Counseling Department Course Descriptions

Counseling Ministry Courses

Other courses for the MA in Counseling Ministries may be selected from the “Counseling Courses” beginning on the next page.

CM 5000 (501)      Introduction to Counseling Ministry
An introduction to the history, principles, and techniques involved in the ministry of counseling. Special emphasis is placed on the person of the counselor, the skills needed, and the ethical and legal implications of counseling in ministry settings. The biblical and spiritual foundations for counseling care ministry are discussed and an overview of counseling concerns often found in ministry settings is presented. Not applicable to MA in CP. Cap 32. Offered fall and spring. Two hours. 

CM 5110 (560)      Pastoral Care Ministry Leadership
Counseling interventions and prevention efforts are frequently woven into a number of contemporary ministries, such as gender-specific ministries, care of discipleship groups, and recovery programs. The mission, role, and function of the pastoral care staff member will be examined to establish a vision and conceptual foundation for the implementation of a future pastoral care position. Required for CM students. Two credits. 

CM 6000 (502)      Issues in Counseling Ministry
Issues of interest related to pastoral counseling and counseling in ministry settings will be presented. Topics vary and are on a rotating basis. They include Spiritual Formation and Counseling, Bereavement Counseling, and Pastoral Counseling for Guilt, Shame, and Depression. Prerequisite or concurrent registration in CM 5000. May be repeated. Cross-list as CO. Offered fall and spring. One to three hours. 

CM 6572 (620)      Pastoral Counseling for Marriage and Family
Marriage and family counseling in a pastoral setting is investigated. An overview of systems theory and its implication for problem formation, maintenance, and resolution is reviewed. In particular, family communication, interaction, structure, boundaries, and development will be discussed. Includes an examination of premarital counseling styles and plans. In addition, specific issues of divorce, remarriage, and blended families will be examined. Finally, the course will discuss the role of the church in matters related to the family and marriage. Not recommended for MA in CP students. Three hours.

CM 7950 (726)      Counseling Ministry Practicum
The field work in this practicum is designed to provide supervised experience in a Christian counseling setting, such as a crisis pregnancy center, Christian support group ministry, and so on. It is not designed to meet state licensure requirements as a professional counselor. Prerequisites: MA in CM candidacy and consent of department. Two hours.

Counseling Courses

CO 5210 (524)      Counseling Skills Training
An experiential and cognitive introduction to the skills basic to any counseling setting, working with a developmental model of helping. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition and use of the basic skills of counseling. Cap 24. Three hours. 

CO 5310 (613)      Counseling Theories
Classical and current theories of counseling will be studied and evaluated in light of Scripture, psychological sophistication, and practical relevance. Both secular and practical counseling approaches will be discussed. Three hours. 

CO 5400 (580)      Foundations of Mental Health Counseling
This course is an orientation to the various dimensions of mental health counseling. It provides an overview of the variety of roles offered and functions available to the mental health worker in society and in the church. Professional issues and activities unique to the field will be considered. Three hours.

CO 5578 (621)      Theoretical Foundations of Family Therapy
This course is an examination, discussion, and evaluation of the theoretical foundations and the historical development of the field of marriage and family therapy. It includes an introduction to several of the major techniques currently employed in the field. Three hours.

CO 6000 (675)      Current Studies in Counseling and Psychology
Topics selected deal with significant issues related to professional and ministry counseling. Recent titles include the following: Psychopharmacology; Grief Counseling; Urban Counseling Ministry. One to three hours.

CO 6110 (615)      Career Counseling
The many facets of career counseling are explored. The subject will be covered from both theoretical and practical points of view. Holistic awareness of individuals will be considered in regard to how people deal with their vocational needs and goals. Three hours. 

CO 6120 (570)      Addiction Counseling
This course examines the treatment of addictions. The philosophy, mechanisms, and physiology of substance abuse and chemical dependency are surveyed. Students will be exposed to relevant and effective approaches to counsel the person with an addiction. Important topics related to counseling are covered, such as relapse prevention, adolescent substance abuse, dual diagnosis, and family issues. Three hours.

CO 6130 (603)      Group Counseling
The processes, principles, and techniques related to contemporary forms of group counseling will be explored. An experiential component in this course fosters the development of group leadership skills. Prerequisite: CO 5210. Cap 24. Three hours.

CO 6510 (651)      Personality Development
A consideration of human development from conception to death, emphasizing research, personality, and counseling implications at each stage. Three hours.

CO 6530 (674)      Child and Adolescent Counseling
A conceptual framework for working with child and adolescent clients will be introduced along with a review of techniques developmentally appropriate for assessment and treatment plan formulation and implementation. Treatment approaches to specific childhood and adolescent mental health disorders will be examined. Cross-list as EM. Two or three hours.

CO 6570 (735)      Theories of Family Development
This course represents an analysis of normative, developmental, and ecological changes that occur within families across the life span. Special focus is given to developmental transitions such as childbirth, adolescence, and aging. Two or three hours.

CO 6575 (736)      Parent Education
Basic principles in the organization, formulation, and presentation of parent study programs. Emphasis on ways of working with children from infancy through adolescence. Building self-esteem and responsible measures of child discipline are special concerns. Two or three hours.

CO 6610 (623)      Human Sexuality
This course will deal with the physiological, psychological, and spiritual aspects of human sexuality, with particular emphasis on counseling-related issues. Three hours. 

CO 6640 (625)      Gender Issues
Examines and discusses issues that are particularly pertinent to each gender. Implications for counseling are emphasized. Two or three hours.

