Master of Arts in Counseling with School Counseling Emphasis

This course provides an examination of authenticyassessment procedures used in K-12 classrooms.yAttention is given to the examination,yconstruction, interpretation and use of authenticyassessments for measuring student learning inyareas of the K-12 curriculum. Students will moveyfrom theory to practice as they develop anyevaluation plan with an emphasis on usingyportfolios and authentic assessment measures inythe classroom. (Education 602 and 645 may notyboth be used by a student for completion of theyMaster of Education degree.)

An individual experience for graduate studentsychoosing a non-thesis program of study thatyincludes implementing an educational innovationyselected in Education 603. Upon completion, theygraduate student presents a synthesis andyevaluation of the project, identifies ongoingyquestions for further examination, submits a finalycopy of the culminating project abstract andypresents a portfolio. The project adviser isytypically the same faculty member with whom theygraduate student completed Education 603.

This course examines human development throughoutythe lifespan with a focus on developmentalypsychopathology and psychoneuroimmunology.yDevelopmental psychopathology views humanydevelopment as an ongoing process and provides ayframework to explore the interaction ofybiological, psychological, and socio-contextualyaspects of both normal and abnormal development. yStudents will examine critical domains that serveyas risk factors for psychopathology (i.e.ytemperament, attachment, parenting style,ysocioeconomic status) and explore currentyintervention strategies. yyPsychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is anyinterdisciplinary area of research that examinesythe interactions between the brain, behavior andythe immune system and expands our understandingyof how psychosocial factors can protect or damageyour health. PNI is based on a systemic model ofyfunctioning which explores how individuals shapeythe environment in which their immune systemyoperates through their thoughts, feelings andybehaviors. Students will examine the interactionyof psychosocial stress, contextual change andyhealth outcomes and the implications for mentalyhealth professionals.yyAt the conclusion of this course, students willybe able to: demonstrate knowledge of majorytheories of human development across theylifespan, including life transitions; demonstrateyknowledge of human behavior including anyunderstanding of psychopathology and theybiological, psychological and socio-contextualyfactors that affect both normal and abnormalydevelopment; demonstrate knowledge of currentytheories of optimal development and wellness overythe life span; and read and critically reviewyfoundational research in the field andydemonstrate the ability to apply the process toycurrent research. Required Core Course.

A study of overt and covert group processes asythey occur in intervention counseling groupsy(therapy and growth groups) as well as in agencyywork groups (staff groups, committees and staffymeetings). The course is designed to increaseystudents' awareness in working with differentykinds of groups as participant, leader, oryconsultant. This course provides studentyinteractive experience with a variety of groupystyles. As a result of this course, studentsywill:yy1. Demonstrate knowledge of historical andycurrent theories as well as various approachesyandystrategies of group process.y2. Document experience as group participant,yleader, or consultant.y3. Demonstrate the ability to apply the theoryyand constructs to actual group work.yRequired core course.

A variety of methods and theories of assessingystudents in school counseling programs.yPre-service school counselors will also developyan understanding of skills in test selection,yadministration and interpretation.

An experience taken concurrently with CounselingyTheories and Methods which is a supervisedyon-site experience in the full range of counseloryduties. Students will complete 200 hours ofyexperiences implementing activities relating toythe curriculum in COE-601 Counseling Theories andyMethods of K-12 Schools.

This course provides an overview of the issues inygender and diverse population counseling. Thisycourse assists all counselors to become aware ofypersonal biases in counseling; Understandycultural and economic conditions and their impactyon both counselor, group and client problemysolving; and to manage communication issues inythe area of counseling.