Course Descriptions: M.Ed. in Counseling and Development

M.Ed. in Counseling and Development Course Sequence

Level One Coursework

  • CNDV 5304 or 5302 Foundations of Professional Counseling or CNDV 5303 Introduction to School Counseling
  • CNDV 5311 Individual Counseling Theories
  • CNDV 5310 Counseling Skills or CNDV 5305 Counseling Skills and Interventions in School

Level Two Coursework

  • CNDV 5330 Developmental Guidance or CNDV 5333 Human Sexuality and Counseling Applications
  • CNDV 5301 Human Growth and Development
  • CNDV 5312 Group Counseling Theories and Techniques
  • CNDV 5320 Multicultural Counseling
  • CNDV 5322 Professionalism, Ethics and the Law
  • CNDV 5323 Career Development (MCFC only)
  • CNDV 5307 Career Development in School (school track only)
  • CNDV 5352 Crisis Prevention and Intervention
  • CNDV 5326 Addictions Counseling
  • CNDV 5334 Measurement and Assessment  
  • CNDV 5381 Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
  • CNDV 5353 Research and Program Evaluation
  • CNDV 5380 Residency Seminar I (advanced skills)
  • CNDV 5350 Abnormal Human Behavior
  • CNDV 5327 Psychopathology and Basic Psychopharmocology

Advanced Electives (eight-week courses taken concurrently with CNDV 5390/5394)

  • CNDV 5306 Child and Adolescent Counseling or CNDV5333 Human Sexuality and Counseling Applications
  • CNDV 5330 Developmental Guidance or CNDV 5329 Assessment and Treatment in MCFC

Field Experience Coursework (15-week Courses)

  • CNDV 5390 Practicum (school or MCFC site)
  • CNDV 5394 Internship (school or MCFC site)

Course Descriptions

CNDV 5301 – Human Growth & Development
A study of normal human development and the stages of physical intellectual, social and emotional growth from prenatal origins through old age.

CNDV 5302 – Found/Clinic Mental Health Counseling
This course focuses on the foundations of clinical mental health counseling. The course includes an exploration of the history, philosophy, trends and practice of clinical mental health counseling; the roles and functions of clinical mental health counselors across practice settings; methods and models of clinical supervision; professional organizations, preparation standards and credentials; and other related professional issues. Prerequisites: Admission

CNDV 5303 – Foundations of School Counseling
This course is designed as an overview of the school counseling profession and prepares you for a career in the field. It provides a foundation of the roles and responsibilities of professional school counselors and serves as an introduction to the various areas related to a developmental school counseling program.

CNDV 5304 – Foundations of Professional Counseling
This course focuses on the foundations of professional counseling. The course includes an exploration of the history, philosophy, trends and practice of counseling; the roles and functions of the counseling profession to include the ethics, laws and guiding principles for mental health counselors, marriage, couple and family counselors and school counselors; methods and models of clinical supervision; professional organizations, preparation standards and credentials.

CNDV 5305 – Counseling Skills and Intervention in Schools
This course provides an introduction to the application of counseling skills for practice in a school counseling setting. An experiential approach to the development and application of counseling skills is utilized to assist you in developing the ability to serve students across academic, personal/social and career domains. 

CNDV 5306 – Child and Adolescent Counseling
This course provides knowledge and skills training in counseling children and adolescents. You 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. You will examine various theoretical, behavioral and use therapy techniques.

CNDV 5307 – Career Development in Schools
In this course, you will examine historical and current issues in career counseling that impact college and career readiness for children, adolescents and transitional-age youth, including theoretical perspectives, vocational assessments, sources of occupational and educational information and the career decision making process. Through learning activities, you will demonstrate acquired knowledge of these issues integrating ethical guidelines to address the college-career development.

CNDV 5310 – Counseling Skills
An introduction of facilitation skills and theory. In-depth analysis and demonstration of various facilitation techniques for use with counseling clients.

CNDV 5311 – Individual Counseling Theory/Techniques
Theories of individual counseling with an emphasis on techniques and applications. Level 1 course required prior to CNDV 5310 & 5312.

CNDV 5312 – Group Counseling Theories/Techniques
An analysis of group counseling theories, processes and techniques (pre-practicum course).

CNDV 5320 – Multicultural Counseling (or advanced elective)
Studies in human diversity and cultural issues. Identifies the implications for counseling, learning and strategies for cross-cultural effectiveness in various settings.

