applied behavioral studies (M.Ed.) Core Courses:
ABS 5703 Behavior Pathology ABS 5314 Assessment I ABS 5713 Counseling Theories ABS 6813 Personality & Human Development ABS 6975 Professional Orientation/Ethics ABS 6903 Research Methods
Electives
21 3 4 3 3 5 3
Approved to total 33 hrs
ABS 5091-6 Independent Study ABS 6513 Socio-cultural Foundations ABS 6743 Group Process ABS 5363-4 Topics ABS 5503 Addictions ABS 5813 Career Development ABS 5313 Sexual Issues ABS 5413 Crisis Intervention ABS 5513 Death & Dying ABS 5213 Issues in Mental & Physical Health ABS 5613 Gerontology ABS 5564 Marriage/Family Therapy
3 3 3-4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
[curriculum/sequence subject to change]
Because this is a “pre-counseling” program, the philosophy section of the professional counseling track also applies to the 33 hour applied behavioral studies curriculum.
M.Ed. in Applied Behavioral Studies: Professional Counseling
The Petree College of Arts & Sciences at OCU offers the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in applied behavioral studies: professional counseling. It is designed to train students to become professional counselors and render services to individuals, groups, and families experiencing normal adjustment difficulties of a personal, social, or career nature in settings such as community counseling centers, mental health clinics, guidance centers, human service agencies, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, university counseling centers, abuse shelters, religious counseling centers, and private practice (once licensure is attained). Students are encouraged to secure internships in settings consistent with their specific areas of professional interest.
Structure
To attain the professional counseling concentration, the student must accrue at least 60 credit semester hours, including field experience. Because space is limited, not all qualified applicants are admitted. The sequenced, mental health program of study is designed to meet the Oklahoma academic requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) as set forth and granted by the State Department of Health. Students first meet academic requirements for the 33 hour M.Ed. in Applied Behavioral Studies (ABS), then complete five more courses (including field experience) to have the “Professional Counseling” designation added to their transcript. This brings the total to 60 credit hours (as required by statute). Most courses are offered in the evening, but flexible daytime schedules are necessary for Practicum and Internship.
graduate catalog
The program is designed for fall admission and is “fasttrack” in that most of the courses are offered in a once-perweek, eight-week session. This allows full-time students beginning in the fall to finish in two years (and part-time students beginning in the fall to finish in about four years). Some courses, such as Practicum and Internship will be offered in the traditional 15 week semester. Each 3 credit hour course requires a one-weekend seminar, while 4 credit hour courses will require more. Some summer course work is required. Because of this unique structure, students may have to attend some classes on days when the university is otherwise closed.
Philosophy
Emphasizing a practitioner-wellness model, counseling at Oklahoma City University is viewed as an integration of art and science. As such, the counselor’s effectiveness becomes a product, in part, of personal awareness and creativity. The “experiential” philosophy of the program reflects this belief by emphasizing students’ personal growth and development as critical in the training of counselors. It is therefore assumed that students not only desire, but also intend to pursue the inspection of their personal identity, growth, and development—both inside and outside the classroom—as an integral part of their graduate studies in counseling at OCU.
Applied Behavioral Studies: Professional Counseling Core Courses:
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ABS 5703 Behavior Pathology ABS 5314 Assessment I ABS 6314 Assessment II ABS 5713 Counseling Theories ABS 6714 Advanced Counseling Techniques ABS 6813 Personality & Human Development ABS 6975 Professional Orientation/Ethics ABS 6903 Research Methods ABS 6776 Practicum ABS 6979 Internship
3 4 4 3 4 3 5 3 6 9
Electives approved to total 60 hrs
ABS 5091-6 Independent Study ABS 6513 Socio-cultural Foundations ABS 6743 Group Process ABS 5363-4 Topics ABS 5503 Addictions ABS 5813 Career Development ABS 5313 Sexual Issues ABS 5413 Crisis Intervention ABS 5513 Death & Dying ABS 5213 Issues in Mental & Physical Health ABS 5613 Gerontology ABS 5564 Marriage/Family Therapy
3 3 3-4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
Candidacy
Near completion of the 33 hour M.Ed. in applied behavioral studies, students will be evaluated and must “advance to candidacy” in order to continue study toward the professional counseling concentration (for those seeking the LPC). This requires grades of at least 3.000 in each course as well as a pleasant personality and demeanor and demonstration of a high degree of professionalism, ethical behavior, and a non-combative, non-abrasive attitude on Petree College of Arts and Sciences
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2013-14