Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

Department of Counseling and Student Affairs

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/csa

Jill Duba Sauerheber, Department Chair
Gary A. Ransdell Hall 3035
(270) 745-4799

Faculty

Professor

Monica G. Burke PhD (Education, Educational Administration and Supervision), University of Southern Mississippi, 1997

Aaron W. Hughey EdD (Educational Administration), Northern Illinois University, 1988

Cynthia P. Mason EdD (Instruction and Administration), University of Kentucky, 1996

Jill Duba Sauerheber PhD (Counseling & Human Development Services), Kent State University Kent Campus, 2004

Associate Professor

Lacretia T. Dye PhD (Counselor Education), Western Michigan University, 2012

Assistant Professor

Andrea K. Jenkins PhD (Counseling), Old Dominion University, 2015

Rhemma D. Payne PhD (Counselor Education- Supervisor), Walden University, 2022

Counseling and Student Affairs Courses

CNS 500    College and Career Readiness Foundations    3 Hours

Overview of college and career readiness; roles and duties of college and career readiness helpers within the school system; and legal, ethical, standards-related issues and implications.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; summer 2022

CNS 501    College and Career Consultation & Collaboration    3 Hours

Consultation models, professional collaborations, and application of concepts and skills with an emphasis on college and career readiness withinn school macro and micro systems.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 502    College and Career Program Development & Evaluation    3 Hours

Program development and evaluation, with emphasis on P-16 college and career development and readiness.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 503    Practicum in College and Career Readiness    3 Hours

Supervised experiences in college and career readiness setting(s).

Prerequisite(s): CNS 500 and CNS 556

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 548    Principles and Practices    3 Hours

Course participants will learn how to design and implement guidance, counseling, and career services at various schools levels, as well as best practices in facilitating and advancing student learning.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

CNS 549    Counseling and Consultation    3 Hours

This course is designed to prepare students to lead programs and employ consultation strategies in the development and implementation of data driven school counseling programs. Students will learn leadership and school-based consultation principles, theories, skills, and models necessary to enhance the learning environment. Emphasis is placed on the role of the school counselor as a systemic change agent.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 550    Introduction to Counseling    3 Hours

The history and overview of the counseling profession, current trends and settings for professional counselors. Professional roles and functions of school counselors are emphasized. Introduction to professional organizations, legal and ethical issues, and certification and licensure issues.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in School Counseling (046)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 551    Classroom Guidance    3 Hours

Basic guidance concepts such as encouragement, communication, self-concept, discipline, and understanding students within the classroom setting will be presented with practical approaches in working with students.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 552    Testing and Assessment in Counseling    3 Hours

Methods, techniques, statistics, and instruments used in assessing and evaluating individuals, couples, families, and groups; administering, scoring and interpreting both objective and subjective instruments used in counseling. Survey of research design and statistics. Computer utilization in counseling and use of data in decision making.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043) , School Counseling (046) , Standard Guidance - Rank I (048) , Student Affairs in Higher Ed (145) , Nursing (149) or Certification Only-Counseling (159)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 554    Group Counseling    3 Hours

Dynamics of group development. Group counseling theories, leadership styles, group counseling methods and skills. Interpersonal relationships in the family system and other small group settings. (Limited class size.)

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043) , School Counseling (046) , Standard Guidance - Rank I (048) , Psychology (092) , Student Affairs in Higher Ed (145) , Social Work (157) , Certification Only-Counseling (159) or Addiction Counseling/Education (218)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 555    Social and Cultural Diversity in Counseling    3 Hours

Philosophical, sociological, developmental, and emotional understanding of multicultural education and counseling as they relate to working with individuals in schools, universities, and other human service settings.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 556    Developmental Career Counseling    3 Hours

Integrates the career counseling process into the life span from early childhood through older adulthood. Career development theories; career assessment instruments; educational resources; placement; follow up and evaluation. Interrelationships among work, marital, family, and other life roles including multicultural and gender issues.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in International Student Services (0415) , Counseling (043) , Career Counseling (0440) , School Counseling (046) , Standard Guidance - Rank I (048) , Student Affairs in Higher Ed (145) or Certification Only-Counseling (159)

