MA in Counseling

This course provides an understanding of research methods, research designs, statistical analysis, needs assessment, and program evaluation. The studies found in this course emphasize the importance of research in advanced counseling professions. This course surveys many areas such as research methods, statistical methods used for research or evaluation, principles, models, and applications of needs assessments, use of research to inform evidenced based practice, and ethical and culturally relevant strategies for interpreting and reporting results. To see past course syllabus click here.

This course provides a theoretical framework and experiential exposure to the interviewing and counseling skills and techniques that are the foundation for counseling, enabling the counselor to understand presenting problems, best practice recommendations, and effective intervention strategies. Students examine prevention and crisis intervention models, as well as self-care strategies. Emphasis is placed on counselor self-understanding and self-development and the skills for facilitating change with diverse populations. To see past course syllabus click here.

This course gives an introduction to the study psychopathology and abnormal behavior. Principles of etiology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cultural factors of mental and emotional disorders will be addressed. Emphasis is placed on mental status assessment and diagnostic categories as organized in the current edition of the DSM (or ICD). While touching on a range of disorders, (such as anxiety disorders, psychoses, personality disorders, and mental deficiencies), this course discusses the development of these disorders as well as the methods of prevention and treatment. To see past course syllabus click here.

This course is a study of the major theoretical approaches to counseling and psychotherapy used historically and currently. This course will discuss integration of counseling psychology and application. Focus will be on the main forces in Psychoanalytic, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Existential-Humanistic schools as well as the emergence of evidence-based practice in theory. Each is examined from a critical and Christian point of view. To see past course syllabus click here.

This course provides an investigation of the needs and nature of persons at all developmental levels and in multicultural contexts. It will include studies that provide an understanding of theories with individuals and families in their transitions and crises through life, theories of learning and personality development, and theories discussing optimal development and wellness through one’s life. Counselors will also incorporate these theories into prevention, intervention, and treatment methods. To see past course syllabus click here.

This course introduces and familiarizes the student with a wide range of psychometric instruments. This study provides an understanding of many assessments and discusses many areas such as historical perspective, basic concepts of standardized and non-standardized testing, other assessment techniques, statistical concepts, reliability, validity, and social and cultural factors, as well as ethical strategies for selecting, administering and interpreting assessments. To see past course syllabus click here.

This course provides students with a theoretical and experiential foundation for group work. Emphasis is on a survey of the major theories and contributors to the field of group counseling. Students examine types of groups, leadership styles, ethical issues in group work, stages of group development, and integrate group theory into counseling practice with diverse populations. Students will experience group dynamics through participation in a group. COUN 602 and COUN 663 are prerequisites. To see past course syllabus click here.

COUN 722. Introduction to Traumatology. This course
provides an introduction to trauma-informed
counseling. Topics to be considered include types of
trauma, including single incident trauma, complex
trauma, collective trauma, and vicarious trauma; the
effects of crisis, disasters, and trauma on diverse
individuals across the lifespan; crisis intervention,
trauma-informed, and community-based strategies,
such as Psychological First Aid; procedures for
identifying trauma and abuse and for reporting abuse;
impact of crisis and trauma on individuals with mental
health diagnoses; traumatic grief and loss; clinical
assessment and treatment of acute trauma; and
resilience. Students will be expected to address their
biblical worldview in relation to traumatology.

This course will explore the impact of physiological underpinnings on human functioning and
mental health. The student will learn basic neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and general
physiology as it relates to cognition, emotion, perception, movement, unconscious/conscious
processing, behavior, and language. This course is designed to strengthen the knowledge and
skill base of mental health providers by increasing their understanding of the relationship
between biological function and mental health and enhancing their ability to responsibly integrate
neuroscience into their practice of counseling. Case examples will be used to exemplify various
disorders.

This course is designed to provide an understanding of career development theories and decision-making models that impact the lifelong processes and influences that lead to work values, occupational choices, career path/patterns, decision making style, and integration of self and career identity with pattern of work adjustment. Students will explore vocational, avocational, and educational information sources and systems. Emphasis will be placed on the career counseling process, techniques, and resources, as well as assessment instruments relevant to career planning for diverse populations in a global market economy. To see past course syllabus click here.

