Graduate Courses in Applied Behavioral Studies

Content varies.

This course will explore issues regarding the relationship between physical and emotional health — primarily from mental health, coping and counseling perspectives. The roles of adjustment, lifestyle, and social factors on stress and wellness are discussed.

This course will focus on psychosexual development throughout the life span, interviewing and counseling techniques, and ethical sexual therapyfor sexual dysfunctions, addictions, paraphilias and challenges related to aging and illness. [Prerequisite: ABS Admission]

Students will learn how to administer, score and interpret personality tests for adults and children. [Prerequisite: ABS Admission; extra fees may be required]

Variable content in Applied Behavioral Studies/Counseling.

Special intervention strategies relevant to counseling will be discussed which may include, posttraumatic stress, sexual assault, partner violence, grief and bereavement, and workplace violence.

An overview of the addiction process, what constitutes an addiction and the treatment methods available through counseling and other means.

As the last stage in life span development, Death & Dying is an important course to take and an important concept to adjust to. We’ll explore a variety of issues such as coping with chronic illness, death awareness, stages of dying, hospice, suicide, euthanasia, funeral customs, children’s experience and traumatic death — and their impacts on each individual. Where possible, we will arrange relevant field trips.

An overview of the major marriage and/or family counseling theories for use in a variety of settings. [Prerequisite: ABS 5713 Counseling Theories & Permission]

Understanding of developmental experiences and their impacts on adjustment. Mental health issues and community resources will be a primary focus. Intervention strategies from a counseling perspective will be discussed.

Traditional theories and techniques of counseling will be covered as well as the personality theory underlying them. This course will address how to move from theory to practice. Development of basic counseling skills and awareness of self will be covered. Extra fees required. [Prerequisite: ABS Admission]

This course further investigates abnormal human behavior and dysfunctions it relates to the DSM disorders. Schizophrenia, neurosis, psychosis, multiple personality and depression are among the topical issues studied. [Prerequisite: ABS Admission]

This course will focus primarily on life style and career choice, the decision making process, career counseling and vocational choice. [Prerequisite: ABS Admission]

A deeper investigation into the administration, scoring and interpretation of tests for adults and children. [Prerequisite: ABS 5314 and extra fees may be required]

This course will explore multi-cultural counseling, socio-cultural theories, research and practice in society. Other areas covered will be the inherent diversity of individuals including gender, race, culture, religion, communication and work styles, beliefs, values and socioeconomic status, as well as the impact of society and culture on behavior. [Prerequisite: ABS Admission]

A more detailed investigation of theories and techniques of counseling. This course will focus on the more structured and systematic techniques for psychotherapeutic intervention. For graduate students in counseling. [Pre-requisite: ABS 5713 Counseling Theories & Permission]

This course is includes a theoretical and experiential component to group process, group dynamics and group counseling. Examples of skills and concepts discussed include group formation, communication, stages of group growth, problem solving, cohesion, team building, leadership, decision making and conflict resolution. [Prerequisite: ABS Admission]

Field experience in professional counseling whereby students will provide introductory counseling services in a mental health clinic, counseling center or other human services agency. A minimum of 100 clock hours are required. [Prerequisite: 33 ABS hours, plus Candidacy status]

This human growth and development course will cover personality and development throughout the entire life span. [Prerequisite: ABS Admission]

This course is designed to introduce the student to research methods relevant to applied behavioral studies and counseling. A statistical component will be included. [Prerequisite: ABS Admission]

Relevant ethical issues studied will include confidentiality, privacy, multiple relationships, supervision, the counseling relationship and research. Codes of ethics, standards of practice and preparation will be covered. This course will also include the capstone project. [Prerequisites: 15 hours of ABS course work, including ABS 6903]

Advanced field experience in counseling whereby students will provide direct face-to-face intervention and diagnostic assessment with clients under the auspices of an on-site supervisor. The internship is to be taken toward the end of the master's degree in counseling. A minimum of 200 clock hours are required. [Prerequisite: ABS 6776]