Revised March 2008

Counseling and Educational Psychology

Faculty

Program Description

Degree Requirements

Course Descriptions

Graduate Business Center, Suite 102
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2559
Dr. Gadaleto, Chairperson and Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Zhang, Assistant Chairperson

PROFESSORS

Deborah S. Brown, Ph.D., University of Delaware
Angelo F. Gadaleto, Ph.D., University of Virginia
Wallace J. Kahn, Ph.D., University of Maryland
Richard D. Parsons, Ph.D., Temple University

ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS

Stephanie L. Hinson, Ed.D., University of Virginia
Carol M. Napierkowski, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Naijian Zhang, Ph.D., Ball State University

ASSISTANT PROFESSORS

Kathryn P. Alessandria, Ph.D., University of Virginia
Vickie Ann McCoy, Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi
Matthew Snyder, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Lynn Zubernis, Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College

INSTRUCTOR

Jane L. Kenney, Ph.D., Temple University

Programs of Study

The Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology offers two master of education degree programs, one in elementary school counseling and another in secondary school counseling. Completion of the M.Ed. school counseling programs academically qualifies candidates for the Pennsylvania Educational Specialist I Certificate which is required for employment as an elementary or secondary school guidance counselor. Individuals who have earned a master's degree in counseling or a counseling-related area may pursue a nondegree program of study (certification only) leading to the Educational Specialist I Certificate. The department also offers a master of science degree for individuals who will seek employment as counselors and student service professionals in higher education settings. A post-master's certificate program is offered for individuals who have completed a master's degree in counseling or a closely related area and would like to build their clinical mental health skills while completing the educational requirements for licensure as a professional counselor.

The department's Web page, which describes programs of study in more detail, can be reached through the University's home page: www.wcupa.edu.

Admission Requirements

When admitting an applicant to the counselor education programs, the department makes a commitment to the student's development and future success. The department evaluates each candidate through the use of multiple criteria. Admission requires an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. The normal, expected standard for students applying to counselor education programs is a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. Candidates with less than a 2.8 undergraduate GPA must submit scores from either the Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Examination. In addition to undergraduate grades, all candidates must submit three letters of reference. Candidates may also be assessed by way of an interview.

Degree Requirements

After completion of 15 credit hours but prior to enrolling for 25 credit hours of counselor education course work, students are eligible and must apply for degree candidacy.

Degree Candidacy Requirements:

1. Students must achieve a grade of B (83 percent) or better in all Competency Area I courses taken at the point the application is submitted.

2. Students must successfully complete the Level One (multiple choice) Degree Candidacy Competency Exam.

3. Faculty will be asked to share any concerns with the student's interpersonal skills and/or overall mental health. If concerns are expressed, a formal assessment may be required prior to granting degree candidacy.

4. Students seeking certification as a school counselor must already be certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in another subject area or must successfully complete the PDE required Praxis PPST and Listening Skills Test.

Comprehensive Exam Requirements

Counselor education utilizes three assessment measures. Students must successfully complete a multiple choice Level I Comprehensive Exam prior to qualifying for degree candidacy. Following completion of the prescribed course work and the adviser's recommendation, candidates must pass the Level II Comprehensive Exam that is based on client case scenarios. Candidates must also complete a Level III assessment which is a cumulative portfolio of the student's work throughout the program. The degree or certification being pursued will be granted only when the student has met the department's standards.

Educational Specialist I Certificate

In order to obtain the Educational Specialist I Certificate, the student must successfully complete the required practicum in an approved secondary or elementary school. This course provides an opportunity for the student, under West Chester University faculty supervision, to work closely with a professional counselor in a public school. The certificate is issued on the basis of the program approval status of the counselor education program at the University as granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The State Board of Education adopted changes that affect all of Pennsylvania's teacher certification programs by adding nine credits or 270 hours or equivalent combination for adaptations and accommodations for diverse students in an inclusive setting, and three credits or 90 hours or equivalent combination to meet the instructional needs of English language learners. Although these regulatory changes became effective on September 22, 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has not yet developed final requirements for colleges/universities to follow. Therefore, additional program requirements will be developed and incorporated into the certification programs to comply with new regulations that become effective January 1, 2013.

