Graduate Catalog 2005-2006

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling

Program Purpose :: Program Objectives :: Admission :: Graduation Requirements :: Evaluation :: Course Descriptions :: Faculty

Program Purpose

The Master of Education in Counseling Program trains students to become school and/or professional counselors. The program has been approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for state school counselor certification. It also meets the Missouri educational requirements for the Licensure of Professional Counselors (LPC). Each student in the program must choose to emphasize school or agency counseling, or both. The school and agency emphases share many components but maintain different requirements to prepare students for the duties of a school counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

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Students who graduate from this program will be able to analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply their learning in a professional setting. The research and theory base of this program will encourage students to engage in ongoing analysis of their work with others and to modify approaches to more effectively meet their needs and reach their goals. Counselors will be able to effectively communicate their intentions and ideas through oral and written communication in presentations, workshops, and research papers. Programs designed by the counselors will reflect their knowledge of human development, individual and group analysis, and psychological theories.

Emphasis in Elementary or Secondary School Counseling

The school counseling emphasis prepares students who seek certification as school counselors. The program requires 45 hours of coursework. Students who do not have a bachelor's degree in education must also complete two additional courses (see course descriptions below; 51 hours total). Similar course requirements apply to those wishing to be certified as elementary or secondary school counselors. The only exception occurs during Practicum II. Certification in secondary school counseling requires that Practicum II be completed in a secondary school environment. Certification in elementary school counseling requires that Practicum II be completed in the elementary school environment. Persons wishing to be K-12 certified must take the Practicum II course twice, once in an elementary setting and once in a secondary setting.

Upon completion of our program, a student may apply for an elementary or secondary counselor's professional certificate, valid for a period of five (5) years. DESE also requires that the student receive a qualifying score on the PRAXIS exam to be eligible for certification.

Required Courses for Missouri Elementary/Secondary School Counseling Emphasis:

The table below lists the DESE requirements for school counselor certification and identifies the Stephens College courses that meet the indicated DESE requirements.

Emphasis in elementary or secondary school counseling program sequence:

PSY 530G Foundations of Counseling

PSY 505G The Counselor as a Professiona

PSY 565G Theories and Techniques of Counseling

PSY 555G Abnormal Psychology

PSY 545G Advance Human Development

PSY 570G Careen Development

PSY 540G Assessment

PSY 510G Topics in Educational Psychology and Behavior Management

PSY 563G Family and Communit

PSY 605G Advanced Research Methods (prerequisite of MAT207 or previous undergrad or graduate introduciton to statistics course)

PSY 575G Group Procedures

PSY 600G Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling

PSY 525G Multicultural Issues in Counseling

PSY 580G Counseling Practicum I

PSY 620G Counseling Practicum II*

*Student must complete 300 hours of practicum in a school setting that corresponds with the certification they are seeking (K-7, K-8, K12 or Secondary)

Upon completion of coursework, the student takes the Praxis II exam and is then able to apply for certification as a school counselor.

Additional courses for those without teaching experience (required for school certification):

EDU 276G Foundations of the Teaching-Learning Process (Fall 1)
EDU 363D Education and Psychology of the Exceptional Child (Spring 1)

Emphasis in elementary or secondary school counseling program schedule by semesters:

Fall
PSY 530G Foundations of Counseling
PSY 505G The Counselor as a Professional

PSY 565G Theories and Techniques of Counseling
PSY 580G Counseling Practicum I

PSY 510G Topics in Educational Psychology and Behavior Management
PSY 563G Family and Community

Spring
PSY 555G Abnormal Psychology
PSY 545G Advanced Human Development

PSY 605G Advanced Research Methods (prerequisite of MAT207 or previous undergrad or graduate introduction to statistics course)
PSY 575G Group Procedures

PSY 540G Assessment

PSY 620G Counseling Practicum II*

Summer
PSY 570G Career Development
PSY600G Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling

PSY525G Multicultural Issues in Counseling

Emphasis in Agency Counseling

The table below lists the Missouri State Committee for Professional Counselors educational Requirements and the corresponding Stephens College courses:

Emphasis in agency counseling typical program sequence:

