Faculty
Mary Langan, Assistant Professor of Counseling
Cynthia Greer, Associate Professor of
Education
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Description
The Program in Counseling offers a Master of Arts degree (M.A.) in
counseling with a specialization in school counseling that prepares individuals for careers
as counselors in elementary and secondary schools. The program,
which requires a minimum of 48 credits, is state approved and meets certification requirements of the
District of Columbia. Students seeking school counselor certification in
other states should consult the appropriate certification offices in
those jurisdictions. The program consists of required courses, laboratory and field experiences, and
a comprehensive exam. Before completion of the program, students must
provide evidence of two years of full-time teaching experience. The student's program is planned in consultation
with a faculty advisor; prior experiences and professional goals are
considered.
Learning experiences emphasize the integration of theoretical
knowledge with professional practice in a supervised setting. Attention
is given to understanding ethical, multicultural, socioeconomic, and
developmental issues. Graduates from Trinity's counseling degree
programs are qualified to provide individual and group counseling;
implement assessment and consultation services; and develop, direct, and
evaluate comprehensive counseling services.
Note: Trinity's programs in community counseling and student
development in higher education are no longer accepting new students.
Current students in those programs should refer to the College
Catalog under which they matriculated.
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Requirements
Required Courses (39 credits)
ALL of the following courses:
COUN 538 Career and Lifestyle Development
COUN 540 Principles of Counseling
COUN 544 Principles and Techniques of Assessment
COUN 547 Counseling and the Group Process
COUN 548 Human Growth and Development (or EDCC 510)
COUN 550 Multicultural Counseling
COUN 555 Counseling Children and Adolescents
COUN 560 Theories and Techniques of Counseling
COUN 561 School Counseling Services
COUN 570 Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling
COUN 605 Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues
EDCC 530 Education of Exceptional Children and Youth
EDCC 600 Research in Education
Field Experience (9 credits)
ALL of the following courses:
COUN 631 Practicum in School Counseling
COUN 642 Internship in School Counseling (taken twice for 3
credits each term)
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Course Descriptions
COUN 538 Career and Lifestyle Development
Examines theories of career development through the lifespan. Topics
include: employment trends, career exploration and decision making,
lifestyle planning, placement and career counseling programs, clients at
different developmental levels in a variety of settings, and strategies
that address the needs of a culturally diverse population. Students
obtain hands-on experience with computer-based and other career
assessment tools and sources of occupational and educational
information.
3 credits
COUN 540 Principles of Counseling
Examines the history, philosophy, practices, and principles of the
counseling profession, including the professional roles and functions
and the application to various settings, populations, and problems.
Topics include current issues and trends, advocacy, ethical and legal
standards, professional organizations, credentialing, and technological
advances in counseling. Reviews the major affective, cognitive, and
behavioral theories of counseling and psychotherapy, including
historical foundations and applications. Current models of counseling
are reviewed and students begin to develop a personal model of
counseling. Will become EDCN 601 Principles & Theories of Counseling
in 2004-05.
3 credits
COUN 544 Principles and Techniques of Assessment
Examines purposes, concepts, procedures, and techniques of educational,
vocational, and psychological assessment. Emphasis is on the integration
of assessment information into the counseling and placement processes
ethical and legal considerations and use of tests with special needs and
culturally diverse populations. Basic principles of measurement,
statistical concepts, and practice in selection, administration,
scoring, and interpretation of tests are examined.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560
COUN 547 Counseling and the Group Process
Reviews theories, research, and techniques of group guidance counseling
and psychotherapy involving both didactic and experiential learning
modes. Application of theory to practice in school, work, mental health,
and other counseling settings with varied client populations is
stressed. Laboratory sessions provide opportunities for group
participation and co-leading under faculty supervision. Open only to
students pursuing an M.A. in counseling.
3 credits
Prerequisite: COUN 560
COUN 548 Human Growth and Development
Explores research and lifespan theories of human growth and development.
Physiological, psychological, psychosocial, cognitive, and sociological
factors, as well as normal and abnormal behavior, are reviewed. Topics
include learning theories and research, theories of personality
development, consideration of exceptional individuals, and the influence
of social and cultural factors on human development.
3 credits
COUN 549 Organization and Administration of Counseling Services
Examines principles and practices in organizing and administering major
counseling services in community agencies and mental health settings.
Topics include planning, staffing, directing, evaluating, and modifying
comprehensive and developmental counseling services and mental health
care programs; consultation with professional staff, community agencies,
and family and ethical and legal considerations. Emphasis is on
communication, leadership, outreach and advocacy, staff development,
decision-making, quality-assurance, management skills, technological
competence, and knowledge and use of referral sources. Students visit
community field sites.
3 credits
Prerequisite: COUN 540
COUN 550 Multicultural Counseling
Explores practical and theoretical issues of counseling individuals,
couples, groups, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Emphasis is on development of attitudes, values, and skills which
promote effective interpersonal relations and counseling across
cultures. Consideration is given to the impact of historical, social,
and political forces on the behavior of the individual.
