FAULKNER UNIVERSITY

SYLLABUS

COURSE NUMBER & NAME:MFT 3375 Professional Counseling

CATALOG DESCRIPTIONThis course of study provides a broad understanding of professional roles and functions; professional goals and objectives; professional organizations and associations; professional history and trends; ethical and legal standards; professional preparation standards; and professional credentialing.

PREREQUISITESPY 1310 and MFT 2320

NUMBER HOURS CREDIT3 semester hours

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Dean, Alabama Christian College of Arts and Sciences

The Center for Special Services (Student Support Services and Project Key) serves as the central contact point for students with disabilities and seeks to ensure equal access for students with physical, psychological, and /or *cognitive disabilities. Students are responsible for informing the University of their needs for accommodations and services.

Contact Center for Special Services at 334/386-7185 or 1/800-879-9816

*Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, etc.

MFT 3375 Professional Counseling

R. JOEL FARRELL II, PHD, LPC, NCC

Course Objectives:

This course is designed for students in marriage and family therapy/counseling and psychology programs that have completed basic coursework in theories, assessment, and direct intervention methods. The student will become familiar with the theory, research, and application in community-based and church-based counseling services. The course will address professional practices including direct service and consultation. The specific course objectives are as follows:

  1. The student will be able to identify and describe the profession of counseling/therapy and its specialty areas.
  2. The student will be able to identify and describe the history of service delivery models and facilities for persons with mental disorders.
  3. The student will be able to identify, describe and distinguish the tradition and alternative models--prevention, remedial, developmental, intervention and ecological--for mental health services.
  4. The student will be able to identify and describe the diversity of community agencies and programs in which counselors and psychologists work.
  5. The student will be able to identify and describe the process and skills required to design community-based prevention, remedial, developmental, intervention and ecological models for mental health services.
  6. The student will be able to identify the theories of consultation and community-based services.
  7. The student will be able to identify and describe the research on consultation and community-based services.
  8. The student will be able to identify and describe the administration, roles, functions, processes and issues of community-based counseling related programs.
  9. The student will observe community-based services in operation through field visits.
  10. The student will demonstrate the ability to design community-based prevention, remedial, developmental, intervention and ecological programs.
  11. The student will demonstrate the ability to design individual, group, family and organizational consultation.

Course Methods and Premise

This course is viewed as a didactive and cooperative learning partnership between the faculty member and the student. The success of this partnership depends on everyone involved being fully prepared for each class experience, keeping up with readings and other assignments, and conducting themselves in a professional and virtuous manner. The faculty member’s role is to provide guidance, resources, and information as needed, modeling feedback, instructional activities, and assistance in integrating information. The course is grounded in constructivist learning theory. The course is designed as a learner-centered experience with the students being intimately involved in the course materials and activities. This course is an upper-level course and students will be expected to demonstrate ingenuity and expertise in completing the course assignments.

Course Textbooks and Material:

1.Parrott, L (2003). Counseling and psychotherapy (2nd Ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. ISBN: 0534593372

2.Parrott, L (2003). Exercises for effective counseling and psychotherapy (2nd Ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. ISBN: 0534593380

3.Gladding, S. (2001). Counseling dictionary. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0130852929

4.Website Resources.

  1. Psychwatch (
  2. Psychweb (
  3. Classics in the history of psychology (

5.Portfolio notebook.

