Master of Science in Counseling

The Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) degree program prepares students to work as professional counselors in a variety of settings. The MSC Core and Advanced Area courses are augmented by elective coursework chosen by the student and academic advisor depending on the student’s area of interest and professional goals.

The program consists of sixty (60) semester hours of courses specific to counseling, and include required practicum and internship experiences. The content, course sequence, and contact hours of the degree program are structured to prepare students for the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor examinations offered through the Montana Board of Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors. The Montana Code Annotated sets additional requirements related to post-degree supervised counseling experience as part of the licensing process.

 

Goals

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• To provide participants with a broad theoretical base that serves as the basis of personal model of counseling.
• To expose participants to historical, current, and emerging counseling methods that provide options for best counseling practice.
• To provide participants with knowledge and skills that serve as a basis for critically consuming data-based professional literature and informs data-based counselor practice.
• To provide participants with opportunities to develop knowledge and skills necessary for self-growth and self care for continued exemplary practice through time.
• To provide participants with clinical experience that serves as the basis for the practice of emerging counseling skills.
• To prepare students for passage of the state licensure exam as a basis for entering a professional counselor role.
• To deliver knowledge and skills necessary for a professional counselor as set forth in the eight common core areas of the CACREP criteria.
• To prepare students to assume leadership positions in their professions and their communities.

Core Criteria

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The specific MSC curriculum components are designed to embrace not only the broader UGF mission, but actively incorporate the Providence Leadership Covenant, licensure law standards, and professional counselor preparation guidelines, especially the criteria set forth by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), as set forth below.

• Professional Identity - studies that provide an understanding of all of the following aspects of professional functioning, including the history and philosophy of the counseling profession, professional roles, technological competence, professional organizations and credentialing, public and private policy processes, advocacy processes, ethical standards of ACA and related entities, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
• Social And Cultural Diversity - studies that provide an understanding of the cultural context of relationships, issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society, including but not limited to theories, experiences, and practices that integrate multi-cultural and culture-specific awareness, knowledge, and skills into counseling interactions.
• Human Growth And Development - studies that provide an understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels, of various abilities, exceptionalities, and environments.
• Career Development - studies that provide an understanding of career development and related life factors and the career counseling processes, techniques, and resources.
• Helping Relationships - studies that provide an understanding of counseling and consultation processes, counselor characteristics and behaviors that influence helping processes, counseling theories, essential interviewing and counseling skills, a systems perspective that provides an understanding of family and other systems, and a general framework for understanding and practicing consultation.
• Group Work - studies that provide both theoretical and experiential understandings of group purpose, development, dynamics, counseling theories, group counseling methods and skills, and other group approaches.
• Assessment - studies that provide an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation, including basic concepts of standardized and nonstandardized testing and other assessment techniques, statistical concepts, strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment and evaluation instruments and techniques, and case conceptualization.
• Research And Program Evaluation - studies that provide an understanding of research methods, statistical analysis, needs assessment, including principles, models, and applications of needs assessment, program evaluation, and use of findings to effect program modifications, as well as the use of research to improve counseling effectiveness.

Admission

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To be admitted to the MSC program, all application materials must be submitted at least six weeks before the first semester of intended enrollment in the program. Course registration will not be permitted until admission to the program is approved.

 In addition to the Graduate School admission requirements outlined in the Admissions section of this catalog, all prospective MSC students must submit the following in order to be considered for admission:

1. Statement of purpose which addresses:
a) applicant’s interest in graduate counseling studies in relation to the applicant’s desire to become a counselor. This should include why the University of Great Falls ’ MSC program is suitable for the applicant.
b) assessment of applicant’s personal and professional strengths and experiences, which would contribute to success in gaining a graduate counseling degree.

After the application file is complete, the applicant may be interviewed by the MSC program director. The purpose of the interview is to provide another source of information regarding the applicant’s appropriateness for training as a counselor. Based on the information gained from the admission materials and interview, the Graduate Council, MSC Director, and faculty will recommend admission to the program or denial of the application.