3 credits
COUN 553 Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Examines various approaches to treating alcohol and substance abuse,
factors which increase susceptibility, models of therapeutic
intervening, referral sources, and educational and preventative
strategies.
3 credits
Prerequisite: COUN 540
COUN 555 Counseling Children and Adolescents
Examines the theories and methods of counseling interventions with
children and adolescents, with emphasis on systems theories and the
impact of family, school, and community. Topics include analyzing and
remediating classroom-related problems, recognizing serious disorders in
early stages, consulting with professional staff and families, play
therapy, parent education strategies, and community referral. Will
become EDCN 632 Counseling Children & Adolescents in 2004-05.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560
COUN 557 Introduction to Family Therapy
Explores research and techniques of family systems theory as a framework
for understanding family dynamics and the methods of intervention in
family therapy. Will become EDCN 633 Introduction to Family Counseling
in 2004-05.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and 560
COUN 560 Theories and Techniques of Counseling
Provides an introduction to specific counseling skills used by the
various counseling models across the major theoretical orientations,
including crisis intervention. Emphasized will be the skills and
techniques that a counselor uses to establish, maintain, and terminate
therapeutic relationships. Student self-awareness, values, and
personal/social development are examined. Practice is gained through
role-play and video/audio taping. Will become EDCN 603 Techniques of
Counseling in 2004-05.
3 credits
COUN 561 School Counseling Services
Examines the philosophy, history, principles, practices, and current
trends of school counseling and educational systems. Topics include the
role and functions of school counselors; organizing, administering, and
evaluating programs; advocacy; outreach; prevention, intervention and
postvention; guidance approaches; consultation; technological
competence; and National Standards for School Counseling Programs. Will
become EDCN 611 Principles & Practices of School Counseling in
2004-05.
3 credits
Prerequisite: COUN 540
COUN 570 Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling
Examines theoretical and cultural perspectives, research, etiology,
diagnosis, treatment, referral process and presentation of types of
maladjustments, and mental health disorders. Topics include assessment
using current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) diagnostic
categories, implementation of appropriate therapeutic strategies,
psychopharamacological medications, strategies for promotion of optimal
mental health, and situational and systemic factors affecting behavior.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560
COUN 604 Expressive Arts in Counseling
Examines the theoretical foundation of expressive and creative therapies
and their practical application in the counseling of individuals and
groups. Students will be introduced to the study and practice of working
with art, dreams, journaling, music, movement, poetry, psychodrama, and
play therapy as counseling approaches. Both didactic and experiential
learning experiences are provided.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540, COUN 547, and COUN 560
COUN 605 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues
Examines ethical and legal issues in counseling. Codes of ethics,
confidentiality, and legal considerations are explored. Emphasis is on
professional orientation, responsibility, and ethical decision-making.
Professional credentialing and current professional issues are also
studied. Will become EDCN 635 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in
2004-05.
3 credits
Prerequisite: 12 credits in school counseling program
COUN 606 Loss and Bereavement Counseling
Explores models of coping for individuals in transition due to loss and
bereavement. Topics include the grieving process, attitudes towards
death, care of the terminally ill, ethical issues related to death and
dying, and clinical issues in working with the bereaved. Emphasis is on
seeing loss and death as natural functions of life and on teaching
individuals to deal with critical life events.
3 credits
COUN 631 Practicum in School Counseling
Provides 100 hours of supervised practicum experience in guidance and
counseling with individuals and groups in elementary, middle, and
secondary schools. Emphasis is on interpersonal and professional
effectiveness, application of appropriate counseling techniques,
observation, consultation, ethical and legal issues, and performance of
the duties of a school counselor. On-site, classroom, individual, and
group supervisory hours are required. Fall and Spring semesters only.
Will become EDCN 690 Practicum in School Counseling in 2004-05.
3 credits
Prerequisites: completion of core courses and advisor's written
approval; application must be made one semester prior to
enrollment
COUN 642 Internship in School Counseling
Requires students to work in a K-12 school setting under
the supervision of both a college faculty member and a professionally
credentialed practitioner in the field. Opportunities exist to apply
learning and to develop skills and competencies through practical
experience. On-site, classroom, individual, and group supervisory hours
are required. Students must complete 300 hours of field experience for
three credits, and students must take this course twice, totaling 600
hours of supervised internship experience in the field. Fall and Spring semesters only. Will become EDCN 691
Internship in School Counseling I and EDCN 692 Internship in School
Counseling II.
3 credits
Prerequisites: completion of core courses and advisor's written
approval; application must be made one semester prior to
enrollment
COUN 697 Directed Research
Provides students the opportunity to pursue or continue a research
project under the direction of a faculty member. Students continuing a
practicum or internship should register for one
credit for each subsequent semester until the project is completed.
1-3 credits
Prerequisites: Advisor's written approval and approval of the Dean
COUN 699 Independent Study
Provides students with the opportunity to carry out individualized
projects related to the student's program of study under the supervision
of a faculty advisor. The student and instructor must complete an
independent study agreement form. Students who plan to take a required
course in the format of an independent study should indicate the number
of the appropriate course on the completed and signed independent study
agreement form.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Advisor's written approval and approval of the Dean
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