Counseling (M.A.)
Faculty
Description
Requirements
Course Descriptions
Faculty
Mary Langan, Assistant Professor of Counseling, Chair
Cynthia Greer, Associate Professor of Counseling
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Description
The Program in Counseling offers a Master of Arts degree (M.A.) in
counseling with a specialization in school counseling that prepares individuals for careers
as counselors in elementary and secondary schools. The program,
requires a minimum of 48 credits, is state approved and meets certification requirements of the
District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Students seeking school counselor certification in
other states should consult the appropriate certification offices in
those jurisdictions. The program consists of required courses, laboratory and field experiences, and
a comprehensive exam. Before completion of the program, students must
provide evidence of previous or current teaching experience. The student's program is planned in consultation
with a faculty advisor; prior experiences and professional goals are
considered.
Learning experiences emphasize the integration of theoretical
knowledge with professional practice in a supervised setting. Attention
is given to understanding ethical, multicultural, socioeconomic, and
developmental issues. Graduates from Trinity's counseling degree
programs are qualified to provide individual and group counseling;
implement assessment and consultation services; and develop, direct, and
evaluate comprehensive counseling services.
Note: Trinity's programs in community counseling and student
development in higher education are no longer accepting new students.
Current students in those programs should refer to the College
Catalog under which they matriculated.
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Requirements
Required Courses (39 credits)
ALL of the following courses:
COUN 538 Career and Lifestyle Development
COUN 540 Principles and Theories of Counseling
COUN 544 Principles and Techniques of Assessment
COUN 547 Counseling and the Group Process
COUN 550 Multicultural Counseling
COUN 555 Counseling Children and Adolescents
COUN 560 Techniques of Counseling
COUN 561 Principles and Practices of School Counseling
COUN 570 Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling
COUN 605 Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues
EDCC 510 Human Growth and Development
EDCC 530 Education of Exceptional Children and Youth
EDCC 600 Research in Education
Field Experience (9 credits)
ALL of the following courses:
COUN 631 Practicum in School Counseling
COUN 640 Internship in School Counseling I
COUN 642 Internship in School Counseling II
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Course Descriptions
COUN 538 Career and Lifestyle Development
Examines theories of career development through the life span. Topics
include: employment trends, career exploration and decision making,
lifestyle planning, placement and career counseling programs, clients at
different developmental levels in a variety of settings, and strategies
that address the needs of a culturally diverse population. Students
obtain hands-on experience with computer-based and other career
assessment tools and sources of occupational and educational
information.
3 credits
COUN 540 Principles and Theories of Counseling
Examines the history, philosophy, practices, and principles of the
counseling profession, including the professional roles and functions
and the application to various settings, populations, and problems.
Topics include current issues and trends, advocacy, ethical and legal
standards, professional organizations, credentialing, and technological
advances in counseling. Reviews the major affective, cognitive, and
behavioral theories of counseling and psychotherapy, including
historical foundations and applications. Current models of counseling
are reviewed and students begin to develop a personal model of
counseling. .
3 credits
COUN 544 Principles and Techniques of Assessment
Examines purposes, concepts, procedures, and techniques of educational,
vocational, and psychological assessment. Emphasis is on the integration
of assessment information into the counseling and placement processes
ethical and legal considerations and use of tests with special needs and
culturally diverse populations. Basic principles of measurement,
statistical concepts, and practice in selection, administration,
scoring, and interpretation of tests are examined.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560
COUN 547 Counseling and the Group Process
Reviews theories, research, and techniques of group guidance counseling
and psychotherapy involving both didactic and experiential learning
modes. Application of theory to practice in school, work, mental health,
and other counseling settings with varied client populations is
stressed. Laboratory sessions provide opportunities for group
participation and co-leading under faculty supervision. Open only to
students pursuing an M.A. in counseling.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560
COUN 550 Multicultural Counseling
Explores practical and theoretical issues of counseling individuals,
couples, groups, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Emphasis is on development of attitudes, values, and skills which
promote effective interpersonal relations and counseling across
cultures. Consideration is given to the impact of historical, social,
and political forces on the behavior of the individual.
3 credits
COUN 555 Counseling Children and Adolescents
Examines the theories and methods of counseling interventions with
children and adolescents, with emphasis on systems theories and the
impact of family, school, and community. Topics include analyzing and
remediating classroom-related problems, recognizing serious disorders in
early stages, consulting with professional staff and families, play
therapy, parent education strategies, and community referral.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560
COUN 560 Techniques of Counseling
Provides an introduction to specific counseling skills used by the various
counseling models across the major theoretical orientations, including crisis
intervention. Emphasized will be the skills and techniques that a counselor
uses to establish, maintain, and terminate therapeutic relationships. Student
self-awareness, values, and personal/social development are examined. Practice
is gained through role-play and video/audio taping.
3 creditsCOUN 561 Principles and Practices of School Counseling
Examines the philosophy, history, principles, practices, and current trends
of school counseling and educational systems. Topics include the role and
functions of school counselors; organizing, administering, and evaluating
programs; advocacy; outreach; prevention, intervention and postvention; guidance
approaches; consultation; technological competence; and National Standards
for School Counseling Programs.
