The courses included below only include those in the Master of Counseling program. The courses included in the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program are not included.
CNS 505 Foundations of Counseling 3 credits
This course serves as an introduction to the theory and practice of counseling. The historical development and traditions of the field, as well as a variety of counseling and psychotherapeutic activities across settings will be covered. Distinctions between the counseling specializations will be introduced. Students will examine their own strengths and motivations for entering the counseling field.
CNS 506 Lifespan Development 3 credits
The study of human development throughout the lifespan. This course will cover both traditional and contemporary theories of human development and explore how developmental concepts influence clinical practice.
CNS 507 Introduction to Mental Disorders 3 credits
This course will provide an overview of psychopathology and the socio-cultural factors that influence our conceptions of mental health and mental illness. The causes, symptoms, and treatments of a variety of mental disorders will be presented focusing on the impact mental illness has on individuals, family and culture. Understanding psychopathology from a humanistic counseling perspective will be emphasized.
CNS 508 Culture and Identity 3 credits
The principal goal of this course is to expand cultural awareness and knowledge. The impact of culture, race, ethnicity, social status, age, language, gender, and sexual preferences will be covered. Various theories, counseling techniques, and ethical considerations necessary for effective cross-cultural counseling will be discussed.
CNS 509 Spirituality and Religious Values in Counseling 3 credits
This course is an advanced topic that provides an overview of the ethical and competent incorporation of spiritual and religious values within counseling. Topics explored include: definitions of religion, spirituality, and counseling; counselor self-awareness; an overview of culture and world-views related to various belief systems; spiritual and religious development across the lifespan; communication of spiritual and religious themes in the counseling relationship; and multicultural assessment, diagnosis, and treatment strategies that include consideration of the religious and spiritual domain.
CNS 513 Counseling Theories 3 credits
This course will provide an introduction to the counseling theories reflective of current research and practice within the context of consultation, crisis intervention, interviewing and general counseling processes. Students will be introduced to a variety of techniques and theoretical concepts through videotapes of master clinicians, in-class role plays and demonstrations, discussion and written reflections.
CNS 514 Counseling Techniques 3 credits
This course will enable students to begin to develop the understanding and skill of applying counseling theories and models in specific client interventions. Students will be introduced to a variety of techniques through videotapes of master clinicians, in-class role plays, recording and transcribing mock counseling sessions and interviews, classroom demonstrations, and exposure to the underlying theories of counseling techniques and processes.
CNS 515 Theories and Techniques of Christian and Spiritual Counseling 3 credits
This course is an advanced topic that explores historical and current theories and techniques of Christian and spiritual counseling. Consideration is given to the application of the various theoretical approaches to clients across diverse populations and settings. Student will engage in applied practice of the presented theories and techniques to ensure competency.
CNS 516 Theory and Techniques of Career Counseling 3 credits
An introduction to the theory and practice of career counseling. The course will focus on traditional and contemporary theories of career development, identify sources of occupational information, review assessment tools, and explore the evaluation process associated with career counseling.
CNS 517 Theory and Techniques in Group Counseling 3 credits
An introduction to group processes and the research, theories and techniques of group counseling. This course will include both didactic and experiential methods of instruction. The course will increase knowledge and skills of group leadership; enhance awareness of dynamic and developmental process of group formation; and explore various counseling approaches used in groups.
CNS 518 Research Design and Program Evaluation 3 credits
The theoretical and methodological principles of psychological research are reviewed, with an emphasis on conducting and utilizing research in counseling practice. Specific topics covered include research design, data collection, data analysis, and the presentation of findings in both written and oral formats. Research ethics, the utilization of research in the “scientist-practitioner” model, and specific applications to program evaluation and evidence-based practice in counseling are emphasized.
CNS 519 Professional Issues and Ethics 3 credits
This course will cover ethical and legal issues encountered by professional counselors. Students will develop a thorough understanding of the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA), learn about the theory of ethical decision-making and engage in practical decision making activities through the discussion and analysis of case studies. This course will also cover the laws and regulations, client rights, confidentiality issues and informed consent in addictions; drug testing; methadone regulations; record keeping.