MASTER OF EDUCATION: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING

Dr. Kahn, Program Coordinator

Curriculum (48 semester hours)

I. Common Core Requirements (27 semester hours)
Competency Area I: EDC 503, 540, 567, 570, 571
Competency Area II: EDC 520, 521, 556; EDF 502

II. Speciality Requirements (15 semester hours)
EDC 504, 576, 590; EDP 550
Elective (3 semester hours)

III. Internship Requirements (6 semester hours)
EDC 593

MASTER OF EDUCATION: SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNSELING

Dr. Zubernis, Program Coordinator

Curriculum (48 semester hours)

I. Common Core Requirements (27 semester hours)
Competency Area I: EDC 503, 540, 567, 570, 571
Competency Area II: EDC 520, 521, 556; EDF 502

II. Speciality Requirements (15 semester hours)
EDC 504, 576, 591; EDF 510; EDP 550
Elective (3 semester hours)

III. Internship Requirements (6 semester hours)
EDC   593

MASTER OF SCIENCE: HIGHER EDUCATION COUNSELING/ STUDENT AFFAIRS

Dr. Zhang, Program Coordinator

Curriculum (48 semester hours)

I. Common Core Requirements (27 semester hours)
Competency Area I: EDC 503, 540, 567, 570, 571
Competency Area II: EDC 520, 521, 556; EDF 502

II. Speciality Requirements (15 semester hours)
EDC 530, 531, 532, 592
Elective

III. Internship Requirements (6 semester hours)
EDC 600

Post-Master's Certificate in Professional Counselor Licensure Preparation

Dr. McCoy, Program Coordinator

The post-master's certificate in professional counselor licensure preparation is designed to meet the education and internship requirements of counselors who aspire to obtain licensure in the state of Pennsylvania. The program has been designed with a commitment to education and training that will provide the skills and confidence needed for holders of the certificate to provide competent and ethical professional counseling services.

Curriculum (15 semester hours)

I. Required (12 semester hours)
EDC 610, 620, and 650

II. Electives* (minimum 3 semester hours)
Course selection with permission of adviser.
EDC 594-598, EDC 630, PSY 517/519
Other counselor education courses
* Only courses taken post master's at WCU will be counted toward certificate–required credits.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COUNSELOR EDUCATION

Symbol: EDC

503 Professional Orientation to Counseling (3) An introductory course that provides an understanding of counseling as a profession, including history, roles, organizational structures, ethical and legal issues, standards, and credentialing.

504 Organization and Administration of School Counseling Program (3) The student will learn how to develop, maintain, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program that effectively addresses student needs. National models for school counseling programs that provide process and content framework will be examined. Specific emphases will be placed on the school as a system, needs-based and data-driven program development, process and outcome accountability, program management, and the cost-effective delivery of programs.

520   Social and Cultural Diversity Issues in Counseling (3) This course explores different racial, social class, gender, and ethnic group orientations to counseling and examines exceptionality implications in applying traditional counseling approaches for use with diverse client populations.

521   Human Development Through the Life Span for Counselors (3) Exploration of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development over the life span. This course examines both theory and research in human development and applies this knowledge to the practice of counseling.

530   Introduction to Student Affairs (3) This course provides graduate students in counseling/student affairs with a comprehensive introduction to the field of student affairs in American higher education including a historical overview of student affairs, legal and professional ethics, models and practices of leadership, organizational management, consultation, and the many functions and activities associated with student affairs. The course examines student affairs in public and private institutions as well as two- and four-year institutions.

531 Theories of American College Student Development (3) This course focuses on the range of human development theories that offer insights into student learning, growth, and development during the college years. Special focus is on understanding the implications of these models for the policies and practices of higher education and student affairs in particular.

532 Leadership and Management in Student Affairs (3) This course explores research on management and leadership, and prepares students as educational leaders in student affairs; reviews the policy implications that affect social, interpersonal, and academic success of American college students; examines the American college students' lifestyle, attitudes, characteristics, and demographics; and assesses the effects of higher education, and student affairs in particular, on the American college student.

540 Assessment Methods in Counseling (3) Emphasis is on the test and nontest assessment of intelligence, achievement, special abilities, and aptitudes, including concepts such as reliability, validity, and standardization.

556 Career Development Theories and Practices (3) Theories and techniques relating to career development in children, adolescents, and adults. Career development programming within the context of a systems approach is stressed.

567 Group Dynamics (3) This course in group processes focuses on the identification of the implicit and explicit role functions of the group member and the group leader. The recognition and awareness of one's behavior with multiple feedback sources is of primary concern. The major objective of this course is to initiate, develop, and master relationships in a group setting.

570 Fundamentals of the Helping Relationship (3) The course will introduce students to the counseling process. Communications skills essential to the helping relationship will be taught and practiced in a counseling lab.

571 Counseling Theory and Techniques (3) The course provides an in-depth look at selected theories and their resultant "therapeutic operations," such as cognitive/behavioral, person-centered, and solution-focused models. Emphasis is on both theory and the application of theory to practice. This prepracticum course includes direct contact with "simulated clients" and the development of counseling intervention plans.    

