Department of Counseling

CNSL 2300. Introduction to the Counseling Profession. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will provide an overview of various components of the counseling profession. Students will explore their personal motivation and interest in a counseling or human services profession as well as integrate professional concepts with personal style. The course will emphasize development of professional identity, therapeutic relationship, counseling theory, application, and ethics. The degree to which you perceive this experience as enhancing your personal and professional growth will largely be a function of your own goals and the initiative you assume in class.

CNSL 2301. The Basics of Counseling. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An integrated overview of counseling services through personal self-exploration by the counseling associate. Focus is on understanding of interpersonal dynamics through self-awareness. Prerequisite: CNSL 2300.

CNSL 3300. Diversity and Cultural Awareness in the Counseling Profession. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Didactic, experiential and applied learning opportunities prepare students to understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures. Students learn how cultural identity influences personal and world views, perceptions of experience, and styles of communication. With a focus on developing intrapersonal and interpersonal awareness, students cultivate attitudes and practice skills necessary for relating constructively with diverse individuals in a variety of work settings.

CNSL 3301. Group Processes in Helping Relationships. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Group dynamics laboratory: Group functions and leadership styles as related to helping relationships.

CNSL 3302. Survey of Career Development and Career Counseling. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is an integrated overview of the field of career counseling. Focus will be on current problems and developments in career choices, with emphasis on the role of personal self-exploration in evaluating approaches to career counseling and decision-making.

CNSL 3303. Therapeutic Play. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This didactic course focuses on how to be a therapeutic agent in a child's life. Students are introduced to the fundamental concepts and models of therapeutic play and building therapeutic relationships with children. Students are also introduced to basic child-centered play therapy principles and training requirements.

CNSL 3305. Mental Health and Your Personal Journey. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will take students through various aspects of mental health management and wellness development. Students will experience different elements of mental health wellness care, and will develop and implement a personal wellness plan. This course equips students with the essential knowledge to support their own wellness and promote wellness in various settings that are looking for mental health support such as schools, community agencies, and other setting across the lifespan.

CNSL 3307. Introduction to Disability Studies. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This is a foundational course designed to provide students with a broad overview of the disability experience. This course explores various aspects of the disability experience, including historical contexts, cultural significance, psychosocial implications, and the systemic challenges encountered by individuals living with one or more disabilities. Additionally, the course equips students with essential knowledge and skills to promote inclusivity and equity in various settings.

CNSL 3308. Introduction to Expressive Approaches to Counseling. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to provide counseling undergraduate students an exploratory view of different forms of expressive counseling techniques. Students will be exposed to variety of counseling approaches including the use of music, visual arts, drama, play, animal assisted, sandtray, poetry and imagery. Students will gain knowledge of creative approaches to counseling by viewing how they are applied to counseling. They will also learn the rational and training needed to apply differing creative approaches to counseling. getting an opportunity to experience differing techniques. Discussion, role-play, lectures, small-group experiences, films, and demonstration are some possible methods that may be utilized.

CNSL 4300. Essentials of Helping Relationships. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Didactic and experiential training in interpersonal relationships; analysis and application of effective counseling activities.

CNSL 4301. Introduction to Substance Abuse and Addiction Issues in Counseling. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will examine substance abuse and addiction disorders (e.g., gambling, sex, gaming, eating, tobacco) in multiple client populations, and their treatment. Students will learn how to conduct assessment for and diagnosis of substance abuse and addiction disorders, including co-occurring disorders; the effects of substances and addictions on the client and others; etiology; and best practices in counseling and treatment.

CNSL 4302. Case Management in Counseling. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to help students develop a general overview of case management and how it is defined and practiced currently in mental health programs and settings.

CNSL 4386. Special Problems in Counseling. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A course featuring independent reading, research, and discussion under personal direction of instructor, topics vary according to student need.