Course Requirements

A.Formal Assessment

  1. Formal Examinations (FE). Two written examinations will be administered during the semester. The examinations will be comprehensive and utilize a combination question styles. Each eaxam is worth 100 points for a total of 200 points.
  2. Essay Position Papers (EPP). The student will prepare position papers on five predetermined topics. The position paper will incorporate course readings, external readings, and class lectures. The position papers should succinctly convey the argument for the student’s position on the topic. Each position paper should be three to five typed, double-spaced pages in length. Each position paper is worth 25 points for a total of 100 points. The three position paper topics are as follows:
  3. What is the proper role of large, state supported institutions? Is there a need for them at all? What kinds of clients should they serve? How should they be structured and staffed?
  4. What should society do about the problem of homelessness, particularly about homeless persons who are mentally ill and mentally retarded? Under what conditions should society restrict the individual liberty of persons who may choose to live on the streets?
  5. Should more emphasis be given to prevention in community mental health? What are the barriers and/or obstacles in creating effective prevention programs? Considering that our methods for prevention of many diseases has had some success, why are the incidence of mental disorders, alcoholism, and drug abuse so high? Should more public funds go toward prevention?
  6. What are the common elements of counseling and psychotherapeutic theories? What is the commonality in how they address the nature of problems?
  7. Cooperative Research Project (CRP). Each student will participate in a research project with other members of the class. The research project will result in a professional quality presentation and manuscript. The research project will utilize survey style research to investigate an aspect counseling services. The research project is be worth 100 points.
  8. Individual Research Project (IRP). Each student will conduct a survey research project on four predetermined population groups. The research project is worth 100 points.
  9. Community-based social service organization. Utilizing the format provided the student will survey three community-based organizations. One of these organizations will be visited in person and the others may be surveyed via mail. The student will prepare a two to three page report comparing the organizations and a one page summary of each organization.
  10. Church Based social service organizations. Utilizing the format provided the student will survey three counseling centers. One of these centers will be visited in person and the others may be surveyed via mail. The student will prepare a two to three page report comparing the organizations and a one page summary of each organization.
  11. Counseling centers. Utilizing the format provided the student will survey three counseling centers. One of these centers will be visited in person and the others may be surveyed via mail. The student will prepare a two to three page report comparing the counseling centers and a one page summary of each center.
  12. Church Based counseling centers. Utilizing the format provided the student will survey three counseling centers. One of these centers will be visited in person and the others may be surveyed via mail. The student will prepare a two to three page report comparing the counseling centers and a one page summary of each center.
  13. Critique of Readings (CR). Each student will read ten articles from professional counseling or psychology journals and prepare a two page critique of each article. The articles may be assigned by the instructor or selected by the student with the instructor’s prior approval. Each critique is worth 10 points for a total of 100 points

B.Informal Assessment

  1. Class Session Preparation (CSP): Each student will complete the Guided Study section of the Parrot’s study guide for each chapter of the text. Each chapter is worth 2 points for a total of 32 points. This is due as indicated on the course calendar.
  2. Class Attendance/Professionalism/Participation (CAPP): Each student will engage in the learning environment and contribute to the discussions in a positive manner. Your presence and input is valued and required. Class session participation grades will be assigned for each class session. Each class session will be worth 1 point for a total of 25 points. These grades cannot be made up. We will also have in-class group activities that will be graded and cannot be made up.
  3. Course Portfolio: Each student will maintain a three-ring notebook/binder system to keep a record of all course materials. The portfolio will contain the materials for all course requirements and should be organized in an orderly and aesthetic manner. The completed portfolio must be submitted at the end of the term. The completed portfolio is worth 100 points.

Evaluation and Grading Scale

Grade Calculation: Each student will be evaluated on the following course requirements and assigned points for each requirement. Letter grades will be assigned by dividing the number of points accumulated by the total number of points possible and then converting this to a percentage.

Course Requirement / Points Possible
1. FE / 200
2. EPP / 100
3. CRP / 100
3. IRP / 100
4. CR / 100
5. CSP / 32
6. CAPP / 25
9. CP / 18
TOTAL POINTS / 675

Letter grades are assigned on the following scale:A = 90 or above; B = 80 – 89.4; C = 70 – 79.4; D = 64.4 – 69.4; F = below 64.4

