Here you will find course descriptions for the courses required to complete the Counseling and Psychology degree program.
For more information, please check the MACU Course catalog.
COUN 201 Introduction to Counseling
A study of applied counseling approaches, including history of the profession and the integration of psychology, counseling, and Christianity. The primary focus is on evidence-based, goal-oriented counseling skills, strategies, and techniques in collaborating with diverse individuals, families, and groups.
Class Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Total Credit Hours: 3
COUN 212 Counseling Theories
A comprehensive exploration of prominent theories and models of counseling, including a systematic approach to conceptualizing clients. This course provides a foundation for students to develop a personal model of counseling.
Prerequisite: COUN 201
Class Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Total Credit Hours: 3
COUN 329 Cross-Cultural Counseling
An exploration of multicultural and pluralistic characteristics within and among diverse groups nationally and internationally, cultural identity development, social justice and advocacy, multicultural counseling competencies, the impact of heritage, attitudes, beliefs, understandings, and acculturative experiences on an individual’s views of others, the effects of power and privilege for counselors and clients, help-seeking behaviors of diverse clients, career and educational implications, the impact of spiritual beliefs on clients’ and counselors’ worldviews, and strategies for identifying and eliminating barriers, prejudices, and discrimination in counseling.
Class Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Total Credit Hours: 3
COUN 421 Ethics, Professional Orientation, and Legal Issues
This course has three broad area of emphasis: ethics, professional orientation, and legal issues. Ethics: • A practical, comprehensive coverage of the important professional issues of ethics, legal, moral, and spiritual issues in counseling and counseling relationships. Pertinent codes of ethics, including the codes of the American Psychological Association and the American Counseling Association, will serve as a framework for the course. Emphasis will be placed on critical evaluation and resolution of ethical issues as well as strategies to avoid ethical hazards. Professional Orientation: • An overview of the role and responsibilities of the professional counselor, models of practice, advocating for the profession, collegial relationships, culturally relevant strategies for promoting wellness, professional organizations, continuing education, self-evaluation and self-care, supervision, diversity considerations, and use of technology. Legal Issues: • A practical review of licensure, certification, legal reporting requirements, privilege, confidentiality, and privacy.
Prerequisite: COUN 201
Class Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Total Credit Hours: 3
COUN 423 Marriage and Family Counseling
A study of counseling approaches specifically applied to marriage and family counseling, including systemic and environmental factors. Emphasis is placed on prominent theories of marriage and family counseling to work effectively with diverse couples and families.
Prerequisite: COUN 201
Class Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Total Credit Hours: 3
*Note: Students who are Counseling and Psychology majors may not transfer this course from another institution.
COUN 480-482 Counseling Internship: Orientation, Experience, and Evaluation
This course offers the student the opportunity to use the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in an approved setting such as a church, school, nursing home, or hospital under the supervision of a trained individual approved by the University.
Class Hours: 0, 0, 0
Lab Hours: 0, 300, 0
Total Credit Hours: 6
FAMM 307 Human Sexuality
This course offers a Christian perspective regarding the physical, emotional, and spiritual ramifications of the diversity that exists in society. Appreciation and respect for diversity in sexuality is developed. The course explores the positive, negative, and precautionary measures that enable rational and moral decisions while discovering God’s gift of sexuality and individuality of each person.
Class Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Total Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 227 Developmental Psychology
A study of human development throughout the lifespan, with emphasis on how physical, cognitive, emotional, educational, social, and spiritual issues influence development. Application is made to how a variety of developmental aspects influence life, family, work, health care, ministry opportunities, and more.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
Class Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Total Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 342 Research Methods in Psychology
Research Methods provides a comprehensive introduction to research proposal writing, research methodologies, and research protocols. The course examines the procedures and principles involved with experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, and other research approaches. Problem formulation, literature review, critical analysis, measurement, sampling, research design, data analysis, ethical considerations, and report writing using APA format are considered.
Prerequisite: MATH 213 or instructor permission
Class Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Total Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 428 Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology is a capstone course for the Counseling and Psychology major, using current scientific research and theory to understand mental health diagnoses. The course emphasizes classification and assessment of a variety of mental disorders from several theoretical and treatment perspectives. Focus will be on diagnosis, epidemiology, course, etiology, and treatment issues. The class includes practical experience for students to seek and evaluate scholarly literature regarding selected mental health diagnoses.
Prerequisite: Senior status or permission of instructor
Class Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Total Credit Hours: 3
*Note: Students who are Counseling and Psychology majors may not transfer this course from another institution.
Counseling and Psychology students must also choose 9 credit hours of electives from Counseling (CO) or Psychology (PS) classes.