Advanced Studies in Counseling Post-Master's Graduate Certificate focused on Marital, Couples, and Family Therapy
A 12-credit post-master's certificate offered by the Department of Counseling
Designed to meet the professional development needs of School & Mental Health Counselors
Background
- The Professional Counselor Licensure Bill requires counselors in the field to have 60 graduate credits. Most Counselor Education/Counseling graduate programs require only 48 credits
- School Counselors in the public schools in Pennsylvania must fulfill the ACT 48 professional development requirements, which can be satisfied with the completion of 6 graduate credits every five years
- Licensed Professional Counselors and National Certified Counselors must complete professional development requirements every 5 years
Program Description
- Developed by the faculty in the Department of Counseling to meet the ongoing continuing education needs of Community, Mental Health, and College and School Counselors
- Courses in the program were designed to be flexible in order to accommodate the demanding schedules as well as geographic locations of counselors and mental health practitioners
- The program is initially scheduled to be offered at Shippensburg University. Future consideration will be given to offering the program in the Harrisburg area
- To earn a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Counseling, students must have a Master's in Counseling or an allied Mental Health field and complete the following four courses with at least a 3.00 GPA
- The successful completion of each course will be denoted on the student's official Shippensburg University graduate transcript
UPDATED:Course Descriptions and Schedule of Courses
- CNS528 Assessment from a Family Systems Perspective (3 crs)
Day/Dates: February 1 - April 8, 2010 (TBD, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.)
Location: Dixon University Center, Harrisburg, PA
Instructor: Bill McHenry, PhD, NCC, LPC
Description: This course is not intended to explore psychometric theory but rather to introduce students to contemporary models and strategies for integrating appropriate assessment measures into work with children, couples and families. Diagnostic, evaluative and treatment assessment paradigms will be explored as they pertain to family systems based counseling. Current controversies about assessment in family systems counseling will be discussed.
- CNS527 Models &Techniques in Couples, Marital & Family Therapy (3 crs)
Day/Dates: April 19 - June 11, 2010 (TBD, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.)
Location: Dixon University Center, Harrisburg, PA
Instructor: Marcy Douglass, PhD, NCC, LPC
Description: This course covers the major models used in couples, marital and family therapy. In conjunction with review of these theories will be a focus on effective use of the specific techniques that accompany each model. Particular attention will be given to the role of the family therapist in each model. Ethical and cultural implications will be reviewed.
- CNS526 Brief Therapy for Marital, Family & Couples Counseling (3 crs)
Day/Dates: September 6 - November 5, 2010 (TBD, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.)
Location: Dixon University Center, Harrisburg, PA
Instructor: TBD
Description: This course provides an overview of the knowledge needed to use brief therapy as a lens for systemic interventions. The primary focus is on the integration of the techniques and theoretical underpinnings necessary to effectively and efficiently create change in systems using a brief model. Particular attention is given to knowledge and awareness of the role of brief therapist.
- CNS529 Systemic Counseling with Individuals, Couples & Families (3 crs)
Day/Dates: January 18 - March 18, 2011 (TBD, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.)
Location: Dixon University Center, Harrisburg, PA
Instructor: Marcy Douglass, PhD, NCC, LPC
Description: This course is designed to aid students in gaining experience and competency in the use of therapeutic interventions with marital dyads, couples, and family systems. Emphasis is on the student's understanding of prominent theoretical modalities and applying the relevent techniques to classroom simulations and case studies. Students will acquire both understanding and experience in dealing therapeutically with typical marital, couple and family problematic concerns.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have earned a Master's in Counseling or an allied Mental Health field
- Applicants are required to complete an application and have official graduate college transcripts documenting the earned Master's in Counseling or allied Mental Health field
- Students may register for any of the proposed courses without earning the Certificate so long as the minimum educational requirements are met for each course
Registration
- Community, Mental Health, School and College Counselors who meet the minimum educational requirements register online for the course(s) of their choosing
- Each course is limited to 25 students
- Please note that applications must be submitted no later than the completion of 6 credits of the above coursework in order to be eligible for the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Counseling
- Students may register for any of the proposed courses without earning the Certificate so long as the minimum admissions requirements are met
Cancellation Policy
Shippensburg University reserves the right to cancel any courses due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances.