Master of Education in Counseling

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND COUNSELING

ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

This degree plan is designed specifically for the student who wishes to work toward certifi cation in School Counseling. It requires completion of forty-eight hours of graduate credit and may meet academic requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The program must comply with existing standards for professional certifi cation. A comprehensive examination will be taken during the final semester of course work. Students must be enrolled during the semester the comprehensive examination is taken. The degree plan originates in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling.

Master of Arts in Counseling
School Counselor

Required Courses

* CNE 512 and CNE 510 may be replaced with one 3 hr. elective.

Master of Arts in Counseling Education

This degree is designed for individuals who wish to write a thesis as part of the requirements for the degree. A comprehensive examination will be taken during the fi nal semester of course work. Students must be enrolled during the semester the comprehensive examination is taken.

Master of Arts in Counseling

This degree plan is designed for students seeking licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and/or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Students completing this degree will have all of the academic requirements needed to apply for the temporary license as a Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. Forty-eight graduate semester credit hours are required to fulfill the requirements for the degree. A comprehensive examination will be taken during the final semester of course work. Students must be enrolled during the semester the comprehensive examination is taken. The degree plan originates in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling.

The LPC/Community Counseling Program is generic in nature as it provides students with academic and practical information to help them in preparing for employment in multiple settings. Students may choose electives that will provide them with more specific information about working with special populations, i.e. Play Therapy, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Techniques of Marriage and Family Therapy, etc. This preparation allows graduates of this program to work in family service agencies, mental health centers, the prison system, community college counseling centers, treatment centers, etc. Once fully licensed, the graduates of this program may also work in private practice.

* CNE 512 and CNE 510 may be replaced with one 3 hr. elective

The LMFT/Community Counseling Program provides specifi c coursework and practical information to help prepare students for employment in settings that focus on the family system. These specific courses are Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy, Techniques of Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling Sexual Problems, and Professional and Ethical Issues. Typically, students graduating from the LMFT/Community Counseling Program secure employment in agencies that provide services from a system’s perspective such as family service agencies, adoption and placement agencies, community agencies that specialize in counseling survivors of rape and sexual abuse, and home-based family therapy programs in community mental health agencies, etc. Once licensed, the graduates of this program may also work in private practice. Please note that an additional one-hour orientation seminar is a prerequisite for the degree.

COUNSELING COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CNE 510 WORKSHOP IN COUNSELING. This course deals with current topics in the field of counseling. The topics selected for the workshop will be based on needs identified through collaborative endeavors with schools, service centers, professional organizations and governmental agencies.

CNE 511 COUNSELING PROGRAM ORIENTATION . The context of this course includes the history of counseling, a review of the standards for licensure and certifi cation, and a discussion of current issues and concerns in the field of counseling.

CNE 512 ETHICS FOR COUNSELORS. This course examines the professional codes of ethics and their limitations, the value clashes in counseling, ethical decision making models and the major ethical issues in the counseling field.

CNE 533 INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE. This course introduces students to the fi eld of school counseling. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of counseling professional identity, and professional ethics. The services provided in a comprehensive program of guidance and counseling are discussed. Prerequisite: CNE 597 or taken concurrently.

CNE 534 EFFECTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR. A study is made of the dynamics of human behavior with emphasis on understanding dysfunction as well as the basic nature of human beings who successfully cope with the problems that confront them in everyday life. Attention is given to development of emotional health in personal and social contexts such as home, school, work, and marriage. Prerequisite: CNE 597.

CNE 564 THEORIES OF COUNSELING. A comprehensive study is made of the major theories of counseling. Attention is given to systematic ways of viewing the counseling process. Divergences and convergences among theories are examined for practical application. Prerequisites: Admission to program and CNE 511 orientation taken concurrently.

CNE 570 CAREER COUNSELING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN. This course is designed to assist the counselor in developing and initiating a comprehensive career education program. A study is made of the world of work as well as the dynamics and developmental aspects of vocational choice. Emphasis is also placed on the use of occupational information, test scores, personal data, grades, and other pertinent information in working with students individually and in groups. Prerequisites: CNE 597.

CNE 579 METHODS OF RESEARCH. Study is made of types and methods of educational research, the collecting, analyzing and sharing of data with the pubic. The student is expected to complete a research project or field study utilizing appropriate methods of educational research. Prerequisite: CNE 663.