PSY 530G Foundations of Counseling

PSY 505G The Counselor as a Professional

PSY 565G Theories and Techniques of Counseling

PSY 555G Abnormal Psychology

PSY 545G Advanced Human Development

PSY 570G Career Development

PSY 540G Assessment

PSY 610G Client Management

PSY 563G Family and Community

PSY 605G Advanced Research Methods (prerequisite of MAT207 or previous undergrad or graduate introduction to statistics course)

PSY 575G Group Procedures

PSY 600G Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling

PSY 525G Readings on Multicultural Issues

PSY 625G: Creative Therapies and Special Populations

PSY 580G Counseling Practicum I

PSY 620G: Counseling Practicum II

Requirements for Professional Counseling Emphasis
(graduate program meets educational requirements to obtain Missouri License as a Professional Counselor)

Students specializing in Professional Counseling will take 48 credit hours including 6 hours of practicum. The Missouri licensure requirements specify that all coursework must be classroom-based (independent study and electronic/correspondence coursework is not acceptable). After completing the Master's degree requirements, the LPC candidate must complete 3000 hours of supervised post-degree training or experience in counseling at an agency under the supervision of a licensed counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. The LPC candidate will be eligible for state examination upon completion of the academic requirements, and may be eligible to obtain provisional licensure following successful completion of the state examination.

A student who completes the 48-hour agency counseling requirements and who completes Practicum II in a school setting is also eligible to apply for Missouri State Certification as a school counselor. The type of certification (elementary or secondary) that the student is eligible for will depend on the setting of the Practicum II placement.

The counseling program is designed to meet the requirements of the Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors. A student is prepared to take the licensure exam at the end of the program and proceed with equirements for licensure in Missouri.

Graduate 48-hour counseling program sequence by semesters:

Fall

PSY 530G Foundations of Counseling

PSY 505G The Counselor as a Professional

PSY 565G Theories and Techniques of Counseling
PSY 580G Counseling Practicum I

PSY 610G Client Management

PSY 563G Family and Community

Spring

PSY 545G Advanced Human Development: Cross-Cultural

PSY 605G Advanced Research Methods
PSY 575G Group Procedures

PSY 540G Assessment and Prescription for Counselor

PSY 555G Abnormal Psychology

PSY 620G Counseling Practicum II

Summer
PSY 570G Career Development

PSY 525G Readings on Multicultural Issues
PSY600G Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling

PSY625G Creative Therapies and Special Populations

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Admission

Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed by the Graduate Counseling Program director in consultation with a committee of graduate program faculty. See the GCS calendar for application deadlines. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree to gain entry into the Counseling Program. Admission is based on a combination of grade point average for undergraduate coursework, statement and evaluation of goals, recommendation letters (graduate degree candidate referece forms), on-campus interview and where appropriate, TOEFL score.

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Graduation Requirements

In order to receive the Master of Education degree, students must complete school and/or agency counseling course requirements and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher in the program courses.

A student may apply for graduate candidacy for the degree after completing Practicum I with a 3.0 cumulative G.P.A. Submitting a self evaluation and a recommendatifrom aWhen an application for candidacy has been received, the Educational Counseling Faculty will evaluate each student's application for candidacy using the following criteria: (a) a successful evaluation from the student's Practicum I instructor with at least a B (3.0) for that course, (b) a cumulative GPA of at least a B (3.0) for the first 15 credits, (c) the student's written self-evaluation and (d) the student's professional conduct during the program as outlined in the Ethical Standards of the American School Counselor Association and the American Counseling Association.

If a student does not receive a favorable evaluation, that student may be awarded "Provisional Acceptance" to candidacy at which time the necessary remedial steps toward improvement will be specified by the Educational Counseling Faculty. The student then will be reevaluated after an appropriate period of time. If the student fails to take the remedial steps or receives an unfavorable evaluation for the second time, that student will be dropped from the program. If the M.Ed. student receives a favorable evaluation, and is admitted to candidacy, the student must continue to earn at least a B (3.0) in each successive course thereafter. If the student does not receive a grade of B (3.0) or above in a course, that student must repeat the course until receiving a grade of B or higher. In addition, students must maintain a B (3.0) or higher cumulative GPA.

