Core Curriculum

Ten well-structured and carefully crafted courses

The Curriculum of the Limited-Residency Master of Arts program in Counseling Psychology consists of ten well-structured and carefully crafted courses. Delivery of the coursework is through a blending of face-to-face instruction during Colloquia visits, and online learning.  The content of the courses ensure that every student has thorough immersion in the most up-to-date foundational knowledge that constitutes the field of mental health counseling.

Learning platform

Our electronic learning platform is called Moodle, which is an abbreviation for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. Moodle supports computer based courses with a focus on interaction and collaboration among students and Instructors.   This format insures that students are learning everything they need to know to master the foundational knowledge required of a Mental Health Counselor and to pursue licensure in this field.

This interactive classroom involves discussion forums, collaborative projects with peers, community engagement and observation and other experiential elements where possible.   Each course Instructor brings the same creativity to the Moodle based, cohort courses as they would to a traditional classroom setting.  This method of delivery also helps students to know the academic areas in which they are strong and those in which they need to focus their efforts toward improvement.

Elective coursework offers other rewards. Building on the fundamental theories and knowledge contained within the core required counseling courses, students have freedom to explore in greater depth, areas of passion and interest within the broad array of counseling electives.  Our elective courses are delivered in what we call a mentored; self-directed or independent study model. With the support and tutelage of qualified mentors who are experts in a particular area, students have greater freedom to design the content and focus within the topical area of an elective course.

This blending of learning environments maintains the professional and practical aspects of counselor training while encouraging each student to maximize their own competencies in diverse areas.  Whether the course is delivered via Moodle or through Independent Study, students are called upon to manage their time and to be responsible for graduate level scholarship and critical thinking in their academic work.

Core Counseling Courses

• Foundations of Mental Health Counseling: Professional Orientations, Ethics, and Standards
• Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
• Human Growth and Development
• Social and Cultural Diversity: Advocacy Issues in Mental Health Counseling
• Research and Program Evaluation in Mental Health Counseling
• Counseling Methods: Prevention and Intervention
• Helping Relationships: Basic Counseling Skills
• Career and Lifestyle Development: Challenges of Adulthood
• Group Work: Clinical Theory and Practice
• Assessment: Psychological Testing and Appraisal in Counseling
• Foundations of Mental Health Counseling: Professional Orientation, Ethics and Standards

It is important to note that no academic program or institution grants licensure to practice as a mental health counselor.   Our program will however, prepare you to be eligible to sit for most state licensure exams. Each student is expected to acquaint her or himself with the licensure requirements of the state in which he or she intends to practice and to tailor their program accordingly.