' development of core counseling skills. It will incorporate didactic and experiential learning practices to assist students in developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills essential to effective counseling. Focus is on specific foundation counseling skills, with time for explicit practice and feedback on these counseling core skills. Students will also learn the foundational Townsend Model techniques and have an opportunity to reinforce skills introduced in COUN 600.

A supervised counseling experience providing the opportunity to practice individual, family and group counseling skills in a clinic setting. The 100- hour practicum requires a minimum of 50 direct client contact hours and includes weekly individual and group supervision from a University professor. This course is offered in the following grade mode: Pass/ No Pass. Prerequisites: COUN 600 or (COUN 600A and COUN 600B), COUN 601, COUN 602, COUN 603, COUN 610.

A supervised counseling experience providing the opportunity to practice individual, family and group counseling skills in a clinic setting. The 100- hour practicum requires a minimum of 50 direct client contact hours and includes weekly individual and group supervision from a University professor. This course is offered in the following grade mode: Pass/ No Pass. Prerequisites: COUN 600 or (COUN 600A and COUN 600B), COUN 601, COUN 602, COUN 603, COUN 610.

The opportunity to practice and provide a variety of counseling related activities that would normally be expected of a regularly employed counselor. The 300-hour internship requires a minimum of 150 direct client contact hours and includes weekly individual and group supervision from a site and University supervisor. This course is offered in the following grade mode: Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: COUN 640B.

The opportunity to practice and provide a variety of counseling related activities that would normally be expected of a regularly employed counselor. The 300-hour internship requires a minimum of 150 direct client contact hours and includes weekly individual and group supervision from a site and University supervisor. This course is offered in the following grade mode: Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: COUN 640B.

The opportunity to practice and provide a variety of counseling related activities that would normally be expected of a regularly employed counselor. The 300-hour internship requires a minimum of 150 direct client contact hours and includes weekly individual and group supervision from a site and University supervisor. This course is offered in the following grade mode: Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: COUN 641B.

The opportunity to practice and provide a variety of counseling related activities that would normally be expected of a regularly employed counselor. The 300-hour internship requires a minimum of 150 direct client contact hours and includes weekly individual and group supervision from a site and University supervisor. This course is offered in the following grade mode: Pass/No Pass. Graduation Application Fee: $184. Prerequisite: COUN 641B.

The study of integration models and the application of these models to the practice of Christian counseling. Included is the basic assumptions of Christianity and psychology, the nature of the Christian experience and the direct application of the major teachings of the Bible to help relationships.

Psychopharmacology, including the biological bases of behavior, basic classifications, referral, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications. The study of appropriate uses of these medications as well as identification of their effects and side effects.

An investigation of the history, traditions and application of spiritual formation/direction. Emphasis on the knowledge and application of the spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, study, solitude, fasting, etc.; as well as the practice of directing the spiritual growth of others.

The history and philosophy of the marriage and family therapy movement, including roles and identity of marriage and family therapists, marriage and family systems and practice, ethical considerations and the training and credentialing of marriage and family therapists.

A thorough examination of the data generated by Dr. John Gottman's research that offers a scientifically-based glimpse into the anatomy of couple relationships. Explore the Gottman Sound Relationship House theory and how to achieve the three main goals of the Gottman Method: modify conflict, enhance friendship and create shared meaning. The acquisition of beginning therapeutic skills and tools to help couples build stronger, happier relationships. An investigation of how the Gottman Method integrates with the Christian world view.

The study of advanced therapeutic interventions using the Gottman Method. Investigate the different inventories used to assess a couple's friendship, conflict and shared meaning profile. A thorough examination of strategies to help couples who might have one of the five different co-morbidities that are associated with distressed couples. An investigation of how these advanced principles integrate with the Christian world view. Prerequisite: COUN 624.

An introduction to the field of play therapy for both graduate students and cllinical practitioners working with children, adolescents and adults. Emphasis on the history of play therapy, its primary theoretical models and general applications. This class provides credits that can be applied to instruction necessary to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).

Increase student awareness, knowledge and skills regarding a broad range of issues in the field of counseling when addressing human sexuality issues. Students will develop competence and comfort exploring subjects and working with a diverse range of clients on topics to include the expression of human sexuality and intimacy across the lifespan, attitudes about sexuality, common problems of sexual functions and therapeutic interventions.

This course is for students not successfully completing COUN 641B or COUN 642B. This course is offered in the following grade mode: Pass/No Pass.

An individualized study agreed upon by the student and faculty member that allow the student to focus on a specific area of knowledge or service to a particular population. Integrates research, theory and practice with the Christian faith.