This course is designed to provide an understanding of the cultural contexts of relationships and counseling issues among diverse people groups nationally and internationally. Culturally appropriate theories and treatment options will be addressed. Emphasis is placed upon experiential learning intended to enhance the student’s understanding of self and culturally diverse clients, including an exploration of values, beliefs, biases, prejudices, and the role of advocating for social justice. To see past course syllabus click here.

Students will critically examine the implications of a Christian worldview for counseling
practice. Students will also review the ethical issues relevant to the use of spiritual and
religious interventions with individuals, couples, and families are considered, along with current
research related to religion and spirituality in counseling.

This course offers an overview of family and other systems theories and major models of family and related interventions. Students will have the opportunity to develop a systems perspective to enhance their understanding of family dynamics. Ethics, the role of diverse identities, and contemporary trends will also be explored. Students will participate in experiential application of theories and treatment models. COUN 602 is a prerequisite. To see past course syllabus click here.

This course covers a broad survey of human addictive behaviors and addictions counseling. Areas such as chemical, psychological and social aspects of drug use, abuse and dependency, and effects on the family will be covered. This includes but is not limited to alcohol, illicit drugs, and sexual addictions. The discussion of theories, assessments, interventions, counseling techniques and treatment modes will also be emphasized. Various paradigms for addictions and recovery will be analyzed. To see past course syllabus click here.

This course combines a brief introduction to general and Christian ethics with a detailed examination of selected critical legal challenges facing today’s Christian professional in view of federal and state law relevant to counselors, and ethics with an emphasis on the Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association. Students will explore the legal, ethical, and professional choices faced by practicing human service professionals. A wide variety of ethical issues and topics are covered, including ethical decision making, professional standards, counselor values and attitudes, counselor competence and supervision, client rights and confidentiality, dual relationships, and ethical issues in research and testing. This course also focuses on ethical issues in multicultural counseling, marital and family therapy, group counseling, and issues related to dealing with unethical behavior. Expected student outcome is a broad understanding of ethical issues in counseling. To see past course syllabus click here.

The counseling internship is the final field experience of the counseling program. Under supervision, the intern completes 600 clock hours of clinical experience in an appropriate counseling setting (of which, at least 240 hours of direct client service). The intern will also have the opportunity to become familiar with professional activities and resources in addition to the direct clinical service. The purpose of the field experience is to provide an opportunity to practice counseling skills in an applied setting under the supervision of an experienced practitioner and under the direction of a Lincoln Christian University faculty member. The student is required to arrange an appropriate internship in an approved counseling setting. While engaged in an internship, an appropriately licensed or certified therapist will directly supervise the student. The student is required to attend 1 ½ hours/week of group supervision provided by a faculty member or student supervisor. The Clinical Training Coordinator, in conjunction with the field-site supervisor, will monitor and evaluate the activity of the student. Expected student outcomes include a successful formal case presentation to the internship seminar group and satisfactory field evaluations. COUN 666, COUN 668 COUN 760, COUN 804, COUN 807, and COUN 892 are prerequisites. This course may be completed in two semesters of 3 hours each or one semester of 6 hours. To see past course syllabus click 1st semester, 2nd semester.

The counseling practicum is the beginning of the student’s supervised clinical training. Under supervision, the student completes 100 hours of clinical experience in an appropriate counseling setting over a minimum 10-week period (of which, at least 40 hours are face-to-face hours of direct client service). The purpose of the field experience is to provide an opportunity to practice counseling skills in an applied setting under the supervision of an experienced practitioner and under the direction of a Lincoln Christian University faculty member. The student is required to arrange an appropriate practicum in an approved counseling setting. While engaged in a practicum, an appropriately licensed or certified therapist will directly supervise the student. The student is required to attend 1 ½ hours/week of group supervision provided by a faculty member or student supervisor. The Clinical Training Coordinator, in conjunction with the field-site supervisor, will monitor and evaluate the activity of the student. Expected student outcomes of the practicum include clinical experiences which contribute to the student’s growth and development as a counselor. The placement and service contract must be approved by the advisor, course supervisor, and practicum supervisor. Prerequisites: COUN 602, COUN 662, COUN 663, and COUN 810. To enroll in the Counseling Practicum, students must successfully complete a prepracticum application process. To see past course syllabus click here.