Graduate Catalog 2007-2008

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling

Program Purpose :: Emphasis in Elementary/Secondary School Counseling :: Emphasis in Professional Counseling :: Dual Emphasis in Professional and School Counseling :: Emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy :: Post-Graduate Certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy :: Admission :: Transfer Credit :: Academic Progress/Probation/Suspension :: Background Checks :: 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 Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and educational requirements for Licensed Marital & Family Therapists (LMFT). Each student in the program must choose to emphasize school and/or professional counseling, or professional and marriage and family counseling. The school, professional counseling and marriage and family counseling emphases share many components but maintain different requirements to prepare students for certification as a school counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

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Emphasis in Elementary or Secondary School Counseling

The school counseling emphasis prepares students to become certified as school counselors. The program requires 48 hours of coursework. Students who do not have a valid Missouri teaching certificate must also complete two additional courses prior to certification.

Course requirements are the same for students seeking to become either elementary or secondary school counselors. The only exception occurs during Practica I and II. Certification in elementary school counseling requires that the practicum be completed in the elementary school environment. Certification in secondary school counseling requires that the practicum be completed in a secondary school environment. Persons wishing to be certified in K-12 must additionally take the Practicum III course in both an elementary setting and again in a secondary setting.

Upon completion of our program, students may apply for an elementary or secondary counselor's professional certificate from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), valid for a period of five (5) years. In addition, they must also receive a qualifying score on the PRAXIS II exam and submit a completed competency protfolio to Stephens College to be eligible for certification.

Course List (as of April 2007)

Core Courses (45 hours)

PSY 505G: The Counselor as a Professional

PSY 510G: Topics in Educational Psychology & Behavior Management

PSY 525G: Mulitcultural Issues in Counseling

PSY 530G: Foundations of School Counseling

PSY 540G: Assessment

PSY 545G: Advanced Human Development

PSY 555G: Psychological Diagnostics & Treatment Planning

PSY 563G: Family & Community (required for school counseling)

PSY 565G: Theories and Techniques of Counseling

PSY 570G: Career Development

PSY 575G: Group Procedures

PSY 580G: Counseling Practicum I

PSY 600G: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling

PSY 605G: Advanced Research Methods (prerequisite: MAT 207 or equivalent)

PSY 620G: Counseling Practicum II

Elective courses: Choose 1 or more (3 credit hours required)

PSY 515G: Client Management for Professional Counselors

PSY 550G: Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychology (Add starting Fall 2007)

PSY 560G:  Topics  in Counseling Psychology

PSY 625G: Creative Therapies and Special Populations

MFT 510G: Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy

MFT 520G: Family Life Cycle

*Students must complete a 300-hour practicum in the school setting that corresponds with the certification they are seeking (K-8, 7-12).

Additional courses required for students without a valid Missouri Teaching Certificate:

EDU 276G: Foundations of the Teaching-Learning Process

EDU 363D: Education and Psychology of the Exceptional Child

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Emphasis in Professional Counseling

The professional counseling program is designed to meet the educational requirements of the Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors. Students are required to complete 42 hours of coursework and six hours in a practicum setting. (These requirements are subject to change based on revisions in licensure requirements.)  Graduates of the program are prepared to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE).

Course List (April 2007)

Core Courses (39 credit hours)

PSY 505G: The Counselor as a Professional

PSY 515G: Client Management for Professional Counselors

PSY 540G: Assessment

PSY 545G: Advanced Human Development

PSY 555G: Psychological Diagnostics & Treatment Planning

PSY 565G: Theories and Techniques of Counseling

PSY 570G: Career Development

PSY 575G: Group Procedures

PSY 580G: Counseling Practicum I

PSY 600G: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling

PSY 605G: Advanced Research Methods (prerequisite: MAT 207 or equivalent)

PSY 620G: Counseling Practicum II

PSY 525G: Multicultural Issues in Counseling

Elective Courses: choose 3 or more (9 credit hours required)

PSY 550G: Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychology (Add starting spring 2008)

PSY 560G: Topics  in Counseling Psychology

PSY 563G: Family & Community

PSY 625G: Creative Therapies and Special Populations

MFT 510G: Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy

MFT 520G: Family Life Cycle

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Emphasis in Professional Counseling and School Counseling

The completion of emphases in both professional counseling and school counseling allows students to work in both settings.  The required courses are the same as those required for the emphasis in Elementary or Secondary School Counseling, including the practica.  The College recommends that those interested in the dual track also complete an additional course (PSY 515G Client Management for Professional Counselors), although it is not required.  Students may choose to take a second practicum in an agency setting or divide their practicum between school and agency settings.  At least 300 practicum hours must be completed in a school setting in order to qualify for school certification.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take both the National Counselor Examination and the School Counselor state certification examination (Praxis II).  (These requirements are subject to change based on revisions to licensure requirements.)  For specific questions regarding the dual program, please contact the Director of the Master of Education in Counseling (M.Ed.) program or the Division of Graduate & Continuing Studies (GCS).

