Master of Science in School Counseling (2024)

This course is an introductory course for school counselor candidates that will provide an overview of the counseling profession withan emphasis on the K-12 school environment which includes history and philosophy, professional roles and function, advocacy, andcollaborative consultation. Students will master the basic skills of professional counseling in this course.

This course is an introductory course for school counselor candidates that will provide an overview of the major counseling theories used within the profession. Primary emphasis will be placed on the practical application of each theoretical model with specific focus on the school setting. Case examples will be used to facilitate understanding.

This course is an intermediate course for school counselor candidates that will provide students an opportunity to study, administer,score, and interpret a variety of assessment instruments used in school and non-school settings. Students will be exposed toinstruments measuring personality, intelligence, aptitude and achievement, career and interest, and environmental factors. Ethicalissues in testing and the special education environment will also be addressed.

This course is an intermediate course that will provide an orientation to best practices in school counseling. Emphasis will be placed on comprehensive developmental school counseling programming and effective collaboration and consultation with school administration. Additional emphasis will be placed on the integration of the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. Course activities include conducting a school counselor interview and the construction of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program Framework.

This course is an introductory course which focuses on the major theories of vocational choice and career development with demonstrations on how to translate these theories into meaningful practice in the counselor-client relationship. A guidance model for career education in the school setting will be developed as a part of the course.

This is an intermediate course which concentrates on the examination of a variety of racial, cultural, and ethnic groups in the United States. Students will also broaden their knowledge, awareness, and skill in applying culturally responsive counseling techniques in the school setting. The formulation of a multicultural treatment plan will be developed and the impact of diversity among group differences is also examined.

This course is an introductory course for school counselor candidates that will provide an overview of the counseling profession with an emphasis on the K-12 school environment which includes history and philosophy, professional roles and function, advocacy, and collaborative consultation. Students will master the basic skills of professional counseling in this course.

This is an intermediate course which will provide an overview of professional issues in counseling with an emphasis on current ethical standards and practices. Ethical standards of the American Counseling Association and the American School Counseling Association and related entities will be reviewed. Application of these codes in professional settings will be discussed and ethical decision-making models will be explored.

This is an advanced course where students will practice basic helping skills common to the counseling profession using audio-videotaping of mock counseling sessions. Additional skills will be developed in problem-solving, case conceptualization, goal setting, and selecting theoretically appropriate interventions.

This is an intermediate course which is designed to familiarize students with the theories, processes, and practices of group counseling and psychotherapy. Exploration of group membership and facilitation is examined. Students will participate in a small group experience and an audio-video taping simulation of a group counseling session.

This is an advanced, competency-based course that requires 100 hours of actual counseling experience with a variety of clients and challenges in the school-community setting. Applying theory to practice will be stressed.

This is an advanced course where practical experience will be gained in a school setting under supervision of a qualified on-site school counselor. A total of 300 hours will be required with an approximate balance between direct and indirect counseling experiences. A university lab experience with counselor education faculty is also required.

This course is an intermediate course which reviews crisis intervention skills and their applicability to the school setting. Students willreflect on how people deal with crisis, exploring crisis experiences, and begin to develop skills in crisis intervention. Relevant researchon crises, resolution, trauma informed counseling techniques, and resilience will also be examined. The major focus of the course willbe learning the practical skills related to assisting children and adolescents with crisis in the school setting.

This is an introductory course that focuses on counseling techniques appropriate for children and adolescents for fostering wellness and social-emotional learning competencies. The emotional and behavioral experiences of childhood and adolescence are discussed within the context of the school and family. Students will also develop skills related to problem conceptualization, goal setting, and selecting theoretically appropriate counseling interventions for children and adolescents.

This course is an intermediate course that will provide students with a thorough and in-depth exploration of the professional knowledge, skills, and practices related to addictions counseling, treatment, and prevention. Emphasis is placed on etiology of addictions and addictive behaviors including, but not limited to, gambling, sex, eating, alcohol, and drug addictions. In addition, this course will assist students in understanding strategies for the prevention, intervention, and treatment of addictions. Course activities include reflective discussions regarding treatment plan development for clients suffering from addiction.

This advanced course is intended to equip students with knowledge and skills for conducting qualitative, survey research, and program evaluation methodology, within the field of school counseling. Emphasis will be on practical application of basic components of research and program evaluation in producing and consuming social research as it pertains to School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning Programs, Trauma Informed Education, the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs, and the American School Counselor Association Model. The course will offer an intensive focus on data-driven decision research and the school counselors craft of examining and evaluating a school counseling program in preparation for the school counseling certification exam. Students will apply knowledge and skills using the research and/or program evaluation process to develop a research project in School Counseling.