CNS 525 Testing and Appraisal 3 credits
An introduction to the theory and practice of testing and evaluation processes relevant to counseling. Traditional evaluation techniques used to evaluate personality, intelligence, aptitude, ability, and interest will be covered. This course will provide an introduction to the interpretation of psychological reports.
CNS 526 Models of Clinical Supervision 3 credits
This 100% asynchronous course will serve as the introductory course in the Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Supervision program. The course will focus on foundational aspects of clinical supervision, creating a pathway to competence. Students will learn core constructs of supervision models, to include psychotherapy-based developmental,
process, and second-generation models of clinical supervision. Emphasis will be placed on helping certificate students to not only become knowledgeable of a wide array of supervision models but to also develop and refine their own supervisory orientation.
CNS 527 Pharmacology of Psychoactive Substances 3 credits
This Addiction Specialization course covers terminology, drug classification, physiological effects, psychological effects, withdrawal syndrome, drug interactions, and treatment applications. All major categories of drugs are addressed: alcohol, depressants, cocaine and other stimulants, opiates, hallucinogens, cannabinoids, inhalants, and other substances. The course also explores neurological commonalities of addiction and the hypothesized role of neurotransmitters and endogenous chemicals in addictions and compulsive behaviors such as gambling, sexual behavior, and shopping.
CNS 528 Dimensions of the Supervisory Relationship 3 credits
This 100% asynchronous course will give specific attention to the supervisory relationship. Student will be able to articulate the dimensions of the supervisory relationship. An emphasis will be placed on becoming a multiculturally competent supervisor. To do so, students will gain a working knowledge of how to organize the supervision experience, identify basic tenets of triadic and dyadic systems, parallel processes, and isomorphism. Special focus will be on the supervisory working alliance and other factors that affect not only the supervisor-supervisee relationship but also the supervisee-client relationship.
CNS 529 Multicultural and Ethnical Considerations in Supervision 3 credits
This 100% asynchronous course will focus on ethical, legal, and risk management issues in clinical supervision. An emphasis will be placed on gatekeeping in the professional. Distance counseling, informed consent, confidentiality, malpractice, and liability topics will be covered. As such, students will develop the tools necessary to become ethical decision makers. Students will discover evaluative measures, enhance awareness of the law and code of ethics, and address critical incidents in clinical supervision.
CNS 535 Advanced Methods of Clinical Supervision 3 credits
This 100% asynchronous course will focus on analyzing supervision theories and developing effective techniques to facilitate counselor-in-training development. This course will offer three specific areas of concentration in which the student can choose to follow: supervision in clinical mental health counseling, supervision in substance use disorder counseling, or supervision in school counseling. A variety of models, perspectives, research, and techniques pertaining to the chosen specialty in clinical supervision will be reviewed. An emphasis will be on developing individualized, specialty supervision methodologies in a manner that can then be effectively transferred to practical application in the field of clinical supervision.
CNS 537 Addiction Counseling Techniques 3 credits
This Addiction Specialization course explores evaluation, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of abuse and addiction disorders. Attention is paid to individual counseling, group counseling, family counseling, and intervention. Crisis intervention approaches are included as well. The course explores ways of adjusting counseling to sensitively address age, sex, and cultural differences, cooccurring disorders, medical illnesses, criminal justice involvement, and disabilities.
CNS 539 Addiction, Stress, and Trauma 3 credits
This course addresses the role of stress and trauma in the life of individuals with addiction, specifically investigating the role of stress and violence as both etiologically relevant and to addictions and how addictive behavior is used as a maladaptive coping response to stress and trauma. The course will examine how repeated exposure to traumatic events affects development, interpersonal relationships, and neurological functioning and development. Specific counseling techniques for the treatment of trauma with co-occurring addiction will be presented.
CNS 545 Advanced Techniques of Mental Health Counseling 3 credits
This course will focus on the development of advanced counseling skills with an emphasis on understanding the subjectivity of both the client and therapist. Specific techniques to a variety of therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Gestalt therapy, Psychodynamic therapy will be covered.