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Emphasis in Professional Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy

This program is designed to meet the educational requirements of the Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors and the Missouri Committee for Marital & Family Therapists. Requirements includes 51 hours of coursework and nine hours of practicum in an agency setting.  Graduates of this program are prepared to take licensure exams for both disciplines and proceed with licensure requirements in the state of Missouri.  (Requirements are subject to change based on revisions to state license requirements.)

Course List

Core Courses (36 credit hours)

PSY 505G: The Counselor as a Professional

PSY/MFT 515G: Client Management for Professional Counselors

PSY 540G: Assessment

PSY 545G: Advanced Human Development

PSY 555G: Psychological Diagnostics & Treatment Planning

PSY 565G: Theories and Techniques of Counseling

PSY 570G: Career Development

PSY 575G: Group Procedures

PSY/MFT 580G: Counseling Practicum I

PSY 605G: Advanced Research Methods (prerequisite: MAT 207 or equivalent)

PSY/MFT 620G: Counseling Practicum II

PSY 525G: Multicultural Issues in Counseling

Elective Courses All required for MFT emphasis (21 credit hours)

MFT 500G: Foundations of Marriage & Family Therapy

MFT 510G: Theories and Techniques of Marriage & Family Therapy

MFT 520G: Family Life Cycle

MFT 600G: Ethical and Legal Issues in MFT

MFT 610G: Advanced Couples Therapy

MFT 615G: Advanced Family Therapy

MFT 620G: Counseling III*

              *Rule requires 500 hours of direct client contact for practicum

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Post-Graduate Certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy

Students with a master's degree in counseling and/or Licensed Professional Counselors who wish to obtain a post-graduate certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy must complete the following classes:

PSY 545G: Advanced Human Development

MFT 500G: Foundations of Marriage & Family Therapy

MFT 510G: Theories and Techniques of Marriage & Family Therapy

MFT 520G: Family Life Cycle

PSY 605G: Advanced Research Methods (prerequisite: MAT 207 or equivalent)

MFT 615G: Advanced Family Therapy

MFT 580G: Counseling Practicum I

PSY/MFT 600G: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling

MFT 610G: Advanced Couples Therapy   

MFT 620G: Counseling Practicum II

MFT 620G: Counseling III*

              *Rule requires 500 hours of direct client contact for practicum

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Admission

Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed by the Director of the M.Ed. in Counseling program in consultation with a committee of graduate program faculty. (See the GCS academic calendar for application priority deadlines.) Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework  and nine hours of social science coursework to gain admission into the program. Admission is based on a combination of undergraduate GPA, Statement of Purpose, recommendation letters (Graduate Degree Reference forms), on-campus interview and TOEFL score, if applicable.

Students applying for admission to the M.Ed. in Counseling program must also complete a criminal record check at their own expense through the Family Safety Care Registry (FSCR). Graduate & Continuing Studies will verify registration with the FSCR and review each student's registry status prior to admission and again prior to the student's placement into the first counseling practicum. This investigation meets statutory requirements and insures that students have not previously committed violent crimes against persons.

Admission may be offered at full or probationary levels.  To move to full acceptance, probationary students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first two counseling courses.  If a 3.0 GPA is not achieved, students must meet with their academic advisor to discuss a probationary plan.

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Transfer Credit
Graduate students may transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of equivalent graduate credit toward core coursework required in the Stephens Master of Education (M. Ed.) in Counseling program. These graduate credits can be earned prior to admission to Stephens College or, upon approval of the Counseling Program Director, after admission to Stephens College. The total amount of graduate transfer credit cannot exceed nine semester hours.

Effective 02/12/2008:
Students who have already earned an advanced degree and wish to pursue an M.Ed. in Counseling may transfer up to 24 credit hours of applicable coursework toward a second master's degree. All practicum coursework must be completed through Stephens College. If the student is pursuing an emphasis in school counseling, PSY530G:  Foundations of School Counseling or its equivalent must be completed at an accredited institution within the state of Missouri. Official transcripts must be submitted and reviewed by the Counseling Program Director to determine acceptable courses for transfer credit.