CO 6650 (747)      Multicultural Issues in Counseling
This course examines the nature and effects of culture and ethnicity on the counseling process. The effects of worldview on diversity issues in counseling will be discussed with a special reference to a Christian worldview. Counseling issues specific to various minority populations will be addressed through case vignette and lecture. Cross-list as EM. Three hours. 

CO 6710 (611)      Psychology and Theology
A survey of issues, theories, approaches, methods, problems, and criticisms of the integration of psychology and theology. The course will sample current counseling approaches, literature, and case studies to familiarize the student with the process of integration and to facilitate personal skill development in this area. Three hours.

CO 6720 (737)      Ethics and Issues in Counseling
Ethical standards of the major professional counseling association are considered, including AAMFT, ACA, and APA. Theoretical and practical applications of ethical guidelines to a variety of counseling situations are discussed. Issues related to the professional practice of counseling and therapy are included. Prerequisite: CO 5400. Three hours. 

CO 6950 (721)      Counseling Practicum
Practicum is designed as a pre-internship fieldwork experience with group supervision on campus. It will provide students with practical supervised experience in various counseling settings. The student will average six to eight hours per week involvement. May be repeated. Prerequisites: MA in CP candidacy and consent of PC Department. Cap 6 per section. Two hours.

CO 6955 (725)      Group Leadership Practicum
Open to students who have demonstrated proficiency in the use of basic counseling skills in the CO 5210 Counseling Skills course. Students are required to be involved in the direct training of CO 5210 students under the supervision of the course professor, to meet outside of class for supervision, and to complete reading and written assignments in the area of group leadership. May be repeated. Consent of the instructor required for registration. Two hours.

CO 7140 (732)      Crisis Counseling
This course considers the theory and practice of crisis intervention. Various types of crises are considered through case vignette and discussion. Common crisis issues, such as grief and trauma, are considered from historical, professional and Christian perspectives. Two or three hours. 

CO 7160 (616)      Community Counseling
Counselors provide consultation services in community settings that extend beyond direct client service. The distinctions between counseling and consultation will be explored, as well as the major models and process stages for implementation. Case studies will be utilized to demonstrate explicit program development applications for educational crisis and system-level interventions. Pastoral and church consultation will be an area of focus. Two hours.

CO 7210 (741)      Psychological Testing
This course covers the principles and techniques of test administration and interpretation, including measures of ability, aptitude, personality, and psychopathology. Prerequisite: MA in CP candidacy or consent of department chair. A $25 materials testing fee is assessed for this course. Three hours.

CO 7278 (622)      Strategies of Marriage and Family Therapy
An exploration of the specific perceptual, conceptual, and intervention skills of prominent approaches in the field of marriage and family therapy. These approaches include Bowen, Minuchin, Whitaker, Satir, Milan, and Haley. Prerequisite: CO 5578. Three hours. 

CO 7330 (617)      Counseling Techniques
A unique combination of theory and practice, the class helps students to enter into the world of counseling practice. Counseling Techniques utilizes contemporary treatment models, along with traditional approaches, to enhance student skills in helping people. Three hours.

CO 7450 (752)      Psychopathology
This course is an advanced course dealing with the etiology, classification, and treatment of various mental disorders. Diagnostic skill in using the current DSM classifications and criteria is achieved through the use of case vignettes and lecture. Three hours.

CO 7900 (705)      Psychological Research Methods
A critical review of basic research techniques, the course will include examination and critique of the methods and conclusions of representative research. Prerequisites: MA/CP or CM candidacy or consent of the department chair. Three hours. 

CO 7905 (755)      Advanced Research Methods
The topic of the course is more complex research designs and techniques and will include information about statistics and statistical computer packages. Prerequisite: CO 7900. Two hours.

CO 7961 (722)      Mental Health Counseling Internship I
Internship is designed to give counseling students supervised counseling experience. Approved intern sites include hospital inpatient programs, community counseling agencies, counseling centers, and other mental health facilities. The internship may begin in summer or fall semesters (CO 7961) depending on the site requirements. It must extend through the spring semester (CO 7962). CO 7961 and 7962 require a combined total of 900 hours of internship involvement including 360 direct service hours. Individual supervision is provided on site; group supervision is provided on campus. CO 7961 and CO 7962 must be taken consecutively over the course of one academic year and total six semester hours. CO 7961 is offered in summer and fall only. Prerequisites: CO 6950, MACP candidacy and consent of department. When taken in summer for two semester hours, may be repeated in fall for two semester hours. Two or three hours.

CO 7962 (723)      Mental Health Counseling Internship II
This is an advanced internship experience building on skills and requirements from CO 7961. CO 7962 is offered in spring only. Prerequisite CO 7961. Two or three hours.

CO 7969 (728)      International Counseling Experience
This course is designed for those participating in nonlicensure counseling experiences, primarily in international settings. International students and others who are not seeking U.S. licensure but who may benefit from a supervised international counseling experience may apply. Individual onsite supervision is required. Prerequisites: MA in CP candidacy and consent of department. Credit/No Credit. Four hours.

CO 8000 (845)      Seminar: Current Issues in Counseling and Psychology
Consideration of contemporary issues in professional and ministry counseling. Recent titles include the following: Clinical Consulting, Grief Therapy, and Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. Prerequisites: degree candidacy or consent of department chair. May be repeated. Two to three hours.

Updated to 2008-09 Catalog