Course Syllabus
HR 5883-993
Introduction to the Counseling Profession
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Description
This course examines the historical, contemporary, clinical, and training issues in the practice of mental health counseling in community agencies. The course provides information related to the following aspects of clinical mental health counseling:
- professional roles and responsibilities
- functions of clinical mental health counselors
- professional organizations
- state and national credentialing
- counselor advocacy and self-care
Lastly, the student will be provided with an in-depth understanding of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and the National Counselor Examination. This course emphasizes the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders. Prevention, intervention, consultation, education, and advocacy in community agencies are also studied.
Course Prerequisites
Admittance and in good standing to the OU Online Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.
Course Materials
Required
- Newsome, D. W., & Gladding, S. T. (2013). Clinical mental health counseling in community and agency settings (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. ISBN 978-0132851039
- Yalom, I. (2009). The gift of therapy: An open letter to a new generation of therapists and their patients (2nd ed.). New York: Harper Collins. ISBN: 978-0061719615
Recommended (not required)
- American Counseling Association: Code of Ethics
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Points will be based upon discussion board and Live Session participation | 40% |
| Personal Belief Statement | 3-4 page written assignment | 10% |
| Professional Counselor Interview | 4 page written assignment | 10% |
| Advocacy Project | Profile of agency in a written document and a handout | 10% |
| Yalom PLN Group Discussions | Group discussions via digital whiteboard | 10% |
| Final Exam | Part I: Multiple-choice & Part II: Reflection Questions | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Grade | Percentage of Points |
|---|---|
| A | 90–100% |
| B | 80–89 |
| C | 70–79 |
| D | 60-69 |
| F | Below 60 |
Course Components
Participation
You can 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 "Submit 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): In the event that your work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, please review the recording of the Live Session then write a 2-3 paragraph summary of 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.
- 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 Friday by 11:59 PM Central.
- In addition, students will be required to reply to at least two of their classmates' essay posts each week.
- These are due by Sunday of each week at 11:59 PM Central each week. Replies should be respectful and insightful.
- Responses are to be a minimum of four full sentences per response.
Written Assignments
Students will be required to complete a total of three individual, brief assignments during weeks.
- These assignments will be explained in more detail in the Modules in which they are due.
- They are worth a total of 300 points (100 points each).
Yalom Group Discussion
Throughout this class, you will be reading The Gift of Therapy.
- In addition to reading this book, you will be working in groups to reflect upon the content of the book, along with specific discussion questions, that will be provided.
- You will submit one assignment for the entire group at two different checkpoints during this course.
Final Exam
The final exam will occur during the final week of class (check the course schedule for specific dates).
Part I
The purpose of part one of the final exam is for students to gain practice taking a timed multiple-choice examination covering comprehensive counseling material.
- This is the same format and content of the National Counseling Examination required for all Licensed Professional Counselors.
- Part one will be a timed, multiple choice exam.
Part II
The purpose of part two is for students to reflect on the learning from the text.
- This part of the final exam will cover materials from the textbook.
- You will be given ten reflection questions to respond to.
- It will be untimed
Course Policies
Communication
If you need to get in touch with me, please do so by email at kallen@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
- Students who fail to post discussions on the scheduled dates will forfeit some available points.
- Students who do not submit papers, projects, or assignments on the due date will incur a penalty of one letter grade deducted per day the assignment is late.
- Students will receive a 0 for any unmade discussion postings. In addition, all late discussion postings will be subject to a 50% grade reduction.
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 |
|---|---|---|