Masters of School Counseling:
MEC 500 - Introduction to the Counseling Profession
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the professional identity of counselors, professional organizations, publications, certification and licensing. The roles and expectations of counselors in various settings are examined.
MEC 505 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to help students appreciate the complexity of ethical and legal considerations specifically related to the practice of counseling (e.g., confidentiality, professional liability, privileged communication, informed consent, etc.). Case study will be a prominent technique to help each student understand the difficulties that counselor may face due to both legal and ethical constraints on practice.
MEC 512 - Counseling Theory
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of current major theoretical approaches to counseling. Emphasis is on both theory and application. Methods of instruction include lecture, class discussion, readings, videotapes, writing, case studies and role-playing. Having evaluated the philosophical assumptions about the human person underlying each theory, each student will be able to choose and critically integrate major counseling perspectives into his or her own personal approach to counseling.
MEC 513 - Counseling Techniques
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to teach students basic counseling skills. The students will focus on developing and enhancing their skills to facilitate their ability to intervene effectively with their clients. Students will be encouraged to explore their own style of counseling and begin to integrate at least one theoretical orientation into their practice of counseling.
MEC 516 - Human Growth and Development
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to review basic concepts pertaining to human development across the lifespan including characteristics of the physical, cognitive and psychosocial changes that occur from birth through adulthood. Research methods that underlie the empirical study of human development are presented. Historical and cultural perspectives on childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging are reviewed.
MEC 517 - Research Design and Statistics
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to cover the principles, methods, techniques and tools used in performing research in counseling. Students will learn to evaluate the validity of research and read and understand research articles. The students will have an opportunity to clarify and define their own research interests.
MEC 520 - Family Dynamics and Counseling
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to examine theories and practice of family counseling. Students will begin to develop skills in working with families. The special ethical and legal issues involved with family counseling will also be covered.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 500, 512, 513, and 516 or consent of instructor.
MEC 521 - Group Dynamics and Counseling
Credit Hours: 3
As a result of this course students will develop an understanding of group dynamics and the roles of group members. Group leadership skills will be developed. The uses of groups in schools and community settings will be explored. Special attention will be paid to the use of groups with children and adolescents.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 500, 512, 513 or consent of instructor.
MEC 526 - Appraisal of the Individual (Standardized Assessment)
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to explore methods of assessing various attributes of a person. Methodology includes standardized assessment, measurements, individual and group testing, case studies, observations, interviews and rating scales. The course will focus on the development of a comprehensive framework for understanding the individual.
MEC 527 - Social and Cultural Issues
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to study those factors that influence the counselor/client relationship such as ethnic issues, subcultures, rural and urban issues, the changing roles of women, sociocultural issues, etc. Particular attention is paid to the influences of the rural setting on individuals.
MEC 528 - Lifestyle and Career Counseling
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to examine theories of career development and occupational choices. Areas to be included are theories of career choices, career and lifestyle developments, development and career choice, sources of information regarding careers and educational information and opportunities, resume writing and portfolio development.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 500, 512, 513 or consent of instructor.
MEC 531 - Counseling with Children and Adolescents
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to examine the various psychological problems of childhood and adolescents. Various developmental perspectives on child and adolescent growth and possible resultant difficulties will be discussed. Special attention will be paid to system and environmental issues. The students will develop counseling skills needed in working with children, adolescents and their families.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 500 and 516 or consent of instructor.
MEC 541 - Substance Abuse Counseling
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of thie course is to examine chemical, psychological and treatment aspects of drug use, abuse and dependency. The effects of substance abuse on family members will be discussed. Skills in assessment, diagnosis and treatment approaches will be developed during this course. Alternative perspectives on the etiology and treatment of substance abusing individuals will also be covered.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 500, 512, and 513 or consent of instructor.
MEC 545 - Psychopathology, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to cover the etiology, diagnosis, treatment planning, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders and dysfunctional behavior. Models for assessing mental status and identifying abnormal, deviant or psychopathological behavior will be discussed. Focus will be placed on diagnostic categories currently identified in the DSM IV-TR.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 500, 512, 513, 516 and 527 or consent of instructor.
