Community Counseling
Preparing students to work in various mental health settings, this program includes an internship at a mental health counseling agency, e.g., youth service bureaus, mental health centers and correctional facilities. Students preparing for post-secondary setting may take appropriate electives and complete an internship in a post-secondary setting.
Integrated philosophy
The community counseling program is based on the belief that effective counselors have:
-
a sense of personal identity and an understanding of the process of identity formation that guides their work and governs their professional ethics
-
a commitment to social justice and working with diverse populations
-
a thorough grounding in basic counseling skills compatible with any theoretical orientation
-
knowledge of a variety of classical and contemporary counseling theories and ability to integrate these into their own evolving theoretical foundation
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managed the stresses of a demanding profession by developing effective coping skills
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developed a professional and personal support system to nourish and sustain them.
Degree Requirements –
Master of Arts in Education/Community Counseling
I. Prerequisites
Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology for COUN 540 Diagnosis and Assessment
II. Basic College of Education Requirements
| EDUC 500 |
Introduction to Educational Research |
3 |
| EDUC 501 |
Social Justice in Professional Practice |
3 |
| Choose one of the following three courses: |
3 |
| EDUC 511 |
Child Development |
|
| or |
| EDUC 512 |
Adolescent Psychology |
| or |
| EDUC 513 |
Adult Learning |
III. Counseling Requirements
39 credits, including:
| COUN 510 |
Fundamental Counseling Skills |
3 |
| COUN 511 |
Counseling Theories |
3 |
| COUN 512 |
Lifespan Career Development |
3 |
| COUN 517 |
Group Counseling Theory and Practice |
3 |
| COUN 518 |
Field-based Group Counseling |
3 |
| COUN 527 |
Counseling Tests and Measurements |
3 |
| COUN 551 |
Counseling Lab |
4 |
| COUN 564 |
Community Counseling Practicum |
4 |
| COUN 565 |
Community Counseling Internship/Graduate Project I |
4 |
| COUN 566 |
Community Counseling Internship/ Graduate Project II |
4 |
| COUN 567 |
Community Counseling Internship/Graduate Project III |
4 |
III. Community Counseling Requirements
18 credits, including:
| COUN 513 |
Counseling Diverse Populations |
3 |
| COUN 519 |
Addictions Counseling |
3 |
| COUN 536 |
Law and Ethics for Community Counselors |
3 |
| COUN 540 |
Diagnosis and Assessment |
3 |
| COUN 558 |
Introduction to Community Counseling
|
3 |
| COUN 560 |
Family and Couples Counseling |
3 |
IV. Other Requirements
Minimum credits required for degree: 72
Download the Graduate bulletin for course descriptions.
Reputation
Seattle University's College of Education has, for over 40 years, prepared highly qualified teachers, counselors and administrators. The community counseling program has a 30-year reputation of graduating outstanding counselors who have become leaders in the counseling profession. Members of the Seattle University counseling faculty are recognized by their peers for excellence and professionalism.
Designed for working professionals
Designed to meet the needs of working people, an average program of study is usually completed within two and one half to three years. Courses are offered in the afternoons and evenings and meet weekly.
Strong clinical experiences
Of the 72 credits required for the degree, 29 credits are experiential courses in which students work with actual clients, individually and in groups, and receive feedback from faculty and peers. All students complete a 9-month internship in a mental health agency, youth service bureau, correctional facility, or another appropriate facility or organization. Program graduates are often hired at their internship sites. All sites are considered first-rate internship opportunities.