Curriculum

This course provides an overview, to clinical mental health counseling students, of the theories, concepts, and research regarding the developmental characteristics of human development. The course will enhance students' understanding of significant developmental changes that occur over the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on human development throughout the life span, including emotional, physical, cognitive, and social development with an emphasis on the influences of cultural phenomena on behavior. The course will involve critiques of different theories of human development culture, lifespan processes, and the relationships among these. Professional, clinical, legal, and ethical issues will also be addressed.

This course presents an overview of the historical development of higher education and student affairs in the US.  The course examines the complex nature of American Higher Education, as well as influences, from its beginning through contemporary organization and values. Additionally, this course examines the origins and historical development of Student Affairs as a profession, including current values and competencies.

This course prepares higher education professionals to work with culturally diverse students, staff, and faculty populations. Students will examine the historical and cultural foundations of international higher education.  Study abroad experience preferred; a significant research project can replace study abroad experience

This course introduces clinical mental health counseling students to the seminal counseling theories and helping relationships from individual and systemic perspectives. The course incorporates theory, skills, and techniques in the development of a counselor identity, theoretical orientation. The course allows students to explore a variety of established theoretical orientations and examine them for personal congruence and applicability for client populations. The course explores helper and helpee characteristics, sociocultural factors, and legal and ethical considerations.

This course introduces clinical mental health counseling students to the theories and stages of career development will serve as the foundation for an exploration of life planning and career development. Career planning will be considered as a process of continuous self-assessment, careful selection, skill development, goal setting, and decision making. The course will examine career development from the dual perspective of personal development.
Prerequisite: Take COU-550

This course examines the diverse demographics of students of American colleges and universities; including majority and marginalized student groups.  Through the study of theoretical perspectives and empirical data, students analyze leadership and learning theory as well as the impact of educational environments on varying student groups.

This course examines psychosocial, cognitive, and integrative developmental theories.  Students will conceptualize how college students grow and develop during college and become familiar with the major families of theories for understanding college student development. Students will learn how to address concerns of students.  Students will analyze developmental theory and apply in practical settings in higher education.  Students will design educational interventions.

This course is an exploration of multiculturalism and social justice issues, theories, and practices in 21st century higher education. Students will examine the role of Higher Education in American Society, using a social justice framework informed by critical theory. The course addresses access, success and equity issues related to racial/ethnic minority groups and socioeconomic status.

This course provides an introduction to the structure, organization and finances in Higher Education. Students will examine organizational theories and models, as well as financial, economic, and budgetary issues in higher education. Students will utilize their knowledge of the history of higher education to review the political, social and legal issues that impact higher education organization and finance.

This course is designed to provide an introduction to assessment in student affairs and higher education.  Students will explore a variety of assessment methods and techniques and apply their learning through case studies and/or real-world assessment.  Students will learn the purpose of, and interact with, University's Institutional Review Board.

This course provides students with an opportunity to gain experience in Higher Education through a 150 -hour internship. Students will apply knowledge of Higher Education to real world situations.
Prerequisite: MUST HAVE COMPLETED HESA-500, HESA-510 & HESA-515

This course is the capstone experience for Higher Education and Student Affair students. Course participants will complete an internship in higher education setting, where they will complete 150 internship hours. In this culminating experience students will analyze and apply knowledge gained throughout their program.
Prerequisite: MUST HAVE COMPLETED HESA-500, HESA-510 & HESA-515