Foundation Courses

CN 601 – Human Growth and Development (3 credit hours)
The study of individual and family development across the life span. An examination of cognitive, personality, and moral development throughout life stages, as well as strategies for facilitating optimal development. (1st year-Fall)

CN 602 – Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues (3 credit hours)
The study of the history, professional roles and responsibilities of the counseling profession; including ethical, legal, and Christian standards/principles for conduct. An examination of professional organizations, preparation, credentialing, and the creation of a plan for lifelong professional and personal development. (1st year-Fall)

CN 603 – Theory and Techniques of Helping Relationships (3 credit hours)
An investigation of significant counseling theories and their application to the helping relationship. The study of basic and advanced helping skills and client characteristics that impact change in the helping process. Additional emphasis will be placed on consultation theory and practice. (1st year-Fall)

CN 604 – Theory and Practice of Assessment (3 credit hours)
The study of the history, theory, and application of tests, and other assessment methods that provide an understanding and evaluation of individuals, families, and groups. An examination of appraisal measures including validity, reliability, and other relevant psychometric statistics. (1st year-Spring)

CN 605 – Social and Cultural Foundations (3 credit hours)
The study of the social and cultural foundations of the attitudes and behavior of individuals, families, and diverse groups. An emphasis on multicultural awareness and strategies that promote understanding and effective interventions.
(1st year- Fall)

CN 606 – Theory and Practice of Groups (3 credit hours)
The study of group theory, dynamics, process, and stages. An examination of group roles, member behaviors, and leadership as well as basic and advanced group interventions. A weekly therapy group experience is required for this class in addition to the scheduled class time. A lab fee covers the cost of the group therapist.
(1st year-Spring)

CN 607 – Career and Lifestyle Development (3 credit hours)
An investigation of career development theory including career decision-making, gender, family, and social/cultural issues. Additional emphasis on career counseling theory and practice as well as the use of assessment instruments that facilitate lifelong career development. (1st year-Spring)

CN 608 – Methods and Practice of Research and Evaluation (3 credit hours)
An examination of basic research methods and practice including quantitative and qualitative designs, research reporting and evaluation, ethical considerations and the use of computers in data collection and analysis. Additional emphasis on need assessment and program evaluation. (2nd year-Fall)

CN 609 – Models and Application of Integration (3 credit hours)
The study of integration models and the application of these models to the practice of Christian counseling. Included is the basic assumptions of Christianity and psychology, the nature of the Christian experience, and the direct application of the major teachings of the Bible to helping relationships. (2nd year-Spring)
(Prerequisites: CN 601-603)

Mental Health Concentration

CN 610 – Foundations and Contextual Dimensions of Mental Health Counseling
(3 credit hours)
An investigation of the history, philosophy, and cultural dimensions of mental health counseling including the roles and identity of mental health counselors, ethical considerations and the training and credentialing of mental health counselors. Includes professional issues and practice guidelines for the mental health counselor including conducting community needs assessments and creating and overseeing community interventions to address those needs. (1st year-Summer 1)
(Prerequisites: CN 601-606)

CN 611 – Knowledge and Skills of Mental Health Counseling (3 credit hours)
A thorough examination of etiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders. Interpretation and appropriate use of the DSM along with specific methods for conducting an intake including relevant history, applying current counseling models to the therapeutic relationship, and assessing mental status. Additional emphasis on consultation and the development of community awareness and action programs that address mental health needs. (2nd year-Fall)
(Prerequisite: CN 610)

Spiritual Direction Minor

CN 621 – Foundations of Spiritual Formation and Direction (3 credit hours)
An investigation of the history, traditions, and application of spiritual formation/direction. Emphasis on the knowledge and application of the spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, study, solitude, fasting, etc.; as well as the practice of directing the spiritual growth of others. (2nd year-Fall)

CN 622 – Methods and Practice of Spiritual Formation (3 credit hours)
A continuation of CN 621 including a more extensive study of the field of spiritual formation with attention given to various traditions and methods of spiritual growth. Emphasis on the integration of the spiritual disciplines and counseling. A strong experiential component is present in this course. (2nd year-Spring)
(Prerequisite: CN 621)