MEC 546 - Diagnostics and Treatment Planning
Credit Hours: 3
In this course, students will learn how to utilize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to develop diagnostic impressions and appropriate treatment plans to meet the needs of their clients. Students will also be introduced to psychopharmacology as it relates to specific mental disorders represented in the DSM.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 545 or consent of instructor.
MEC 555 - Counseling and Consulting in the Schools I
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with a broad overview of school counseling. Included in the course will be an examination of comprehensive school counseling models, the relationship between the school counselor and other professionals, both inside and outside the school and with parents, the responsibility of the school counselor to various stakeholder groups, and the bases of developing and implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 500, 505, 513, 516, 531, or consent of instructor. (Formerly MEC 515)
MEC 556 - Counseling and Consulting in the Schools II
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a continuation of MEC 555. There is an emphasis on roles that the school counselor is expected to fill. Specifically, there will be a discussion of the school counselor as a leader, as a consultant and as an advocate. The role of a school counselor as a member of the academic team who is striving for academic excellence for all students will be a major focal point of the course.
Prerequisite: MEC 555. (Formerly MEC 515)
MEC 570 - Special Topics in Community Counseling
Credit Hours: 1
The purpose of special topics is to acquaint the students and community members with aspects of counseling to which students need exposure but the subject matter does not warrant a three-semester hour course. Some special topics in community counseling have been Assertiveness Training, Human Sexuality and Evidence Based Practice. These topics may be repeated and/or new "special topics" may replace some of the titles listed. May be taken for a maximum of 3 credit hours.
MEC 575 - Special Topics in School Counseling
Credit Hours: 1
The purpose of special topics is to acquaint the students and community members with aspects of counseling to which students need exposure but the subject matter does not warrant a three-semester hour course. The content of each may be repeated and/or new "special topics" may replace some course content for a maximum of 3 credit hours. Students in the school counseling track may take MEC 546 Diagnostic and Treatment Planning in lieu of the school oriented special topics. May be taken for a maximum of 3 credit hours.
MEC 580 - School Counseling Practicum
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised school counseling experience involving interaction with individuals and groups of school-aged children. A minimum of 40 hours will involve direct service work with children. The remainder of the hours may include observation and supervision experiences. On-site certified school counselors with at least 3 years of experience will provide field supervision of practicum students in the school counseling track. Requests for exceptions to this standard need to be made to the Director of Clinical Experiences. A student may apply for practicum if he or she plans on taking one of the required courses concurrently with practicum. A grade of "DE" is given for an incomplete practicum at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 500, 505, 512, 513, 516, 520, 521, 527, 531 or 541, 555 plus 9 additional graduate credit hours in counseling.
MEC 581 - Community Counseling Practicum
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised community counseling experiences involving interaction with individuals, families or groups. A minimum of 40 hours will involve direct service with clients. the remainder of the hours may include observation and suprvision experiences. On-site licensed professional counselors with at least 3 years of experience or their equivalent will provide field supervision of practicum students in the community counseling track. Requests for exceptions to this standard need to be made to the Director of Clinical Experiences. A student may apply for practicum if he or she plans on taking one of the required courses concurrently with practicum. A grade of "DE" is given for an incomplete practicum at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 500, 505, 512, 513, 516, 520, 521, 527, 531 or 541, 545, 546 plus 9 additional graduate credit hours in counseling.
MEC 590 - School Counseling Internship
Credit Hours: 3
This is a post practicum experience that provides actual on-the-job training in a school setting. The candidate will perform the various school counseling activities. Field supervision of internship students in the school counseling track will be provided by on-site certified school counselors with at least 3 years of experience. Requests for exceptions to this standard need to be made to the Director of Clinical Experiences. A grade of "DE" is given for an incomplete internship at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 580.
MEC 591 - Community Counseling Internship
Credit Hours: 3
This internship experience provides the candidate with actual on-the-job training in a community setting. On-site licensed professional counselors with at least 3 years of experience or their equivalent will provide field supervision of internship students in the community counseling track. Requests for exceptions to this standard need to be made to the Director of Clinical Experiences. A grade of "DE" is given for an incomplete internship at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite(s): MEC 581.