3 credits
Prerequisite: COUN 540
COUN 570 Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling
Examines theoretical and cultural perspectives, research, etiology,
diagnosis, treatment, referral process and presentation of types of
maladjustments, and mental health disorders. Topics include assessment
using current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) diagnostic
categories, implementation of appropriate therapeutic strategies,
psychopharmacological medications, strategies for promotion of optimal
mental health, and situational and systemic factors affecting behavior.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560
COUN 605 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues
Examines ethical and legal issues in counseling. Codes of ethics,
confidentiality, and legal considerations are explored. Emphasis is on professional orientation, responsibility, and ethical decision-making.
Professional credentialing and current professional issues are also
studied.
3 credits
Prerequisite: 12 credits in school counseling program
DCC 510 Human Growth and Development
Reviews theory and research in human growth and development over the life
span. Emphasis is given to the interdisciplinary nature of human development,
particularly the relationships among the biological, cognitive, social and
psychological domains. Critical life events and their adjustments
from the prenatal period through adulthood are discussed, stressing the
interaction between the developing person and a continually changing world.
3 credits
EDCC 530 Education of Exceptional Children and Youth
Surveys major areas of exceptionality and legislated standards for special
education and related services for students with special needs. Topics
include inclusive education and collaboration between special educators,
regular educators, related service providers, volunteers and parents.
Individual Education Programs (IEP) are examined in relation to students'
needs and learning styles.
3 credits
EDCC 600 Research in Education
Examines qualitative and quantitative educational research methodologies.
Students learn to read, analyze and interpret the current literature in
teaching and learning. Topics include: defining the research process,
writing a review of the literature, exploring methods of gathering quantitative
and qualitative data, developing a research design and examining ethical
issues related to the research process.
3 credits
COUN 631 Practicum in School Counseling
Provides 100 hours of supervised practicum experience in guidance and counseling
with individuals and groups in elementary, middle, and secondary schools.
Emphasis is on interpersonal and professional effectiveness, application
of appropriate counseling techniques, observation, consultation, ethical
and legal issues, and performance of the duties of a school counselor. On-site,
classroom, individual, and group supervisory hours are required.
3 credits FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS ONLY
Prerequisites: Completion of core courses. Application must be made
one semester prior to enrollment.
COUN 640 Internship in School Counseling I
Requires students to work in a K-12 school setting under the supervision
of both a college faculty member and a professionally credentialed practitioner
in the field. Opportunities exist to apply learning and to develop skills
and competencies through practical experience. On-site, classroom, individual,
and group supervisory hours are required. Students must complete 300 hours
of field experience for three credits in Part I of this course. Students
must take Part I and Part II of the Internship, totaling 600 hours of supervised
internship experience in the field.
3 credits FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS ONLY
Prerequisites: Completion of core courses and COUN 631. Application must
be made one semester prior to enrollment.
COUN 642 Internship in School Counseling II
Requires students to work in a K-12 school setting under the supervision
of both a college faculty member and a professionally credentialed practitioner
in the field. Opportunities exist to apply learning and to develop
skills and competencies through practical experience. On-site, classroom,
individual and group supervisory hours are required. Students must
complete 300 hours of field experience for three credits in Part II of this
course. Students must take both Part I and Part II of the Internship,
totaling 600 hours of supervised internship experience in the field
3 credits FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS ONLY
Prerequisites: Completion of core courses, COUN 631 and COUN 640.
Application must be made one semester prior to enrollment.
COUN 697 Directed Research
Provides students the opportunity to pursue or continue a research
project under the direction of a faculty member. Students continuing a
practicum or internship should register for one
credit for each subsequent semester until the project is completed.
1-3 credits
Prerequisites: Advisor's written approval and approval of the Dean
COUN 699 Independent Study
Provides students with the opportunity to carry out individualized
projects related to the student's program of study under the supervision
of a faculty advisor. The student and instructor must complete an
independent study agreement form. Students who plan to take a required
course in the independent study format should indicate the number
of the appropriate course on the completed and signed independent study
agreement form.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Advisor's written approval and approval of the Dean
Electives
COUN 553 Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Examines various approaches to treating alcohol and substance abuse,
factors which increase susceptibility, models of therapeutic
intervening, referral sources, and educational and preventative
strategies.
3 credits
Prerequisite: COUN 540
COUN 557 Introduction to Family Counseling
Explores research and techniques of family systems theory as a framework for understanding family dynamics and the methods of intervention in family therapy.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560
COUN 604 Expressive Arts in Counseling
Examines the theoretical foundation of expressive and creative therapies
and their practical application in the counseling of individuals and
groups. Students will be introduced to the study and practice of working
with art, dreams, journaling, music, movement, poetry, psychodrama, and
play therapy as counseling approaches. Both didactic and experiential
learning experiences are provided.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540, COUN 547, and COUN 560
COUN 606 Loss and Bereavement Counseling
Explores models of coping for individuals in transition due to loss and
bereavement. Topics include the grieving process, attitudes towards
death, care of the terminally ill, ethical issues related to death and
dying, and clinical issues in working with the bereaved. Emphasis is on
seeing loss and death as natural functions of life and on teaching
individuals to deal with critical life events.
3 credits
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