Course Syllabus
HR 5433 - Group Counseling
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Description
This course examines a variety of group counseling models including:
- types of groups (process, solution-focused, action-oriented)
- the role of the group counselor
- the role of group members
- techniques and strategies for facilitating group work
Course Prerequisites
- HR 5003 - Theoretical Foundations in Human Relations Counseling
- HR 5402 - Psycho-Social Development
- HR 5883 - Introduction to the Counseling Profession
- HR 5453 - Ethics in Human Relations Counseling
- HR 5483 - Diagnosis in Human Relations Counseling
- HR 5643 - Crisis Intervention
Course Materials
Corey, M. S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2018). Groups: Process and Practice, 10th Edition. Cengage Learning. ISBN 9781305865709
Grades
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Points will be based on discussion boards and Live Session participation | 400 |
| Group Counseling Proposal: Part A | Group assignment: Introduction and rationale for your group counseling proposal | 100 |
| Group Leadership Demonstration | Facilitate and record a group counseling activity/intervention | 100 |
| Group Experience & Reflection | Documented attendance in a group counseling session and 3-4 page written reflection | 100 |
| Group Counseling Proposal: Parts B & C | Group assignment: Operation of the group and promotional artifact | 200 |
| Final Exam | Multiple-choice exam | 100 |
| Total | 1000 |
Scale
| Points | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 895-1000 | A |
| 795-894 | B |
| 695-794 | C |
| 595-694 | D |
| 0-594 | F |
Course Components
Participation
You earn participation points in two ways:
- Live Sessions - There are two ways in which you can earn points for the Live Session. Remember, these Live Sessions will count toward your final grade.
- Participate Live: This option should be your preferred choice. When possible, you should attend and participate in the Live Sessions in real-time. To get credit for your attendance, type in the date and time of the session you attended by clicking on the red "Start Assignment" button at the top of the Live Session page. Your self-reported attendance log will be cross-checked against the attendance tracker in Zoom.
- Make-Up (Watch Recording & Submit Written Summary): If your time zone, work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, you will need to review the recording of the Live Session and write a paragraph summarizing the Live Session from your perspective. Click on the "Start Assignment" button to type (or copy/paste) your paragraph into the text field. Don't worry if the system indicates your submission is late. You will have until the next Live Session to submit your paragraph summary.
- Weekly Discussion Boards - In lieu of meeting to discuss required readings, students will complete weekly essay-style discussion assignments for each lesson.
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- Each student will complete an original post in response to the discussion questions provided.
- Responses should be a minimum of a half-page essay post (this will equal approximately 2 paragraphs).
- The response posts are due each week on Friday by 11:59 PM.
- In addition, students will be required to reply to at least two of their classmates' essay posts each week.
- These replies are due on Sunday by 11:59 PM each week. Replies should be respectful and insightful.
- Replies are to be a minimum of four full sentences in length.
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Group Counseling Proposal: Part A
(Due Week 4)
Students will work in small groups to develop a group proposal appropriate for delivery in a community agency aimed at addressing a disorder, an issue, or a population of your choice. Groups must be self-selected by Live Session 2.
Topics are open to student choice. See chapters 10 & 11 in the textbook and/or consult with the instructor for ideas or examples. Part A of the proposal will be focused on the rationale and introduction of group therapy, which includes convincing the agency administration why this group is needed.
Group Leadership Demonstration
(Due Week 5)
You will find a group counseling activity/intervention and practice facilitating it (in a 20-30 minute recorded video), as a group leader, with two or more classmates.
Your facilitation will need to feature both activity facilitation and processing components.
Lastly, you will write a two-paragraph reflection. In the first paragraph, provide a written overview of the activity/intervention you created or used. If you have an electronic copy of the intervention, upload it with your submission. Be sure to give credit to the original source of the activity/intervention if it is not original. In the second paragraph, briefly reflect on your strengths as a group leader and areas for continued improvement. You are encouraged to seek feedback from your classmates about your leadership skills after completing the demonstration.
Group Experience & Reflection
(Due Week 6)
For this assignment, you will attend a group counseling session (1-hour minimum) through the University Counseling Center or in your community. Then, you will submit a written reflection about your experience.
You will need to provide documentation of your attendance and submit it on Canvas along with your 3-4 page reflection.
Group Counseling Proposal: Parts B & C
(Due Week 7)
This group assignment will have two parts.
Part B
This written portion of this assignment will focus on all of the components specific to the operation of the group.
Part C.
In this portion, groups will create an advertising brochure, flyer, webpage, or e-blast with information about your group.
Final Exam
(Due Week 8)
The final exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions covering content from text and other course resources. You will have two hours to complete it.
Course Policies
Communication
If you need to get in touch with me, please do so by email at cwebster@ou.edu
I will respond within 24 hours on Monday through Friday. I do not always check email over the weekend, so please wait until Monday for a reply.
Late Policy
No late work will be accepted. Exceptions will be made only for documented Provost-approved University-sponsored activities or legally required activities such as emergency military service, jury duty, or documented serious illness or emergency and then only after discussion with me. Contact me by email if an emergency occurs.
Technical difficulties do not qualify as an emergency unless the problem is severe, prolonged, and on the server end (the problem is with Canvas). In such cases, the due date will be modified, and a new due date specified. Expect technical difficulties on your end and plan for a secondary location from which to post or an alternative Internet Service Provider.
Posting Difficulties
Files that do not post correctly in the assignments area or responses which do not correctly post on the discussion board will not be accepted for a grade. If your file does not post (you are timed out, for example), becomes corrupted, contains a virus, or if your response is blank/partial, you should re-post before the deadline so that you may receive a grade.
Always check to see that your response or file has been correctly posted before you exit Canvas. Be sure to post in advance so that you have enough time to correct any posting difficulties.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|