The MSCP program is a 60-hour program designed to meet the academic requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license in Oklahoma. The curriculum is divided into 17 modules containing theoretical and applied psychotherapy courses, 450 hours of internship, and a thesis. Courses are completed over five non-traditional, accelerated semesters in 2 ½ years. MSCP-track students complete most of the program with their MAMFT counterparts, but will diverge in Module 14 to complete Research Methods 2. MSCP-track students will rejoin their MAMFT counterparts for Modules 15-17 and will add a thesis to their coursework.
The courses (modules) are completed sequentially to allow focused study on one subject area at a time. Class meetings occur one night per week for a four-hour session for the first year of the program. In year two, classes will occur over intensive weekend courses that meet Friday evenings for four hours and all day Saturday for eight hours. Extensive directed study occurs outside the classroom in preparation for participative learning experiences during class time.
In addition to the courses, MSCP students will complete a master's thesis and 450 hours of Internship. Specific guidelines for the thesis and internship are provided in supplemental publications (Thesis Handbook, Internship Handbook). Work on all three components of the program (modules, thesis, and internship) occurs simultaneously. Work on the thesis begins in the Research Methods module; work on the internship starts at the end of the first semester.
Another vital component of counselor preparation is supervised experience in counseling situations. This process is initiated briefly in the first module, but is developed more fully during the internship placement. Internships begin at the end of the first semester and are completed by the end of the fifth and final semester. The internship occurs in approved clinical settings. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to apply the training from the psychotherapy courses.
The clinical capstone of the program occurs in the Multicultural Treatment Planning course. Students integrate assessment, diagnostic, and treatment process into a clinical demonstration of their abilities to conceptualize the dynamics of their clients and to articulate comprehensive treatment plans.
All graduate degree programs at SNU require an exit evaluation. In the MSCP program, the exit evaluation occurs through an oral defense of the master's thesis and a Clinical Competency Interview (CCI). Specific guidelines for completing the thesis defense are found in the MSCP Thesis Handbook. The CCI is a way of demonstrating clinical competency of the student and synthesizing the various clinical components of the program. The CCI is intended to evaluate students' competence in assessing, diagnosing, and treating clients. Specific guidelines for completing the CCI are available in the CCI Handbook.
What courses will I take in the MSCP track? How does the MSCP track progression look? See below for more information...
MSCP SEMESTER 1 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 1 - PSY 5333 - Introduction to Counseling Techniques (3 hours), Instructor - Scott Secor
An introduction to the basic helping skills and the role of professional counselors. Students are introduced to specific and nonspecific variables in the counselor, the client and the counseling environment that produce change in clients. An overview of the historical development of the counseling profession is explored as well as future directions for the profession of counseling. Foundations are explored for developing a worldview of counseling, inclusive of a Christian view of persons. Students will practice basic helping skills and learn to conduct initial interviews. Students will initiate use of library research to develop hypotheses for empirical research.
MODULE 2 - PSY 5313 - Lifespan Development (3 hours) Instructor - Joe Shaleen
Theoretical and research approaches to the study of development of human abilities and behavior throughout the lifespan. The course will focus on such theorists as Piaget, Freud, Erikson, Kohlberg, Peck, Vaillant, Schaie, and Sternberg. Topics include developmental research methodology, variables influencing development, and basic developmental processes in physical, motor, perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, emotional, social, and personality development. Applications of developmental theory to counseling are emphasized.
MODULE 3 - PSY 5263 - Psychopathology (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Paul Jones
Examination of techniques used in defining and classifying deviant behavior syndromes, according to DSM-IV classification. Theoretical and empirical literature dealing with etiology and treatment of various disorders is examined. Areas of coverage are situation reactions, anxiety disorder, personality disorders, psychoses, organic disorders, and child adolescent onset disorders.
MODULE 4 - PSY 5283 - Professional Orientation (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Wana Ellison
This course is designed to provide a survey of ethical, legal and professional issues facing counselors and others in human services. Emphasis is given to raising awareness of the complexities of ethical issues in professional practice.
Internship (6 hours) Instructor - Scott Secor
The internship experience is based on the assumption that classroom study becomes more meaningful and relevant when it is integrated with planned hands-on field experience. In the internship, therefore, the Graduate Programs in Counseling student acquires direct experience working in a supervised counseling capacity. The internship experience emphasizes application of the principles and concepts learned through the Graduate Programs in Counseling coursework. Both the GPC Internship Coordinator and an agency supervisor supervises the internship. Both supervisors work with the Graduate Programs in Counseling student to insure that the internship provides a setting in which maximum learning may occur. Internships must be approved by the program. The internship occurs concurrently with course work and follows guidelines set forth in licensure preparation. Students are required to obtain at least 450 total hours of internship, 225 of which should be direct client contact hours.
MSCP SEMESTER 2 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 5 - PSY 6333 - Theories of Counseling (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Paul Jones
This course provides an overview of the major viewpoints underlying various approaches to counseling. It shows how these viewpoints developed as well as the ways of influence outlook and technique in counseling. You will have opportunity to see the various viewpoints in action as used by others, and to apply them in role-played counseling sessions. Critique of the theories will include emphasis on Christian perspectives.