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Evaluation

The Counseling Program, in concert with the DESE review, will conduct a formal internal review of the graduate program every five years. A review committee composed of graduate faculty members and student representatives will conduct the reviews. This committee will utilize information prepared by the Educational Counseling programs in a self-study. The self-study will provide basic information on the nature of the Counseling Program, an assessment of its strengths and weaknesses, and it will utilize evaluations completed by students at the conclusion of each course. Graduates of the Counseling Program also will complete an evaluation of the program. DESE will conduct an external review every five years, which is necessary for continuation of certification.

Student outcomes are assessed using program objectives as a guiding framework. A portfolio of student work will be maintained by the program. Periodic meetings between students and advisers will provide feedback about student and program performance.

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Course Descriptions

EDU 464G/EDU 363D: Education and Psychology of the Exceptional Child
Students will be introduced to the biological, psychological and educational characteristics of children identified by federal laws for special consideration in public education. The categories covered are : mental retardation, learning disabilities, behavior disorders/emotional disturbance, speech and language disorders, hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical disabilities and giftedness. (This course is needed for certification only by students who do not possess a bachelor's degree in education).

EDU 465G/EDU 276: Foundations of the Teaching-Learning Process
This course is designed to integrate theory and practice for the professional and pre-professional teacher and/or school specialist. Guidance skills, understanding behavior, appropriate educational objectives and teaching methods are emphasized. The historical, philosophical, sociological and legal foundations of education are included in the course. (This course is needed for certification only by students who do not possess a bachelor's degree in education).

PSY 545G: Advanced Human Development:
This course covers development from birth to death. It includes the theories of development and information on physical, social, emotional and cognitive development, within a multicultural context. Students have an opportunity to apply, analyze and synthesize theories and developmental characteristics of children, adolescents and adults. Topics cover a variety of issues and developmental needs that frequently confront the counselor in school and agency settings.

PSY 510G: Topics in Educational Psychology and Behavioral Management
This course will focus on increasing the understanding of the application of principles of educational psychology. Specifically, this course will address the behavioral management aspects of those principles. This course will also emphasize doing a thorough literature search on a selected topic for a future research project.

EDU/PSY 535G: Special Topics in Psychology and Education
An in-depth study of topics that are not covered in other education or psychology graduate courses. This course will focus on current topics and issues relevant to the existing needs of the student's potential employer

PSY563G: Family & Community
The role of the counselor is examined in the context of family functioning as it relates to the school, community and ethnic or multicultural factors. Students will develop and evaluate effective methods and theories to enhance family functioning by identifying and assessing community resources available to support family needs. Students will design crisis plans and psycho-educational programs to facilitate family functioning.

PSY505G: The Counselor as Professional
The helping relationship will be reviewed in the context of individual skill training and theoretical and empirical foundations of the therapeutic relationship. The main goals are to expand the student's understanding of specific problem areas and effective interventions to help clients achieve change. Ethical and professional standards will also be reviewed.

PSY 525G: Readings in Multicultural Issues
This course includes discussion of multicultural issues and pluralistic trends as they impact the individual and the counseling relationship. The interactions of culture, aging, ethnicity, race, gender and social class are studied and discussed primarily as they relate to the counseling relationship. Prominent theories of racial and ethnic identity development are studied to enhance cultural awareness and respect for human diversity. This course explores significant considerations for counseling a diversity of individuals. (This course is only required for students who are completing the educational requirements for the LPC).

PSY 530G: Foundations of Counseling
This course assists counselors-in-training in understanding the role of guidance in the broad scope of the youth's milieu. Familiarity with the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Program is emphasized. The counseling process includes a lifespan and multicultural approach.

PSY 540G: Assessment
Students gain knowledge of the available educational- and counseling-related assessments and standardized tests. Students study psychometric properties of assessment instruments and learn how to critique standardized tests for their applicability. Students explore several types of psychometric instruments measuring various educational, personality and counseling-related constructs. Students learn to perform thorough assessments of an individual, interpret the results and write a concise educational report based on the results. A major focus of this course is on the practical and ethical administration of assessments and integration of assessments for use in planning educational and counseling interventions. Standardized tests, observations, interviews, self-rating scales and other techniques are studied.

PSY 555G: Abnormal Psychology
This course will include a survey of abnormal psychology including emphasis on childhood and adolescent abnormal behavior. Biological, psychological and sociological explanations and treatment of the abnormal behavior will be discussed and applied using the DSM - IV TR criteria.

