Graduate Academic Catalog 2012-2013

2012-2013 Graduate Programs Academic Catalog

holy lifestyle is explored and applied through

readings, personal reflection exercises and small

group processes. Outcomes, such as one’s pro-

fessional practice, Global Commission vision, and

ministry, is addressed in a developmental context

that incorporates one’s history, values, personali-

ty, giftedness, motivations and culture. Central to

this developmental process is the application of a

spiritually transformational model that seeks to

balance the appropriation of grace and truth

through relationships.

CNS 5330

Professional Ethics and Issues for Counseling........(3)

In this course students study the practice of pro-

fessional counseling within the context of ethical

and legal standards, and potential future direc-

tions of the field. Information about legal respon-

sibilities and liabilities in the practice of marriage

and family therapy is also covered, including

research, family law, confidentiality issues and

codes of ethics. The course focus is on the fol-

lowing four areas: Models of ethical decision

making are presented and practiced through case

presentations; Ethical standards that govern the

professional practice of counseling and marriage

and family therapy are studied and integrated

with personal, theological, and cultural values and

professional and legal standards; Legal standards

that impact the field of professional counseling

and marriage and family therapy are examined in

light of the realities of daily practice. The future

direction of counseling and marriage and family

therapy as a profession and ministry are

explored.

CNS 5342

Foundations of Marriage, Couple, and Family

Counseling ................................................................(3)

This course is divided into two sections. The first

section covers the ingredients needed to develop

and maintain meaningful relationships for couples

and families. The second section explores what

happens when those ingredients are absent or

misused. Assessment and treatment strategies

incorporate sociological, psychological, theologi-

cal, and multicultural perspectives. Careful atten-

tion is also given to viewing couples and families

as being a part of larger influential systems.

CNS 5410

Research, Statistics and Evaluation ........................(3)

This course provides an advanced understanding

of research statistics, report development, imple-

mentation, program evaluation, needs assess-

ment, and ethical and legal considerations. The

course also includes significant material on

research in marriage and family therapy, with a

focus on research methodology, data analysis

and the evaluation of research as it pertains to

marriage and family therapy. The class is given

opportunity to apply this understanding in a vari-

ety of venues such as counseling and marriage

and family research, generic research, and

research that needs to be done within the reli-

gious community. Students are introduced to

research as it is conducted for single-subject

designs, experimental/quasi-experimental

designs and systems-oriented designs. Both

quantitative and qualitative processes are

explored. Students conduct literature review and

produce a research proposal.

CNS 5420

Psychopathology ......................................................(3)

This course provides an understanding of mental

illness with focus on the behavioral manifesta-

tions, experiential dynamics, and relational/family

impact of these disorders. Study is done in the

most current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of

Mental Disorders (DSM) in order to learn the cate-

gories of symptoms of psychopathology neces-

sary to diagnose and treat mental disorders. A

variety of perspectives on psychopathology are

presented to form a whole-person (or bio-psy-

cho-social-spiritual) and systemic context for

understanding. Students are challenged to deter-

mine theologically what they believe are the stan-

dards for pathology and how these correlate with

the DSM.

Prerequisite:

undergraduate General

Psychology or Introduction to Psychology.

CNS 6310

Human Development Issues in Counseling ..............(3)

This is a course in applied developmental coun-

seling. Drawing from the biological, cognitive,

socio-emotional, and spiritual markers set forth

by the major theories of human growth, students

learn to conceptualize the needs of their clients

Course Descriptions (Counseling)

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