Counseling-Graduate (COUN)
COUN 510. Christian Perspective on Psychopharmacology. (3 Credits)
COUN 512. Psychopharmacology. (3 Credits)
This course provides a thorough overview of alcohol and other drugs, the rationale for their use and abuse in schools and the community. Emphasis will be placed on the major categories of medications, drugs and alcohol with case overviews outlining the process of making the best possible referral and counseling practices. This course is required of all counseling students who wish to pursue the Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor certificate through the state of Wisconsin.
COUN 520. Addictions Counseling. (3 Credits)
In addition to Alcohol and Drug concerns, this course will also address behavioral addictions such as: gambling, shopping, gaming, sex and hoarding. The course will address treatment and relapse plans and goals, as well as the impact of addiction on family, friends and support systems. Developmental issues, as well as comorbidity, are addressed in the addiction process as therapeutic models are discussed.
COUN 522. Ethics of Christian Counselor. (3 Credits)
This course adheres to the American Association of Christian Counselors code of ethics. The church worker student learns the limits of their role and expertise, as well as when to seek additional help. Issues such as liability, conflicts of interest and confidentiality are discussed. This course is taught by an ordained or commissioned minister of religion who is a licensed mental health counselor.
COUN 528. Christian Perspective on Family Development. (3 Credits)
This course explores issues in family development and family dynamics. The goal is to help the church worker support the traditional and nontraditional family during the various stages of development, keeping in mind the social, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of development. This class will be taught by an ordained or commissioned minister of religion who is a licensed mental health counselor.
COUN 543. Counseling Theories and Issues. (3 Credits)
This course provides both the historical and current perspectives of various theories of counseling, as well as introducing the student to the profession of counseling. This course also introduces the student to specific requirements of the graduate program. The portfolio requirement for school counselors, APA writing style, as well as legal and ethical guidelines for counseling are discussed.
COUN 544. Scripture and the Christian Counselor. (3 Credits)
This course will use an LCMS scriptural world view in the integration of faith‐based principles into a holistic counseling approach.
COUN 545. Christian Care Giving. (3 Credits)
This course offers counseling professionals already working in the church, or contemplating working in a faith-based organization the opportunity to understand and apply Christian theology in their professional practice and in service to others. This course will incorporate lay ministry principles that will support the development of Christian counseling skills.
COUN 546. Christian Reconciliation. (3 Credits)
This course is an introduction to Christian Reconciliation. Students will gain a basic knowledge about what causes conflict and various responses to conflicted situations. A theological framework for Christian Reconciliation will be presented that will introduce students to the concept of sin and forgiveness. Students will explore their own responses to personal conflict while learning skills to assist others who are struggling with conflicted interpersonal situations.
COUN 552. Social Cultural Foundations in Counseling. (3 Credits)
Social/Cultural Foundations in Counseling is an exploration of various cultures and their impact on human behavior. The focus of the course is on the powerful impact that cultural background may have on the mental health field, and on how biases may affect therapeutic relationships. Current issues and therapeutic techniques are addressed keeping in mind our multicultural society.
COUN 553. Social Cultural Theological Foundations. (3 Credits)
Social/Cultural Theological Foundations an exploration of diversity issues that impact the church and the world beyond. How the Christian church-worker supports those of different backgrounds and ministers to those individuals while increasing their own understanding of various cultures and beliefs. This class will be taught by an ordained or commissioned minister of religion who is a licensed mental health counselor.
COUN 554. Theories of Personality. (3 Credits)
This course focuses on six general approaches to explaining personality. These approaches are the psychoanalytic approach, the trait approach, the biologic approach, the humanistic approach, the behavioral/social approach, and the cognitive approach. Emphasis will be placed on ways the student will use these theories to be helping professionals in their field of study. Students will also be asked to write a paper incorporating their own beliefs in this study of personality.
COUN 561. Career Counseling Foundations. (3 Credits)
This course introduces a variety of theories and practices in career development and career counseling using career assessments and information sources. Students will become familiar with the Career Clusters model and program development using the National Career Development Guidelines.
COUN 563. Current Support Issues for Christian Pastors and Church Workers. (3 Credits)
This course will look at a range of topics such as physical and sexual abuse, pornography, various addictions, Christian reconciliation, and other topics that churches and Christian agencies experience in their service to members and non-members.
COUN 564. Consultations Strategies. (3 Credits)
This course is designed to provide an overview of the consultation process and insight into the various roles that consultants may play. Theoretical approaches and principles of consultation, planned change, and organizational development will be discussed as well as counselors as consultants within the organization and within the community.
COUN 565. Consultation Strategies within the Church. (3 Credits)
This course is designed to give the church worker skills and insight into the various roles a consultant may play, as well as how to improve consultation within the community and organization. This class will be taught by an ordained or commissioned minister of religion who is a licensed mental health counselor.
COUN 577. Models and Methods of Christian Family Counseling. (3 Credits)
This course will offer the student opportunities to explore various aspects of family development and family dynamics. The role of the church worker with traditional and nontraditional families will be discussed, as well as current research in the church regarding the dynamics of a family. This class will be taught by an ordained or commissioned minister of religion who is a licensed mental health counselor.
