2007-2008 Academic Catalog

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• Counseling Course Descriptions
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MSCN (School Counseling) Course Descriptions

MSCN 501 Principles and Techniques in the School System
3 hours. This course examines and invites the student to experience issues, topics, and foundational skill building in school counseling. It moves from the introspective process to mastery in application of the foundational principles and techniques learned. The integration of school counseling and theological truth will be introduced.

MSCN 502 Strategies in School Counseling
3 hours. This course provides an overview of the various responsibilities of school counselors, focusing on scheduling, program development, counseling, referral making, etc. It also incorporates the latest findings in the research literature related to the development of becoming and functioning as school counselors, as well as the more recent challenges in how to address and focus on school violence prevention programs. It also provides an opportunity for the student to interact with school counselors in the field.

MSCN 503 Risk and Resilience in Youth
3 hours. This course is designed to introduce students to a variety of biological and social risk factors that impede the development of competence in children and/or adolescents. Early intervention and prevention services are explored. This course also assesses research findings in various areas, but especially focuses on resiliency research. Public policies, statutes, and regulations are reviewed that relate to children and adolescents with biological and social risk factors.

MSCN 504 Childhood and Adolescent Disorders, Diagnosis, and Treatment
3 hours. This course provides students with advanced concentrated study of the etiology, diagnostic criteria, recommended intervention strategies/treatment, and diagnostic procedures appropriate for the identification of children's mental health needs, as well as the physiological and social bases of mental health problems. Focus will be placed on the etiology, identifying features, prognosis, and preferred intervention for conditions that place a child at risk for maladaptive social or emotional adjustment.

MSCN 505 Ethical and Legal Issues in Education
1-3 hours. This course covers the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) code of ethics and the Oregon statutes. It gives students an opportunity to learn the process of ethical decision making and how to deal with ethical "traps." Students will practice ethical decision making through case studies and role-plays, and will be introduced to how to get their Initial School Counselor and Continuing School Counselor licenses. (Students pursuing a certificate in school counseling who already hold a master's degree in a mental health field and have taken, as part of their master's degree, a 3-credit-hour course in law and ethics can request a transcript review for a two-hour waiver, and sign up for 1 credit hour only.)

MSCN 506 Internship A: Early Childhood and Elementary Counseling I
2 hours. Supervised internship in school counseling. All prerequisites must have been met before taking internship. Internship begins in fall and continues until spring, providing an opportunity for the student to function in all aspects of school counseling in the early childhood and elementary school settings, under close supervision and following the professional code of ethics closely. Pass/No Pass. (Students must have: (a) successfully passed candidacy, (b) completed all prerequisites with a B or better grade, (c) applied for internship, and (d) attended the Internship Fair before enrolling in internship.)

MSCN 507 Internship B: Middle Level and High School Counseling I
2 hours. Supervised internship in school counseling. All prerequisites must have been met before taking internship. Internship begins fall and continues until spring, providing an opportunity for the student to function in all aspects of school counseling in the middle school and high school settings, under close supervision and following the professional code of ethics closely. Pass/No Pass. (Students must have: (a) successfully passed candidacy, (b) completed all prerequisites with a B or better grade, (c) applied for internship, and (d) attended the Internship Fair before enrolling in internship.)

MSCN 508 Internship A: Early Childhood and Elementary Counseling II
2 hours. A continuation of MSCN 506 Internship A: Early Childhood and Elementary Counseling I, providing an opportunity for the student to function in all aspects of school counseling in the early childhood and elementary school settings, under close supervision and following the professional code of ethics closely. Pass/No Pass. (Students must have: (a) successfully passed candidacy, (b) completed all prerequisites with a B or better grade, (c) applied for internship, and (d) attended the Internship Fair before enrolling in internship.)

MSCN 509 Internship B: Middle Level and High School Counseling II
2 hours. A continuation of MSCN 507 Internship B: Middle Level and High School Counseling I, providing an opportunity for the student to function in all aspects of school counseling in the middle school and high school settings, under close supervision and following the professional code of ethics closely. Pass/No Pass. (Students must have: (a) successfully passed candidacy, (b) completed all prerequisites with a B or better grade, (c) applied for internship, and (d) attended the Internship Fair before enrolling in internship.)

MSCN 520 Personality and Counseling Theories
3 hours. A survey of major contemporary theories of counseling and personality development, with particular emphasis on the etiology and treatment of psychopathological states as interpreted within various theoretical frameworks. Theories are explored regarding their application within the context of doing school counseling. A biblical theory of personality is explored.

MSCN 550 Group Theory and Therapy
3 hours. A study of the field of group therapy with children and adolescents of various ethnic, cultural, and developmental needs. Various therapeutic approaches for a broad range of students and types of groups in and outside the classroom are studied. Students in this class will gain an understanding of group dynamics both theoretically and experientially.

MSCN 570 Lifestyle and Career Development
1-3 hours. A study of the foundational issues and resources of career counseling, the lifestyle and career decision-making process, career guidance programs for special populations, and future issues. Special focus will be given to cutting-edge technology and career counseling used in middle and high schools. The role of the middle and high school counselor and career counseling will be assessed. The integration of the whole person in career counseling is addressed.
Prerequisite: MSCN 501 Principles and Techniques. (Students pursuing a certificate in school counseling who hold a master's degree in a mental health field and have taken, as part of their master's degree, a 3-credit-hour course in career counseling can request a transcript review for a two-hour waiver, and sign up for 1 credit hour only.)

MSCN 597 Treatment Planning
1 hour. This course is intended to follow up MSCN 504 Childhood and Adolescent Disorders and operates in conjunction with MSCN 506 Internship A: Early Childhood and Elementary Counseling I or MSCN 507 Internship B: Middle Level and High School Counseling I. The student will explore comprehensive treatment planning strategies, including the development of written statements of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional symptoms; systemic processes; short-term objectives; intervention strategies, appropriate community referrals, and collaboration with the school systems and parents. Various therapeutic methods utilized in treatment and management of mental disorders will be presented. Pass/No Pass.

MSCN 599 Graduate Clinical Project
1 hour. The graduate clinical project (GCP) is a four-part clinical exam in which the student's perceptual, conceptual, and executive skills are evaluated as applied to an actual case example. In Part I, the student will prepare a comprehensive paper detailing his or her theory on the nature of persons and the therapeutic process. Through use of video, session transcripts, and written reflection, in Part II the student will demonstrate the application of this theory in an actual case presentation. In Part III, the student will present a three-year growth plan. Finally, the student's theoretical paper, case presentation, and growth plan will be evaluated by both a GDC faculty member and a licensed school counselor from the community. Pass/No Pass. Needs to be taken concurrently with the second term of internship. Additional course fee is required.