Counseling and Educational Leadership
Objectives of the Master of Arts in Counseling:
In the Master of Arts in Counseling program, courses and fieldwork experiences are designed to assist graduate students seeking positions in agencies, schools, corporations, and nonprofit organizations in:
- Demonstrating the meaning and significance of fundamental guidance/counseling concepts, principles and theories.
- Interacting effectively with others (colleagues,parents, clients, students, and administrators).
- Analyzing individual behavior within group structures.
- Interpreting research and measurement results in the light of social and psychological factors.
- Interviewing and counseling on a one-to-one basis.
- Relating theories and principles of group dynamics, group practices, and facilitative skills to professional practice.
- Assessing professional abilities and limitations, professionally and personally.
- Writing professionally (e.g. research proposals/reports, case studies).
About the Graduate Counseling Program:
Counseling programs in both the public and private sectors, corporate and business training and organizational development activities, and educational administration and supervision roles are integral parts of the American way of life. The mission of the department is to provide qualified and trained personnel for positions of responsibility in these various program areas, enabling organizations to meet the changing needs of society.
In counseling, the department prepares students for work with diverse populations in a variety of settings in the following areas: community counseling for individuals, groups and families; addictions counseling; school counseling; and student services in higher education. In addition, the department offers certification and certificate programs that meet the requirements for National Board Certification in Counseling and New Jersey State Professional Counselor Licensure.
From the initial core of courses through the internship experience, the department offers courses to prepare counselors, human services personnel, and educational trainers to work with diverse communities, women, families, adult learners, substance abusers (CADC), businesses and industrial settings, as well as to work in traditional roles in public school administration, supervision, school guidance, and substance abuse awareness (SAC).
Course Requirements:
| Professional Core Courses |
| Number |
Name |
Hours |
| COUN 552 |
Introduction to Professional Counseling* |
3 |
| COUN 577 |
Counseling Theories* |
3 |
| ELRS 503 |
Methods of Research* |
3 |
| COUN 579 |
Appraisal of the Individual |
3 |
| COUN 582 |
Career Counseling |
3 |
| COUN 584 |
Group Counseling: Theory and Practice |
3 |
| COUN 588 |
Counseling Techniques |
3 |
| COUN 595 |
Multicultural Counseling and Development |
3 |
| COUN 652 |
Introduction to Marriage, Couples and Family Counseling |
3 |
COUN 531
OR
|
Counseling Across the Life Span
|
3
|
COUN 564
OR
|
Counseling Children and Adolescents
|
3
|
| PSYC 561 |
Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| |
| * May be taken by pre-admit students. A maximum of 2 courses (6 credits) may be taken. |
Practicum: COUN 624
All students will be required to complete a 100-hour practicum in counseling course. In addition to specified prerequisites and co-requisites, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 and a minimum grade of B in COUN 588 to enroll in COUN 624. |
Programs of Study:
Clinical Internship Requirements
Total Semester Hours: 6 |
Internship: COUN 654 (Internship in Counseling I) and COUN 674 (Internship in Counseling II)
All students are required to complete a 600-hour internship (300 hours during each semester's course) in their area of concentration, at the end of their program. Direct client contact, individual and group, is required. Students must meet the following requirements prior to being granted permission to enroll in internship:
|
(a) A minimum GPA of 3.00, and must be in "good standing" in the Counseling Program
(b) Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits, which must include the prerequisites:
- COUN 552 Introduction to Professional Counseling
- COUN 577 Counseling Theories
- COUN 584 Group Counseling: Theory and Practice
- COUN 588 Counseling Techniques
- COUN 595 Multicultural Counseling and Development
- COUN 624 Counseling Practicum
- At least one of the required courses in their concentration area
(c) Department approval.
(d) A minimum grade of B in COUN 588 (Counseling Techniques), and COUN 624 (Practicum in Counseling)
(e) Proof of professional liability insurance through the American Counseling Association
(f) Written approval of potential internship site placement by the Clinical Coordinator.
Note: Successful completion (i.e., grade of B or better) is required in COUN 654 (Internship in Counseling I) before enrolling in COUN 674 (Internship in Counseling II). |
| Comprehensive Examination |
Nearing completion of the program (i.e., after completing 33 semester hours), the student will register for the comprehensive examination given in the Fall or the Spring semesters.
This is a general guide for the MA in Counseling, and should not be considered an official program plan. |
| |
|
PROGRAM TOTAL: 48 credits |
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