Online Master of Science in Counseling/Clincal Mental Health Counseling (Phoenix, AZ Campus only)

This course presents students with theoretical frameworks to foster an understanding of the various dimensions of human development. Emphasis is placed on biological, cognitive, and psychosocial development within the context of gender, family systems, social roles, and culture. Students evaluate clinical situations and assess potential therapeutic interventions in context.

This course presents the student with the primary theoretical models of personality theory used in counseling practice, including psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, humanistic, integrative, multicultural, and systems theory. A focus on evidence-based practices that incorporate diversity issues is a significant feature of this course. Students have opportunities to establish a strong theoretical foundation as the basis of clinical practice.

This course covers the legal and ethical responsibilities of the counseling professional. Students learn to interpret and act upon situations appropriately and effectively. Content includes issues such as client rights, confidentiality, duty to warn and protect, dual relationships, supervision and consulting, ethics with special populations, and ethical decision-making models.

This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of research and evaluation in the counseling profession. Topics include critical analysis of research literature, statistical analysis, qualitative and quantitative research methods, needs assessment, and program evaluation. Emphasis is placed on understanding connections between research design, theories, and the utilization of results in the professional practice of counseling.

The focus of this course is on tests used in counseling and test reports, with an emphasis on learning how to integrate testing as an additional tool in counseling. Tests most commonly encountered in the counseling field are identified and reviewed, and the following components are discussed: psychometric properties of tests, test selection criteria, administration, interpretation, and reporting of test results.

This course examines the biological foundations of human functioning in relationship to cognition, emotions and mental health. It includes an overview of neuro-anatomy, biochemistry, and main effects and side effects of prescription psychotropic medication. The goal of the course is to learn how the underlying biological aspects of human functioning affect processes of adjustment and well-being relevant to client populations. There is special attention given to issues pertaining to those who are taking psychotropic medication and the need to monitor them for side effects and contraindications. Ethics and methods of working with medical personnel are included.

This course introduces students to models and tools of assessment and diagnosis for the purpose of developing competency in evaluation and treatment planning for professional counseling practice. Students learn about and practice intake assessment techniques, mental status examinations, using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, outcome-based treatment planning, and behavioral analysis. Emphasis is placed on writing clear, accurate, and useful assessments and treatment plans. Multicultural and ethical issues in assessment are also explored.

Students build on the skills gained in previous courses, focusing on the more complex or problematic disorders. Students enhance their skills by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders® for report-writing and treatment plan development. Emphasis is on accepted treatment approaches and outcome-based assessments; the development of critical-thinking skills; and on multicultural, legal, and ethical issues.

This course focuses on intensive skill building in individual counseling. The relationship between assessment, theory, application of strategy and intervention, setting goals with clients, closure, and referral are emphasized as essential to the counseling environment. Emphasis is also placed on treatment plans, ethics, and cultural diversity.

Professional Counseling Assessment Portfolio II helps students integrate and evaluate their learning in the Master of Counseling program at midpoint. Like an assessment center, Portfolio II provides an integrative experience requiring the student to bring together all of what he or she has learned in previous courses in the program and to demonstrate how that learning has been applied both personally and professionally.

This course is designed to be a foundation for understanding diversity among clients in a pluralistic society. Emphasis will be on integrating awareness, knowledge, and skills related to counseling differences and similarities based on age, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliations, gender identification, sexual orientation, physical/mental limitations, social class, etc.

This course provides students with intensive knowledge, awareness, and skill-building in group counseling. Content emphasizes such areas as different types of groups, dynamics, norms and boundaries, leadership styles, leading and co-leading, and treatment plans. Confidentiality, selection procedures, ethics, and diversity are included as key components of effective group counseling practice.

This course is an overview of models in the intervention and treatment of children, adolescents, and families. Students contrast fundamental assumptions of systems theory with intrapsychic theories, address integrative approaches to assessment and diagnosis in family therapy, and explore systemic approaches for the treatment of issues common to families and children in clinical settings.

This course addresses addiction concepts and counseling practices. Topics include an overview of dependency theories, major substances of abuse, assessment, diagnosis, treatment modalities, special topics, and working with diverse populations.

This course provides the student with a comprehensive overview of vocational theory and career counseling. It includes the historical foundations of vocational theory and the relationship of these to skills and techniques utilized in career counseling and vocational development practices. Vocational and career counseling is examined as an integral component of the overall assessment and treatment of clients representing diverse populations found within the scope of community, mental health, and marriage and family counseling. Emphasis is placed on the examination of adults in transition and the nature of work in a changing world. Students develop competencies necessary to provide career and vocational counseling to clients across the lifespan.

This course requires students to apply marriage and family theory and skills acquired throughout the program and allows them to gain a deeper understanding of working with diverse families. Students will go through the process, from intake to termination, of working with a family in a role-play setting incorporating practical applications of assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, progress notes, and termination summaries. Family interventions will be emphasized, including interventions for families in acute and chronic crisis, and for various ethnic family systems.

This course integrates mental health foundations with historical, philosophical and contextual dimensions of clinical mental health counseling practice and reviews the trends in both the knowledge and skills necessary to practice crisis and trauma counseling. Community resources and professional networks are explored as a means of demonstrating the integration of the profession in a social context and to advocate for the profession. Students will investigate professional roles, functions, and relationships with other human services providers. Additionally, application of counseling models and assessment tools for crisis and trauma, are investigated in-depth.

This course is an overview of supervision and management as they relate to the practice of counseling. Models of supervision and counselor development, supervision and management processes, assessment and evaluation issues, and ethical and legal aspects of supervision are emphasized. Students explore their skills in management, supervision, and consultation, particularly as they relate to recent changes in the mental health care delivery system.

This course is an orientation to the practicum and internship.

This course focuses on the assessment and continuing development of student counseling skills. Students have a variety of opportunities to integrate theory into practice through intake, assessment, and treatment with clients seeking mental health services. This course includes a special topic on Grief and Loss counseling. Students develop their styles and strengths as professional counseling practitioners, as well as identify areas needing further development.

Counseling Internship is a 600-hour clinical experience (900 hours in Utah) required of all MSC students. Depending on the campus, the internship is divided into either 200 or 300 hour sections, each lasting 15 weeks. Those campuses that offer CCMH 597 A, B, and C require students to complete 200 hours for each course (except Utah which requires 300 hours each), while those campuses that offer only CCMH 597 A and B require the student to complete 300 hours for each course. Please check with your Campus College Chair for any clarification or questions you have. The internship experience comprises Portfolio III of the counseling portfolio series. Students are placed in community counseling agencies where they provide clinical services to clients under the direction of an approved licensed agency site supervisor. Students are also assisted in their preparation for the National Counselor Examination.

Counseling Internship is a 600-hour clinical experience (900 hours in Utah) required of all MSC students. Depending on the campus, the internship is divided into either 200 or 300 hour sections, each lasting 15 weeks. Those campuses that offer CCMH 597 A, B, and C require students to complete 200 hours for each course (except Utah which requires 300 hours each), while those campuses that offer only CCMH 597 A and B require the student to complete 300 hours for each course. Please check with your Campus College Chair for any clarification or questions you have. The internship experience comprises Portfolio III of the counseling portfolio series. Students are placed in community counseling agencies where they provide clinical services to clients under the direction of an approved licensed agency site supervisor. Students are also assisted in their preparation for the National Counselor Examination.