CNDV 5322 – Professionalism Ethics & Law
An overview of the profession with an emphasis on legal issues, ethical principles and professional standards of conduct in the area of counseling. 

CNDV 5323 – Career Development
A focus on theories of vocational choice, vocational assessment, sources of occupational and educational information and the career decision process. Prerequisites: CNDV 5301 or permission of instructor 

CNDV 5326 – Addictions Counseling
This course provides counselors and other human service workers with an overview of the addictive process. You will develop conceptual knowledge, practical skills and the etiology of addiction and assessment strategies, including the use of wraparound assessment and intervention services.

CNDV 5327 – Psychopathology and Basic Psychopharmacology
This course prepares counselors in the basic diagnostic systems, research and explanations of psychopathology and to provide services in conjunction with a psychopharmacological prescribe. Content will include the merger of psychopathology and pharmacotherapy for effective treatment in an integrated health model.

CNDV 5329 – Assessment and Treatment in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling
This course builds on the introductory course Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling (CDNV 5381), with a focus on the assessment, skills and intervention aspects of therapy with couples and families. This course focuses on practical applications with a diverse client population, self-awareness and the influences of the counselor on the therapeutic system.

CNDV 5330 – Developmental Guidance and Counseling (or advanced elective)
Designed to advance the professional competence of the counselor, the course is a study of the design and management of a comprehensive developmental guidance program. Emphasis is placed on the planning and implementation of a guidance curriculum appropriate for the needs of school age children and youth.

CNDV 5333 – Human Sexuality and Counseling Applications
A basic course in understanding how human beings form interpersonal relationships, how sexuality develops and evaluation and treatment of sexual disorders. This course explores the relationship between mental health and sexuality, and the role of mental health professionals in sex counseling. 

CNDV 5334 – Measurement & Assessment
Provides an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation to include basic statistical concepts; standardized and non-standardized testing; strategies for selecting, administering and interpreting assessment; and evaluation instruments in educational and counseling settings. 

CNDV 5350 – Abnormal Human Behavior
A study of various symptom categories in psychopathology. The course will include an analysis of the diagnostic categories, as well as the research concerning etiology and treatment.

CNDV 5352 – Crisis Prevention Intervention
This course introduces you to responsive services; crisis prevention and intervention; and counselor leadership in crisis events are the major topics. Specific crisis incidents and counseling responses will be emphasized.

CNDV 5353 – Research & Program Evaluation
This course introduces you to evaluation research and provides you with a foundation in qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method approaches to counseling research and evaluation. You will learn the strengths and limitations of each method and under what circumstances each approach would be the most appropriate research design. 

CNDV 5380 – Residency Seminar I (advanced skills)*
Designed to advance the professional competence of participants. For each seminar, a description of the particular area of study will be indicated. May be repeated for credit when nature of seminar differs sufficiently from one previously taken. Prerequisites: CNDV 5311 or approval of instructor

CNDV 5381 – Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
An intensive exploration of the dynamics of marriage, couple and family relationships. A critical analysis of various counseling techniques and approaches will be established. Development of counseling skills will be a primary emphasis.

CNDV 5390 – School Counseling Practicum
A field-based course of supervised observation and practice of counseling in an agency setting. Prerequisite: CNDV 5310, 5311, 5312 and within six semester hours (excluding practicum) of completing program requirements before beginning internship. A maximum of one additional course may be taken any semester in which you are enrolled in a practicum. 

CNDV 5393 – Counseling & Development Practicum
Practicum is a field experience course with a focus on the practice of clinical mental health counseling with real clients within an approved setting. You are required to earn a minimum of 150 hours of supervised counseling experience, including 40 hours of direct service to clients and 110 hours of indirect service. Prerequisites: CNDV 5302, CNDV 5310, CNDV 5311 with a minimum grade of “B."

CNDV 5394 – Internship (School or MCFC Site)
An advanced field experience course with a continued focus on the practice of professional counseling with real clients within an approved setting. You are required to earn a minimum of 300 hours of supervised counseling experience, including 120 hours of direct service with clients.


Prerequisites: CNDV 5390 or CNDV 5393 with a minimum grade of "C"

  • Note. CNDV 5380 is a hybrid five-week online course that requires a five-day face-to-face seminar on the campus of Lamar University or other noted location.