COUN 578. Christian Trauma Counseling. (3 Credits)
This course affords the student the opportunity to explore how the church worker can best minister to those who have survived a traumatic experience. Topics include self-care for the church worker, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma in children and families, and the power of forgiveness. This class will be taught by an ordained or commissioned minister of religions who is a licensed mental health counselor.
Prerequisites: (COUN 593 or 893) and (COUN 594 or 894).
COUN 579. Practicum Elementary School. (2 Credits)
This is a 200 hour experience designed to introduce students to the form and content of their discipline. The student has exposure to the day-to-day realities of school counseling practice, i.e., social/emotional, academic, and career domains. Students are to develop and demonstrate professional levels of competency as determined by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction. In addition, the student should register for and begin work in COUN Portfolio – elementary while enrolled in this class.
COUN 581. Models and Methods of Family Counseling. (3 Credits)
This course will offer the student opportunities to explore various schools of thought and treatment techniques related to the practice of family counseling. The role of the professional in diverse settings and with traditional and nontraditional families will be discussed. Research on the effectiveness of working with families as well as the assessment of family dynamics will be explored.
COUN 582. Trauma Counseling. (3 Credits)
This course affords the student the opportunity to learn how to work with victims and survivors of trauma. The student will discuss skills for dealing with trauma survivors and families, and trauma victims. Students will also discuss suicide risk assessment and intervention. Additional topics will include: compassion fatigue, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma in families, trauma in children, and risk assessment.
COUN 584. Human Development. (3 Credits)
This course offers students an opportunity to explore issues in the stages of human development over the life span. Various issues related to human development in the biological, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual spheres will be discussed. Further, students will also become more familiar with the major psychological theories pertaining to human development.
COUN 586. Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Counseling Programs. (3 Credits)
This course explores the planning, establishing, administering and evaluating of counseling / consultation programs that are supported in the literature as Evidence Based Practices. The student will utilize knowledge of basic statistics and data collection to design a program within her / his own special area of interest. The students will utilize data they have gathered to establish the steps to implement the program within their school or community. Further, the students will use data driven information to evaluate the efficacy of the program they have designed and implemented.
COUN 587. Tests & Measurements. (3 Credits)
This course provides the graduate student with an understanding of test analysis and design. Special emphasis is placed on evaluating the validity and reliability of commercially available and self-created test instruments.
COUN 588. Psychopathology. (3 Credits)
This course views how human and scientific aspects of normal / abnormal psychology converge in the world of clinical treatment. Students will gain an understanding of conceptual framework and alternative modes of treatment.
COUN 589. Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. (3 Credits)
This course reviews the history of mental health counseling, as well as reviewing various models, theories and principles of mental health counseling in a clinical setting. Various options for treatment, as well as various responsibilities which are a part of clinical mental health counseling are addressed. Further, the following aspects of clinical work are addressed: advocacy, consultation, collaboration and ethics.
COUN 590. Practicum Middle School. (2 Credits)
This is a 200 hour experience designed to introduce students to the form and content of their discipline. The student has exposure to the day-to-day realities of school counseling practice, i.e., social/emotional, academic, and career domains. Students are to develop and demonstrate professional levels of competency as determined by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction. In addition, the student should register for and begin work in COUN Portfolio – middle school while enrolled in this class.
COUN 591. Practicum High School. (2 Credits)
This is a 200 hour experience designed to introduce students to the form and content of their discipline. The student has exposure to the day-to-day realities of school counseling practice, i.e., social/emotional, academic, and career domains. Students are to develop and demonstrate professional levels of competency as determined by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction. In addition, the student should register for and begin work in COUN Portfolio – high school while enrolled in this class.
COUN 592. Professional Ethics. (3 Credits)
This course deals with philosophical issues affecting practice. Special attention is given to ethics and the nature of humankind. Legal issues such as confidentiality, malpractice, school law and the counselor as witness will be discussed.
COUN 593. Individual Counseling. (3 Credits)
Individual Counseling provides the graduate student with hands-on experience in individual counseling techniques as well as the opportunity to gain objective insight into the dynamics of one-to-one counseling and the role of the counselor. The course requirements include practice of counseling techniques, small-group activities, and audio or video-taped counseling sessions designed to promote self-awareness, skill development, and development of intentional competencies. This course is required to be taken face to face. Prerequisites are: COUN 543; COUN 584 OR COUN 580; COUN 592; COUN 552; COUN 554
Prerequisites: (COUN 543 or 843) and (COUN 584 or 884) and (COUN 592 or 892) and (COUN 552 or 852) and (COUN 582 or 882).
COUN 594. Group Counseling. (3 Credits)
Group Counseling discusses the purpose, types, functions and principles of group counseling. The course encourages students to develop an understanding of the ability to engage in and evaluate small group processes and relationships. Group counseling techniques, group development, and group stages are also addressed.Prerequisites: COUN 543; COUN 584 (or COUN 580); COUN 592; COUN 552 (or COUN 550); COUN 554.
