Course Information

Master of Arts in Counseling Curriculum 60 credits

Core Courses (Required for all students) 42 credits

-COUN 705 Group Processes in the Helping Professions
-COUN 710 Appraisal Techniques in the Helping Professions
-COUN 712 Human Development Across the Lifespan
-COUN 715 Career Development and Life Planning
-COUN 720 Counseling and Consulting Theory
-COUN 725 Organization and Development of Programs in  the Helping Professions
-COUN 730 Supervised Counseling Practice
-COUN 735 Counseling Practicum
-COUN 745 Multicultural Counseling
-EDUC 788 Research in Education
-COUN 795 Internship in Counseling (focus of concentration) 

Required Specialized Courses

School Counseling Courses 18 credits

COUN 700 Introduction to the Helping Professions
COUN 740 Individual Development Through Adolescence
COUN 742 Developmental Counseling in Schools
COUN 744 Counseling the Student with a Disability
Counseling electives as determined by the student and advisor 

College Counseling Courses 18 credits

COUN 700 Introduction to the Helping Professions
COUN 750 Study of the Individual in Higher Education
COUN 752 Law in Postsecondary Higher Education
COUN 756 Counseling the College Student
Counseling electives as determined by the student and advisor 

Rehabilitation Courses 18 credits

COUN 702 Introduction to Rehabilitation
COUN 780 Medical Information for the Helping Professions
COUN 782 Vocational Development, Services and Resources in Rehabilitation
COUN 784 Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
COUN 788 Special Evaluation Techniques
Counseling electives as determined by the student and advisor

Community Courses 18 credits

COUN 704 Introduction to Community Counseling
COUN 754 Family Counseling
COUN 755 Diagnosis and Assessment
COUN 791 Substance Abuse Counseling
Counseling electives as determined by the student and advisor

COUN 700 Introduction to the Helping Professions (3 credit hours)

This introductory class is a core experience for students enrolled in the MA Counseling program.  It exposes students to the generic components of counseling across settings and enables students to examine in-depth their personal fitness for pursuing a career as a professional helper.  It also provides a background for specialized study in each curriculum. 

COUN 702 Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of rehabilitation with an emphasis on history, legislation, psychosocial aspects of disability and the rehabilitation process.  

COUN 704 Introduction to Community Counseling (3 credit hours)

This course will provide students with an overview of the historical development and theoretical foundations of the counseling profession.  Students will become knowledgeable about the CACREP model and the process of attaining licensure and certification.  In addition, the course will provide an understanding of the role of community counselors, types of settings for employment and issues specific to community counseling. 

COUN 705 Group Processes (3 credit hours)

This course teaches students to understand group processes and their application.  Instruction uses both a didactic approach and a laboratory approach wherein students learn through observing their own group experience. 

COUN 710 Appraisal Techniques in the Helping Professions (3 credit hours)

This course is designed as an overview of assessing individual differences through the usage of group tests and measurements.  Competencies will be developed in the areas of selecting, administering, and interpreting group intelligence, aptitude, achievement, interest and personality instruments.  Current research involving assessment relative to educational, social, and industrial settings will be examined.

COUN 712 Human Development Across the Lifespan (3 credit hours)

This graduate level course traces human development over the life span. Issues for each stage of development in the arenas of physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth are explored. Culture and systemic influences on development are emphasized. Theories and research that have applicability to the counseling profession are examined.

COUN 715 Career Development and Life Planning (3 credit hours)

This course allows graduate counseling students to explore, in depth, selected aspects related to vocational psychology, occupational sociology, career development, career choice, career decision making, career counseling and guidance, and other career-related issues and behaviors.  The course is designed to acquaint students with the basic theories and constructs that are essential to the understanding and implementation of career development through the life span.  Systems of career education, occupational information, decision-making strategies, and life-work planning for special populations are examined.

COUN 720 Counseling and Consultation Theories (3 credit hours) 

This course involves the study of selected theories and techniques of individual counseling.  Also covered are various models of the consultation process focusing on the rationale of why consultation has emerged as an important adjunct to personal counseling. 

COUN 725 Organization and Development of Programs in the Helping Professions (3 credit hours)

This course prepares students to function productively in entry level and mid-level supervisory positions within institutions/organizations which serve the needs of a specified group of persons.  It stresses both theory and application as students experience the cyclical process of program development and modification.  It also teaches selected leadership and management roles and functions in organizational settings.                                                                                                                           

COUN 730 Supervised Counseling Practice (3 credit hours)

This course assists students in identifying and developing skills of an effective helper.  Students participate in counseling experiences using role-playing and “real life” clients and critique in class audio and video tapes of counseling sessions conducted by students.  