CNE 585 PRE-PRACTICUM TECHNIQUES OF COUNSELING. This course is designed to provide experiences in the exploration and application of individual counseling techniques. Role-playing, self-exploration, and structuring of the counseling relationship are emphasized. Prerequisites: CNE 564 taken concurrently.

CNE 587 WORKSHOP IN COUNSELING . This course is designed to serve the needs of in-service counselors in schools and those in private practice. Topics will vary as needs demand. May be repeated as scheduled topics vary.

CNE 591 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COUNSELING. This course is designed to help students develop approaches for putting counseling theories into practice in helping children and adolescents who are experiencing difficulties in their developmental, personal and social growth. Prerequisites: CNE 534.

CNE 592 CROSS CULTURAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING. This course will examine the sociocultural characteristics and counseling issues related to the varied cultures in today’s society. Hispanic, African-American, Native American, and Asian American cultures will be examined along with issues related to gender and Gay/Lesbian concerns.

CNE 597 HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN. A review of theory and research concerning the growth and development of the individual through the lifespan with emphasis placed on childhood and adolescence. The course attempts to relate theory and research to present concerns and problems of teachers through the study of physiological, psychological and social interrelationships. Experience in the procedures of child study are provided.

CNE 599 PLAY THERAPY BASICS. This course is designed to enhance/increase the counselor’s understanding of the child’s world as perceived by the child, the relationship between the child’s world and behavior. The major theories of play therapy, and the utilization of play media to facilitate the child’s self-exploration, self-expression, self-understanding, and personal growth will be explored. Prerequisite: CNE 564 and CNE 597.

CNE 631 ADVANCED PLAY THERAPY. This course is designed to provide play therapists with extensive practical research experience in regard to issues relative to the play therapy relationship. Case analysis, theoretical application, and current research issues and trends will be investigated.

CNE 632 THEORIES OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY. This course focuses on basic concepts in marriage and family therapy, theories of therapeutic change in families, marriage and family development and foundations of family systems therapy. Prerequisite: CNE 564.

CNE 633 TECHNIQUES OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY. Application of the main approaches in family therapy to clinical work. This includes skill development in working with couples and families in a variety of contexts. Prerequisite: CNE 632.

CNE 634 PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING. This course studies the current ethical issues and the professional roles of marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors and school counselors. This includes study of the Texas Family Code, the licensing acts for Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, and regulations for school counselors. Prerequisite: CNE 585.

CNE 635 METHODS OF CONSULTATION, COORDINATION AND COUNSELING. A comprehensive study is made of contemporary practices of consultation and coordination in the school counseling profession. The course includes study of community service agencies, referral sources, legal and ethical practices and the acquisition of practical school counseling skills. Prerequisites: CNE 533 and CNE 674 (or concurrently).

CNE 636 FIELD PRACTICUM. The course provides supervised experiences in a counseling setting. Study is made of the duties and responsibilities of the counselor at work. Prerequisites: CNE 676 and subject to individual placement.

CNE 637 COUNSELING FOR SEXUAL CONCERNS. Students will develop an understanding of sexual anatomy, the physiology of sexual function, and therapeutic applicants for assessing, counseling, and referral procedures for clients who present with sexual concerns. Students will investigate various therapeutic approaches when dealing with sexual concerns. Students will explore how life experiences, sexual values, and beliefs about sexual behavior affect the therapeutic interaction and outcome. Prerequisites: CNE 534, CNE 632, and CNE 674.

CNE 663 ASSESSMENT IN GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING. Study will include the principles of assessment and evaluation in counseling, assessment instruments used in counseling services, elementary statistical concepts, methods of evaluating assessment instruments, the process of synthesizing and interpreting assessment data, and the ethics of assessment. Prerequisites: CNE 564 or taken concurrently.

CNE 674 PRACTICUM IN GROUP COUNSELING. Participation in small group activities is a signifi cant part of this course which has been designed to meet the needs of counselors in a variety of settings. The didactic portion of the course will focus on the knowledge, practice, skills, and person of the effective group counselor. Prerequisites: CNE 564 and CNE 585.

