Gannon University

Master of Science (M.S.) Degree

Director: David Tobin, Ph.D.

INTRODUCTION
Gannon University offers the Master of Science in Community Counseling. All students will complete a minimum of 60 semester hours for the degree. The program is designed to prepare individuals for careers in a variety of professional counseling settings such as community mental health, K-12 schools, human service agencies, college and university counseling, and residential treatment. The curriculum provides a blend of counselor training experiences designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to become a professional counselor. The program prepares graduates to pursue certification as a Nationally Certified Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and/or certification as an Elementary or Secondary School Counselor.

OBJECTIVES
The mission of the Community Counseling Program is to foster the development of professional counselors, who embody the commitment to improve the conditions of individuals, families, groups, the community, and the counseling profession. The philosophy and objectives of the Community Counseling Program are directed toward the development of the competencies required of professional counselors. The program is committed to enhance students’ knowledge of counseling theory and concepts, provide skills and training which facilitate human growth and development, develop multicultural competencies that enhance the practice of professional counseling, promote the development of sound legal and ethical decision making skills required of professional counselors, and prepare individuals for licensure and certification as entry level generalist practitioners in community counseling and school counseling settings.

PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Students must have a bachelor’s degree from an approved institution; submit a completed application for admission, resume, three letters of recommendation from appropriate professionals, and an essay; and participate in an admissions interview. To be admitted into the program, applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.8 in undergraduate coursework. Applicants must be formally admitted to the program before enrolling in counseling courses

Undergraduate Course Work
Students enter the Community Counseling Program from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds. Course work in human services, psychology, statistics, and human development is helpful. Several courses in psychology are recommended. All students must have completed a basic course in statistics and earned a grade of B or better. A recent undergraduate course in statistics is acceptable to meet this requirement. Students not having the prerequisite course in statistics must take it during the foundation sequence as an additional requirement.

CURRICULUM
I.  Master's Degree in Community Couneling Core Courses

1. Foundations of Professional Counseling Sequence (12 credits)
   GPSY 605   Group Dynamics
   GPSY 608   Human Development Over the Life Span
   GPSY 627   Community Counseling
   GPSY 648   Counseling Strategies & Techniques

2. Counseling Core I Sequence (15 credits)
   GPSY 603   Research Methodology I
   GPSY 610   Counseling & Personality Theories
   GPSY 625   Multi-Cultural Aspects of the Helping Professions
   GPSY 626   Legal/Ethical Issues in Counseling
   GPSY 631   Abnormal Psychology

3. Counseling Core II Sequence (15 credits)
   GPSY 612   Family Therapy
   GPSY 613   Psychological Assessment I
   GPSY 622   Career Development & Counseling
   GPSY 642   Child and Adolescent Counseling
   GPSY 690   Seminar in Counseling
       (This course must be completed after the Counseling
        Core II Sequence and prior to enrolling in GPSY 650)
   GPSY 691   Counselor Preparation

4. Advanced Core Sequence (9 credits)
   GPSY 621   Elementary and Secondary Counseling*
   GPSY 649   Advanced Counseling Strategies & Techniques
   GPSY 655   Advanced Counseling Theories
   GPSY 660   Counseling and Spirituality
   GPSY 665   Consultation and Supervision in Professional Counseling **

   * Only required for students seeking school counselor certification
   ** Offered for Post Graduate Coursework

5. Supervised Counseling Experience (9 credits)
   GPSY 650   Supervised Practicum
   GPSY 651   Supervised Internship

SPECIAL FEATURES

School Counseling Specialization
Students can attain School Counselor certification by completing all of the community counseling course requirements as well as GPSY 621 Elementary and Secondary School Counseling, and GPSY 651 Supervised Internship in a K-12 school setting. In addition, students must pass a series of PRAXIS exams and present ACT 33 and 34 clearances before applying to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for School Counselor Certification.

Licensure/Certification
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
The Community Counseling Program prepares graduates to meet the academic requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and in many other states.

Certification as an Elementary or Secondary School Counselor
The Community Counseling Program prepares graduates to meet the academic requirements for certification as an Elementary or Secondary School Counselor in Pennsylvania and in many other states.

Certification as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)
The Community Counseling Program prepares graduates to meet the academic requirements for certification by the National Board for Certified Counselors as a Nationally Certified Counselor.

Post Graduate Coursework
Individuals who hold a masters degree in counseling may take post graduate coursework in order to meet the requirements for appropriate licensure and certification. Students who complete 12 credits will receive a Certificate of Advanced Counseling Studies. All post graduate students must apply and be approved by the program director.

ACT 33 and ACT 34 Clearances
All students must present ACT 33 and 34 clearances to the Program Director before registering for GPSY 650 Supervised Practicum.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GPSY 603 Research Methodology I
3 credits
Prerequisite: Undergraduate Course in Statistics
This course assists students in understanding the language, principles, reasoning, and methodologies of research and to help them critically evaluate research literature. Students will recognize ethical issues relevant to conducting research, and how research can improve counseling effectiveness. Students should complete the statistics prerequisite before enrolling in this course.

GPSY 605 Group Dynamics
3 credits
This course provides an understanding of group counseling, group dynamics, types of groups, and group leadership. Students will experience integrative learning by participating in a developmental process group. Guidelines for group treatment, ethics, and diversity will be discussed.

