Post-Master’s Counselor Program

Faculty

Dr. Cynthia Greer, Associate Professor of Counseling, Educating for Change
Dr. Luane Oprea, Associate Professor of Counseling
Dr. Diane Reese, Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Deneen Robin, Director of Clinical Training

Description

The post-Master’s counselor program is designed for applicants who have already earned a master’s degree in School Counseling and want to take the 12 additional credits needed to meet eligibility requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (L.C.P.C.) credential in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. 

• Students who enroll in this program are given a discounted rate on the tuition.
• Students have 12 months from the time of enrollment to complete the four courses.

Please note: this program does not result in an additional Master’s degree or certification from Trinity Washington University. The program exists solely for the completion of graduate-level work in order to meet eligibility requirements for professional counselor licensure.

Program Requirements

Students in this program complete four courses for a total of 12 credits.

BOTH of the following courses:

• COUN 553 Alcohol and Substance AbuseExamines various approaches to treating alcohol and substance abuse, factors which increase susceptibility, models of therapeutic intervening, referral sources, and educational and preventative strategies.
  3 credits
  Prerequisite: COUN 540 and COUN 560
• COUN 557 Introduction to Family TherapyExplores research and techniques of family systems theory as a framework for understanding family dynamics and the methods of intervention in family therapy.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560

TWO of the following courses:

• EDCC 610 Research Problems in Education/CounselingThis 3-credit course is designed as a continuation of EDCC 600 Research in Education for students who are interested in working with faculty members on the faculty member's research project, evaluation, or study. The course will alternate between faculty members in the School of Education who are engaged in research-based projects and studies. Students will have the opportunity to further apply their research skills by assisting in one or more of the following areas: designing research studies, collecting data, identifying and describing research populations, developing research questions, entering data, interpreting and analyzing data, writing the results of the study, and disseminating the results for publication and presentation. The ideal student for this course is one who is interested in a career that will incorporate research or a student who is interested in advancing to doctoral programs or research -based masters programs.
  3 credits
  Prerequisite: EDCC 600
• COUN 563 Counseling Women and Girls of African AncestryThis is an advanced course designed to have students examine the holistic mental health issues that are germane to women and girls of African ancestry throughout the diaspora and African continent. Several theoretical orientations will guide the counseling techniques, strategies, and approaches including: womanist and feminist, African centered, and cultural relational. Intersections of oppression as well as strengths, resistance, and resilience will be central to the discussion of African girlhood and womanhood. Students are expected to write and critically engage in discussions on media and readings that reflect a nuanced understanding of the complex issues that affect girls and women of African ancestry.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: None
• COUN 606 Trauma & Crisis Intervention in CounselingThis course is designed to introduce candidates to the impact of crises, disasters and other trauma causing events on individuals, families, and communities. Candidates will have opportunities for both theory and skill development by examining crisis and trauma counseling, including crisis theory; multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, or disasters; cognitive, affective, behavioral, and neurological effects associated with trauma; brief, intermediate and long-term approaches; assessment strategies for clients in crisis and principles of intervention for individuals with mental or emotional disorders during times of crisis, emergency, or natural, man-made, and technological disasters. Topics such as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Trauma-informed, and Trauma-responsive will be addressed in the course. Finally, candidates will review issues affecting counselors working with trauma populations and self-care strategies to prevent compassion fatigue.
  
  Formerly titled as Loss and Bereavement Counseling
• COUN 505 Psychology of Children Facing PovertyProvides a diagnostic and descriptive profile of the impact that poverty in the U.S. has on the psychological, emotional and intellectual growth and dev elopment of children in general, and particularity children in the inner city and rural environments. Current research about the impact of poverty on the developing brain will be introduced along with the types of early interventions and best practices that can be utilized. Collaborative practices with governmental systems, parents/guardians, educators, and mental health practitioners will be explored. This course informs and instructs educators and mental health practitioners of the need for awareness, knowledge and skills in designing programs and interventions to offset environmental and social poverty.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: None
• COUN 612 Conflict Management and ResolutionExplores conflict and interpersonal violence and its repercussions, emphasizing communication skills and techniques that effectively, appropriately and respectfully convey feelings and emotions in creative conflict resolution. Presents varied conflict management programs and models for educators, such as restorative justice, strength-based/peacemaking initiatives, and programs to address harassment and bullying. Also explores historical examples of effective peacemaking and conflict resolution.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: None
• COUN 655 Spanish Language and CultureThis course is specifically designed for candidates who must be able demonstrate skill, knowledge and awareness of diversity issues impacting communities and systems that are cultural ly and linguistically diverse. Specifically, this course will focus on developing beginning communication skills in Spanish with a major emphasis on understanding the culture of Spanish speaking communities.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: None
• COUN 695 Bibliotheraphy: Counseling & Academic Intervent for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse AdolescentsBibliotherapy will be an experiential course designed to explore the use of children's literature and young adult literature as counseling and academic intervention strategies for culturally and lingustically diverse adolescents. Emphasis will be placed on developmental theory and the theory and application of bibliotherapy for adolescents. The goal of the course is to increase student/practioner's cultural competence by increasing their skill in serving and advocating for culturally and linguitically diverse children.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560

Program Policies

Time:
Students must complete the 4 courses within a 12-month timeframe. The discounted tuition rate will not apply past this time frame.