Prerequisite: COUN720 Counseling and Consultation Theories.

COUN 735  Counseling Practicum (3 credit hours)

The practicum provides an arranged, supervised experience in a specialized area of counseling.  It requires prerequisite training and sufficient experience to allow the beginning of autonomous functioning.   Prerequisite:  COUN730 Supervised Counseling Practice. 

COUN 740 Individual Development: Childhood Through Adolescence (3 credit hours)

This course enables significant adults (primarily persons whose professions involve them directly in formal education) to base their interactions/interventions with children, adolescents and parents on an understanding of the process of growth and development.  Students have the opportunity to engage in a use-oriented project related to their individual interests/needs.

COUN 742 Developmental Counseling in Schools   (3 credit hours)

This course prepares students to apply the basic counseling skills in a school setting.  It emphasizes the various roles of the elementary and secondary school counselor, tools and strategies appropriate in those settings, and in consulting and collaboration with other school personnel. 

COUN 744 Techniques for Counseling the Student with a Disability (3 credit hours)

This course provides a foundation for graduate students in school guidance to effectively counsel the student with a disability.  It emphasizes cultural, historical, and socio-economic issues facing the adjustment of this student, as well as specific counseling procedures for assisting him/her in a school setting.

COUN 745 Multicultural Counseling (3 credit hours)

This course enables students to develop knowledge and understanding regarding characteristics and concerns of multiculturally diverse groups, the attitudes and behaviors affected by dominant group membership, and individual and group approaches/interventions appropriate with diverse populations. 

COUN 750 Study of the Individual in Higher Education (3 credit hours)

This course reviews major theoretical models of student and adult development, developmental aspects of college students, and the effects of the college experience on individuals.  Student personnel practitioners learn to design programs to effect positive developmental changes within college/university students. 

COUN 752  Law in Postsecondary Higher Education (3 credit hours)

This course serves as a legal foundation for graduate students in counseling student personnel services, or related professions in higher education.  It emphasizes the legal history in higher education, institutional relationship with administrators, students, faculty, the community; procedural processes; and basic concepts of civil rights, criminal, tort, and contractual law. 

COUN 753 Student Affairs Practice and Administration (3 credit hours)

This course prepares graduate students for entry level and mid-level student personnel services positions in higher education.  It emphasizes the history and philosophy of higher education, student affairs purposes and functional areas, and professional management/leadership issues relevant to higher education institutions. 

COUN 754 Family Counseling Theory and Practice (3 credit hours)

This course prepares students to counsel families.  Students also learn how to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for diagnosing and planning treatment with families and individuals. 

COUN 755 Diagnosis and Assessment (3 credit hours).

This course enables students to recognize the diagnostic features of major mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders and disorders of childhood and adolescence.  Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of medications and therapeutic interventions used in the treatment of specific mental disorders.  Students will become familiar with cognitive and personality assessments utilized in diagnosis.

COUN 756 Counseling the College Student (3 credit hours)

This course provides a historical perspective and overview of contemporary issues impacting counseling services for postsecondary students in postsecondary higher education. College counselors will learn about factors that place postsecondary students at-risk, including related DSM-IV-TR diagnoses and psychopharmacology.  Challenges associated with application of developmental theories within a diagnostic framework will be addressed, as well as issues related to accreditation, credentialing, evaluation, and future directions in college counseling.  

COUN 780 Medical Information for the Helping Profession (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of disabilities and an understanding of basic medical terminology associated with a variety of disorders found in general rehabilitation settings.  Areas of focus include:  types of disorders, diagnostic and treatment methods, functional issues, arranging physical restoration services, psychosocial and vocational implications of various disorders and the role of the rehabilitation counselor.

COUN 782  Vocational Development, Services, and Resources in Rehabilitation (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to equip students with knowledge to assist rehabilitation clients in achieving their vocational potential and independent living objectives. Students develop an understanding of the services and resources utilized to help rehabilitation clients in their vocational development. Emphasis is placed on: (a) legislation affecting employment for persons with disabilities, (b) career development theories for people with disabilities, (c) workplace accommodations and the use of assistive technology, (d) occupational and labor market information, (e) career counseling with diverse populations, (f) employer and job development, (g) supported employment, (h) job placement strategies, (i) disability benefits systems, (j) ways to overcome environmental and attitudinal barriers to employment, (k) case management, (l) ethical considerations, (m) issues related to transition from school to work, and (n) independent living services.