In no case will a student be granted more than 24 hours of transfer credit toward the M. Ed. in Counseling degree.

Academic Progress/Probation/Suspension

Students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA from their first course until they enroll in Practicum I. Practicum I must be completed with a 3.0 (B) or better in the course. If this does not occur, the student must retake Practicum I and earn a 3.0 (B) or better in the course or he/she will be removed from the program.

After the competition of Practicum I, the director of the counseling program will evaluate the student's readiness for Practicum II. This will be done via an evaluation from the Practicum I supervisor, the student's field supervisor, the academic advisor, the student's self-evaluation, and the student's professional conduct based on the American School Counselor Association and American Counseling Associations Codes of Conduct.

Students who receive a favorable evaluation may continue in the counseling program. The student must maintain a 3.0 (B) or better in every course. If this does not occur, the student must retake the course until a 3.0 is obtained or may be removed from the program.

Students who do not receive a favorable recommendation may be asked to leave the program, retake Practicum I and improve their skills, or other steps as deemed necessary by the director of the counseling program. Students will be revaluated after completion of required steps. Students who do not take the steps prescribed by the counseling program director and/or faculty or receive a second unfavorable evaluation will be removed from the program.

Background Checks (Effective 01/01/2008)

Students applying for admission to the M.Ed. in Counseling program must also complete a criminal record check at their own expense through the Family Safety Care Registry (FSCR). Graduate & Continuing Studies will verify registration with the FSCR and review each student's registry status prior to admission and again prior to the student's placement into the first counseling practicum. This investigation meets statutory requirements and insures that students have not previously committed violent crimes against persons.

Students also must meet all requirements of those agencies where Stephens College participates in clinical experiences. If the results of the criminal records background check reveal a record or conviction, guilty pleas or nolo contendere pleas involving Class A or Class B felonies as listed under Missouri law, the student cannot participate in counseling practica or internships.

Graduation Requirements

To receive the Master of Education degree, students must complete school, marriage & family therapy and/or professional counseling course requirements, maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in the program courses, and receive approval of their Practicum II supervisor and/or the director of the counseling program.  This approval is subject to students understanding and compying with all ethic requirements as set forth by the American School Counselor Association, AAMFT and/or the American Counseling Association.  For questions or additional information, please contact the program director.

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Evaluation of the M.Ed. Program

The Master of Education in 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 M.Ed. program in a self-study. The self-study will provide basic information on the nature of the program and an assessment of its strengths and weaknesses, and it will utilize evaluations completed by students at the conclusion of each course. Graduates of the M.Ed. 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.)

MFT 500G: Foundations of Marriage & Family Therapy

This course presents the historical development of the marriage and family therapy profession. It includes an overview of the major theoretical influences and an in-depth examination of the family systems paradigm.

PSY 505G: The Counselor as Professional
The helping relationship will be reviewed in the context of individual skill training as well as the 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 510G: Topics in Educational Psychology and Behavioral Management

(School Counselors)
This course will focus on increasing the understanding of the application of educational psychology principles, specifically the behavioral management aspects of those principles. This course requires students to conduct a thorough literature search on a selected topic for a future research project.

MFT 510G: Theories and Techniques of Marriage & Family Therapy

(LPC/MFT)

This course provides an in-depth orientation to the following theoretical approaches to family therapy: Psychodynamic, Bowenian, experiential, cognitive-behavioral, structural, strategic, and systemic.

PSY 515G: Client Management for Professional Counselors
This course is designed to provide the advanced student with in-depth information and experiential practice with a wide range of issues related to management of client treatment in a variety of clinical settings. Topics include: psychopharmacology, treatment planning, diagnostics, practice management, crisis and risk management. This course also requires students to conduct a thorough literature search on a selected topic for a future research project.

MFT 520G: Family Life Cycle

This course introduces a developmental approach to working with families and couples.  It includes an examination of the physical, mental, and social changes that impact individual and family functioning, focusing on developmental crises and cultural influences.

PSY 525G: Multicultural Issues in Counseling
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.

PSY 530G: Foundations of Counseling

(School counselors only)
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 545G: Advanced Human Development
This course covers human 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 550G: Child & Adolescent Therapies (added October 2007)

(Prerequisities:  PSY505G, PSY545G, PSY565G)
This course is designed to provide the advanced student with in-depth information about working with children and adolescents, including typical challenges encounterered in treatment situations.  Therapeutic approaches tailored to specific developmental levels and disorders 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. 

