Master of Arts in Counseling (MA)
Faculty
Donna Berkner, Chair of the Department of Education and Psychology; Mark Aldridge, Program Director; Lynette Frantzen, Marcel Sargeant
Adjunct: Jeremy Carter, Elvin Gabriel, Kenneth Jones, Jimmy Kijai
Programs
Master of Arts degree in Counseling
- School Counseling
- Clinical Psychology
Degree Requirements by Concentration
School Counseling
Students pursuing this concentration will be required to take the Texas School Counseling Exam to be certified - see certification requirements at: http://tea.texas.gov/Curriculum\_and\_Instructional\_Programs/Learning\_Support\_and\_Programs/School\_Guidance\_and\_Counseling/School\_Guidance\_and\_Counseling/
| EDPY 500 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| EDPY 505 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
| EDPY 510 | Career Development | 3 |
| EDPY 515 | Abnormal Behaviors of Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| EDPY 520 | Trends and Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| EDPY 525 | Exceptionality and Testing | 3 |
| EDPY 530 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| EDPY 535 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| EDPY 540 | Administration of Counseling and Guidance | 3 |
| EDPY 555 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| EDPY 560 | Personality Theories and Assessment | 3 |
| EDPY 575 | Practicum | 3 |
| EDPY 585 | Counseling Internship | 3 |
| EDUC 525 | Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 535 | Educational and Psychological Research | 3 |
| EDUC 555 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Total Core: | 48 | |
Clinical Psychology
This emphasis area seeks to address the new 60 hours Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) track as mandated by the Texas Counseling and Licensure body. All students in this concentration must take and pass the National Counseling Certification Exam (NCE) (www.nbcc.org/NCE) before applying for the Texas LPC Licensure.
| EDPY 500 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| EDPY 505 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
| EDPY 510 | Career Development | 3 |
| EDPY 515 | Abnormal Behaviors of Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| EDPY 520 | Trends and Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| EDPY 525 | Exceptionality and Testing | 3 |
| EDPY 530 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| EDPY 535 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| EDPY 540 | Administration of Counseling and Guidance | 3 |
| EDPY 545 | Crisis Counseling | 3 |
| EDPY 550 | Addictive Behaviors | 3 |
| EDPY 555 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| EDPY 560 | Personality Theories and Assessment | 3 |
| EDPY 565 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| EDPY 575 | Practicum | 3 |
| EDPY 585 | Counseling Internship | 3 |
| EDPY 590 | Counseling Internship II | 3 |
| EDUC 525 | Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 535 | Educational and Psychological Research | 3 |
| EDUC 555 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Total Core: | 60 | |
Comprehensive Examination
Each student is required to successfully pass a comprehensive examination. Detailed information about the exam is provided by the Program Director. The exam must be taken during the last semester before anticipated graduation.
Counseling Courses
EDPY 500 - Life Span Development (3 hours)
A study of human development throughout the life span which focuses on the physical, cognitive, emotional and personality development with the context of basic developmental theories.
EDPY 505 - Professional Ethics (3 hours)
An overview of ethical and legal issues related to counseling in different settings. Topics include professional responsibilities, competency, duty to warn, confidentiality, professional relationships, and professional licensing standards and procedures.
EDPY 510 - Career Development (3 hours)
A study of career development counseling with emphasis on identifying trends and issues in career choice and placement. Attention will be given to appropriate assessment tools utilized within educational settings.
EDPY 515 - Abnormal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents (3 hours)
A study of the nature of behavioral and emotional disorders in children and adolescents and conceptual approaches to them; methods and rationale for assessment; major causal factors; and characteristics of disorders. The DSM-5 will be used extensively in this class.
EDPY 520 - Trends and Issues in Counseling (3 hours)
A survey of professional trends and issues in the therapeutic process with attention to current practices in a variety of perspectives including marriage and the family, addiction and multicultural counseling.
EDPY 525 - Exceptionality and Testing (3 hours)
A comprehensive examination of individuals with special needs. Course will include the use of psychological tests in school and mental health settings with attention to the selection and use of standardized and other instruments in case conceptualization and treatment.
