Biology - Major in Biology Program

Required Courses

Core I: Behavioral Foundations (3 credits each, all are required)
CNS 601 Professional Standards and Ethics

This course will review, discuss, and evaluate situational ethics and issues of professionalism in counseling. We will review the ethical codes of professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association (ACA) and American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Students will practice applying government laws and ethical codes to challenges commonly faced in a counseling profession. Open for Graduate students; Undergraduates can only enroll in this course when offered in Session 1 of any semester. 3 credits.

CNS 620 Human Growth and Development

This course will examine the characteristics of human development across the lifespan with a particular emphasis placed on the biological, psychological, and social factors that impact risk and resiliency following aversive events. Topics will include the major theories of learning and development, cognitive and biological domains of development, and the impacts of addiction, crisis and trauma on individuals from diverse backgrounds. Open for Graduate students; Undergraduates can only enroll in this course when offered in Session 1 of any semester. 3 credits.

CNS 621 Social and Cultural Diversity

Students will learn about the impacts of individual differences on the counseling relationship. To prepare students to work with diverse populations, this course will explore a variety of topics including race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental and physical characteristics, education, and socioeconomic status. These characteristics will be considered in the context of delivering ethical and culturally sensitive assessment and counseling services. Open for Graduate students; Undergraduates can only enroll in this course when offered in Session 1 of any semester. 3 credits.

CNS 622 Diagnosis and Treatment Planning for Counselors

This course will provide an overview of typical and atypical development and consider the causes, symptoms, and treatments of common mental disorders. Students will learn to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior patterns as well as demonstrate knowledge of etiology, symptoms, and therapeutic techniques for psychological disorders. This course will also discuss the role of assessment, intake interviews, and reports to develop treatment plans. Open for Graduate students; Undergraduates can only enroll in this course when offered in Session 1 of any semester. 3 credits.

CNS 701 Orientation to Counseling Processes

This course provides students with an introduction to the field of counseling. Students will be provided an overview of theories, models, and strategies for practicing within the field. Students will learn and apply the basics of counseling and collaboration to individuals, families, schools, colleges, and community organizations/agencies. Students will learn about the profession, including the history and roles of counselors, organizational structures, ethics, standards, and credentialing. Students will develop skills for basic interviewing, counseling, conceptualizing cases, and developing treatment plans for clients. 3 credits.

CNS 750 Assessment and Evaluation

This course provides an understanding of intellectual, personality, academic achievement, and psychopathology tests and other appraisal methods used in the counseling field. Students will develop skills in the selection, administration and interpretation of assessment tools used to evaluate client issues and functioning. Focus will be given to assessment of different dimensions of functioning (behavioral, emotional, cognitive, psychological, and personality) along with ethical and legal issues related to psychological testing. 3 credits.

CNS 751 Research Methods and Statistics

This course will develop skills in the design, implementation, and interpretation of psychological research, with particular emphasis on evidence-based counseling practices. Students will review a range of research methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, single-case designs, and program evaluation), along with an introduction to the fundamentals of statistics and statistical analyses within the context of developing and evaluating counseling programs and outcomes. Ethical and legal considerations in research and the importance of research within the counseling profession will be addressed. 3 credits.

Core II: Counseling Essentials (3 credits each, all are required)
CNS 711 Group Dynamics

This course provides students with a theoretical and experiential understanding of group development and dynamics. Topics will include theories of group counseling, principles of group dynamics, group member roles and behaviors, leadership styles, types of groups, group formation, and preparation of group leaders. In order to facilitate self-understanding, students will spend 10 hours as members of a group during the course and will reflect upon that experience. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and CNS 720. 3 credits.

CNS 712 Career Counseling and Development

This course examines the field of career counseling through examination of the theories of career choice and their influence upon entry into the world of work. Topics include career development theories and decision-making models, understanding connections between work and mental well-being in other life roles, career information resources, career planning and career counseling practices. Ethical standards in career counseling, multicultural issues, gender and age bias, and career trends across the lifespan will also be addressed. 3 credits.

CNS 720 Helping Relationships and Counseling Theories /Techniques

This course will examine the following Counseling theories: Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, Existential, Person-Centered, Gestalt, Behavior, Cognitive Behavior, Choice Theory/Reality, Feminist, Postmodern, and Family Systems. Students will learn about the origins, key concepts, historical figures, and techniques that apply to each of these theories. At the end of the course, students will be able to identify their personal theoretical orientation. Prerequisite: CNS 701. 3 credits.

