Academic Programs

 

Program Director: Dr. David Tobin
Phone: (814) 871-7537
E-mail: tobin001@gannon.edu

OVERVIEW
The graduate certificate in Advanced Counselor Studies is specifically designed for students who have already earned a Masters degree in the counseling field and would like to earn more credits toward state licensure. Pennsylvania recently passed a law that requires licensed professional counselors to have at least 60 graduate credits. This certificate provides the additional coursework that many counselors will need to meet the new state requirement. These courses will provide active learning and skill development in counseling.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must:

• Complete an application for admission
• Have a Masters degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited institution
• Submit final, official transcripts from all graduate-level coursework, and
• Have the approval of the program director.

COURSEWORK
Choose 12 credits from the following list:

GCOU 642 Child and Adolescent Counseling (3 credits)
This course provides specialized knowledge and skills training in counseling children and adolescents. Students will learn to assess behavior and incorporate developmentally, ethnically, legally, and gender appropriate strategies and techniques to meet the needs of counseling children and adolescents. Students will examine various theoretical, behavioral, and play therapy techniques for counseling children and adolescents.

GCOU 649 Advanced Counseling Strategies and Techniques (3 credits)
This course will provide instruction and skills training in advanced counseling strategies and techniques. Students will develop competency in a prescribed theoretical orientation to counseling and psychotherapy.

GCOU 655 Advanced Counseling Theories (3 credits)
This course provides an in-depth review of theory, practices, and research associated with commonly used clinical theories of counseling and psychotherapy. Students will develop competency in a prescribed theoretical orientation to counseling and psychotherapy.

GCOU 660 Counseling and Spirituality (3 credits)
This course will focus on integrating spirituality into the practice of professional counseling. Spirituality, spiritual issues, spiritual diversity, and ethical concerns will be examined. Students will review guidelines and competencies for integrating spirituality into the counseling relationship.

GCOU 665 Consultation and Supervision in Professional Counseling (3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce students to consultation and supervision in the counseling profession. It defines consultation and supervision, and provides an overview of appropriate models, approaches and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the supervisory relationship, relevant legal and ethical issues, and diversity issues applicable to consultation and supervisory practices.

GCOU 690 Seminar in Counseling (3 credits)
This seminar is taken following the completion of the Foundations, Counseling Core I and Counseling Core II course work. This seminar reviews critical topics and issues that impact the counseling profession. Students will be required to review counselor preparation for certification and licensure, create a professional vitae, working portfolio, and pass a comprehensive exam.