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CNS 6310
Human Development Issues in Counseling
This is a course in applied developmental counseling. 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 within a developmentally
appropriate framework. Personal exploration of one’s own developmental process is built into course assignments. Consideration also is
given to the process of spiritual transformation as an integral part of the Creator’s design for growth. (3)
Prerequisite: undergraduate
Developmental Psychology
CNS 6410
Counseling Techniques
This course is an introduction to the basic counseling skills that are foundational to doing effective individual and marriage and family
therapy. Students are required to understand and to successfully demonstrate basic counseling skills in the form of videotaped
competencies in order to progress through the course. While counseling techniques and therapeutic skills are important, they do not
replace the person of the counselor as the primary intervention tool. Emphasis is as a person impacts the therapeutic alliance with clients,
and not just what the counselor does in the session to help facilitate client change. This course is taught largely from a client empowered
“not knowing” solution-building model. (3)
CNS 6420
Diag ostics of Psychopathology
This course provides the student with advanced skills in the diagnostics of psychopathology, including coverage of the most current
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), with a focus on differential diagnosis. The student develops the ability to
synthesize skills and understanding from other courses into an integrated process of client engagement, assessment, case
conceptualization, and treatment planning. Students are trained to diagnose using role plays, and are being presented with atypical
symptoms, multiple diagnoses, and overlapping criteria. In order to develop a whole person and contextual understanding of pathology, a
variety of perspectives is presented, including biological, systemic, spiritual, developmental, intrapsychic, interpersonal, and cultural. The
student then builds treatment plans that demonstrate a grasp of the client’s strengths, resources, family structure/relationships,
pathology, and readiness for change. (3)
Prerequisite: CNS 5420
CNS 6430
Assessment
This course presents students with an understanding of the psychometric theories and practical approaches concerning the assessment of
individuals, couples and families, while equipping the student with the skills and competencies necessary to incorporate assessment
strategies into the helping process. Assessment, including marriage and family therapy methods and major mental health assessment
methods and instruments, are covered. Focus is placed on information-gathering methods, evaluating test validity and reliability
(controlling for factors that may influence assessment results), and application of assessment practices as an integral part of counseling
and marriage and family therapy. Additional purchase of assessment materials is required for this course. (3)
Prerequisite: candidacy
CNS 6431
Assessment & Treatment of Childhood Disorders
This course introduces students to developmental, self-regulation, and systems perspectives used to understand, diagnose, and treat
disorders of childhood and adolescence. Students will gain an understanding of the normal and abnormal developmental issues of
children, the process of mastering self-regulation throughout development in various domains, the impact of relational dynamics within
various systems (family, school, church), and the trend of the self’s consolidation and conceptualization of these various vectors of life. The
student is then able to form diagnosis and treatment plans that flow from their relational understanding of the child’s life based on the
above models. Treatment issues are covered within the confines of treatment planning (as opposed to how to do therapy), including such
areas as applied behavioral analysis, cognitive-behavior treatment, interpersonal treatment, psychopharmacology, community and school-
based treatment. Additional assessment material fee charged. (3)
Prerequisite: Candidacy
CNS 6432
Counseling Children & Adolescents
This course provides the basic principles of counseling children and adolescents within the context of family, school, and socio-cultural
and religious systems, and is based on the case conceptualization and treatment planning developed in CNS 6431. The emphasis is on
helping students develop their own individual style in forming therapeutic relationships with children or adolescents, and in using
effective therapeutic skills and techniques, including therapeutic mediums such as toys, audio/visual aids, games, cognitive treatment, and
behavioral programs. A special focus is given to parent training and parents as co-therapists, which are empirically sound, highly
efficacious, and cost-effective intervention strategies for treating behavior disorders in children. Legal and ethical issues specific to
working with children are addressed. (3)
Prerequisite: CNS 6431
CNS 6440
Groups
This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of group counseling. The process of doing groups and the application of the
group process to a variety of settings and situations is discussed. The counselor as a group leader is emphasized. The class relies heavily
on the component of a psycho-educational group experience, both as a group member and co-leader. (3)
CNS 6710
Marriage Counseling
This course provides students with a biblical, sociological, and interpersonal framework from which to study and counsel couples.
Practical tools are presented for how to work with couples through the ups and downs of life together. The course content is designed
with the understanding that students will be working with couples in clinical, multicultural, church, and para-church settings. Students are
encouraged to be working with couples while taking this class. (3)
CNS 6810
Career Development
This course introduces students to career development theory and its application. Students will have the opportunity to learn the history
of and current trends in career development counseling. Students will be offered training in the use and application of career counseling
strategies, assessment tools, and resources (including web-based resources). Students will also learn about the relationship between
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