Course Syllabus

HR 5433 - Group Counseling

Faculty 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

Learning Outcomes & CACREP Standards

Group Counseling

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track

Course Prerequisites 

• HR 5003 - Theoretical Foundations in Human Relations Counseling / HR 5533 - Counseling Theories in CMHC
• HR 5402 - Psycho-Social Development / HR 5923 - Human Growth & Development
• HR 5883 - Introduction to the Counseling Profession
• HR 5483 - Diagnosis in Human Relations Counseling
• HR 5453 - Ethics in Human Relations Counseling
• HR 5643 - Crisis Intervention / Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling

Course Materials

Corey, M. S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2018). Groups: Process and Practice, 10th Edition. Cengage Learning. ISBN 9781305865709

Grades

*Indicates Key Performance Indicator (KPI). This is an intentional formative assessment to assure you take away the core information necessary to be a successful professional counselor.

Scale

Course Components

Participation 

You earn participation points in two ways:

1. Group Sessions Experience - There are two ways in which you can earn points for the Group Sessions. Remember, these Group Sessions will count toward your final grade, and they are a CACREP requirement. You need to participate in a group experience for a minimum of 10 hours this semester to receive credit for this course. You will be expected to observe and apply leadership skills as well.
   • Participate Live: This option should be your preferred choice. When possible, you should attend and participate in the Group Sessions in real-time. Each session is 90-minutes long. Your instructor will keep track of your attendance if you participate live.
   • Participate in an Outside Group: If your time zone, work, or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, you will need to find, attend, and pay for (if applicable) group counseling sessions through the University Counseling Center or in your local community. Your total participation should amount to a minimum of 10 hours during the semester. You can opt to participate in an outside group for the full 10 hours, or you can supplement missed live Group Sessions with outside group counseling sessions to reach the 10-hour minimum. To receive credit for participation in outside group sessions, you must submit a signed copy of the Proof of Attendance form by the end of Module 8. If you miss the week's live group session, you will need to click on the "Start Assignment" button to type your outside group participation plan into the text field. 

     Note: You only need to submit something here in option 2 for a missed live Group Session by 11:59pm Central on Sunday.

2. 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 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. 

Group Counseling Proposal: Part A

(Due Week 4)

*Group Counseling Proposal: Parts B & C

(Due Week 7)

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

There are multiple channels for students to communicate throughout the course. Students can send direct messages using Canvas or send an email directly to me.

I will try to respond within 24 hours on weekdays, if not sooner! Messages received during the weekend will be responded to on Monday. Additionally, if you have a general question about the course or assignments, there will be a General Discussion Board area where you can post these questions for me to answer. This way, we can all benefit from the questions asked and they can be answered in a venue that the whole class can see.

Feedback

Late Work

I will accept late work without point deduction with the understanding that students communicate any questions, concerns, or requests for extension related to any assignment at least 24 hours prior to the due date so we can create a submission plan that promotes their integration of material.

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism. 

For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.

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:

1. Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
5. Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.

Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.

Severe Weather Refuge Areas

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
2. Know at least two building exits
3. Assist those that may need help
4. Proceed to the emergency assembly area
5. Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
6. Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.

OU Fire Safety on Campus Video