Master of Arts (M.A.) Major in Professional Counseling (Marriage and Family Counseling Concentration Thesis Option)

COUN 5178. Independent Study.

This course provides students with the opportunity to pursue an independent course of study or project within the counseling discipline under faculty supervision. Students design and complete an individualized plan of study that emphasizes scholarly inquiry, critical analysis, and appropriate use of professional and academic resources. The course supports focused examination of selected topics, research questions, or applied issues relevant to counseling.

COUN 5199B. Thesis.

This course represents continuing thesis enrollment for students requiring additional semesters to complete a thesis in the counseling discipline. The course supports ongoing work related to data collection, analysis, writing, revision, and preparation for thesis defense and final submission. Emphasis is placed on continued progress under faculty supervision and adherence to institutional guidelines. Credit is awarded upon successful defense and filing of the thesis with the Graduate College.

COUN 5301. Professional Counseling Orientation.

This course introduces the professional roles and identity of counselors, including counseling practices, professional organizations, ethical standards, legal regulations, and preparation standards within the field. The course examines counseling work across community, clinical/private practice, nonprofit, and governmental settings. Emphasis is placed on understanding the scope of professional counseling services, organizational structures, and the range of contexts in which counselors practice.

COUN 5305. Assessment in Counseling.

This course examines principles of assessment used in counseling, including administration, scoring, and interpretation of group and individual measures. Topics include use of assessment data for diagnostic, placement, predictive, and evaluative purposes, as well as basic statistical concepts related to measurement of abilities, achievement, attitudes, interests, behavior, and personality. The course emphasizes foundational concepts and does not prepare students for independent professional administration or interpretation of standardized psychological instruments.

COUN 5307. Theories of Counseling.

This course introduces major theories of counseling, including their origins, key concepts, and associated interventions and techniques. The course examines how theoretical frameworks inform case conceptualization and counseling processes. Emphasis is placed on analysis of theoretical models, comparison of approaches, and evaluation of evidence-based practices. The course also addresses the development of theoretical perspectives within counseling as an area of academic and professional inquiry.

COUN 5316. Counseling Across Client Populations.

This course prepares students to recognize and discern how individual backgrounds, life experiences, and social environments influence the counseling process. Emphasis is placed on developing self-awareness, professional sensitivity, and adaptive strategies for working effectively with clients from a wide range of populations and life circumstances.

COUN 5328. Professional Orientation in School Counseling.

This course introduces the professional identity, roles, and responsibilities of school counselors. Emphasis is placed on examining models of comprehensive school counseling programs, including the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling. Students analyze how these frameworks inform program design, leadership roles, advocacy functions, and accountability practices in PK–12 educational settings.

COUN 5338. Advanced Issues in School Counseling.

This course examines advanced issues in school counseling practice, with attention to counseling, consultation, and coordination of services in PK–12 settings. Students analyze developmentally appropriate counseling services and models of comprehensive school counseling programs, including the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling. Emphasis is placed on understanding how consultation, collaboration, and service coordination function within school systems. Prerequisite: COUN 5316 and COUN 5328 and COUN 5368 all with grades of "B" or better.

COUN 5344. Introduction to Addictions Counseling.

This course introduces students to counseling approaches used in work with clients experiencing substance-related and behavioral concerns. Students explore historical and contemporary perspectives on the development, course, and progression of addictive disorders. The course emphasizes conceptualizing addiction through contextual, systemic, relational, and holistic frameworks, grounded in theory and current research.

COUN 5346. Filial Therapy.

This course addresses the theoretical and practical application of filial therapy models, including Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), and examines approaches to training parents in principles and skills of child-centered play therapy. Course methods include lecture, discussion, peer consultation, supervised practice, and analysis of structured parent-training models. Emphasis is placed on theoretical foundations, skill development, and application of filial therapy techniques within supervised settings. Prerequisite: COUN 5358 and COUN 5373 both with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: COUN 5389 or COUN 5689 either with a grade of "B" or better or instructor approval.

COUN 5350. Advanced Counselor Ethics.

This course focuses on ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, as well as the application of ethical rules and legal regulations across professional counseling settings. Emphasis is placed on state licensure requirements, certification standards, and accreditation practices in counseling. The course examines business and legal practices related to records management, counseling supervision, and professional relationships with clients.

COUN 5351. Current Issues in Marriage, Couple and Family Therapy.

This course explores contemporary issues in marital, couple, and family counseling and introduces applied practice of family and couples counseling approaches, concepts, and techniques. The scope of this course is to provide an overview of interventions for addressing a myriad of presenting issues across all populations. This course prepares counseling students to utilize systemic-based approaches and interventions in the treatment of individuals, couples, and families. Prerequisite: COUN 5316 and COUN 5367 both with grades of "B" or better.

COUN 5354. Basic Counseling Skills and Abnormal Behavior.