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; summer 2022; summer 2023

CNS 557    Human and Family Development in Counseling    3 Hours

Understanding of the nature and needs of normal and abnormal individuals in the family system at all developmental levels emphasizing moral, intellectual and ethical development. Counseling strategies in the complex developmental relationships among individuals in the family system. Counseling in the life cycle of the family.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 558    Theories of Counseling    3 Hours

Philosophic bases of the helping processes; major contemporary counseling theories and their application in individual and group counseling and in family systems counseling.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043) , School Counseling (046) , Standard Guidance - Rank I (048) , Student Affairs in Higher Ed (145) or Certification Only-Counseling (159)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 559    Techniques of Counseling    3 Hours

Focus on the development of basic and advanced counseling skills and procedures. Refinement of the skills needed in providing counseling intervention.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043) , School Counseling (046) , Standard Guidance - Rank I (048) or Certification Only-Counseling (159)

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 560    Professional Studies in Clinical, Family and School Counseling    3 Hours

Historical, philosophical, and societal dimensions of clinical mental health counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; and school counseling. Legal and ethical issues and professional identity in counseling.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 562    Counseling Adolescents    3 Hours

Theories and techniques of developmental counseling with the teenage population.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 567    Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling    3 Hours

The identification, treatment plans and referral procedures for emotional concerns across the life span in the mental health counseling field. Principles of etiology, diagnosis, treatment planning and prevention of mental and emotional disorders and dysfunctional behavior.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043) , Standard Guidance - Rank I (048) , Certification Only-Counseling (159) or Addiction Counseling/Education (218)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 568    Counseling Children and Adolescents    3 Hours

Theories and techniques of developmental counseling with children and adolescents. Topics include: self-concept, social skills, values, moral development, multicultural awareness, child abuse, drug abuse, wellness, and sexual development.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; summer 2022; summer 2023

CNS 569    Play Therapy    3 Hours

Provides an overview of the essential elements and principles of play therapy including history, theories, and techniques. Assists students in understanding the development, social, cognitive, and emotional issues that impact children's behavior. Note: Admission to or completion of approved program in a helping profession or instructor permission required.

Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021

CNS 571    Introduction to Student Affairs in Higher Education    3 Hours

History, philosophy, and development of student services. Includes testing and counseling, financial aids, housing, admissions and records, placement, etc.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 572    The College Student Experience    3 Hours

Characteristics and attitudes of contemporary "traditional" and "non-traditional" college students will be examined. Major topics covered will include the impact of college environments on students, current issues and concerns, and implications for delivery of student services.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; summer 2022; summer 2023

CNS 574    Student Development in Higher Education    3 Hours

This course will examine the developmental processes that impact college students. Major topics will include a discussion of various theoretical models, sociocultural foundations, developmental program designs, and assessment techniques and implications.

Prerequisite(s): CNS 571 (may be taken concurrently)

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; summer 2022; summer 2023

CNS 577    Counseling Concepts and Applications for Student Affairs Professionals    3 Hours

Basic counseling concepts and applications essential for effective student affairs practice.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Student Affairs in Higher Ed (145)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 579    Seminar in Student Affairs    3 Hours

This research oriented, discussion course is designed to focus on current issues and practices in Student Affairs.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023

CNS 581    International Students and Services in Higher Education    3 Hours

Explores international students' needs and interests and global issues confronting higher education. Focuses on increasing student intercultural awareness as a foundation for student services (domestic and abroad) and study abroad.

Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; winter 2022; winter 2023

CNS 582    Sex Therapy Techniques in Counseling    3 Hours

Counseling skills and intervention techniques for counselors in training who will be working with couples and individuals with a broad range of sexual concerns.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 583    Couples Counseling    3 Hours

Knowledge, skills, and techniques of couples counseling.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2023

CNS 585    Leadership and Administration in Student Affairs    3 Hours

Applications of student affairs leadership theory, organizational theory, administrative policy development, planning and decision-making strategies, change management, and staff selection, training, supervision and evaluation will be examined.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 586    Parenting Issues    3 Hours

Changing roles and responsibilities of parents, child-rearing practices, diverse parenting situations and decision-making about parenthood. Changing family system and effects of family system on parenting. Provide skills in working with parents and parenting issues for both educators and counselors.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021

CNS 587    Professional Mental Health Counseling Practice    3 Hours

Professional mental health counseling practice topics including and not limited to counseling supervision, advocacy, consultation, current research, and trends in mental health counseling.