CNE 676 SUPERVISED PRACTICE IN COUNSELING. This laboratory course is designed to prepare the student in the practical application and integration of the principles and methods of counseling. Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy and CNE 585 and CNE 674.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in
Counselor Education

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education provides the highest professional degree available to students who aspire to leadership positions in counselor education and school counseling. Although the degree includes a prescribed curriculum of required and elective courses, the doctoral degree will be awarded on the basis of successful completion of coursework and completion of a major research study resulting in the presentation and defense of a dissertation. A comprehensive examination will be taken during the sixth semester of course work. Students must be enrolled during the semester the comprehensive examination is taken.

The program design requires completion of the nineteen hours of the Counselor Education Core, a minimum of fi fteen hours in the Research component, nine hours in Research Tools, twenty hours in the area of specialization (Counselor Education or School Counseling), and six hours in the Educational Leadership Cognate.

The Ph.D. program follows a cohort model. This means that individuals are admitted to a specific cohort group and are required to take the Counselor Education core, Research component, Research Tools, and specialization internships at the same time as the cohort group. Cohort groups begin in May/June of each year. In the event that students encounter personal emergencies that result in dropping out of the normal schedule, they may be required to join another cohort group with a different schedule.

Admission to the program requires a commitment to devoting a signifi cant amount of time for the period of the individual’s program. The inability to devote the necessary time will require the individual to drop out of the program. Students who complete the doctoral degree in counselor education will be able to:

• apply counseling theory and research to the counselor education and/or school counseling leadership functions;
• plan and deliver research based counselor education didactic courses;
• apply counselor supervision theory and research to individual and group supervision in counselor education and school counseling programs;
• use advanced level communication and interpersonal skills in consultation, counseling, counselor education, supervision and evaluation;
• interpret the relationships among federal, state and local agencies and the laws and ethical considerations applicable to the counselor education and school counseling program management fields;
• apply advanced level diagnostic and assessment methodology, and develop the capacity to teach appropriate treatment plans for a wide range of psychological concerns to master’s level students;
• demonstrate multicultural awareness and competence during doctoral level counseling, supervision and consultation;
• incorporate adult education pedagogy and research as a basic tool in administering counselor education and staff development programs;
• design doctoral level counseling research and interpret results;
• apply data to advanced level counseling capabilities and school counseling leadership functions; and,
• successfully complete extensive internship experiences directly related to the student’s individual professional goals.

Recruitment efforts will focus on attracting intelligent, highly motivated individuals.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

Students seeking admission to the graduate programs in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling must meet the basic requirements of Graduate Studies specified in the Admission section of this catalogue. Applicants for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program in Counselor Education must have:

1. A master’s degree from an accredited institution. The master’s degree and additional course work should be substantially equivalent to a core of 48 hours of Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) required curriculum areas. Students with a 36-semester hour degree and lacking specifi c academic requirements for Licensure as a Professional Counselor in Texas (LPC) will take additional coursework during the program to meet those requirements.
2. 3.50 grade point average on all graduate work.
3. Taken the Graduate Record Exam.

ADDITIONAL COUNSELOR EDUCATION Ph.D.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES

A completed application form, accompanied by a $35 non-refundable processing fee, should be submitted by February 1 of the year the applicant proposes to begin the program to:

Director, Center for Research and Counselor Education (CRCE)
Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling
Box 2119
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2119.

In addition, the applicant must submit the following to the Director of the CRCE:

1. One offi cial copy of transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work completed; mailed directly to the above address.
2. One copy of scores for the Graduate Record Examination.
3. References Rating Forms from: Three offi cials in schools, or mental health agencies where the applicant has been employed, plus two recommendations from current or former graduate-level professors. These must be “closed” recommendations, i.e., mailed directly to the Counselor Education Program at the above address, from the individual making the recommendation.
4. A 1000- word personal statement.

APPLICANT INTERVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

The Counselor Education doctoral admissions committee will consider all applications through a holistic review process, taking into account higher GPAs, GRE Scores, work experience, recommendations, and interview scores. After reviewing the pool of applicants, the doctoral admissions committee will recommend the top candidates for the on-campus interview process. Applicants invited for the interview will be given specific guidelines for the interview process which will include an interview with the doctoral admissions committee, an on-site writing proficiency assessment. All qualifi ed doctoral students are admitted under regular admission to the Graduate School. At the close of their second semester they will meet with the Doctoral Director as to the status of their confirmations in the doctoral program.

After admission to candidacy, the student’s doctoral dissertation committee will be assigned by the Director of the Center for Research and Counselor Education and the Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling.

Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Education

COGNATE ELECTIVES (6 SCH)

The student will work with the Director of the CRCE to choose a cognate elective that supports the student’s specialization, experience and research interests. Choose two, three-credit Educational Leadership courses from the following:

COUNSELING DOCTORAL COURSES

CNE 710 DOCTORAL SEMINAR. This course is designed to provide an orientation to doctoral studies in counseling, topics of current interest to doctoral students, and the faculty and information regarding areas of study and research related to the doctoral program. This course may be repeated fi ve times, for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral program in Counseling. Credit 1.

CNE 731 ADVANCED COUNSELING THEORIES. In depth study of major counseling theories, with special emphasis on comparative analysis. Prerequisite: Admission into counseling doctoral program. Credit 3.

CNE 732 ADVANCED APPRAISAL TECHNIQUES. This is an advanced course in assessment procedures used by counselor educators and directors of counseling and guidance in the schools. A case study approach will be utilized to guide students through the application of assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning for childhood, adolescent, and adult mental disorders and behavior problems. Credit 3.

CNE 734 THEORIES OF COUNSELOR SUPERVISION. This course is designed to introduce students to models of counselor supervision. The course is conducted in a seminar-discussion format and, as part of the course students will provide one or more counselor trainees with supervision. Prerequisite: CNE 731. Credit 3.

CNE 735 PRACTICE OF COUNSELOR SUPERVISION. Supervised experience in supervision of counseling. Students meet for individual supervision of supervision and in a seminar group to assess their effectiveness in their supervisory relationships, to obtain feedback on tapes and observation, and to integrate these learnings into their supervisory process. Prerequisite: CNE 734. Credit 3.

CNE 736 COLLEGE TEACHING IN COUNSELING. Application of planning, instructional, and evaluation skills. Doctoral students lead skill training groups, lecture to a masters level class, and guide group discussion with faculty supervision. Prerequisite: CNE 731. Credit 3.

CNE 737 ADVANCED COUNSELING PRACTICUM AND TECHNIQUES. Supervised experience in counseling. Students meet for individual supervision and in a seminar group to assess their effectiveness in their helping relationships, to obtain feedback on tapes and observation, and to integrate these learnings into their counseling behavior. Prerequisite: CNE 636 field Practicum or equivalent, CNE 731 and CNE 732. Controlled registration. Special fee: $30 per semester. Credit 3.

CNE 738 HUMAN DYNAMICS AND CONSULTATION SKILLS. Developing effective human relations and communications skills are crucial to prepare for interactions with parents, students, staff, and school boards. Conferencing skills, active, emphatic listening skills, and knowledge of personality and family dynamics will be developed. Students will learn to network with the community and systems in broader contexts. Doctoral students only.

CNE 739 DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING. Professional service in field setting appropriate for counseling, consultation, and personnel work, under supervision. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit-hours. Credit/No Credit grading. Prerequisites: CNE 737 and permission of doctoral director. Credit 3.

CNE 762 METHODS OF COUNSELING RESEARCH. Study of both quantitative and qualitative research with emphasis upon an understanding of statistical concepts and procedures necessary to create and implement effective educational research. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral program in counseling. Credit 3.

CNE 763 APPLICATION OF COUNSELING RESEARCH. Fundamental concepts and tools of research applied to educational problems. Each student will prepare a proposal for the dissertation. Prerequisites: CNE 762, CNE 772, and STA 765 or equivalents. Credit 3.

CNE 772 QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGY. This course is designed to teach qualitative research methodology within a counseling problems-based contextual framework. The course will emphasize qualitative techniques through lecture, discussion, readings, and fi eld-based research projects using the methods learned. Prerequisite: CNE 762. Credit 3.

CNE 787 WORKSHOP IN COUNSELOR EDUCATION. This course will provide the doctoral student an opportunity to engage in detailed and in-depth study of a program or problem in counselor supervision. The student will work under the supervision of a doctoral faculty member and will be expected to produce a written product or presentation. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral program in counseling and approval of doctoral director. Credit 3.

CNE 833 DISSERTATION. The completion of an approved dissertation which will contribute to counseling. Field-based projects will be emphasized. Must be repeated for a minimum of 9 semester hours. Prerequisites: Admission to the doctoral program in counseling, completion of counseling Core, Research component and Research Tools courses, successful completion of comprehensive exam and approval of doctoral advisor. Credit 3.