This course introduces foundational counseling skills and approaches to understanding behavioral and psychological conditions. Course methods include lectures, role-plays, recorded practice sessions, transcription analysis, self-assessment, and engagement with scholarly materials. Emphasis is placed on attending skills, observation, and analysis of client communication and behavior within counseling contexts. The course examines how counseling techniques are applied in structured practice settings and how behavioral patterns are interpreted using established conceptual frameworks. Prerequisite: COUN 5307 and COUN 5350 both with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: COUN 5301 or COUN 5328 with a grade of "B" or better.

COUN 5355. Career Counseling.

This course examines career development theories, career counseling approaches, and career assessment methods. The course addresses the role of work across the lifespan and its relationship to personal, professional, and financial contexts. Emphasis is placed on analysis of theoretical frameworks, ethical considerations, legal issues, professional standards, and current trends in career counseling practice. The course also explores the application of theory and assessment within professional counseling contexts.

COUN 5358. Dynamics & Processes in Group Counseling.

This course examines theoretical foundations, dynamics, and processes of group counseling and group work. Students study models of group development, therapeutic factors, leadership roles, group formation, and ethical and legal considerations relevant to professional practice. The course integrates academic instruction with applied learning activities, including structured group participation designed for educational skill development rather than personal counseling. Emphasis is placed on analyzing group interactions, evaluating leadership approaches, and applying professional standards in group settings. Corequisite: COUN 5354 with a grade of "B" or better.

COUN 5359. Psychopathology in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

This course examines the etiology and classification of behavioral and psychological disorders and explores principles and models of biopsychosocial assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning in counseling. The course addresses diagnostic processes, including differential diagnosis, disorder prevention, and intervention approaches using established diagnostic classification systems. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based, contextually informed, and ethical practices in diagnosis and evaluation within clinical mental health counseling.

COUN 5360. Intermediate Methods in Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling.

This course examines intermediate-level counseling methods used in marital, couple, and family counseling. Emphasis is placed on supervised application of diagnostic, assessment, and intervention approaches commonly used in clinical practice. The course includes structured practice with individuals, couples, and families, focusing on facilitation of counseling techniques and therapeutic activities aligned with treatment goals. Additional focus is given to case conceptualization, treatment planning, and documentation within relational counseling contexts. Prerequisite: COUN 5316 and COUN 5354 and COUN 5367 all with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: COUN 5359 and COUN 5369 both with grades of "B" or better.

COUN 5366. Intermediate Methods in Adult Counseling.

This course examines intermediate counseling methods used in adult counseling. The course addresses the integration and application of counseling theories and techniques through lecture and supervised practice. Emphasis is placed on core counseling processes, including development of helping relationships, case conceptualization, goal setting, treatment planning, referral, and documentation. The course includes structured opportunities to analyze and apply counseling approaches within adult counseling contexts. Prerequisite: COUN 5316 and COUN 5354 both with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: COUN 5359 with a grade of "B" or better.

COUN 5367. Marital and Family Counseling: Current Theories.

This course examines major theories of marital, couple, and family counseling, including their origins, key concepts, and associated interventions and techniques. The course addresses how theoretical frameworks inform conceptualization of relational concerns and counseling processes. Emphasis is placed on analysis and comparison of theoretical models and evaluation of evidence-based practices. The course also explores the development of theoretical perspectives within relational counseling as an area of academic and professional inquiry.

COUN 5368. Developmental Issues in Counseling Children, Adolescents, and Adults.

This course examines major theories of human growth and development across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on how developmental stages inform counseling approaches and mental health interventions. The course addresses physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development; the interaction of biological and environmental influences; and the role of contextual and systemic factors. Theory, research, and application are integrated to analyze developmental milestones, needs, and concerns across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

COUN 5369. Child and Adolescent Counseling Methods.

This course examines play therapy and counseling interventions for children and adolescents in agency, school, and private practice settings. The course addresses foundational concepts of play therapy, including theoretical approaches, basic skills, and the therapeutic functions of play. Course methods include lecture, role play, and experiential exercises. Emphasis is placed on analysis and application of play-based and expressive techniques, including expressive arts, sandtray approaches, crisis assessment, and activity-based interventions within counseling contexts. Prerequisite: COUN 5368 with a grade of "B" or better. Corequisite: COUN 5354 with a grade of "B" or better.

COUN 5370. Intermediate Methods in Counseling Adolescents.

This course examines intermediate counseling methods for working with adolescents in settings such as schools, counseling agencies, and private practice. Emphasis is placed on the application of play therapy and expressive modalities with youth ages 10 to 18. The course addresses advanced knowledge and skill development related to counseling techniques, therapeutic activities, crisis assessment, and communication with adolescents and caregivers. Structured practice activities support analysis and application of counseling approaches within adolescent counseling contexts. Prerequisite: COUN 5316 and COUN 5369 both with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: COUN 5359 with a grade of "B" or better.

COUN 5372. Assessment in Individual, Couples, and Family Counseling.