CNS 721 Advanced Counseling Techniques Theories /Techniques

This course will expand the development of clinical counseling skills that were introduced in PSY 720. Emphasis will be on developing the case conceptualization, knowledge, clinical skills, and awareness needed to work effectively with clients. This advanced course will help you understand when, why, and how to use a particular clinical skill and encourage direct practice and application of clinical skills through in-class practice activities. This course will also explore advance practice considerations such as program planning, consultation, counselor supervision, and crisis management. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and 720. 3 credits.

CNS 730 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This course explores the theoretical assumptions underlying cognitive-behavioral therapy and its application in treating common psychological disorders. Students will review models and specific cognitive, behavioral, and integrative techniques. Additionally, students will review evidence and efficacy research available for implementation of various cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies for specific disorders. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and CNS 720. 3 credits.

CNS 732 Addiction Counseling

This course focuses on identification, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of addictive behaviors and disorders. Students will be introduced to the prevailing theories around addiction as well as treatment modalities that are most often utilized. The focus will be on learning effective treatment practices and building substance abuse counseling skills. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and CNS 720. 3 credits.

CNS 733 Trauma Counseling

In this course, students will develop a foundation for assessing and treating post-trauma reactions, including an understanding of the personal and systemic impact of crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events on individuals, families, and communities. Topics will include mechanisms of PTSD development and maintenance, diagnosis of specific trauma-related conditions, clinical interventions including disaster-related mental health, and self-care strategies to prevent compassion fatigue in counselors. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and CNS 720. CNS 720 is waived for students pursuing only the Trauma-Informed Counseling Certificate. 3 credits.

3 courses from the following Counseling Electives (3 credits each)
CNS 731 Applied Behavior Analysis

This course provides an introduction to applied behavior analysis, which uses techniques based on principles of learning to change behavior. Topics will include the description and measurement of behavior, functional assessment and analysis of behavior, and the development, implementation, and evaluation of protocols to alter behavior in educational, clinical, and social settings. The course will review applications of applied behavior analysis across the lifespan and with individuals with disabilities. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and CNS 720. 3 credits.

CNS 801 Stress Management

This course will provide an overview of the similarities and distinction between stress and anxiety. Etiological contributions toward stress and anxiety will be addressed, including those that are social, situational, neurological, personal, and interpersonal in nature. Additionally, the prevention, impact, and treatment of stress and anxiety will be covered. Prerequisite: CNS 601, 620, 621, 701, 711, 712, 720, 750, 751. 3 credits.

CNS 802 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

This course will introduce students to the theoretical principles and techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Students will learn and practice developing case conceptualizations using the psychological flexibility mode and its six core processes: acceptance, diffusion, mindfulness, self-as-context, values, and committed action. ACT is an experiential therapy, and as such, is best understood through willingness to role-play therapeutic sessions. Through Experiential learning, students will identify specific techniques to facilitate client growth that correspond to each of the core processes. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and 720. 3 credits.

CNS 803 Social Problems and Counseling

This course will provide an overview of enduring social problems in society, including but not limited to the following: racism, poverty, sexism, discrimination against the LGBT community, addiction, and mental health. Additionally, the sudden and/or unexpected onset of social problems will be broached. Students will learn strategies for helping their future clients manage these problems and connect with appropriate resources. Prerequisite: CNS 701. 3 credits.

CNS 804 Crisis Intervention and Prevention

This course will examine theories and techniques involved with crisis and prevention counseling. Counseling techniques surrounding a wide range of crises will be examined including suicide, grief/loss, public acts of violence such as school shootings, domestic violence, natural disasters, and other traumatic events. Preventative methods such as safety plans, policies, and procedures will be discussed, including the implementation of an emergency management response team. The impact of crises on individuals, families, and communities will be addressed. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and 720. CNS 720 is waived for students pursuing only the Trauma-Informed Counseling Certificate. 3 credits.