PSY 565G: Theories and Techniques of Counseling
This course will focus on the principles, methods, theories and nterventions used in counseling, guidance, prevention and psychotherapy. Major theories and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy will be studied. These include: rational-emotive behavior therapy, behavioral therapy, client-centered counseling, psychodynamic theory, reality therapy, play therapy, adlerian therapy, gestalt therapy, existential counseling and cognitive therapy. Ethnic issues as related to counseling and the development of a therapeutic relationship are discussed. The focus is on developing an eclectic approach to counseling.

PSY 570G: Career Development This course will focus on the study and application of theory, procedures and techniques of career counseling. A focus will be on assessment instruments used in career counseling and on education and career information used in the practice of career counseling. Career identification and decision-making will be emphasized.

PSY 575G: Group Procedures
This course includes an emphasis on the practical application of skills necessary to facilitate educational guidance and counseling groups. Instruments for measuring the process, outcomes and institutional need for group are discussed. Coursework explores prominent grouptheories, processes and stages within a multicultural and developmental framework. Various structured and unstructured, psychoeducational, guidance, prevention outreach and counseling groups are studied. After training, a practice component is included wherein students design and lead actual groups and generate group manuals for future use.

PSY 580G: Counseling Practicum I
An introduction of the counselor-in-training to the various roles of the professional through a combination of theory and supervised practice, with specific focus on direct counseling skills. Videotape review and ndividual feedback to students regarding skill development is a critical component of the course. Students will complete 100 hours of experience in a counseling setting (30 hours must be spent in direct contact with clients) while under supervision by an instructor and an on-site supervisor. A one-on-one, one-hour supervision meeting must be scheduled after every 10 hours of client contact. A passing grade in this course is prerequisite to continuation and a successful candidacy.

PSY 605G: Advanced Research Methods
Students design and carry out systematic and ethical research, perform electronic literature searches, read and scrutinize research articles, nderstand basic descriptive and inferential statistics, and apply statistical computer programs to analyze data collected. This course covers the major principles, methods, techniques and tools used in performing counseling and educational research. Students learn how to develop, write and present research manuscripts.

PSY 610G: Client Management
Students will be trained to administer, score and interpret the Weschler Individual Intelligence Tests: WWPI, WISC IV and WAIS-R. Students will be expected to administer these tests to individuals.

PSY620G: Counseling Practicum II
Continued skill development in the broad range of roles required of the professional counselor is the focus of this practicum, achieved through supervised practice, videotape review and individual feedback to the counselor-in-training. Students will complete 200 hours of experience in a counseling setting (80 hours must be spent in direct contact with clients) while under supervision by an instructor and an on-site supervisor. A one-on-one, one-hour supervision meeting must be scheduled after every 10 hours of client contact. Students seeking elementary school counselor certification must complete Practicum II in an elementary school setting. Students seeking secondary school counselor certification must complete Practicum II in a secondary school setting. Those students seeking K-12 certification must take the course for 6 credit hours (in which 3 hours is completed in an elementary setting and 3 hours is completed in a secondary setting).

PSY625G: Creative Therapies and Special Populations

The course is designed to provide the advanced student in-depth information about working with special populations, and typical challenges encountered in treatment situations. Therapeutic approaches tailored to specific disorders and populations will be reviewed. Students will use critical thinking skills to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment methods for specific presenting problems, based on individual, family, and cultural factors.

(This course is only required for students who are completing the educational requirements for the LPC).  

PSY 640G: Counseling Practicum III

Supervised practice as professional counselor is the focus of this practicum. Students will complete 300 hours of experience in a counseling setting (130 hours must be spent in direct contact with clients) while under supervision by an instructor and an on-site supervisor. A one-on-one, one-hour supervision meeting must be scheduled after every 10 hours of client contact. Supervision sessions may include videotaped review of sessions and individual feedback to the counselor-in-training. (This course is only required for students who are completing the educational requirements for the LPC).

PSY 695G: Project/Thesis
Students will synthesize all information and skills gained through the program. This course will be completed by the student under the direction of a faculty member within the program.

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Faculty

Linda Allen, Ph.D., BA, Northeast Missouri State 1982, MA in Counseling Psychology, UMKC 1986, Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, SLU 1998, Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri since 1990.

Deanna S. Pledge, Ph.D., 1996, M.A., 1990, B.S., 1983, University of Missouri-Columbia.

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