This course addresses the assessment of individual, couple, and family functioning within professional counseling practice. The course examines principles and processes related to the measurement and evaluation of abilities, achievement, attitudes, interests, behavior, personality, and relational dynamics. Emphasis is placed on the selection, administration, and interpretation of assessment tools used in individual, couple, and family contexts. The course also examines the role of assessment in case conceptualization, treatment planning, and intervention strategies. Ethical, legal, and contextual considerations are addressed within established professional standards.

COUN 5373. Intermediate Methods in Play Therapy.

This course examines intermediate methods in play therapy used with children in clinical counseling settings. The course addresses the history and foundations of play therapy, theoretical approaches, and playroom materials and techniques. Emphasis is placed on supervised practice and analysis of play-based relational skills, caregiver consultation processes, case conceptualization, and professional documentation. The course includes structured application of play therapy methods within clinical contexts. Prerequisite: COUN 5316 and COUN 5369 both with grades of "B" or better. Corequisite: COUN 5359 with a grade of "B" or better.

COUN 5378. Topics in Counseling.

This course examines current and emerging topics in professional counseling. Emphasis is placed on selected areas of study and timely issues shaping the field. Topics vary by semester and reflect developments, challenges, and innovations relevant to counseling practice. The course includes analysis of scholarly literature, research, and professional applications across a range of institutional contexts and client populations.

COUN 5380. Introduction to Animal-Assisted Counseling.

This course examines animal-assisted counseling (AAC), a goal-directed process in which a counselor partners with a trained therapy animal within counseling contexts. The course addresses the human-animal bond, research related to AAC, animal welfare considerations, and training approaches. Emphasis is placed on analysis of theoretical frameworks, ethical considerations, and applications of animal-assisted interventions in counseling practice. The course includes evaluation of AAC methods through structured activities and applied assignments.

COUN 5381. Sandtray Therapy Methods.

This course examines sandtray therapy as a therapeutic modality used with children and families. The course addresses philosophical foundations, historical development, theoretical applications, techniques, stages, and ethical considerations associated with sandtray therapy. Emphasis is placed on analysis of sandtray interventions, case conceptualization, and professional documentation. Instruction incorporates didactic and experiential methods within structured learning contexts related to sandtray therapy practice. Prerequisite: COUN 5369 with a grade of "B" or better. Corequisite: COUN 5389 or COUN 5689 either with a grade of "B" or better.

COUN 5389. Site-Based Internship.

This course is a supervised, site-based internship completed in an approved agency or school setting. The course includes direct counseling and related professional activities under individual supervision by qualified site supervisors and group supervision provided by Professional Counseling faculty. Emphasis is placed on the application of counseling theories, ethical practice, and professional skills with varied client populations. The course is graded on a credit/no credit basis and may be repeated with faculty approval. Prerequisite: COUN 5689 with a grade of "CR" and instructor approval.

COUN 5391. Research Methods.

This course examines applied research methods used in counseling and related educational settings. The course addresses research design, measurement, statistical analysis, and data interpretation relevant to counseling. Emphasis is placed on analysis of research literature, evaluation of research methodologies, and examination of ethical considerations in research. The course includes study of research question development, needs assessment, program evaluation, and use of research resources within counseling contexts.

COUN 5395. Foundations of Trauma and Crisis Counseling.

This course examines the foundations of trauma and crisis counseling. The course addresses core principles of trauma counseling and crisis intervention, including the neurobiology of trauma, diagnostic considerations, and evidence-based counseling approaches. It explores the effects of crisis and trauma on individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on analysis of trauma-related symptomatology, assessment processes, and counseling strategies used in trauma and crisis contexts, consistent with established counseling standards and ethical practice.

COUN 5399A. Thesis.

This course focuses on the master’s thesis and addresses the thesis proposal process within the professional counseling field. The course includes development of research questions, preparation and revision of thesis chapters, and completion of a full thesis proposal. Emphasis is placed on adherence to institutional standards, deadlines, and formatting requirements. The course includes faculty mentorship and oversight to support progress through the proposal stage. No thesis credit is awarded until the student completes and successfully defends the thesis in COUN 5399B.

COUN 5399B. Thesis.

This course focuses on the master’s thesis and addresses the thesis completion and defense process within the professional counseling field. The course includes completion of data collection and analysis, preparation and revision of thesis chapters, and development of the final thesis document and defense presentation. Emphasis is placed on adherence to institutional standards, deadlines, and formatting requirements. The course includes faculty mentorship and oversight during the final stages of thesis development. No thesis credit is awarded until the student completes COUN 5399B and successfully defends the thesis.

COUN 5689. Clinical Practicum.

This course is a supervised clinical practicum conducted in the Community Counseling and Wellness Clinic and approved off-site locations for group counseling. The course includes direct counseling activities under faculty observation and weekly individual and group supervision. Instruction incorporates didactic and experiential methods focused on counseling processes, professional practice, and client interaction. The course may be taken up to three times (18 credit hours) with faculty approval. Prerequisites: COUN 5358 and COUN 5369 and [COUN 5360 or COUN 5366 or COUN 5370 or COUN 5373] all with grades of "B" or better and instructor approval.