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This course is designed to bridge theory with practice. This course links the theoretical foundations to their application in the practice of counseling. This course will explore, Psychodynamic, Person-Centered Theory, Existential Theory, Gestalt Theory, Constructivist Theories, Integrative Theory, Feminist Theory and other diverse theories. Each theory will be considered critically within a cultural context inclusive of gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, ability, and age. This course is intended to be hands-on with role-play and practice therapy sessions serving as the vehicle for students to begin laying the foundation for their unique identity as counselors and therapists while considering the principles and history of these selected theories.

Human Development is designed as advanced study of fundamental assumptions, principles, theories, and constructs that are essential for an informed dialogue of development across the human life span. Using several stage theory models of psychosocial development students will be examine and discuss those tasks and challenges unique to each stage of human development from the cradle to the grave. Beginning with the prenatal state, students will become familiar with the biological, emotional, sociological, psychological, historical, and interpersonal factors contributing to human development across infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and advanced adulthood. In addition, students will become familiar with those issues ranging from interpersonal relations, gender socialization, friendships, family systems, race, culture, divorce, mate selection, death and dying that may foster or hinder growth and adaptation. The student’s journey will provide a foundation of understanding necessary to the greater comprehension and application of the discipline of human development, as well as provide him or her with an opportunity to become grounded in concepts key to appreciating the lifelong process of becoming a person.

This course is designed to deepen the students understanding of empirically grounded social, psychological, and biological factors that contribute to specific psychological disorders across the life-span. Students will examine supporting and scientific literature, consider salient theories, and incorporate the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in considering identification, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders. The course design also invites students to engage in active exploration of practical applications for effective ethical treatment(s) of psychopathologies within clinical and non-clinical settings with an emphasis upon best-practices.

This course is designed is to familiarize the student with those theories, practices, protocols, and techniques designed to work effectively and ethically within groups. The student will develop a thorough understanding of the unique and often difficult characteristics of group processes as well as those features of group dynamics that can foster individual growth and development. Student will learn current guidelines for group practice as well as develop practical skills in leading a group. In addition to examining salient research, students will also consider the various multicultural and developmental issues effecting groups and how they function to foster or hinder effective group work. Students will also develop functional understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of group counseling, become aware of ethical considerations unique to groups, and become cognizant of the characteristics of effective group leaders while becoming aware of how best to utilize their own personal and interpersonal assets with a group setting.

This course is designed to provide the student with depth of understanding of the historical development of family counseling, theoretical underpinnings, practical techniques, and current issues relevant to family counseling. Students will be exposed to theoretical foundations of and empirically grounded practices relevant to family counseling issues across the life-span. In attaining the desired level of expertise students will examine structural, communication, analytic, and behavioral approaches to family counseling with an emphasis upon ethics, legal issues, current research, and best practices.