GPSY 608 Human Development Over the Life Span
3 credits
This course provides an understanding of human growth and development over the life span including theoretical approaches and issues relevant to human services. It emphasizes physiological, cognitive, social, emotional, personality, spiritual, and moral development from conception to death. Legal and ethical issues related to human development, as well as diversity issues, will be reviewed in relation to human services.

GPSY 610 Counseling and Personality Theories
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the major theories in counseling and psychotherapy. The theoretical and historical backgrounds will be reviewed along with current practices. Students will develop a theoretical orientation applicable to professional counseling settings and diverse client populations.

GPSY 612 Family Therapy
3 credits
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of various approaches to marital and family therapy. Within the context of systems theory, emphasis will be placed on understanding various methods of conceptualizing family dynamics and intervention strategies.

GPSY 613 Psychological Assessment I
3 credits
Prerequisites: GPSY 631 and Statistics (e.g. Stats I)
This course provides an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation in professional counseling. There will be an emphasis on assessment strategies and psychometrics. Students will have the opportunity to administer selected assessment instruments.

GPSY 621 Elementary and Secondary Counseling
3 credits
This course examines the roles of the elementary and secondary school counselor. Students will review the foundations and contextual dimension of school counseling. Knowledge and skill requirements for school counseling will include student counseling, guidance, consultation, program development and coordination. An emphasis will be placed on legal and ethical issues in school counseling, diversity in school, and developmental guidance programs.

GPSY 622 Career Development and Counseling
3 credits
This course provides an introduction to the theoretical bases of career development and individual career decision making. It incorporates career assessment instruments and techniques for evaluating individuals relevant to career development, planning and placement. Emphasis is placed on understanding career, educational and labor market information, technology in career counseling, legal and ethical standards, multicultural and gender bias as well as an appreciation for career trends across the life-span.

GPSY 625 Multi-Cultural Aspects of the Helping Professions
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the theories of multicultural counseling and development. Issues related to social and cultural diversity will be examined as well as guidelines for developing multicultural competencies and sensitivity in the helping professions.

GPSY 626 Legal/Ethical Issues in Counseling
3 credits
This course provides students with the knowledge of legal and ethical guidelines for the practive of psychology, community, and school counseling. Students will learn to use these guidelines to make sound decisions about professional practice.

GPSY 627 Community Counseling
3 credits
This course provides an introduction to the emerging field of professional counseling and provides students with an outlook towards professional development. Various fields of counseling and the role of the professional counselor will be defined. An examination of professional identity will include organizational affiliations, licensure, and accreditation, along with standards for ethics, preparation, and training.

GPSY 631 Abnormal Psychology
3 credits
This course introduces students to concepts of psychopathology and normalcy; and the major diagnostic categories of the current DSM and their etiologies. Emphasis is placed on differential diagnosis and understanding how cultural, biological, social, and psychological factors are necessary when developing a holistic and ethical model of assessment and treatment planning.

GPSY 642 Child and Adolescent Counseling
3 credits
Prerequisite: GPSY 610 and GPSY 648
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.

GPSY 648 Counseling Strategies and Techniques
3 credits
This course provides training in the core counseling skills essential for the counseling relationship and effective treatment outcomes. Students receive supervised training through modeling, live observation, skill rehearsal, and videotaping within the counselor training facilities.

GPSY 649 Advanced Counseling Strategies and Techniques
3 credits
Prerequisite: GPSY 610 & GPSY 648
This course will provide instruction and skills training in advanced counseling strategies and techniques. Students will develop competencies in integrative treatment approaches for selected psychological conditions and behavior problems.

GPSY 650 Supervised Practicum
3 credits
Prerequisite: GPSY 690
Practicum provides preparation for internship through highly structured and supervised counseling practice. Students will demonstrate the basic competencies required of professional counselors. 100 hours of counseling practice is required which includes direct counseling, individual and group supervision.

GPSY 651 Supervised Internship
3-6 credits
Prerequisite: GPSY 650
600 hours of supervised counseling experience in an appropriate community or school setting. . Students will be given the opportunity to provide direct counseling services under supervision. Emphasis is placed on counselor identity development, legal and ethical practice, developing multicultural and counseling competencies. Students will receive individual on-site supervision and weekly on campus group supervision.

GPSY 655 Advanced Counseling Theories
3 credits
Prerequisite: GPSY 610 & GPSY 648
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 intervention.

GPSY 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. Critical topics, such as, illness, death and dying, suicide, and trauma will be explored. Students will review guidelines and competencies for integrating spirituality into the counseling relationship.

GPSY 665 Consultation and Supervision in Professional Counseling
3 credits
Prerequisite: GPSY 650 & GPSY 651
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.

GPSY 688 Directed Studies
1-3 credits
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor
A directed study provides the advanced counseling student the opportunity to pursue knowledge and training in areas of interest within the counseling profession. The student will demonstrate a thorough investigation and understanding of the selected topic.

GPSY 690 Seminar in Counseling
3 credits
Prerequisite: Completion of Foundations, Core I and Core II coursework
This seminar is taken following the completion of the Foundations, Counseling Core I and Counseling Core II course work. This seminar reviews counselor preparation for certification and licensure. Students will be required to create a professional vitae, working portfolio, and pass a final examination.

GPSY 691 Counselor Preparation - Comprehensive Examination
0 credits
Students will be required to pass a comprehensive exam. This exam should be taken the same semester as GPSY 690.

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