MODULE 6 - PSY 6133 - Research Methods I (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Alicia Limke
An overview of the various research methodologies used to study behavior. The focus is on application, especially to counseling research. This course is closely tied to development of the thesis. The prospectus is begun during this module.
MODULE 7 - PSY 5143 - Family and Psychological Assessment (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Ryan Scott
Testing theory and statistical considerations in the construction of psychological measurements. Coverage is given to administration and interpretation of various assessment tools. The course also includes diagnostic interviewing techniques, report writing, direct observation techniques, and self report scaling.
MODULE 8 - PSY 6263 - Family Crisis Intervention (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Randy Cochran
An applied psychotherapy lab course that engages the student in both the theoretical foundations for crisis intervention and in the actual and practical experience of implementing crisis intervention techniques. Students will be instructed in the stages of emergency and crisis situations and the theoretical frameworks for describing crisis events.
MSCP SEMESTER 3 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 9 - PSY 6293 - Philosophy of Interpersonal Relationships (3 hours) Instructors - Dr. Ron Wright and Dr. Paul Jones
Considers worldviews with regard to situations that are an inherent part of the human condition, such as suffering, change, trauma, and so forth. Focus is on an understanding of such conditions and the garnering of resources for coping with these situations. Special emphasis will be given to the ways in which the various philosophical positions give rise to ethical considerations.
MODULE 10 - PSY 6303 - Counseling Children and Adolescents (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Anne Jacobs
An advanced counseling course focused on specific techniques used in diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents. Normative and nonnormative aspects of development are examined to assist in understanding appropriate interventions. DSM IV diagnoses found in children and adolescents are evaluated. Legal and ethical issues related to intervention with minors are also explored.
MODULE 11 - PSY 6243 - Marriage and Family Therapy (3 hours) Instructor - Bill Spence
This course addresses the practice of marital and family therapy. It is designed to teach theory application, technique formation, technique delivery, and follow through in marital and family therapy. Techniques in marital and family therapy such as joining, relabeling, reframing, structure change, pattern enhancement, first and second order change, power word unpackaging, and faith language framing will be taught. Instruction in the assessment and utilization of the family’s language, rules and structure will be provided.
MODULE 12 - PSY 6393 - Multicultural Treatment Planning (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Philip Budd
This course is a synthesis of the student’s clinical training. The student is taught how to coordinate diagnostic interviewing, psychological assessment techniques and diagnosis to assist in developing appropriate treatment plans for clients. Students will demonstrate appropriate use of DSM-IV diagnostic skills and illustrate an awareness of the growing body of literature on empirically based treatment planning. Multicultural aspects of counseling and treatment planning are investigated.
MSCP SEMESTER 4 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 13 - PSY 6353 - Counseling the Elderly (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Jim Sturgis
A major emphasis for this course will be the multitude of changes that elderly adults experience and how these changes can result in issues that are addressed in a counseling setting. Normal and non-normal physiological changes and memory changes will be identified and discussed. Depression, substance abuse, and the high incident of elderly suicide will be highlighted.
MODULE 14 - PSY 6143 - Research Methods II (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Alicia Limke
Research Methods II provides tools to analyze research data and draw appropriate conclusions from that data. This module is a study of computer-based techniques for the more common statistical procedures used in psychological research. It gives you experience in using Systat to describe and draw inferences about research data, as well as assisting you in completing the research for your thesis.
MSCP SEMESTER 5 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 15 - PSY 6233 - Brief Psychotherapy (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Rob Braese
Explores the growth and implementation of short-term treatment strategies with particular attention to cognitive behavioral intervention strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to understand the foundation of behavior through cognitive schemas. Outcome studies indicating the efficacy of these models will be discussed.
MODULE 16 - PSY 6213 - Group Psychotherapy Techniques (3 hours) Instructor - Rita Crockett
An applied psychotherapy lab course that engages the student in both the theoretical foundations for group psychotherapy and in the actual experience of facilitating a psychotherapy group. Students will review literature regarding appropriate referrals to this modality of treatment as well as learning techniques to enhance the efficacy of group therapies. Much of this course will involve an experiential learning model as students participate in group process. There will also be an exploration of the use of groups within the Christian community.
MODULE 17 - PSY 6193 - Career Assessment and Counseling (3 hours) Instructor - Bill Spence
An exploration of testing theory, career assessment theory, and the application of career assessment to career counseling. Major theories in career counseling are examined and the assessment tools utilized with various age groups are considered.
PSY 6993 - Thesis (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Alicia Limke
Completion of an empirical, behavioral research study, as approved by the program. A prospectus must be presented and approved prior to execution of the study. The written document follows APA style guidelines and format. Two oral presentations are also required, and are scheduled as a part of the course work requirements.
ELECTIVE OR ADDITIONAL HOURS
Additional Internship Hours – (3 hours) Instructor - Scott Secor
Students can elect to add an additional 150 hours of internship to their coursework. The additional hours must maintain a ratio of at least 75 direct client contact hours and will count for an additional 3 credit hours. Adding additional hours will add additional cost to the students overall program cost.
PSY – Drug and Alcohol Counseling Theories (3 hours) Instructor - Dr. Wana Ellison
The purpose of this course is to educate students in the field of chemical dependency and substance abuse. The course is designed to assist the student in developing prevention, intervention, and treatment techniques and skills. In depth issues surrounding addiction, etiology, diagnosis and treatment will be explored.