Transfer Credits

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Because the MSC program is a 60-credit degree program, up to twelve (12) semester hours of post-baccalaureate credit from an accredited institution of higher education may be transferred toward the MSC degree, provided those hours are not older than 5 years when the student begins the UGF graduate degree program, AND those hours are relevant to the student’s academic program as determined and approved by the Director of the MSC program.

The following courses must be taken within the MSC degree program at the University of Great Falls :

MSC 512 Theories of Counseling and Personality Assessment (3 credits)
MSC 517 Techniques of Counseling (3 credits)
MSC 526 Professional Ethics (3 credits)
MSC 607 Group Counseling (3 credits)
MSC 617 Advanced Techniques of Counseling (3 credits)
MSC 695 Counseling Practicum (4 credits)
MSC 696 Advanced Counseling Internship (8 credits)

 

Admission to Advance Candidacy

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In order to enroll in Advanced Area core classes and to apply for Practica and Internship, students must apply for and be accepted into Advanced Candidacy. The Advanced Candidacy application should be completed at least three weeks before the start of the semester in which the student intends to enroll in Advanced Core classes. Applications are available from the MSC Director’s office and from the Graduate Secretary. To qualify for degree candidacy, a student must:

• have a GPA of 3.0 or better,
• have completed all of the following courses:

MSC 500 Professional Orientation,
MSC 508 Psychopathology,
MSC 512 Theories of Counseling, *
MSC 516 Statistics and Research Methods,
MSC 517 Techniques of Counseling, *
MSC 526 Professional Ethics, *
MSC 529 Developmental Psychology,
MSC 607 Group Counseling, and have completed at least 12 semester hours of the above courses at the University of Great Falls.

* Must have a B or better.

The Candidacy Committee will review the Application for Advanced Candidacy and inform the students of their candidacy status before the student will be allowed to enroll in Advanced Core classes.

 

Qualified Continuation

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Professional counseling is a combination of knowledge, skill, and art, in which the uniqueness and personality of the counselor have enormous influences on relationship building and counselor effectiveness. It is imperative that each student progressing through the MSC degree program be willing to grow in self-awareness and be open to direction from faculty. Students are also expected to exhibit the highest professional and ethical standards of practice and to actively contribute to the well-being of clients and other students.

Successful completion of the Master of Science in Counseling program is based on the demonstration of competence in academic, professional, and personal areas as they relate to a student's professional objectives. The faculty has a professional responsibility to assess the academic, professional, and personal development of every student in the MSC program. As part of the student review and retention policy of the UGF Graduate Studies, faculty may share information about student progress with one another.

All students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to graduate from the MSC program. Only two (2) grades of C or below are accepted for degree completion. If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, the student is placed on academic probation and has until the completion of the next semester of enrollment to restore the GPA to at least a 3.0. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the MSC program.

In addition to maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0, specific courses are considered essential to successful progression through the MSC program. Students must earn a minimum of “B” in Techniques of Counseling, Professional Ethics, Group Counseling, Advanced Techniques of Counseling, and the Counseling Practicum. Internships are graded on a Pass or Fail basis. If the student does not achieve the minimum requirement, the student cannot enroll in sequence courses until the student retakes the course and completes it with a grade of “B” or better.

Assessment is an ongoing process that begins with admission to the MSC program, and continues through a final comprehensive review. Accumulation of credits and satisfactory grades are not a guarantee of successful program completion. MSC students are assessed for fitness as counseling professionals. Assessed characteristics include but are not limited to: self-awareness, self-confidence, resilience, balance, emotional stability, communication skills, professional presentation, and interpersonal skills.

 

Personal Growth Experience

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Effective counselors strive for self-awareness, personal congruence, and continual personal growth in themselves. Prior to or during the practicum and internship, all students are required to participate in a personal growth experience, which includes receiving a minimum 12 hours of personal counseling, either individual or group in nature.

Many students choose to remain in therapy beyond the minimum 12-hour requirement. During the internship, many students have recognized the value of working through personal issues so that they do not interfere with professional performance and service to clients. Participating in a personal growth experience will be documented by the student in the form of a written evaluation of the experience.