CNS 546 Psychopathology and Diagnosis 3 credits
This course acts as a continuation of CNS 507 with an emphasis on formal diagnosis of mental disorders using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) and the ICD-10. Topics will include the identification of symptoms and symptom clusters, with exploration of etiology, co-morbidity, and treatment options for different disorders, as well as understanding the usefulness and limits of formal diagnosis. Other topics will include intake information gathering, mental status evaluation, psychopharmacology, and assessment of specific clinical challenges including suicidality and dangerousness. Case examples will be emphasized.
CNS 547 Grief and Loss Counseling 3 credits
This course is an advanced topic that explores theories and techniques used in a holistic approach to bereavement and grief counseling. This course also examines the relationship between religion and grief, including the role of faith communities in response to various types of grief. Consideration is given to the experience, conceptualization, and needs of clients experiencing grief and loss across diverse populations and settings.
CNS 548 Family Counseling 3 credits
This is an introduction to family counseling and therapy and as such it will address both conceptual and practical skills in working with families. The primary focus will be upon working with families with children and/or adolescent. The course is designed to provide a basic foundation for conceptualizing and beginning to do family counseling.
CNS 555 Advanced Issues in Christian and Spiritual Counseling 3 credits
This course is an advanced topic that prepares students to integrate Christian and spiritual counseling into their work as professionals. Advanced development of skills, knowledge, and awareness in Christian and spiritual counseling includes consideration of ethical and legal issues as well as collaboration and consultation with the community. This course includes a field experience component.
CNS 556 Counseling Trauma Survivors 3 credits
This course addresses the origins of violence and how it contributes to the development of an abusive personality. The course will examine how repeated exposure to traumatic events affects development, interpersonal relationships, and neurological functioning and development. Specific counseling techniques for the treatment of trauma will be presented.
CNS 557 Theories of Addiction and Recovery 3 credits
This course will provide a comprehensive examination of drug and alcohol abuse: etiology; disease concept; diagnosis; treatment; and the impact the abuser has upon the family and the community. The student’s development of assessment skills and the therapeutic process of recovery will be emphasized. Treatment interventions and treatment modalities, including outcome data, will be presented. Students will be offered state of the art information about drugs and alcohol abuse among special populations and will have the opportunity to observe the recovery process. Other addictions, current chemical dependency issues and controversies, and dual diagnosis will also be explored.
CNS 558 Family Counseling in Addiction 3 credits
This Addiction Specialization course involves an exploration of family issues in abuse and addiction. Topics include system theory and family dynamics; codependency; abuse issues; the family life-cycle; developmental issues in families; the role of culture in families; co-occurring disorders, including medical and psychological disorders; and models of family counseling.
CNS 559 Professional Issues in Mental Health Counseling 3 credits
This course will provide an orientation to professional issues and practices relevant to clinical mental health counseling. The course will cover the philosophical, social, and political factors that influence and shape social service systems and the roles and functions of clinical mental health counselors in various practice settings. Distinctions will be made between private and public mental health care systems, and the inter-relationships between various social service systems. Practical strategies for counselors working in private practice and in community agencies will be addressed.
CNS 565 Counseling Practicum 3 credits
This is an initial field placement in which students work directly with clients under the supervision of an experienced counselor. The course is designed to increase counseling skills and confidence, and to become familiar with the practical aspects of providing services, such as note taking, treatment coordination and case management. A minimum of 120 hours of onsite service is required, with minimum of 40 hours spent in direct service with clients. Students must also attend a group supervision class at Waynesburg University each week for 16 weeks and participate in University sponsored individual or triadic supervision weekly.
CNS 566 Counseling Internship 3 credits
The internship experience is designed to give advanced students in counseling the opportunity to practice and refine their counseling skills. It is also an opportunity for the student to learn from experienced professionals working in their chosen area of specialization. Each internship course will require students to complete onsite service at an agency that provides counseling. Students will receive 3 credit hours for completing 300 hours of onsite service, of which 120 must be in direct service with clients. Students must also attend a 90-minute group supervision class each week for 16 weeks. Two Counseling Internship courses are required for graduation from the program.
CNSSC 505 Issues and Techniques in Counseling Athletes 3 credits
This course examines current counseling strategies used with members of sport teams at the youth, high school, college and professional levels. Participants will explore current research in three main areas: (a) motivation and life skill development, (b) psychosocial development, and (c) career maturity.