Course Descriptions
SPC 600A Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in Agency Setting
This course is designed to enable the prospective school counselor to become familiar with the environmental and sociological aspects of the community; a fuller understanding of the various dimensions involved in working in the urban setting is stressed. Field experience will consist of guided and supervised experiences in various community settings.
Three credits.
SPC 600B Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in Agency Setting (Bilingual)
This course is designed to enable the prospective school counselor to become familiar with the environmental and sociological aspects of the community; a fuller understanding of the various dimensions involved in working with non-English speaking populations is stressed. Field experience will consist of guided and supervised experiences in various community settings serving non-English-speaking populations.
Three credits.
SPC 601 Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in Inner-City Schools
To enable the prospective school counselor to become familiar with the environmental and sociological aspects of the school community. Directed observation made within the public schools of the greater metropolitan New York area. The student will be required to be an observer within the school setting and complete appropriate projects.
Three credits.
SPC 652 Understanding Human Development I
Theories and research in various psychodynamic, interpersonal, and humanistic schools of counseling. Students will study the evolution from traditional psychoanalytic theory to modern interpersonal and relational approaches.
Three credits
SPC 653 Understanding Human Development II
An overview of theories and research in various schools of cognitive and behavioral counseling. Emphasis will be placed on understanding evidence-based models of counseling.
Three credits.
SPC 656 Introduction to Counseling and Application II
An advanced study of counseling techniques with emphasis on case materials and role playing. Special attention will be given to those techniques appropriate to vocational problems and school settings.
Prerequisite SPC 654.
Three credits.
SPC 657A Family Counseling
Overview of theories of family therapy and study of patterns of family interaction. Techniques for improving family functioning are discussed as well as techniques for dealing with the family in group counseling. Marital counseling and parent counseling are studied. Attention is given to government and private agencies that deal with the emotional problems faced by families.
Offered on occasion.
Three credits
SPC 657B, 657C Practicum in Family Counseling
Practical experience of working with clients under supervision in an agency. Pass/Fail only.
Three credits per semester. Offered on occasion.
Prerequisite: SPC 657A.
SPC 660 A, 660 B Practicum in Group Work I, II
An overview of theories, research, techniques, and processes in the dynamics of group counseling, with particular emphasis on the role of the leader, the participation of group members, the cohesiveness of the group, the measurement of growth of each group member. The opportunities of using group techniques for school counseling, teaching, community work, tutorial programs, and vocational and educational counseling are considered.
Three credits per semester.
SPC 661A Individual Practicum I
Practical experience of working with counselees under supervision in a K-12 school. In addition to meeting their clients, students also participate in weekly seminars to discuss and evaluate the counseling process. Students may be required to tape and transcribe counseling sessions, participate in video sessions and submit reactions to assigned readings.
Three credits.
SPC 661D Individual Practicum II
Practical experience of working with counselees under supervision in K-12 school. Students also participate in weekly seminars to discuss and evaluate their professional development as school counselors.
Three credits.
SPC 745A The Family of the Substance Abuser
This course will deal with issues for family members, significant others and friends of substance abusers. Identification of these individuals as “hidden victims” is important for the counselor/clinician to understand the impact this has on the school and/or social environment. Students will be expected to gain a theoretical and practical understanding of the resulting behavior (s) and how to deal with this through lectures, independent research and special events.
Three Credits.
SPC 745D Domestic Violence
This course will examine key issues related to domestic violence (DV): differentiating partner abuse from unhealthy relationships, motivation for maintaining abusive relationships, intergenerational effects, legal issues, cultural awareness, Feminist Model vs. Mental Health Model, and counseling techniques and strategies to help. Classes are taught in “seminar style” using a combination of lecture by the professor, guest speakers and student presentations, discussion of class readings/reaction papers, group activities and videos.
Three Credits.
SPC 745E Counseling the Special Education Student
This course aims at providing the student/practitioner with a broad, in-depth understanding of myriad factors which impact on the adaptation, self-image and adjustment of special education students. Categories of special education populations will be introduced. Through such understanding, the course will then develop and explore counseling and palliative principles to guide work with such populations. Self-awareness as related to these issues will be stressed throughout the course as students develop a deeper comprehension of ethical and professional counseling practice in our diverse society.
Three credits.
SPC 745H High School Counseling
This course will focus on the practical application of a comprehensive developmental school counseling program at the high school level. The roles and responsibilities of a high school counselor will be discussed. Topics to be covered will include college admissions, academic advisement, crisis intervention, consultation and career planning. An emphasis will be placed on the college admissions process and individual planning including assessment, career and transitional planning. Current issues and special programs in high school counseling will also be discussed.
Three credits.
SPC 745M Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Counseling
This course will explore issues in multicultural counseling. There will be a review of the theory and research necessary to work more effectively with culturally diverse people. Students will develop cultural awareness and apply new insights in multicultural situations. The course will increase students’ multicultural counseling and development knowledge, with a focus on communication problems when contact is made with persons from differing cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds and how these factors impact on the counseling relationship. Three credits.
SPC 745O Dealing with Loss and Grief
This course will utilize a variety of teaching methods including lectures, therapeutic and writing activities, creative games, role-playing, group discussion, field trips, guest lecturers and other interactive exercises designed for those experiencing loss and grief. Session topics will include grief affecting individuals, families, schools and other social systems; age appropriate classroom curricula and school based grief support groups; crisis intervention plans and community resources. The sessions will attempt to help the participants understand their personal responses to death as well as understand and respond to the grief that follows all kinds of losses in people's lives. Three credits.
SPC 748 Middle School Counseling
This course focuses on teaching the student how to successfully navigate a comprehensive middle school counseling program. The course leads the student through the academic, developmental, emotional and social challenges faced by the young adolescent student in grades six through eight. Also discussed will be the specific role and responsibilities of the middle school counselor, the importance of parent partnerships, student transition from elementary school and to high school, CSE and 504 plans, RTI, the team teaching environment and team meetings, career awareness, middle school counseling groups and crisis interventions.
Three credits.
SPC 749 Spiritual Issues in Counseling
This course will explore an important and often neglected aspect of counseling: the client's spiritual/religious beliefs. Topics to be covered include spiritual explanations for suffering; counseling perspectives of the major spiritual/religious traditions; special needs and problems of the religious client; the counselor's own belief system; and, the clinical use of the client’s beliefs. The course will employ didactic lecture, group discussion and exercises, case study presentations, and, role-plays of counseling sessions.
Three credits.
SPC 746C College Admissions Process
This course is designed for students presently working in a school setting, or pursuing a path leading to certification in guidance and counseling. The broad span of topics covered will assist them with the knowledge and skills to work effectively with students and families for the college admission and selection process. Through a multi-modal approach, students will develop practical skills to help traditional, special and diverse populations. Current trends in college admissions, ethical issues, financial aid, the student essay, letters of recommendations, admissions testing and the student athlete are among the many topics that will be addressed.
Three credits.
SPC 747H High School Counseling
This course will focus on the practical application of a comprehensive developmental school counseling program at the high school level. The roles and responsibilities of a high school counselor will be discussed. Topics to be covered will include college admissions, academic advisement, crisis intervention, consultation and career planning. An emphasis will be placed on the college admissions process and individual planning including assessment, career and transitional planning. Current issues and special programs in high school counseling will also be discussed.
Three credits.