 

Program of Study

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The MSC program requires 60 credit hours of the outlined course work. The program typically takes two calendar years (Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions) of full-time study to complete. Students who are employed full-time, and/or have other outside obligations are strongly encouraged to attend MSC courses on a part-time basis. Part-time attendance will extend the length of time required to graduate, but will enhance academic and personal success.

Students must be familiar with the sequential course structure of the MSC program. Course emphases move from a focus on foundations in the history and theories of counseling and related fields, to skill acquisition and practical experiences. The MSC curriculum sequence is designed so that students gain competency and integrate the content into a meaningful, practical body of professional knowledge and skills. Students are expected to become increasingly autonomous in their professional activities, academic and otherwise, as they progress through the program.

The clinical practicum course undertaken near the end of the program is designed to facilitate development of higher levels of counseling skills. Before enrolling for Practicum credits, students must complete a Practicum Application, for approval by the Program Director, and have completed a minimum of 40 credit hours. These 40 hours must include the Core Courses. Proof of professional liability insurance must be provided by the student prior to enrollment in Practicum.

 

Course Prerequisites

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Prerequisites must be completed successfully before enrollment in the next course in the series. Concurrent enrollment of a course with its prerequisite is not permitted.

MSC 516 Statistics and Research Procedure is a prerequisite to
MSC 510 Outcome and Program Evaluation, and
MSC 515 Standardized Testing and Individual Assessment.
MSC 512 Theories of Counseling and Personality Assessment is a prerequisite to
MSC 517 Techniques of Counseling.
MSC 517 Techniques of Counseling is a prerequisite to
MSC 607 Group Counseling, and
MSC 617 Advanced Techniques of Counseling.
MSC 512, 517, and 607 must be completed prior to enrollment in
MSC 695 Counseling Practicum. MSC 695 must be completed prior to enrollment in
MSC 696 Advanced Counseling Internship.

 

Core Curriculum

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Course Number	Course Name	Credits
MSC 500	Professional Orientation	1
MSC 508	Psychopathology	3
MSC 510	Outcomes and Program Evaluation	3
MSC 512	Theories of Counseling and Personality Assessment	3
MSC 515	Standardized Testing and Individual Assessment	3
MSC 516	Statistics and Research Methods	3
MSC 517	Techniques of Counseling	3
MSC 526	Professional Ethics	3
MSC 529	Developmental Psychology	3
One of the following three:		3
MSC 531	Structure and Process in the Modern Family
MSC 534	Parents and Children
MSC 536	Family Counseling
MSC 604	Career Counseling	3
MSC 606	Multicultural Competence	3
MSC 607	Group Counseling	3
MSC 617	Advanced Techniques of Counseling	3
MSC 695	Counseling Practicum	4
MSC 696	Internship/Advanced Internship	8
	Electives	8
	Total	60

 

 

Course Descriptions

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MSC 500 Professional Orientation. This course is designed to introduce the student to the field of professional counseling. Emphasis is on professional preparation standards, and personal and professional identity development.
1 credit

MSC 508 Psychopathology. A comprehensive overview of abnormal human behaviors and their complex etiologies, with emphasis on the DSM-IV-TR classification system, differential diagnosis, and treatment considerations. Exploration of historical and current views, theories, and models of disorders.
3 credits

MSC 509 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. Study of the etiology, assessment, and treatment of emotional, social, and intellectual problems of children from infancy to adolescence.
3 credits

MSC 510 Outcome and Program Evaluation. An analysis of the dynamics and features of planning and managing individual, group, and organizational change. Reliable principles and processes for planning and evaluating change are considered, with specific focus on fair, systematic, legal, and useful practices and techniques for assessing both effectiveness and efficiency of the change efforts. Prerequisite: MSC 516
3 credits

MSC 512 Theories of Counseling and Personality Assessment. A critical examination of essential models of counseling. This course explores the conceptual frameworks of approaches to understanding personality, development, abnormal behavior, and the process of change as it occurs in psychotherapy, with the ultimate goal of the formulation of the students’ theory of counseling.
3 credits

