Master of Arts in Counseling, Teachers College, Ball State University

Master of Arts in Counseling
This master's program is an entry-level, terminal-degree program for students interested in training for careers in helping professions. This program is designed to allow students to begin developing a professional identity as a counselor so that they can work in a variety of community and school settings.

An intensive supervised internship is required, providing actual work experience in the application of basic counseling procedures and evaluation techniques in an approved and appropriate setting. Students pursuing this degree can choose from four curriculum tracks: community, mental health, school counseling, or vocational rehabilitation. For more specific course information about this program, visit the Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services.

Below are examples of courses you might take in this master's program. For additional course information, go to the Graduate Catalog.

Community Track

CPSY 605 - Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Principles and problems of counseling in an agency setting. History and philosophy of clinical mental health counseling, role and training of the counselor, modes of intervention (e.g., direct service, consultation), and ethics of counseling are included. Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson. Open only to counseling psychology and guidance services masters students; other graduate students by permission.

CPSY 606 - Pre-Practicum Interviewing Skills.

Experimental laboratory designed to build basic counseling and interviewing skills. Practice in applying skills will take place through simulations, role playing, and audio and videotapes.

CPSY 607 - Appraisal Methods in Counseling.

Overview of measurement principles and major approaches to appraisal of individuals, groups, and environments. Comprehensive appraisal methods, specific techniques for selected problem areas, and standardized vocational and personality tests will be examined relative to the appraisal process in counseling.

CPSY 610 - Career Theories and Realities.

Career development theories; relationship among career choice, life-style, and life-span development; psychosocial and reality considerations in life career development; and applications of theories and reality conditions to self and others.

CPSY 621 - Theories and Techniques of Counseling.

Investigation of major theories and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy. Examination of behavioral, psychoanalytic, person-centered, existential, and relationship-oriented counseling theories. Therapeutic attitudes, ethics, and techniques and their relationship to theoretical principles and concepts will be addressed. Prerequisite: CPSY 600 or 603 or 605.

Mental Health Counseling Track

CPSY 609 - Counseling Ethics and Professional Issues.

An advanced professional issues seminar for mental health counseling students focused on the practice of the licensed mental health counselor in both the private and public sectors. Issues for special attention will include legal, financial, governmental, and ethical considerations. Prerequisite: CPSY 605, 600 or 603. Parallel: CPSY 606.

CPSY 623 - Specialized Techniques of Counseling Psychology.

Seminar devoted to theory and research in treatment and intervention strategies. Topics vary depending upon current interest and importance in counseling psychology. Prerequisite: CPSY 621. Parallel: CPSY 645 may be required for some students. A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned.

CPSY 636 - Psychopathology.

Symptoms and dynamics of psychological disorders with primary emphasis on their development, etiology, prevention, and supporting research evidence.

CPSY 646 - Advanced Practicum in Counseling.

Advanced supervised experience in counseling with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families under the supervision of a professional counselor. Practical experience with the delivery of mental health services including administration, record keeping, and community outreach. Prerequisite: CPSY 644 and permission of the department chairperson. A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned, but no more than 3 in any one semester or term.

CPSY 678 - Theories and Techniques of Counseling the Culturally Diverse.

Designed to build expertise in counseling people of black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American heritage. Emphasizes understanding the social and political bases of counseling and therapy. Activities may include student case presentation of a client from a different cultural background. Prerequisite: CPSY 621 or permission of the department chairperson.

CPSY 688 - Process and Techniques of Group Counseling.

Major approaches to group counseling, including theoretical assumptions and basic principles and techniques. Participation experience provides practice in using various approaches and focuses on dynamics and processes of interaction(s) in group counseling. Prerequisite: CPSY 600 or 603 or 605.

School Track

CPSY 600 - Introduction to School Counseling.

Counseling and guidance in the schools for counselors, teachers, administrators, and other educational personnel. History and philosophy of school counseling, counselor roles and function, modes of intervention (e.g., direct services, consultation, curriculum), and ethics of school counseling will be studied.

CPSY 644 - Practicum in Counseling.

Supervised experience in counseling. Emphasizes working with individual clients. Prerequisite: CPSY 606, 600 or 603 or 605; permission of the department chairperson. Prerequisite or parallel: CPSY 621. A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned, but no more than 3 in any one semester or term.

CPSY 653 - Research in Counseling Psychology and Guidance.

Students will investigate, summarize, and interpret research in counseling psychology and guidance. Each student will write and submit a research report to fulfill course requirements.

CPSY 685 - Organization of the Guidance Program.

Organization, administration, and functions of counselors, teachers, and administrators in guidance programs. Emphasizes evaluation and improvement effectiveness and efficiency of the guidance program in facilitating growth and development. Prerequisite: 9 or more hours in counseling and guidance courses including CPSY 600, 621.

CPSY 695 - Field Internship in Counseling.

Intensive supervised experience in application of basic psychotherapeutic procedures and evaluation techniques in an approved and appropriate setting. Experience will be gained in one or several approved agencies under joint supervision of a university faculty member and an agency representative designated for this responsibility. Prerequisite: CPSY 644, 646. A total of 12 hours of credit may be earned.

Vocational Rehabilitation Track

CPSY 603 - Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling.

Introduction to and overview of the profession of rehabilitation counseling including history, philosophy, role, function, preparation, practice, and ethics of the rehabilitation counselor. Includes legislation, societal trends, and organizational structure affecting rehabilitation counseling.

CPSY 608 - Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation.

Designed to build experience in counseling persons with disabilities and/or chronic health conditions. Emphasizes an understanding of both the psychological and sociological implications of disability.

CPSY 635 - Medical Aspects of Disability in Rehabilitation Counseling.

Overview of the various systems of the human body that are involved in disabilities. Acquaintance with terminology, medical specialties that treat physical systems, various therapeutic approaches, and resources for restoring mental and physical functioning. Prerequisite: CPSY 603.

CPSY 636 - Psychopathology.

Symptoms and dynamics of psychological disorders with primary emphasis on their development, etiology, prevention, and supporting research evidence.

CPSY 678 - Theories and Techniques of Counseling the Culturally Diverse.

Designed to build expertise in counseling people of black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American heritage. Emphasizes understanding the social and political bases of counseling and therapy. Activities may include student case presentation of a client from a different cultural background. Prerequisite: CPSY 621 or permission of the department chairperson.

CPSY 689 - Case Management in Rehabilitation Counseling.

Includes case management techniques; planning for the provision of rehabilitation services; use of community resources and services; referral; and use of technology in caseload management. Integration of information from program coursework with a focus on delivery of services by the rehabilitation counselor. Prerequisite: CPSY 603, 635, 644; SPCED 566; permission of the department chairperson. Open only to departmental majors.