Courses MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Learners in this course examine theories of lifespan development and behavior from a counseling perspective. Learners describe effective approaches in counseling, evaluate its historical and philosophical relevance to current practice, and apply theories and practices to advocate for diverse clientele. ​​For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only. Must be taken during the first quarter by learners who have been admitted to the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling degree programs and the Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, and Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services graduate certificate programs. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 

This course provides an overview of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches to counseling research and program evaluation. Learners apply graduate-level approaches to research methodology for the counseling profession.  ​For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only.

Learners in this course examine the assessment process and how tests and measures are used in counseling. Learners also explore the evolution of assessment methods, testing strategies and interpretation, and fundamental measurement constructs.  ​For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only.

Learners in this course examine psychopathology principles, professional literature, and current issues associated with assessing mental disorders. Learners critically evaluate diagnostic models, methods, and approaches used in diagnosing and treating individuals, couples, and families. Learners also explore the current DSM classifications and diagnostic issues associated with multicultural populations. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services graduate certificate, MSW, and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): COUN5223 or SWK5013.

This course provides learners with fundamental knowledge of addiction from its historical roots through contemporary issues. Learners examine theory and research that guides treatment for substance use disorders and related addictive behaviors, including the diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring mental health issues. In addition, learners review empirically supported interventions for individuals, families, groups, and diverse populations, as well as emerging issues in the field based upon current research. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior graduate certificate, MSW, and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): COUN5223 or COUN5260 or SWK5013.

In this course, learners evaluate current legal and ethical guidelines used in the counseling profession. Learners apply decision-making models and formulate effective collaboration strategies used to resolve legal and ethical issues that arise when working with children, adults, couples, and families in a variety of treatment settings. Learners also analyze how personal belief systems can influence counselors’ responses to those issues. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, and BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services graduate certificate learners only. Prerequisite(s): BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling learners require special permission for registration and must have completed PSYC4700 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

This course is an introduction to current practices and trends in the clinical mental health counseling profession. Learners analyze the effects of current issues and public policy on the practice of clinical mental health counseling. Learners examine professional counselors’ roles in a variety of health service delivery modalities within the continuum of care. In addition, learners review models and strategies of professional consultation and supervision.

Learners in this course study sexuality within the broad context of human experience. Learners examine a systemic psychosexual approach to development across the lifespan and evaluate the functionality of sexual behavior in individuals, couples, and families. In addition, learners explore theory, assessment, treatments, and interventions for various issues associated with sexuality, as well as sexuality-related concerns of diverse populations. Throughout the course, learners are challenged to expand personal awareness of limitations and biases that could impact the therapeutic relationship.  ​For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only.

Learners assess crisis intervention and emergency management models and strategies used in the counseling field and develop the crisis intervention skills needed to provide counseling services in mental health settings in a timely, effective, and ethical manner. Learners also investigate related topics, including working with situational crises, assessing suicide and other risks, and supporting the implementation of emergency management plans.  ​For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only.

This course presents various theories of psychotherapy and their respective philosophical principles and assumptions. Learners evaluate the theoretical concepts and evidence-based practices of psychotherapy and examine appropriate application of theories and interventions to a diverse client population.  ​For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only.

This course presents major theories and research of adolescent and child development. Learners examine biological and psychosocial development factors and evaluate the influence of family, community, society, and trauma on development.  ​For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only.

Learners in this course study families as systems from theoretical, clinical, and research perspectives. The course emphasizes family development, transitions, assessment, and intervention, including consideration for diversity and sociocultural factors. Learners also apply systems-oriented assessment models and strategies for initial interviews, hypothesis formulation, and designing a strategy for intervention.  ​For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only.

In this course, learners develop foundational knowledge and skills applicable to career counseling and development. Learners analyze theoretical models of career development as they relate to client interests, aptitudes, personalities, traits, values, and work preferences. In addition, learners explore the ways in which social interests, family relationships, cultural facets, and developmental factors and circumstances resulting from life transitions relate to career development across the lifespan. Learners also discuss legal and ethical issues associated with career counseling practice. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, and BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling learners only. Prerequisite(s): BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling learners require special permission for registration and must have completed PSYC4700 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

In this course, learners engage with theory, research, and models that inform ethical and culturally competent counseling and social justice advocacy in a variety of settings. Learners analyze counseling theories and evidence-based practices that emphasize the relevance of multicultural counseling and advocacy roles of counselors. Throughout the course, learners investigate cultural assumptions, values, counselor credibility, prejudice, and racism within the counseling context. Learners identify their own overt and covert beliefs, and messages around cultural characteristics to determine how these experiences might influence the counseling process. In addition, learners gain an understanding of the role of the counselor and advocate in promoting social justice at multiple levels. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, and BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services graduate certificate learners only. Prerequisite(s): BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling learners require special permission for registration and must have completed PSYC4700 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

This course cultivates foundational concepts and relationship-building skills, while integrating introductory application of assessment, therapeutic interventions, and ethical and legal standards. Learners apply theories, methods, and practices of clinical mental health counseling. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services graduate certificate learners only. COUN-R5861 must be taken the quarter immediately following COUN5830. Prerequisite(s): COUN5217, COUN5223, COUN5239, COUN5336.

