杜魯門州立大學

The Master of Arts in Counseling at Truman State University is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to serve in one of two important counseling capacities. Students in the Clinical Mental Health Track will be prepared to serve as Licensed Professional Counselors. Students in the School Counseling Track will be prepared to serve the academic, career, and personal/social needs of culturally diverse students in the elementary, middle, and secondary schools.

This program focuses on developing knowledge and skills involved in becoming a reflective practitioner in the art and science of counseling. To assist counselors-in-training to achieve the specified knowledge and skills, particular attention is given in both tracks to the application of personality and human development theories, the nature of the counseling relationship and the procedures and techniques of counseling practice, research and assessment, and intervention strategies. Specialty areas provide focused study on issues germane to the focused area of practice. Students in both tracks complete the necessary curricular requirements to pursue licensure or certification in their area of practice, including required practicum and internship experiences.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The Master of Arts in Counseling: Mental Health Counseling program at Truman State University has the following objectives:

The preparation of students for advanced professional degrees in mental health counseling;
The preparation of students to demonstrate compassion, competence, professionalism, and leadership in the clinical mental health profession;
The preparation of students to apply research skills in advanced academic work, in clinical mental health practice, and/or in professional school counseling work settings;
The preparation of students to utilize theoretical models and research findings in:

Developing effective counseling relationships;
Working with culturally diverse clients and students in various counseling settings;
Assessing various behaviors and personality traits;
Creating and implementing treatment plans appropriate to client needs, counselor expertise, and employment;
Mental health promotion and prevention;
Developing, organizing, administering, maintaining, and evaluating counseling services in a variety of employment settings.

PROGRAM GOALS

The Master of Arts in Counseling: Mental Health Counseling program has the following goals for each student. Each of these goals has specific outcome measures.

Students understand the history and philosophy of the clinical mental health professions, ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling, professional credentialing and professional organizations.
Students understand counseling and consultation processes and are able to demonstrate the development of a therapeutic relationship and an appropriate case conceptualization.
Students understand both the theoretical and experiential basis of group purpose, development, dynamics, counseling theories, group counseling methods and skills, and other group approaches.
Students understand the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels, situational and environmental factors that affect both normal and abnormal behavior, and strategies for facilitating optimum development over the life-span.
Students understand the cultural context of relationships, issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society related to such factors as culture, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental and physical characteristics, education, family values, religious and spiritual values, socioeconomic status and unique characteristics of individuals, families, ethnic groups and communities.