Prerequisites: (COUN 543 or 843) and (COUN 584 or 884) and (COUN 592 or 892) and (COUN 552 or 852) and (COUN 582 or 882) and (COUN 593 or 893).
COUN 595. Read/Research Counseling. (1-3 Credits)
COUN 596. Advanced Theory and Skills in Professional Counseling. (3 Credits)
This course addresses specific issues related to working with clients, including those who may have substance abuse concerns. Coursework addresses the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis and the use of diagnostic classification systems (DSM ICD); training on administration of the intake interview, mental status evaluation, biopsychosocial history; mental health history, and psychological assessment for treatment planning and caseload management; and techniques and interventions related to a broad range of mental health issues.’ (Wisconsin Legislature: Chapter MPSW 14.01(2) (f) 1). Students must have completed 33 credit hours in the counseling program, including the prerequisite coursework, prior to this course.
Prerequisites: COUN 593 and 594.
COUN 606. Practicum for Professional Counselors. (3 Credits)
This is a field-based experience designed to introduce the student to the area of professional counseling. Orientation to the profession is reviewed. Ongoing goals include the development of professional levels of competency and successful integration into the day-to-day operation and expectations of the clinical setting. The student completes 100 hours of clinical work under the supervision of an approved site supervisor and approved supervisor from Concordia. A minimum of 40 hours of face to face client contact is documented, as well as engaging in and documenting supervision. Supervision must consist of: 1) a minimum of 1 hour per week of individual or triadic supervision per week by a CU supervisor, approved student supervisor, or site supervisor; and 2) an average of 1.5 hours weekly of group supervision through the site supervisor, approved student supervisor or CU supervisor.
COUN 607. Internship I - Professional Counselor. (3 Credits)
This is a 300 hour field-based internship experience designed to introduce student practitioners to the form and content of their discipline. The experience continues to be supervised by an approved site supervisor and approved supervisor from Concordia who both hold an appropriate current license issued by WI DSPS, or the equivalent of the license in the state of the experience. A minimum of 120 hours of face to face client contact is expected, as well as one hour per week of individual or triadic supervision by the onsite and/or university supervisor. Further, the student will participate and document an average of 1.5 hours weekly of group supervision provided by the site supervisor, an approved student supervisor or a CU supervisor. Exposure to the day-to-day realities of clinical practice, i.e., case file maintenance, record keeping, staff sessions, consultations with colleagues and other health-care providers, are expected to aid in shaping professional expectations and behaviors while preparing students for the transition from graduate school to professional practice. Students are to develop, demonstrate, and be evaluated on professional levels of competency in the various areas of clinical practice recommended and described by the American Counseling Association and the National Board of Certified Counselors. Prerequisite: COUN 606.
COUN 608. Internship II - Professional Counselor. (3 Credits)
This is a 300 hour field-based internship experience designed to further develop the skills of the student practitioners. This is a continuation of the work started in Practicum in the development of professional levels of competency of clinical practice recommended and described by the American Counseling Association and the National Board of Certified Counselors. The experience continues to be supervised by an appropriately credentialed mental health professional holding a current license in Wisconsin, or the state in which the student is engaged in their internship hours. A minimum of 120 hours of face to face client contact is expected, as well as one hour per week of individual or triadic supervision by the onsite and/or university supervisor. Further, the student will participate in and document an average of 1.5 hours weekly of group supervision provided by the onsite supervisor, an approved student supervisor or a CU supervisor. Prerequisite: COUN 607.
COUN 620. Management for Counselors. (3 Credits)
This course focuses on characteristics that make a counselor effective within a school setting. This course emphasizes instructional design, content objectives, lesson and unit plan instruction and implementation, instructional strategy, classroom management techniques, learning styles, and school policies, laws, and trends. This course is designed specifically for school counselors without two years of licensed teaching experience.
COUN 627. Portfolio - Introduction. (0 Credits)
Graduate programs in education at Concordia University Wisconsin utilize a portfolio-based assessment process. Students earning a Master’s in Education-School Counseling must complete a professional portfolio to fulfill graduation requirements. The portfolio is part of the licensing process required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. In addition, the student should be registered for COUN 543 Theories and Issues.
COUN 628. Portfolio - Pre-Practicum. (0 Credits)
Graduate programs in education at Concordia University Wisconsin utilize a portfolio-based assessment process. Students earning a Master’s in Education-School Counseling must complete a professional portfolio to fulfill graduation requirements. The portfolio is part of the licensing process required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
COUN 630. Portfolio Elementary School. (0 Credits)
This is a step in the required assessment process in which the student submits artifacts from their elementary school practicum experience demonstrating their knowledge and application of the DPI standards.
COUN 631. Portfolio Middle School. (0 Credits)
This is a step in the required assessment process in which the student submits artifacts from their middle school practicum experience demonstrating their knowledge and application of the DPI standards.
COUN 632. Portfolio High School. (0 Credits)
This is a step in the required assessment process in which the student submits artifacts from their high school practicum experience demonstrating their knowledge and application of the DPI standards.