The descriptions that follow provide brief introductions to the required school counseling courses (see Course Sequence) that are offered through the Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation, and Student Development. For information about other required school counseling courses, please refer to the general catalogue or the department that provides the course.

Applied Microcounseling (7C:278)

Microcounseling is one of the first courses offering opportunities to learn basic and advanced counseling skills. It consists of lecture, role play, class discussion, and videotaping experiences to learn and practice these skills in preparation for work in education and community settings. Beginning Fall 2007 School Counseling students should enroll in 7C:278-002 only. This section has a focus on working with children and adolescents in school settings. Prerequisite: Admitted to program or consent of instructor

Professional School Counselor (7C:200)

This is an introductory course designed to provide an overview of the professional identity and roles of school counselors. Students are introduced to the national standards for school counseling programs as well as professional counseling organizations. Legal and ethical issues in school counseling also are discussed. The course combines the use of lectures, discussion, experiential exercises, and readings to advance students' knowledge and skills. Prerequisite: Admitted to program or consent of instructor

Introduction to Group Counseling (7C:202)

This is an introductory course designed to provided a overview of the basic dynamics, theoretical components, and developmental aspects of small groups. It is designed to foster increased skills and ethical awareness in group leadership. In addition to the didactic coursework, students participate in an experiential group where they will participate as a group leader and a group member. Prerequisite: 07C:278 and Admitted to program or consent of instructor.

Career Development (7C:203)

The goal of this class is to provide information about work roles as well as career development concepts and theories. Exemplary career counseling techniques to use with clients are discussed, including materials and evaluation procedures, and students will leave prepared to assist clients in learning about, choosing, and entering work roles that are appropriate and rewarding for themselves. Admitted to program or consent of instructor.

Theories of Counseling and Human Development Across Life Span (7C:221)

This course provides an overview of theoretical perspectives through a developmental and lifespan lens related to counseling and helping professions practice. Personal and professional influences germane to the development of helpers as consumers of theoretical orientations are explored. A solid knowledge base of various theories and techniques within a pluralistic society constitute a large majority of the class activities and assignments. Demonstration of the ability to integrate and apply theoretical perspectives with clients is required during the final portion of the course. Admitted to program or consdent of instructor.

Counseling Children and Adolescents in Schools (7C:222)

This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of child and adolescent development in addition to the theory and practice of school-based counseling interventions (e.g., brief/solution focused therapy, reality therapy, behavioral therapy, play therapy, group interventions). The course combines the use of lectures, discussion, experiential exercises, and readings to advance students' knowledge and skills. Instructional objectives are designed to help students acquire an appreciation and understanding of child and adolescent development in relation to designing effective school counseling interventions; develop an awareness of some of the major issues currently facing children and adolescents; and develop basic skills in select counseling approaches. Admitted to program or consdent of instructor.

School Counseling Program Leadership and Management (7C:230)

This course will prepare students to develop and implement a comprehensive, developmental school counseling and guidance program incorporating state and national standards. Concurrent enrollment with Internship.

Multiculturalism in the Helping Professions (7C:250)

This class meets the Human Relations Iowa DE requirements. This course covers theory and application of multicultural competency in the helping professions. The course includes ethical treatment of clients in the context of a multiculturally diverse society as well as knowledge, skill, and self-awareness components relevant for helping practitioners. Admitted to program or consent of instructor.

Action Research I: Assessment and Appraisal in Counseling (7C:254)

Action Research I: Assessment and Appraisal in counseling looks at various aptitude, interest, and personality testing and evaluation tools and procedures that counselors may encounter. Laboratory practice in test administration, scoring, interpretation, reporting; ethical and multicultural considerations are covered as well as nontest procedures such as behavior assessments and personal documents. Students will begin to develop a research proposal. Admitted to program or consent of instructor. Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment: 7B:206 Research and Design

Action Research II: School Based Field Research (7C:256)

Action Research II: School Based Field Research is a continuation of the Action Research I course. This course provides students with the opportunity to complete their research as proposed in Action Research I.  Prerequisite: Action Research I or consent of instructore

Introduction to Computer Technology (7C: 281)

This course is a one semester hour introduction to microcomputing. Students will have opportunities to work with both Macintosh and IBM systems and software applications such as word processing, webpage design, spreadsheets, graphics, etc. The course is graded on a pass/fail basis.

Practicum (7C: 300)

This course involves class time, laboratory experiences, and counseling experiences in developing advanced counseling skills at the Belin-Blank Center for the Gifted and Talented on the University of Iowa campus. This practicum experience is under the supervision of University faculty and Belin-Blank supervisors. All coursework must be completed prior to entering the practicum except the following classes: 07C:281, 07C:254, 07C:256, 07B:206, 07U:140, and 07P:200.

Internship (7C:321 and 322)

This is the culminating experience of the master's program in school counseling and involves supervised school counseling experiences in and elementary and secondary school. A Middle School option may be requested. Students are expected to perform the tasks of a regularly employed school counselor in the district. Each Internship requires 2 days at the school site. employed school counselors may request a 1 day alternative placement.