Prerequisite(s): CNS 560

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 588    Family Systems Counseling    3 Hours

The historical development of systems theory will orient the student to theoretical content of human interactions. Students will be helped to think systemically about human issues by focusing on the systems paradigm. Skill development in family system counseling will be developed.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 589    Group Dynamics in Student Affairs and Higher Education    3 Hours

Principles associated with the practice of group work in student affairs and higher education settings. Emphasis on group leadership. Course includes a planned group experience.

Prerequisite(s): CNS 577 (may be taken concurrently) or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 590    Practicum    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Supervised experiences in a school, community college, or university setting. Note: Completion of the appropriate practice preparation sequence and departmental approval required. Note: Completion of the appropriate practice preparation sequence and departmental approval required.

Course Fee: $45

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 591    Clinical Mental Health/Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Practicum    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Supervised experiences in a mental health or marriage and family therapy setting. Note: Completion of the appropriate practice preparation sequence and departmental approval required.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043)

Course Fee: $45

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; summer 2022; summer 2023

CNS 592    Crisis, Trauma and Violence Counseling    3 Hours

Theory and practice of crisis, trauma and violence counseling. Application of intervention and prevention strategies in individual, family and systemic crisis, violence, disaster, and trauma causing events.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; summer 2022; summer 2023

CNS 593    Career Development in Student Affairs and Higher Education    3 Hours

Career development process throughout the lifespan, emphasis on implications for student affairs and higher education. Career development theories, career assessment instruments, professional resources, decision-making models, and factors inherent to the career development process; evolving economic, political, social and technological conditions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; summer 2022

CNS 594    Research Methods in Student Affairs    3 Hours

Fundamental concepts of research methodology, including both quantitative and qualitative research design as well as relevant statistical procedures and techniques. Emphasis on both evaluating and conducting research in the student affairs profession.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 595    Internship    3-6 Hours (repeatable max of 12 hrs)

Supervised experience in a school, community college, or university setting. Note: Completion of the appropriate practice preparation sequence and departmental approval required. Note: Completion of the appropriate practice preparation sequence and departmental approval required.

Course Fee: $5

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023

CNS 596    Clinical Mental Health Counseling/Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Internship    3-9 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Supervised experiences in a clinical mental health or marriage couple, and family counseling setting. Note: Completion of the appropriate practice preparation sequence and departmental approval required. Note: Completion of the appropriate practice preparation sequence and departmental approval required.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043)

Course Fee: $5

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

CNS 598    Research and Program Evaluation in Counseling    3 Hours

Research designs in counseling and student affairs. Statistical methods for needs assessment and program evaluation. Action research, evidence-based practice, ethical and cultural implications.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043) , School Counseling (046) or Student Affairs in Higher Ed (145)

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

CNS 603    Critical Issues and Strategies in Student Affairs and Higher Education    3 Hours

Contemporary issues associated with student affairs and higher education.

Prerequisite(s): CNS 590

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 604    Resource Management in Student Affairs and Higher Education    3 Hours

Issues related to financial and enrollment management in colleges and universities, with emphasis on the effective and efficient use of financial and human resources in fulfilling institutional missions and strategic plans.

Prerequisite(s): CNS 585

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 605    Social and Cultural Diversity in Higher Education    3 Hours

Designed to examine the individual and organizational issues of social and cultural diversity in U.S. higher education and to focus on the development of the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to be a multiculturally competent student affairs/higher education practitioner.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 606    Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Practice and Process    3 Hours

Integration of roles, settings, and professional standards of Marriage, Couple and Family Counselors with knowledge and skill development in family systems theory, assessment, intervention, and treatment.

Prerequisite(s): CNS 559

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

CNS 610    Assessment and Accountability in Student Affairs and Higher Education    3 Hours

Fundamental concepts of comprehensive assessment in student affairs and higher education. Emphasis on program or service assessment and related budget considerations.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

CNS 611    Advanced Play Therapy    3 Hours

In-depth study of advanced principles of play therapy theories and techniques. Application of advanced knowledge of developmental, social, cognitivie, and emotional issues that impact children's behavior.