COUN 784 Psychosocial Aspects of Disability (3 credit hours)

This course explores the psychological and social aspects of disabilities.  Interpersonal as well as intrapersonal issues are examined.  Emphasis is placed on the impact of illness, disability, and deviance on the individual and her or his family.  The course presents many of the issues and challenges encountered by the rehabilitation professional, including attitudes toward individuals with disabilities and the perspectives of families and professionals.  The primary objective is to expand students’ perspectives regarding disability and disability-related issues. 

COUN 788 Special Evaluation Techniques (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to aid students in developing an understanding of the techniques used to evaluate persons with disabilities, including vocational assessment and work adjustment.  Students examine a variety of instruments used in vocational assessment.  Emphasis is placed on the application of procedures and practices in vocational evaluation, applying job development and placement strategies and procedures, and the importance of empowering people with disabilities in the job search and placement process.

COUN 790 Topics in Counselor Education (3 credit hours)

Students in this course will explore in depth specific counselor education topics.

COUN 791 Counseling for Substance Abuse and Addictions (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to provide the counselor with an awareness of various types of addictions, treatment modalities, and an understanding of the addictive personality. 

COUN 793 Independent Study in Guidance and Counseling (3 credit hours)

This experience is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to prepare, under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty, individual studies or projects in the field of guidance and counseling. 

Prerequisite: consent of the Departmental Chairperson. 

COUN 794 Research Seminar in Guidance and Counseling (3 credit hours)

This course provides the opportunity for all students enrolled in Counseling programs to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the beginning research course. Each student is expected to demonstrate the ability to complete a research project in an area of importance to their degree program. The course allows for students to broaden their understanding of important issues within the field of guidance and counseling in addition to the application of research methodology.

COUN 795 Internship in Counseling (6-24 credit hours)

The purpose of the internship is to provide the student with one or more experiential approaches in an area of specialization.  Basically the approach(es) will be through (a) parallel program(s) - one(s) in which the student is enrolled in academic courses while spending a limited period of time at the internship site and (b) simulated job experience where the intern performs appropriate job tasks/duties which an employee would do.  This course will be graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory.  Prerequisites: must have completed all core required courses in the area of specialty unless otherwise approved by the advisor and instructor.  COUN 730 and COUN 735 must be completed before enrolling for internship.  Students must complete 12 credit hours of internship for graduation.

COUN 796 Thesis (3 credit hours)

The thesis in counseling is the capstone experience in the master’s level study of the art of counseling.  Under the supervision of the academic advisor, students prepare a major scholarly paper within the framework of current research methods.  A three-member committee is established for each student’s thesis.  The student’s academic advisor serves as the committee chair and assumes primary responsibility for reviewing drafts of the thesis and providing feedback to the student.  The other two committee members review the thesis and, when indicated, offer suggestions.

Admission Requirements

All admission materials should be sent to : School of Graduate Studies, 219 Meadville Street, Reeder Hall - 3rd Floor, Edinboro, PA 16444 or via email gradstudies@edinboro.edu or via fax 814-732-2611  

For full consideration the application for a Fall semester start must be received by February 15th; late applications will be considered on a “space available” basis until April 1st. Spring semester application must be received by October 15th; late applications will be considered on a space available basis until November 15th.

1. Completed the online graduate application (gradschool.edinboro.edu).

2. Application Fee:  $30 (if not former EUP student); $7 (if former EUP student).

3. An official transcript verifying an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

4. Applicants should obtain scores averaging at or above the 50^th percentile for verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or score of 390 or above on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). 

5. Three letters of reference.

6. Writing sample:  Please address one of the following topics, limiting your response to a maximum of 500 words:  Why you chose to be a counselor; or the most important characteristics of a counselor.   Please include the following statement at the end of your writing sample:  “I, print your name, certify the writing sample I have submitted is my own work, reflecting my own thoughts; that no part is plagiarized, and I did not receive assistance in completing the writing sample.”  Follow with your signature and date.

7. An interview is a requirement of the admission process and the applicant will be contacted by the Professional Studies department, once the application is complete.

An advance tuition deposit of $150 shall be paid by all new students in competitive graduate programs. This deposit is required within two weeks of an offer of admission to the Graduate School. This student deposit is a guarantee of the intention of the applicant to register at the University for the term indicated on the admissions letter. Upon receipt, the University will credit the $150 deposit to the student's account. Applicants who subsequently cancel their application or fail to register shall forfeit their advance deposit; there will be no full or partial refunds.

If you are interested in transferring credits from another degree you will need to fill out the Transfer Credit Form and submit it to the address listed above.

For information or assistance regarding services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and usable by persons with a disability, contact Dr. Robert McConnell, Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), at (814) 732-2462 t/tty or mcconnell@edinboro.edu. For additional information, visit the OSD web page.

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