576 Consultation and Coordination in Guidance and Counseling (3) This prepracticum course focuses on models, mechanisms, and strategies of employing consultation and coordination in remedial and preventive interventions in educational settings. Systems analysis and program development and evaluation will be addressed relative to consultation and coordination.

590   Practicum in Elementary School Counseling (3) Students will complete a counseling practicum experience in an approved elementary school setting that totals a minimum of 100 clock hours. The practicum will include both individual and group counseling experiences. Students will receive both individualized and group supervision under the directions of a University faculty member. PREREQ: EDC 503, 567, 570, 571.

591   Practicum in Secondary School Counseling (3) Students will complete a counseling practicum experience in an approved secondary school setting that totals a minimum of 100 clock hours. The practicum will include both individual and group counseling experiences. Students will receive both individualized and group supervision under the direction of a University faculty member. PREREQ: EDC 503, 567, 570, 571.

592   Practicum in Higher Education Student Affairs (3) Students will complete a counseling practicum experience in an approved higher education setting that totals a minimum of 100 clock hours. The practicum will include both individual and group counseling experiences. Students will receive both individualized and group supervision under the direction of a University faculty member. PREREQ: EDC 503, 567, 570, 571; EDC 530 must be completed before or concurrently.

593   Counseling Internship (3) This internship is designed to provide an intensive, supervised on-site counseling experience specific to students' program specialization working in a field site approved by the department. Each three-credit internship has a 200-hour minimum requirement with the course being repeated until the student has accumulated a minimum of 600 on-site hours over at least two semesters. PREREQ: EDC 590 or 591 or 592, 576; EDC 504, 556; and EDP 550 must be completed before or concurrently.

594-597 Workshop in Counselor Education (1-6)

598   Workshop in Counselor Education (1-6)

599   Independent Study (1-3) Independent research and study under the direction of a faculty member. PREREQ: Permission of department chairperson and instructor.

600 Counseling Internship in Higher Education/Student Affairs (3) This internship is designed to provide an intensive, supervised on-site counseling experience specific to students' program specialization working in a field site approved by the department. Each three-credit internship has a 200-hour minimum requirement with the course being repeated until the student has accumulated a minimum of 600 on-site hours over at least two semesters. PREREQ: EDC 592 and 556; EDC 531 or 532 must be completed before or taken concurrently with EDC 600.

610 The Diagnostic Intervention Connection for Professional Counselors (3) This seminar targets the professional counselors' need to employ valid diagnostic paradigms as the necessary step to effective intervention planning. The focus of this seminar is on application with students required to engage in client contact employing the diagnostic-treatment model presented in class. PREREQ: Graduate psychopathology course. Enrollment limited to counseling post-master's certificate students or with permission of instructor.

620 Advanced Counseling Intervention (3) This seminar will stress the application of clinical skills and will include a field component as well as a case conferencing format. Emphasis will be placed on treatment planning using multiaxial diagnosis, implementation, and evaluation. PREREQ: EDC 610 or permission of instructor.

630 Systems Concepts and Skills for Professional Counselors (3) The course will provide an introduction to systemic thinking, assist students in the development of skills necessary for systems assessment, and require students to employ systemic treatment, planning, and referral.

650 Advanced Counselor Internship (3) This post-master's certificate course will provide students with supervised experience in the application of counseling and evaluation techniques in professional settings appropriate to their career interests, skills, and program of study. Adviser must approve site selection. PREREQ: EDC 610 and EDC 620.

EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS
Symbol: EDF

502 Methods and Materials of Research for Counselor Education (3) Designed to enable the counselor to read experimental, quasi-experimental, descriptive, and correlational research reported in the professional journals. Both univariate and multivariate designs are emphasized. PREREQ: EDC 540.

583 The American School as Social Narrative (3) An integrated exploration of the philosophical culture, social, and physical foundations of schooling and education in the United States.

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Symbol: EDP

550 Advanced Educational Psychology (3) Processes by which skills, understanding, concepts, and ideals are acquired; teaching practices in relation to basic research concerning learning; similarities and differences in theories of learning.

557 Essentials of Learning (3) Study of the applications of learning theory to classroom teaching, with emphasis on those principles derived from classical and operant conditioning. Retention and transfer of learning also considered.

560 Behavior Modification (3) Study of principles of classical and operant conditioning as they relate to the modification of student behavior in residential and educational settings. Emphasis on such areas as classroom discipline, student values, and student study habits.

569 Adolescent Development and Learning (3) Mental, physical, emotional, and social development and behavior of the adolescent with emphasis on various types of learning. Case studies are used.

598 Workshop in Educational Psychology (3)

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