CN 623 – Methods and Practice of Spiritual Direction (3 credit hours)
A continuation of CN 622 including a more extensive study of the field of spiritual direction with attention given to various traditions and methods for helping others discern God’s voice in their lives. Emphasis on the similarities and differences between spiritual direction and counseling. (2nd year-Summer 1)
(Prerequisite: CN 622)

Life Coaching Minor

CN 631 – Foundations of Organizational Culture (3 credit hours)
The study of the theory and practice of organizations. Attention to systems, organizational dynamics and change, and how organizations impact individual attitudes and behavior. (2nd year-Fall)

CN 632 – Foundations of Life Coaching (3 credit hours)
An examination of the origins and history of life coaching and how this practice is similar and different from counseling and consulting. Focus on the process and skills of life coaching. (2nd year-Spring)
(Prerequisite: CN 631)

CN 633 –Methods and Practice of Life Coaching (3 credit hours)
A continuation of CN 632 including a thorough study of life coaching, setting ethical guidelines, establishing and maintaining effective client contacts, establishing coaching agreements, helping clients set and achieve goals and setting accountability targets for successful goal achievement.
(2nd year-Summer I)
(Prerequisite: CN 632)

Elective Courses (621 and 631 may also serve as electives)
(Electives may not be offered every year of the term indicated)

CN 640 – Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy (3 credit hours)
The history and philosophy of the marriage and family therapy movement, including roles and identity of marriage and family therapists, marriage and family systems and practice, ethical considerations and the training and credentialing of marriage and family therapists. (Summer II)

CN 641 – Foundations of Addiction Counseling (3 credit hours)
The theological and psychological study of the issues that contribute to various addictive behaviors. Assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of addictions, as well as various models of recovery. (Spring)

CN 642 – Foundations of Play Therapy (3 credit hours)
An introduction to the field of play therapy for both graduate students and clinical practitioners working with children, adolescents and adults. Emphasis on the history of play therapy, its primary theoretical models, and general applications. This class provides hours that can be applied to instruction necessary to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). (Summer II)

CN 643 – Foundations of Child and Adolescent Counseling (3 credit hours)
The theological and psychological study of child and adolescent pathology and treatment. Examination of child and adolescent development and family systems that may contribute to pathology. (Summer I)

CN 644 – Foundations of Gerontological Counseling (3 credit hours)
The theological, psychological and physiological study of the development and treatment of older adults. Emphasis on the skills and the community and family systems necessary to ensure optimal mental health for adults. (Fall)

CN 645 –Intimacy, Sexuality and Gender (3 credit hours)
The theological and psychological study of human interaction in relationships with emphasis on intimacy and sexuality. Additional areas of study include gender issues, sexual identity formation and the prevention and treatment of sexual abuse for both perpetrators and survivors. (Summer II)

CN 646 – Psychopharmacology (3 credit hours)
An investigation of the basic classifications and indications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications. The study of the appropriate uses of these medications, as well as the identification of their effects and side effects. (Summer II)

CN 660 - Graduate Counseling Independent Study (3 credit hours)
An individualized study agreed upon by the student and faculty member that allow the student to focus on a specific area of knowledge or service to a particular population. Integrates research, theory and practice with the Christian faith.

Clinical Courses:

CN 650 – Supervised Practicum (3 credit hours)
A supervised counseling experience providing the opportunity to practice individual, family and group counseling skills in a clinic setting. The 100-hour practicum requires a minimum of 50 direct client contact hours and includes weekly individual and group supervision from a university supervisor.
(Prerequisites: CN 601-606, 610)

CN 651 – Supervised Internship (3 credit hours)
The opportunity to practice and provide a variety of counseling related activities that would normally be expected of a regularly employed counselor. The 300-hour internship requires a minimum of 150 direct client contact hours and includes weekly individual and group supervision from a site and university supervisor. This course may be classified as 651a and 651b if taken over the summer sessions.
(Prerequisite: CN 650) Pass/fail.

CN 652 – Supervised Internship (3 credit hours)
See CN 651 for course description.
This course may be classified as 652a and 652b if taken over the summer sessions.

CN 653 –Advanced Internship (3 credit hours)
See CN 651 for course description.
This course may be classified as 653a and 653b if taken over the summer sessions.

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