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Mental Health Counseling

Graduate Courses

MHC 600 COUNSELING THEORY AND PRACTICE

This course covers the basic theory, principles and techniques of counseling and its application to professional counseling settings. It also considers various theories of counseling and issues in the practice of professional counseling. Three credit hours.

MHC 605 GROUP DYNAMICS

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of group development, process and dynamics. Students will learn theoretical and practical concepts related to the practice of group psychotherapy. Three credit hours.

MHC 620 PSYCHOPATHOLOGIES

Humans have been trying to understand the bases of psychopathologies for thousands of years. This course provides students with the most current information regarding the etiologies, and subsequent treatments, of the most prevalent mental illnesses in our society. Three credit hours.

MHC 622 ASSESSMENT AND APPRAISAL

This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the major principles of assessment, assessment instruments and assessment skills relevant for mental health counselors. Emphasis will be placed on the statistical properties, use and interpretation of assessment and appraisal techniques commonly used in the field. Three credit hours.

MHC 625 PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY

This course surveys the descriptive and causal aspects of individual differences in personality. Students will examine theories and explanations of the development of normal and abnormal personalities. Major models of personality theory include biological, cognitive social, behavioral, and psychodynamic models. Three credit hours.

MHC 630 PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES

This course will focus on the ethical principles and professional standards of counseling practice, and survey the ethical and legal issues facing the professional counselor in our society. Students will review professional goals, objectives, roles and functions. This course also examines ethical and legal standards, risk management, professional credentialing and standards for professional counselors. Three credit hours.

MHC 631 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

This course introduces students to the major theories that have shaped psychologists’ understanding of human growth and development from conception, childhood and adolescence, to early, middle and late adulthood. Aspects of development discussed include biosocial, cognitive and psychosocial changes. Emphasis is placed on developmental problems and diagnosis of abnormal development. Three credit hours.

MHC 634 GRIEF COUNSELING

This course is designed to help students understand both the normal and complicated grieving process with individuals across the life span. This course examines various therapeutic interventions that are useful on helping the bereaved. The impact of culture and how it is related to differences in the grief process are explored.

MHC 640 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS

This course is designed to provide students with a general framework for understanding issues related to mental health services with people from diverse populations, different cultures and lifestyles. The influence of socio-identities (e.g. race, ethnicity, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation) on individuals’ functioning, concerns, and the counseling process will be explored. Three credit hours.

MHC 649 CHILD ABUSE WORKSHOP Non-credit (2-hour workshop)

This workshop prepares students who are required by law to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the New York State Central Register. This workshop is designed to help students understand the risk factors associated with child abuse, as well as, to recognize child emotional, physical and sexual abuse of children. Students will learn their roles and responsibilities as mandated child abuse reporters.

MHC 650 FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING AND CONSULTATION

This course offers students an overview of the field of mental health counseling. Students will begin to develop skills requisite counselors, including listening, empathy training and basic interviewing. Issues regarding the development of the therapeutic relationship, cultural diversity and mental status assessment will also be covered. Three credit hours.

MHC 652 RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

This course surveys the major methodologies for conducting psychological research, and focuses on research report development, publication of psychological data, and ethical considerations in conducting research. Students will also be introduced to the statistics necessary for describing and analyzing psychological data. Three credit hours.

MHC 660 CAREER COUNSELING

This course is designed to provide students with the theoretical frameworks and basic counseling skills necessary for the career counseling process and for planning programs for educational and career counseling. The course includes a review of theories of career development, individual and programmed techniques for diagnosis, assessment, decision-making and career search/advancement. Attention is given to assessment of how people make career choices, which are suitable to the individual and are viable in society. Emphasis is on developing a broad view of career as life style and on practical application of theory and information in a professional counseling context. Three credit hours.

MHC 670 CLINICAL INSTRUCTION

This course focuses on the practical and personal side of counseling. The course provides students with the opportunity to learn about themselves personally and professionally, and accomplish the basic attitudes and techniques of counseling. The course includes class discussion, observation, practice of counseling skills and attitudes, role-plays of counseling, group and individual supervision, observation of a counseling case with supervision, and critical reflection on your experience in these learning and practice exercises. Three credit hours.

MHC 677 SUPERVISED INTERNSHIP

A one year supervised internship in a mental health/psychiatric agency provides the experiences for the student-intern to increase professional competence. Through the internship experience, the student is challenged to apply and integrate the knowledge, theories and concepts of counseling practice, and to build on previous life and work experience, as well as to develop new areas of professional competence. This process allows the student to bring together and to integrate for professional use cognitive learning, professional competence, values and ethics, life experiences, and activities which will enhance skill and critical analysis of counseling practice. 9 credit hours.

MHC 680 FAMILY COUNSELING

This course presents a survey of the leading theorists and concepts in the field of family therapy. Students will become better acquainted with this field of counseling and will acquire skills necessary to work with families. Three credit hours.

MHC 720 ADVANCED FAMILY THERAPY

This course provides an advanced survey of the theoretical concepts and intervention techniques in the field of family therapy. The impact of cultural and it’s effects on the family are examined. Students will develop knowledge of the concepts of family systems theory as well as explore and develop hypothetical treatment plans for families. Empirically validated family therapy interventions are also addressed with particular emphasis on communications, structural, milan, cognitive-behavioral and strategic family therapy concepts and methods.

MHC 764 COUNSELING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

This course will emphasize utilizing developmentally appropriate counseling techniques for children and adolescents who are experiencing social, behavioral or affective problems. The course emphasizes an evidence-based treatment approach model.

MHC 727 CLINICAL SUPERVISION

This course will provide students with an understanding of the purpose and process of clinical supervision, as well as, the importance of professional growth. This course will also present a review of currently accepted supervision models. This will course will assist students in developing knowledge and skills related to the supervisory role and relationship. Issues related to the ethical dilemmas, cultural diversity, power and boundary issues will also be addressed.