Grades in Education Courses:
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and may have no more than 3 credits below a B-.

Pass/No Pass:
Courses may not be taken Pass/No Pass.

Experiential Credit Policy:
Credits earned through experience are not counted toward completion of the program.

Transfer Credits:
Transfer credits are not awarded.

Course Descriptions

COUN 553 Alcohol and Substance AbuseExamines various approaches to treating alcohol and substance abuse, factors which increase susceptibility, models of therapeutic intervening, referral sources, and educational and preventative strategies.
3 credits
Prerequisite: COUN 540 and COUN 560
COUN 557 Introduction to Family TherapyExplores research and techniques of family systems theory as a framework for understanding family dynamics and the methods of intervention in family therapy.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560
COUN 563 Counseling Women and Girls of African AncestryThis is an advanced course designed to have students examine the holistic mental health issues that are germane to women and girls of African ancestry throughout the diaspora and African continent. Several theoretical orientations will guide the counseling techniques, strategies, and approaches including: womanist and feminist, African centered, and cultural relational. Intersections of oppression as well as strengths, resistance, and resilience will be central to the discussion of African girlhood and womanhood. Students are expected to write and critically engage in discussions on media and readings that reflect a nuanced understanding of the complex issues that affect girls and women of African ancestry.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
COUN 606 Trauma & Crisis Intervention in CounselingThis course is designed to introduce candidates to the impact of crises, disasters and other trauma causing events on individuals, families, and communities. Candidates will have opportunities for both theory and skill development by examining crisis and trauma counseling, including crisis theory; multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, or disasters; cognitive, affective, behavioral, and neurological effects associated with trauma; brief, intermediate and long-term approaches; assessment strategies for clients in crisis and principles of intervention for individuals with mental or emotional disorders during times of crisis, emergency, or natural, man-made, and technological disasters. Topics such as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Trauma-informed, and Trauma-responsive will be addressed in the course. Finally, candidates will review issues affecting counselors working with trauma populations and self-care strategies to prevent compassion fatigue.

Formerly titled as Loss and Bereavement Counseling
COUN 505 Psychology of Children Facing PovertyProvides a diagnostic and descriptive profile of the impact that poverty in the U.S. has on the psychological, emotional and intellectual growth and dev elopment of children in general, and particularity children in the inner city and rural environments. Current research about the impact of poverty on the developing brain will be introduced along with the types of early interventions and best practices that can be utilized. Collaborative practices with governmental systems, parents/guardians, educators, and mental health practitioners will be explored. This course informs and instructs educators and mental health practitioners of the need for awareness, knowledge and skills in designing programs and interventions to offset environmental and social poverty.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
COUN 612 Conflict Management and ResolutionExplores conflict and interpersonal violence and its repercussions, emphasizing communication skills and techniques that effectively, appropriately and respectfully convey feelings and emotions in creative conflict resolution. Presents varied conflict management programs and models for educators, such as restorative justice, strength-based/peacemaking initiatives, and programs to address harassment and bullying. Also explores historical examples of effective peacemaking and conflict resolution.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
COUN 655 Spanish Language and CultureThis course is specifically designed for candidates who must be able demonstrate skill, knowledge and awareness of diversity issues impacting communities and systems that are cultural ly and linguistically diverse. Specifically, this course will focus on developing beginning communication skills in Spanish with a major emphasis on understanding the culture of Spanish speaking communities.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
COUN 695 Bibliotheraphy: Counseling & Academic Intervent for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse AdolescentsBibliotherapy will be an experiential course designed to explore the use of children's literature and young adult literature as counseling and academic intervention strategies for culturally and lingustically diverse adolescents. Emphasis will be placed on developmental theory and the theory and application of bibliotherapy for adolescents. The goal of the course is to increase student/practioner's cultural competence by increasing their skill in serving and advocating for culturally and linguitically diverse children.
3 credits
Prerequisites: COUN 540 and COUN 560
EDCC 610 Research Problems in Education/CounselingThis 3-credit course is designed as a continuation of EDCC 600 Research in Education for students who are interested in working with faculty members on the faculty member's research project, evaluation, or study. The course will alternate between faculty members in the School of Education who are engaged in research-based projects and studies. Students will have the opportunity to further apply their research skills by assisting in one or more of the following areas: designing research studies, collecting data, identifying and describing research populations, developing research questions, entering data, interpreting and analyzing data, writing the results of the study, and disseminating the results for publication and presentation. The ideal student for this course is one who is interested in a career that will incorporate research or a student who is interested in advancing to doctoral programs or research -based masters programs.
3 credits
Prerequisite: EDCC 600