PSY 555G: Psychological Diagnostics & Treatment Planning
This course will include a survey of abnormal psychology including emphasis on childhood and adolescent abnormal behavior. Biological, psychological and sociological explanations, treatment of the abnormal behavior will be discussed and applied using the DSM - IV TR criteria and a case study approached to diagnosing mental disorders.

PSY 563G: Family and Community

(School counselors)
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.

PSY 565G: Theories and Techniques of Counseling
This course will focus on the principles, methods, theories and interventions used in counseling, guidance, prevention and psychotherapy. Major theories and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy will be studied, including: 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 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 groups are discussed. Coursework explores prominent group theories, processes and stages within a multicultural and developmental framework. Various structured and unstructured, psycho-educational, 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/MFT 580G: Counseling Practicum I
This course introduces 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 individual feedback to students regarding skill development is a critical component of the course. Students will complete 100 hours of experience in a counseling setting 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 a prerequisite to continuation in the program and a successful application for degree candidacy.

PSY 600G: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling

This course provides a comprehensive coverage of ethical codes and issues in psychological research and service, including: confidentiality, consent, deception, parentalism, voluntariness-coercion, exploitation, dual relationships, value conflicts and imposition. It also examines the history of and current interfaces between law and psychology to increase the understanding and value of behavioral science research findings and expertise in assisting the courts in rendering informed and just decisions.

MFT 600G: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling

This course provides a comprehensive coverage of ethical codes and issues in psychological research and service, including: confidentiality, consent, deception, parentalism, voluntariness-coercion, exploitation, dual relationships, value conflicts and imposition. It also examines the history of and current interfaces between law and psychology to increase the understanding and value of behavioral science research findings and expertise in assisting the courts in rendering informed and just decisions.

PSY 605G: Advanced Research Methods

Prerequisite:  MAT 207: Statistics or equivalent
Students design and carry out systematic and ethical research, perform electronic literature searches, read and scrutinize research articles, understand 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.

MFT 610G: Advanced Couples Therapy

Prerequisites: MFT 500, MFT 510, MFT 520

This course explores the human experience of the shared self in a coupled relationship. Theoretical concepts and techniques for working with committed couples focusing on issues of diversity, social and cultural mores, intimacy, trust, conflict resolution, and sexual dysfunctions are discussed. Emphasis is placed on assessment, intervention and treatment planning for relational and behavioral change.

MFT 615G: Advanced Family Therapy

Prerequisites MFT 500, MFT 510, MFT 520

This course includes advanced approaches to family therapy that integrate systemic concepts. Relevant issues in family functioning are addressed including family roles, boundaries, interactional and intergenerational patterns, violence, addiction, and social and cultural contexts. Emphasis is on assessment, intervention and treatment planning for systemic change.

PSY 620G/MFT 620G: 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 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 are completed in an elementary setting and 3 hours are completed in a secondary setting).

MFT 620GB: Counseling Practicum III
The focus of this practicum is the continued skill development in the broad range of roles required of the marriage and family therapist.  Included in the practicum are supervised practice, videotape review and individual feedback to the counselor-in-training. Students will complete 200 hours of experience in a counseling setting 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.

PSY 625G: Creative Therapies and Special Populations

The course is designed to provide the advanced student with 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.

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Faculty

Linda Taylor, Ph.D. , Psychology Department Chair, Master of Education in Counseling Program Director. Ph.D., St. Louis University, 1998; M.A., University of Missouri - Kansas City, 1986; B.A., Northeast Missouri State University, 1982. Dr. Taylor has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri since 1990. With an emphasis on system change and program development, she has worked in the public and private sectors of mental health for more than 25 years. She has published articles on adolescent psychology and the effects of father absence on psychosocial development.

Deanna S. Pledge, Ph.D. brings her expertise in child, adolescent and family counseling to the graduate faculty. A Licensed Psychologist and a Licensed Professional Counselor, Dr. Pledge writes and maintains a private practice in addition to her teaching responsibilities. She has published articles in psychology journals, reference sources such as ERIC Digest , text and trade books.

Chris Lawrence, Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996, Licensed Psychologist, 1995. Dr. Lawrence has 15 years of experience as a director in substance abuse treatment and has maintained a private practice for five years, working with children, adolescents and adults. Her specialites and interests include substance abuse, trauma and adolescent issues.

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