This course presents group theoretical models and developing interventions. Topics include types of groups, developmental aspects of group counseling, group dynamics and processes, group leadership and membership roles, ethical awareness in relation to groups. Learners continue to integrate mental health counseling theories and methods within clinical practice. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services graduate certificate learners only. COUN-R5863 must be taken the quarter immediately following COUN5832. Prerequisite(s): COUN5106, COUN5107, COUN5108, COUN5238, COUN-R5861. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners demonstrate proficiency in mental health counseling by applying learning from required courses to create a program evaluation proposal in which they examine a theory-based mental health application. Learners select appropriate research methods to assess client needs and evaluate outcomes in counseling interventions and programs. Learners also demonstrate their understanding of using ethical and culturally relevant strategies for conducting, interpreting, and reporting results. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services graduate certificate learners only. Prerequisite(s): COUN5007, COUN5106, COUN5223, COUN5832, COUN-R5861. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this first residency, learners gain an understanding of clinical skills practice through coursework and a face-to-face residency. During the face-to-face residency, learners analyze, develop, and demonstrate counseling concepts and skills. This course requires a time commitment after the face-to-face residency beyond the online course activities.  For MS in Addiction Studies, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MS in School Counseling learners only. Prerequisite(s): MS in Addiction Studies learners must have completed ADD5217, ADD5336, COUN5260. MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling learners must have completed COUN5217, COUN5223, COUN5336, COUN5830. MS in School Counseling learners must have completed COUN5217, COUN5280, COUN5336​. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this second residency, learners build upon clinical skills practice and group counseling. Learners analyze, develop, and demonstrate advanced counseling concepts, skills, and approaches during their face-to-face residency. This course requires a time commitment after the face-to-face residency beyond the online course activities.  For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MS in School Counseling learners only. Prerequisite(s): COUN5106, COUN-R5861. MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling learners must have completed COUN5107, COUN5108,COUN5238, COUN5239, COUN5832. MS in School Counseling learners must have completed COUN5338, COUN5420, COUN5812, and completion of or concurrent registration in ​COUN5241​. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

The clinical practicum is an online-directed, supervised site-based learning experience in a mental health counseling field setting during which learners practice specific clinical skills, including interviewing, assessment, intervention, documentation, and consultation. Learners use fundamental communication and interviewing principles and perform initial assessments with individuals, couples, and/or families. This course requires 100 hours of clinical experience, which must consist of no fewer than 40 hours of direct client contact, and no fewer than 10 hours of face-to-face contact with an approved site supervisor. Learners also meet weekly via web conferencing for synchronous group supervision meetings with their course instructor. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. It is the learner’s responsibility to research and comply with the specific clinical experience requirements of their states. Prerequisite(s): COUN5007, COUN5106, COUN5225, COUN5254, COUN5271, COUN5279, COUN-R5861, COUN-R5863, completion of or concurrent registration in COUN6965 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This is the first course in a sequence of two clinical internship courses during which learners fulfill 600 total required contact hours in a mental health counseling setting. Of the 600 total hours, learners must complete 240 hours of direct client contact and a minimum of 20 hours of face-to-face contact with the approved site supervisors. Learners also meet weekly via web conferencing for synchronous group supervision meetings with their course instructor. The internship consists of a courseroom experience accompanied by supervised experience in a mental health counseling setting and provides learners with specific clinical skills in interviewing, assessment, intervention, documentation, and consultation with individuals, couples, and/or families. The focus of the internship is on learner professional development and the application of counseling skills under the supervision of site and faculty supervisors. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. It is the learner’s responsibility to research and comply with the specific clinical experience requirements of their states. Prerequisite(s): COUN6301 or COUN6302; COUN6965 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This course serves as the capstone course for the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Learners engage in an online courseroom experience in addition to a supervised experience in a mental health counseling setting. Learners develop specific clinical skills in interviewing, assessment, intervention, documentation, and consultation with individuals, couples, and/or families. Learners gain skills in professional development, including career preparation, and the application of counseling skills under the supervision of site and faculty supervisors. Upon successful completion of the internship, and passing the state board license exam, learners are prepared to transition into roles as professional counselors who make active contributions to the field. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. It is the learner’s responsibility to research and comply with the specific clinical experience requirements of their states. Prerequisite(s): COUN6321 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.