MSC 515 Standardized Testing and Individual Assessment. A broad, practical overview of assessment, evaluation, and diagnostic formulation. Varied approaches to gathering reliable and valid data (the clinical interview, a social history, the mental status examination, and standardized testing instruments) are examined. Particular attention is given to the variable, statistical, and psychometric features of each format, as well as to accepted standards of practices for each format. Prerequisite: MSC 516
3 credits

MSC 516 Statistics and Research Methods. Designed to develop competencies in experimental design, practical use of descriptive and inferential statistics, and writing of proposals and reports. Application and interpretation are emphasized.
3 credits

MSC 517 Techniques of Counseling. Applies theories of communication and attending behavior to the process of counseling. Counseling sessions are analyzed in stages of initiating, conducting, terminating, and recording results. Prerequisite: MSC 512
3 credits

MSC 526 Professional Ethics. Ethical guidelines for decision making and practice in the helping professions. Codes of ethics and legal requirements for counselors, educators, psychologists, and other professionals working with various clients. Examines the basis for ethical judgments and explores ethical responsibilities to clients, colleagues, organizations, and society.
3 credits

MSC 528 Clinical Records and Record Keeping. This course explores the various systems of clinical record keeping. In addition, the legal and ethical aspects of maintaining accurate records are explored.
3 credits

MSC 529 Developmental Psychology. Study of various theories of human development over the life span, with attention to the roles of biological and environmental factors that may affect normal development.
3 credits

MSC 531 Structure and Process in the Modern Family. Focus is on the relationships within family structures and the processes associated with those structures. Special emphasis on interactionist perspective, historical context of current patterns, and the future of family structures and processes.
3 credits

MSC 534 Parents and Children . Study of the complex relationship between parents and their children. Includes examination of internal, environmental, and societal influences, as well as theories for intervention and treatment of families. Prerequisite: MSC 512
3 credits

MSC 536 Family Counseling. Exploration of approaches to theory and practice of family counseling, utilizing case studies for identification and clarification of issues, formulation of effective treatment strategies, and development of a personal theory of family counseling. Prerequisite: MSC 512
3 credits

MSC 600 Professional Development Seminar. Students may attend with approval a professional conference related to their field of study and complete further research on an approved topic. Prerequisite: Approval of an MSC instructor and internet access required
1-3 credits

MSC 604 Career Counseling. Presentation of skills and knowledge specific to career guidance and counseling interventions. Studies include theories, planning strategies, program models with individuals and groups, computer-assisted delivery systems, and assessment tools.
3 credits

MSC 606 Multicultural Competence. Leadership and Service - An opportunity for students to increase awareness of their own cultural values and beliefs; to explore worldviews of their own and other groups, and to identify and develop culturally appropriate intervention strategies.
3 credits

MSC 607 Group Counseling. Through analysis of the latest theory and participation in group sessions, the student develops guidelines for conducting counseling in group settings. Groups include peers, family, and others with simulated sessions and role-playing. Prerequisite: MSC 512 and MSC 517
3 credits

MSC 610 Psychopharmacology. Addresses the philosophy, science, and clinical impacts of commonly used medical approaches to mental illness. Prerequisite: MSC 508
3 credits

MSC 643 Neuropsychology. Overview of instruments, processes, and test batteries commonly used in clinical neuropsychology. Techniques designed to optimize success in counseling those with brain insult and impairment.
3 credits

MSC 695 Counseling Practicum. A pre-professional opportunity to synthesize and apply knowledge gained in classroom studies to a work setting through closely supervised one-on-one and group counseling experiences. Practicum requires successful completion of all theories and technique courses. Practicum students meet on campus with the Director of the Master of Science in Counseling. May be completed in 2 semesters (2 credits per semester). Prerequisite: MSC 512, 517, 607, completion of 40 credits, and practicum application acceptance.
4 credits

MSC 696 Advanced Counseling Internship. A comprehensive professional experience with supervised training at a site congruent to student career goals, wherein the student refines previously learned skills in an increasingly autonomous role with clients. Advanced Counseling Internship requires successful completion of MSC 695. Practicum students meet on campus with the Director of the Master of Science in Counseling. Taken over 2 semesters (4 credits per semester.) Prerequisite: MSC 695 and internship application acceptance
8 credits