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The MA in Mental Health Counseling adopted the MPCAC (Master in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council) standards (please see below).
Program Curriculum
Courses in Specialization (60 credits) |
| Foundations of Mental Health Counseling | 3 credits | ||
| Clinical Health Psychology | 3 credits | ||
| Clinical Instructions | 3 credits | ||
| Ethical and Legal Issues for Mental Health Counselors | 3 credits | ||
| Psychosocial and Cultural Foundations of Counseling | 3 credits | ||
| Addiction and Dependency | 3 credits | ||
| Counseling and Group Process | 3 credits | ||
| Practicum/Experiential | 3 credits | ||
| Psychopathology | 3 credits | ||
| Life Span Development | 3 credits | ||
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | 3 credits | ||
| Career Counseling |
3 credits |
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| Assessment |
3 credits |
| Coping with Grief and Trauma | 3 credits | ||||||
| Assessment and Treatment of Obesity and Eating Disorders | 1.5 credits Effective spring 2023: 3 credits | ||||||
| Child and Adolescent Psychopathology | 3 credits | ||||||
| Theories of Counseling | 3 credits | ||||||
| Mental Health Counseling Internship I | 6 credits | ||||||
| Mental Health Counseling Internship II | 6 credits | ||||||
| Research and Program Evaluation in Mental Health Counseling | 3 credits |
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Master in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Standards
Standards | Operational definitions of standards | |||
B.5. The program must demonstrate evidence of students’ professional competence, in the standards described A to K below. Competence must be gained by completion of the program through academic and applied experiences. | ||||
A. Professional identity, and ethical and professional standards | ||||
1. Ethical/Legal Standards and Policy: Demonstrates knowledge and application of ethical concepts, and awareness of legal issues regarding professional activities with individuals, groups, and organizations | ||||
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2. Professional Values and Attitudes: Exhibits behavior and comportment that reflect the values and attitudes of counseling and psychology | ||||
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B. Evidence-based theories and practice of counseling and psychotherapy | ||||
1. Knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge of individual and group theories of counseling and psychotherapy consistent with program orientation and goals |
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2. Relationships: Relates effectively with individuals, groups, and communities | ||||
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3. Intervention: Applies evidence-based intervention and prevention strategies designed to alleviate suffering and to promote health and well-being of individuals, groups, and/or organizations (e.g., career, group, family, and/or systems-level interventions) | ||||
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C. Multiculturalism and diversity Demonstrates knowledge, self-awareness, and skills in working with individuals, groups, and communities who represent various cultural and personal backgrounds and characteristics | ||||
1. Knowledge and Self-Awareness: | ||||
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2. Skills: Applies knowledge of self and others as cultural beings in assessment, treatment, consultation, and all other professional interactions; is able to work effectively with diverse individuals in assessment, treatment, and consultation. |
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D. Theories of psychopathology and relevant classification systems | ||||
1. Knowledge: | ||||
a. Demonstrates knowledge of theories of psychopathology, including but not limited to, biological and sociocultural theories |
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b. Demonstrates knowledge of classification systems of behavior and evaluates limitations of those systems |
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2. Skills: Applies concepts of normal/ abnormal behavior to case formulation, diagnosis, and treatment planning in the context of stages of human development and diversity |
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E. Tests, measurements, and other assessments of behavior | ||||
1. Knowledge: |
a. Demonstrates knowledge of content, reliability and validity, and purposes of assessment measures frequently used by counselors and psychological practitioners. |
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b. Evaluates strengths and limitations (including cultural limitations) of administration, scoring, and interpretation of assessment measures. |
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2. Skills: Selects and utilizes appropriate assessment measures across domains of functioning, practice settings, and cultural groups. |
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F. Research methods and program evaluation | ||||
1. Knowledge: | ||||
a. Demonstrates knowledge of scientific methods commonly used by counselors and psychology practitioners in their clinical work |
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b. Demonstrates knowledge of use of scientific methods to add to the knowledge base of counseling and psychology |
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c. Demonstrates knowledge of application of scientific methods to evaluating practices, interventions, and programs |
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2. Skills: Critiques published research effectively |
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G. Career development and/or the role of work in peoples’ lives | ||||
1. Demonstrates knowledge of the role of work in peoples’ lives |
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2. Demonstrates understanding of the development of work and career choices across the life span |
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H. Biological basis of behavior Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the relationship between biological factors and human functioning |
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I. Developmental basis of behavior Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of human development, wellness, and learned bases of behavior across the lifespan. |
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J. Social/organizational/community basis of behavior | ||||
1.Demonstrates knowledge of individuals in the context of their environment and how the environment (e.g., geographical, ideological, demographic, familial, institutional) affects functioning. |
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2. Demonstrates understanding of the use of systems changes (whether by prevention or intervention) to enhance the functioning of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and/or institutions. |
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K. Understanding and use of supervision during applied experiences | ||||
1. Knowledge: Demonstrates understanding of the role and practice of supervision. |
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2. Skills: | ||||
a. Responds appropriately to supervision |
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b. Engages in reflective practices by synthesizing supervisor feedback and experience in applied work |
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c. Engages in appropriate self-care strategies |
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