CMHC Program of Study

COU 501: Clinical Mental Health Counseling*

Foundational course into the profession of counseling and the various specialties. The course provides an overview of the components of counseling, including but not limited to intake, assessment, diagnosis, career, research applications, and consultation. Students will explore the roles and responsibilities of clinical mental health counselors as well as the other professionals of the mental health field. (3 credit hours)

COU 510: Counseling Skills and Techniques*

Foundational course for the development of counseling skills, techniques, and applications. This course prepares students in the use of the skills though role-playing, videotaping, and observation and assessment of performances. (3 credit hours)

COU 520: Counseling Theories*

Overview of the theories and approaches used in the profession of counseling. Through role-playing, theory application, and scenarios, students will lay the foundation towards the development of a personal theoretical approach to counseling. (3 credit hours)

COU 530: Human Growth and Development*

In depth examination of the areas of development of humans, including normal and abnormal developments. The use of movies, books, and personal stories will assist in the application and understanding to better connect the theories to counseling. (3 credit hours)

COU 540: Group Theory and Process*

Addresses the dynamics of group and the theories of group. Includes training in group facilitation, identifying types of group, the stages of group, and the development of group curriculum. Requires participation in group leadership and membership as group participant. (3 credit hours)

COU 550: Mental Health Assessments and Evaluation in Counseling*

Provides a framework for the understanding of the various types and approaches to assessments and evaluation. Includes hands-on experience in the administration of various assessments and screening tools, interpretation and disclosure of results, and eligibility for the use of tests and assessments. (3 credit hours)

COU 560: Professional Orientation and Ethics*

Provides for an orientation to the ethical standards of various governing bodies, including the Kentucky Board of Professional Counseling. Includes models of ethical decision making, introduction and application of the ethical principles, and licensing requirements and procedures. (3 credit hours)

COU 570: Career and Lifestyle Development

An examination of the major theories related to career selection and development. Students will explore the life factors which influence career choices, the use of various career tools, and the interrelatedness of mental health, disabilities, gender, and career. (3 credit hours)

COU 580: Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment*

The focus on a sound development of sound diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders and illnesses that includes the use of the DSM-5. Students will examine various treatment approaches and planning. (3 credit hours)

COU 610: Multicultural Counseling

An exploration into the impact of culture in the counseling arena. Through movies, documentaries, books, and articles, students will conduct self-examination as to their multicultural competency, personal biases, and cultural identity development. (3 credit hours)

COU 620: Counseling Children and Adolescents

A theory and skill developing course that includes an examination of the challenges and difficulties of children and adolescents. Students will be exposed to the various strategies and approaches that includes work with at risk youth. (3 credit hours)

COU 630: Addictions Counseling

An examination in the assessment and treatment of substance abuse and the various addictions disorders, including but not limited to sexual, relationship, eating, and gambling. Includes the etiology of addictions, identification, and co-occurring disorders in various settings and populations. (3 credit hours)

COU 650: Fundamentals of Research

The role of research in counseling is an essential component in the use of empirically based techniques and interventions. Includes basic statistics and interpretation, research methodology, and procedures, and understanding research results. (3 credit hours)

COU 660: Crisis and Trauma Informed Counseling

Overview of the models of crisis intervention, the types of crisis, and treatment modalities will be examined. Course includes discussions of traumatizing life events, such as rape, death, and nature events. (3 credit hours)

COU 685: Advanced Counseling Skills and Techniques

An examination and practice of advanced skills and techniques to enhance professional clinical practice with a diverse body of clients. (3 credit hours)

*indicates perquisites for field experience courses.

COU 601: Practicum

Initial clinical supervised field experience with a focus on the development of clinical skills. Students will synthesize counseling skills, techniques, and theory in field placement working with clients in individual and group counseling sessions. The course requires attendance in a seminar style course that includes discussion, case presentations, and instructor trainings. (3 credit hours)

COU 602: Internship I

Clinically supervised field experience with a broader focus of the experiences of a professional counselor. Students will be exposed to the day to day activities of a professional counselor, to include but not limited to clinical work with actual clients in individual and group counseling sessions. The course requires attendance in a seminar style course that includes case discussions, presentations, and experiential activities. (3 credit hours)

COU 603: Internship II

Clinically supervised field experience with a broader focus of the experiences of a professional counselor. Students will be exposed to the day to day activities of a professional counselor, to include but not limited to clinical work with actual clients in individual and group session. The course requires attendance in a seminar style course that includes case discussions, presentations, and experiential activities. (3 credit hours)

COU 631: School Counseling

This is an elective course that introduces the history, philosophy, techniques, standards, and models of school counseling. Standards for knowledge base include: Kentucky Standards for Guidance Counselor Programs, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Counseling (CACREP), and American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Special emphasis will be given to demonstration of knowledge and skills to begin the planning, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive program based on state and national standards especially in urban school systems. (3 credit hours)

COU 632: Program Development

This is an elective course that prepares students in the developing, planning, implementing, and evaluation of school counseling interventions and curriculum that utilizes technology, celebrates diversity, and provides intervention strategies for diverse learners. Included in the course is the utilization of data to monitor and evaluate school counseling program’s impact on student achievement, reducing achievement gaps and identifying barriers to learning/success to improve student overall wellness. (3 credit hours)

COU 633: Human Sexuality

This is an elective course that provides the basic theories and principles of sexual development, sexuality, and gender identity. A developmental approach is followed, beginning with conception and progressing through infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, and late life. Cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral aspects of sexuality related to overall wellness and multicultural counseling will be explored. (3 credit hours)

COU 640: Family Counseling

This elective course provides an introduction into the historical development of family counseling and current treatments of family systems. Topics will include, but not limited to the family life cycle, family structures, family functioning, and issues appropriate for family counseling interventions. Emphasis is given to theoretical conceptualizations that inform the effective treatment of family systems to promote individual and family wellness. (3 credit hours)

COU 670: Advocacy

The nature and need of advocacy that includes, self-advocacy, advocacy on behalf of the counseling profession, and advocacy for clients. Students will complete an advocacy project as part of the requirements for this course. (3 credit hours)

COU 690: Seminar in Professional Counseling

An elective course that explores various student/ faculty identified topics. Can be presented as an independent study or a group course. (1 credit hour)

COU 604: Internship III

Internship III is a supervised field experience elective course with a broader focus of the experiences of a professional counselor and the further development of clinical skills. Students will be exposed to the day to day activities of a professional counselor, to include but not limited to clinical work with actual clients in individual, family, and group counseling sessions. The course requires engaging in the delivery of counseling serves outside of the class and attendance to class for supervision, case discussions, presentations, and experiential activities. (Program decides how many and what type of hours.) (2 credit hours)