CNS 806 Couples and Family Counseling

This course will introduce students to the practice of couples and family therapy. This will include exploration of couples and family theoretical models and interventions including Bowenian Family Therapy, Behavioral and Cognitive Theories, Human Validation Process Model, Strategic Family Therapy, Narrative Couples Therapy, and Filial Play Therapy. Students will consider the family system across the lifecycle. Additionally, the course will explore trauma-informed treatment approaches to address the impact and treatment of addiction, abuse, violence, and trauma in family systems. Pre-requisite: CNS 701 3 credits.

CNS 807 Child and Adolescent Counseling

This course will examine theories, assessments, and both individual and group counseling techniques that are appropriate when working with children and adolescents. Research-based skills that incorporate developmental issues will be addressed including the following: social skills development, cognitive development, moral development, sexual development, and self-concept. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and 720. 3 credits.

CNS 811 Grief Counseling

This course will cover theories for understanding grief, as well as strategies and resources that can be utilized for helping clients who undergo grief and bereavement. Societal, cultural, familial, and personal factors that influence grief will be addressed. Additionally, students will be required to reflect on their personal values, thoughts, and emotions surrounding grief. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and 720. CNS 720 is waived for students pursuing only the Trauma-Informed Counseling Certificate. 3 credits.

CNS 812 Trauma Seminar

This course is project-based and allows each respective student to identify an area of interest that can be explored in-depth. Students will work closely alongside their instructor to identify a trauma-based topic and move forward with a project that will enrich their understanding of the field. This project will enhance each student's professional knowledge, skills, and/or expertise as it pertains to trauma-informed practices. Prerequisite: CNS 701 3 credits.

CNS 814 Military and Police Counseling

This course will cover best practices that allow counselors-in-training to understand and respond to clients with military/police backgrounds. Counseling techniques, research, and community resources will be examined as they pertain to macro-oriented implications (e.g., international, cultural, community, and family) and micro-oriented implications (e.g, mental health, positive and negative coping mechanisms, as well as grief, bereavement, and trauma-informed care). Prerequisite: CNS 701 and 720. CNS 720 is waived for students pursuing only the Trauma-Informed Counseling Certificate. 3 credits.

CNS 816 Creative Arts in Counseling

This course provides an overview of various modalities within the creative arts (e.g., music therapy, art therapy, play therapy, animal-assisted therapy in counseling, and many more). The creative arts are adaptive, enriching, and stimulating therapeutic interventions that foster different ways of experiencing the world in the clinical space. Students will learn the history, rationale, basic principles, and strategies for the use and application of the creative arts in counseling. Prerequisite: CNS 701 and 720. 3 credits.

Clinical Engagement (3 credits each, all are required)
CNS 870 Clinical Practicum

In this course, students complete closely supervised counseling experiences (such as patient observations, shadowing, task assistance, data recording, regulated patient contact, etc.), in mental health care facilities, that total a minimum of 100 clock hours. Practicum students will complete at least 40 clock hours of direct service with actual clients; this includes weekly interactions that average 1 hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision, and averages 1.5 hours per week of group supervision. Practicum students will meet weekly with supervisors from the counselor education program and a student supervisor and site supervisor from the placement location. Prerequisites: CNS 601, 621, 622, 701, 711 and 720. 3 credits.

CNS 900 Clinical Internship I

This course provides supervised field work experiences (in the form of highly independent workplace applications of clinical skills including and beyond the more controlled --and previously acquired-- practicum experiences such as patient observations, shadowing, task assistance, data recording, regulated patient contact, etc.), in an approved mental health care clinical setting. Students will complete 300 clock hours of supervised counseling internships in roles and settings with clients relevant to their specialty area. At least 120 of these clock hours must be direct service. Internship hours will include weekly interactions with supervisors that average 1 hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision, and averages 1.5 hours per week of group supervision. Prerequisites: CNS 870. 3 credits.

CNS 901 Clinical Internship II

This course is a continuation of PSY 900, and as such provides supervised field work experiences (in the form of highly independent workplace applications of clinical skills including and beyond the more controlled - and previously - acquired - practicum experiences such as patient observations, shadowing, task assistance, data recording, regulated patient contact, etc.), in an approved mental health care clinical setting. Students will complete 300 clock hours of supervised counseling internships in roles and settings with clients relevant to their specialty area. At least 120 of these clock hours must be direct service. Internship hours will include weekly interactions with supervisors that average 1 hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision, and averages 1.5 hours per week of group supervision. Prerequisites: CNS 900. 3 credits.