Prerequisite(s): CNS 569 or permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043) , Psychology (092) or Social Work (157)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 612    Expressive Arts Techniques in Counseling    3 Hours

Introduction to a variety of expressive arts intereventions such as art, drawing, drama, music, and poetry in counseling. Provides overview of history, theory, and interventions across the lifespan.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043) , Psychology (092) or Social Work (157)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 613    Sandtray Techniques in Counseling    3 Hours

Introduction to principles of sandtray technique. Provides overview of history, theory, and interventions across the lifespan.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Counseling (043) , Psychology (092) or Social Work (157)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 637    Theories of Addiction    3 Hours

This course involves introduction to theoretical, philosophical and historical premises of addictions. Topics include professional ethics, diversity, family roles and relationships, and dual diagnosis. Note: Admission to or completion of approved graduate program in a helping profession required.

Equivalent(s): SWRK 637, PSY 637

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 647    Addictions: Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning    3 Hours

This course involves the selection, administration, and interpretation of assessment methods and techniques used to diagnose addiction disorders, as well as the development of appropriate treatment plans and issues involved in individual, group and family treatment planning.

Prerequisite(s): CNS 637 (may be taken concurrently)

Equivalent(s): PSY 647, SWRK 647

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; summer 2023

CNS 651    Readings in Contemporary Counseling    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Significant books and research articles related to counseling theory, theory application, and innovative techniques.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 653    Brief Counseling    3 Hours

Introduction to theoretical, philosophical, and historical premises of brief counseling. Topics include professional ethics, diversity, application to various clinical populations, and utilizations of best practices that meet the changing state of mental health care. Note: Admission to or completion of approved graduate program in a helping profession required.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 655    Advanced Appraisal of Children    3 Hours

Continuation of CNS 654 designed to increase administration-interpretation skills in individual appraisal process.

Prerequisite(s): (CNS 552 or equivalent) and (CNS 654 or equivalent)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 658    Seminar in Guidance and Counseling    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Presentation and discussion of research in guidance and counseling. Emphasizes theoretical and practical criticism of relevant studies in the field.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 660    Organization and Administration of Guidance Services    3 Hours

Administration of human services in counseling including justification of services, staffing, facilities, budget, etc.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 666    Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling    3 Hours

Course provides opportunities for mental health providers to make decisions of an ethical nature about people and deal with possible legal actions that result.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; summer 2022; summer 2023

CNS 667    Counseling Substance and Process Addictions    3 Hours

Counseling issues to substance abuse diagnosis, treatment and aftercare programs involving individual, group, family and other systems.

Equivalent(s): PSY 667, SWRK 667

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; summer 2022; spring 2023

CNS 669    Special Topics in Counseling and Guidance    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

No course description is available.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023

CNS 670    Parameters of Law in Student Affairs and Higher Education    3 Hours

Survey of legal issues, cases and concepts; the responsibilities of student affairs administrators to act within the law; and the rights of faculty, staff and students in higher education.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

CNS 675    Advanced Career Counseling and Services Administration    3 Hours

Examines advanced career counseling topics, process and procedure in the context of the design and delivery of career counseling services to individuals across the lifespan. Focuses on increasing student understanding of counseling techniques, programming, administration, systems and resources for the provision of student/client career service.

Prerequisite(s): CNS 556

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; summer 2022; summer 2023

CNS 677    Eating Disorders in Counseling    3 Hours

Etiology, assessment, and diagnosis of eating disorders which will include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Existing treatmnet options and preventative measures will also be examined.

Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; summer 2021; winter 2022; summer 2022; winter 2023; summer 2023

CNS 678    College Teaching Internship    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Methods of teaching counseling material at the college level. Emphasis will be placed on teaching strategies and teaching at the college level. Students enrolled in the course will concurrently teach an undergraduate level course.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

CNS 700    Maintaining Matriculation    1-6 Hours

Continued enrollment for specialist project completion.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021

CNS 710    Leadership in Stress Management    3 Hours

Examines the meaning of stress, its effects on the individual and the organization, how it manifests itself, and strategies for its management. Explores the organizational demands that contribute to stress and addresses how leaders in organizations can help provide preventative stress management.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None