GRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS COU 6502 Counseling Theories and Strategies 3 credits This course examines the historical, contemporary, legal, and ethical issues facing the professional school counselor today. Various functions of the professional school counselor and the skills necessary to meet the needs of student populations in the academic, career, and personal/social domains within the context of a comprehensive, developmental school counseling (CDSC) program will be explored. Learners are introduced to the basic principles of working with diverse populations, school administrators, faculty, parents, and other stakeholders in elementary, middle, and high school settings. The school counselor’s roles and functions of counselor, consultant, coordinator, leader, and advocate for Pre-K to 12 students will be examined. Students will be introduced to the ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs. COU 6505 Theories of Human Development for the Counseling Profession 3 credits This course examines issues linked to the lifespan development of diverse individuals. Theory-based approaches to solving lifespan issues will be examined. This course presents a theoretical perspective of human development across the lifespan. Discussion of typical and atypical development from conception through final life stages focusing on cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development is included. Special emphases are placed on theory and research that informs our understanding of human development among diverse populations. During this course, learners will focus on the professional capacity required to work effectively and to provide leadership in work with children and adolescents within academic, social, and counseling settings. The course will include exercises in applying lifespan theory to diverse contexts, and will include examination of the contextual, environmental, biological, cultural, and individual factors that influence lifespan development. COU 6513 Data-Informed Decision Making for School Counselors 3 credits This course examines the types, methods, and collection processes for the aggregation and implementation of data outcomes within the field of professional school counseling. Organizational and institutional theories are examined through the lens of the school counseling profession. Alignment of Common Core Standards, and best practices for the school counseling profession are recommended, and examples are provided to guide future performance standards. Examples of effective school guidance plans are presented along with ASCA and standards-based education models to enhance the repertoire of counseling skill sets in addition to providing a working framework from which to develop researched-based counseling programs. The use of date to drive interventions in addition to evaluating effective programming is reviewed. Student action plans are introduced, and both direct and indirect measures are recommended to assess counseling programs and interventions. Finally, the process of reporting results as a school counselor is highlighted. EDU 6500 Foundations in Education 3 credits This course covers foundational components of education, training, curriculum and instructional design, and learning. Learners will gain a broad understanding of the social, philosophical, and historical themes that inform a current education discourse. Learners will examine key concepts, critical issues, and policies used in multiple educational settings that impact the field of education. EDU 6503 Curriculum and Course Design 3 credits This course examines course design models with a focus on how curriculum is informed by societal forces. Learners will become familiar with developing courses for their chosen audience and learn to communicate their course design decisions with stakeholders. Learners will design course assignments as well as develop their teaching philosophy.
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