EDPY 530 - Multicultural Counseling (3 hours)
The course will provide students with an overview of counseling skills, techniques, and information necessary to become competent in working with multicultural clients. Students will be encouraged to develop self-awareness of culture as well as awareness of many other cultures.
EDPY 535 - Group Counseling (3 hours)
A study about the types of groups, styles of group leadership, and techniques used by group counselors. In addition, group theories, the dynamics of group processes, and the developmental stages of group counseling are thoroughly explores. Counselor’s skills in the management of group process are included.
EDPY 540 - Administration of Counseling and Guidance (3 hours)
This course addresses the philosophy and function of guidance and administration in counseling. This course also highlights the development, implementation and overall assessment of counseling programs.
EDPY 545 - Crisis Counseling (3 hours)
This course examines the dynamics and treatment of situational and development crises in a variety of settings. Emphasis will be placed on case conceptualization and intervention for a number of common crises face by individuals in the society. The DSM-5 will be used extensively in this course.
EDPY 550 - Addictive Behaviors (3 hours)
A foundational study of addiction and addictive behaviors. This course addresses addiction from its historical roots through contemporary issues, as well as providing an examination of contemporary theory and research hat guides empirically supported interventions for individuals, families, groups, and diverse populations. The DSM-5 will be used extensively in this course.
EDPY 555 - Psychopathology (3 hours)
This course examines psychopathology from the Christian perspective with attention placed on multiple modalities in diagnosing, assessment and treatment of major mental health disorders. The DSM-5 will be used extensively in this course.
EDPY 560 - Personality Theories and Assessment (3 hours)
A study of the major theories of personality development including a look at major traits and characteristics associated with these personalities. Emphasis in treatment and assessment techniques and applications. Identification of personality styles within school environments are highlighted. The DSM-5 will be used extensively in this course.
EDPY 565 - Psychopharmacology (3 hours)
A study of current topics and recent developments in the biochemical basis of psychopathology and related strategies of psychopharmacological interventions for the treatment of mental disorders. Students will be able to identify the mechanism and actions of commonly used psychoactive drugs and explore the therapeutic use of drugs fo the treatment of mental disorders.
EDPY 575 - Practicum (3 hours)
Prerequisite: Completion of 21 hours in the program.
Supervised experience in school or mental health counseling. The student will complete a minimum of 300 clock hours. See Program Handbook for additional information.
EDPY 585 - Counseling Internship (3 hours)
Prerequisite: EDPY 575
Supervised counseling experience in a school or mental health setting. Supervision provided by an appropriately licensed counselor. The student will complete a minimum of 120 clock hours of direct contact with clients. See Program Handbook for additional information.
EDPY 590 - Counseling Internship II (3 hours)
Prerequisite: EDPY 585
Continued supervision experiences in a mental health setting. the student will complete a minimum of 120 clock hours of direct contact with clients under the supervision of an appropriately licensed therapist. Major emphasis is placed on the integration of theoretical and conceptual principles, as well as professional and personal skill development. See Program Handbook for additional information.
Education Courses
EDUC 525 - Psychology of Learning (3 hours)
A study of psychological, social, environmental and biological factors affecting the ability to learn will be explored. Impact areas such as gender, culture, race, self-concept, perception, cognition and emotion will be examined. An historical review of major learning theories will also be addressed.
EDUC 535 - Educational and Psychological Research (3 hours)
The study of scientific and disciplined inquiry applied to educational issues. Course content includes quantitative and qualitative research approaches as well as an overview of elementary statistics. Students learn how to critically evaluate and utilize research.
EDUC 555 - Statistical Methods (3 hours)
This course covers the calculation, use, and interpretation of descriptive and inferential statistics at the graduate level. This course introduces inferential statistics and their application to research design. Parametric and non-parametric approaches to the analysis of data are addressed with emphasis on application and interpretation of a number of statistical tests used in research at this level.