Counseling (M.A.)

Faculty

Ray Adomaitis, Assistant Professor of Counseling, Program Chair
Cynthia Greer, Associate Professor of Counseling

Return to top

Description

The Program in Counseling offers two choices for counseling majors, and both result in a Master of Arts degree (M.A.) in Counseling. One is a specialization in school counseling that prepares individuals for careers as counselors in elementary and secondary schools. The program requires a minimum of 48 credits, is NCATE accredited and meets state certification requirements of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Students seeking school counselor certification in other states should consult the appropriate certification offices in those jurisdictions. The second program requires a minimum of 60 credits and prepares the student to take the exam that will allow them to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). The LPC is authorized to do work in schools, communities, and private practice. Both programs consist of required courses, laboratory and field experiences, and a comprehensive exam. 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.

Return to top

Requirements

Required Courses (39 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCC 601 Transition to Graduate School Seminar

Non-credit seminar for students in their first semester of any School of Education graduate program. Information will be provided to students on general education, certification and graduation requirements. Surveys and writing samples that are data requirements for accreditation of the department will be gathered. Academic policies, APA writing style requirements and university-provided resources will be reviewed.

0 credits

(no credit; must be taken first semester student is enrolled)
COUN 538 Career and Lifestyle Development
COUN 540 Principles and Theories of Counseling
COUN 544 Principles and Techniques of Assessment
COUN 547 Counseling and the Group Process
COUN 550 Multicultural Counseling
COUN 555 Counseling Children and Adolescents
COUN 560 Techniques of Counseling
COUN 561 Principles and Practices of School Counseling
COUN 570 Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling
COUN 605 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues
EDCC 510 Human Growth and Development
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

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.

3 credits FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS ONLY

Prerequisites: Completion of core courses. Application must be made one semester prior to enrollment.


COUN 640 Internship in Counseling I
COUN 642 Internship in Counseling II

In addition, the student seeking to take the examination to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) must take

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 557 Introduction to Family Therapy
COUN 604 Expressive Arts in Counseling
COUN 606 Loss and Bereavement Counseling

Course Descriptions

COUN 538 Career and Lifestyle Development

Examines theories of career development through the life span. 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 and Theories of Counseling
COUN 544 Principles and Techniques of Assessment
COUN 547 Counseling and the Group Process
COUN 550 Multicultural Counseling
COUN 555 Counseling Children and Adolescents
COUN 560 Techniques of Counseling
COUN 561 Principles and Practices of School Counseling
COUN 570 Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling
COUN 605 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues
EDCC 510 Human Growth and Development
EDCC 530 Education of Exceptional Children and Youth
EDCC 600 Research in Education
EDCC 601 Transition to Graduate School Seminar
COUN 631 Practicum in School Counseling
COUN 640 Internship in Counseling I
COUN 642 Internship in Counseling II
COUN 697 Directed Research
COUN 699 Independent Study in Counseling

Additional courses for LPC

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 557 Introduction to Family Therapy
COUN 604 Expressive Arts in Counseling
COUN 606 Loss and Bereavement Counseling

Course Descriptions

COUN 538 Career and Lifestyle Development COUN 540 Principles and Theories of Counseling COUN 544 Principles and Techniques of Assessment COUN 547 Counseling and the Group Process COUN 550 Multicultural Counseling COUN 553 Alcohol and Substance Abuse COUN 555 Counseling Children and Adolescents COUN 557 Introduction to Family Therapy COUN 560 Techniques of Counseling COUN 561 Principles and Practices of School Counseling COUN 570 Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling COUN 604 Expressive Arts in Counseling COUN 605 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues COUN 606 Loss and Bereavement Counseling COUN 631 Practicum in School Counseling COUN 640 Internship in Counseling I COUN 642 Internship in Counseling II COUN 643 Internship in Mental Health Counseling COUN 651 Capstone Project in Counseling COUN 695 Bibliotherapy - Coun and Acade Int COUN 697 Directed Research COUN 698 Capstone Seminar in Counseling COUN 699 Independent Study in Counseling

Trinity reserves the right to change, without prior notice, any policy or procedure, tuition or fee, curricular requirements, or any other information found on this web site or in its printed materials.

Questions may be directed to Virginia Broaddus, Ph.D., Provost at BroaddusV@trinitydc.edu