Evaluation and Grading Policies

  1. Regular class attendance in accordance with the University’s 25% rule. A total of 7 absences result in a grade of ‘F’, regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. (Students may appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs).
  2. Late Materials: Materials submitted late will be subject to a 5% reduction in points per class session for each item submitted late.
  3. Incompletes: Incomplete course grades, incompletes or I grades will not be provided in this course. Grades for students with missing or incomplete assignments will be assigned based on the materials submitted for grading.
  4. Withdrawals: Grades for withdrawals will be assigned in strict conformity to Faulkner University Policy.
  5. Academic Honesty and Integrity: Honesty and integrity are essential to being a professional and as future professionals; each student is expected to demonstrate these qualities. Each student is expected to display behaviors of honesty and integrity in all academic encounters whether with faculty, in the classroom, in writings, or on examinations, etc. Each student is expected to avoid even the appearance of dishonesty, cheating, plagiarism, or lying and to not contribute to or condone these behaviors in others. Any student that the instructor determines has engaged or appears to have engaged in academic misconduct in this course will be assigned zero points for the material in question. Any student that commits a second violation handled according to the University’s academic policies for academic misconduct that carries the penalty of academic suspension from Faulkner University. Each student should consult the University’s academic policies for specific on academic misconduct as well as student’s responsibilities and rights in these matters.

NOTE: This syllabus is subject to modification during the semester

Course Calendar

Class No. / MW / Class Calendar / Parrot / Assignment Due
1 / 1/8/03 / Introduction and Overview of Course / Ch. 1
2 / 1/13/03 / Becoming an effective counselor / Ch. 1-2
3 / 1/15/03 / Becoming an effective counselor / Ch. 2
1/20/03 / King/Lee Holiday--No Class / Ch. 2-4
3 / 1/22/03 / Professional and contemporary issues / Ch. 3-4 / EPP 1
4 / 1/27/03 / Professional and contemporary issues / Ch. 3-4
5 / 1/29/03 / Professional and contemporary issues / Ch. 3-4
6 / 2/3/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 5-8
7 / 2/5/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 5-8
8 / 2/10/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 5-8
9 / 2/12/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 5-8
10 / 2/17/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 5-8 / EPP 2
11 / 2/19/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 5-8
2/24/03 / Examination One / Ch. 1-8 / Parrot Exercises & CR 1-5
12 / 2/26/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15
13 / 3/3/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15
14 / 3/5/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15
15 / 3/10/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15
16 / 3/12/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15
17 / 3/17/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15
18 / 3/19/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15 / EPP 3
3/24-3/26/03 / Spring Break
19 / 3/31/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15 / IRP
20 / 4/2/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15 / IRP
21 / 4/7/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15 / IRP
22 / 4/9/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15 / EPP 4
23 / 4/14/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15 / IRP
24 / 4/16/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15 / IRP
25 / 4/21/03 / Theories and therapies / Ch. 9-15 / IRP
26 / 4/23/03 / Course Summary & Review / Ch. 16 / CR 6-10
4/28-5/1/03 / Final Examination: Examination Two0 / Ch. 1-16 / Parrot Exercises & CP

STUDENT ACCESS TO FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION

COURSE:MFT 3375

FACULTY:R Joel Farrell II, PhD, LPC, NCC

Associate Professor

Marriage and Family Program Coordinator

305G Greer Hall

Faulkner University

Montgomery, AL 36109-3398

334-386-7276

Course website at

DEPARTMENT:Social and Behavioral Science

CHAIR:Dr. Ed Hicks

Faulkner University

Montgomery, AL 36109-3398

(334) 386-7309

COLLEGE:Alabama Christian College of Arts and Sciences

DEAN:Dr. Dave Rampersad

Faulkner University

Montgomery, AL 36109-3398

(334) 386-7105

VICE PRESIDENT:ACADEMIC AFFAIRS:

Dr. John Enloe

Faulkner University

Montgomery, AL 36109-3398

(334) 386-7100

Students may contact the appropriate director, dean, department chair, or the Vice President for Academic Affairs via the Academic Helpdesk a pictorial directory including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of individuals responsible for each academic area. The Academic Helpdesk may be accessed from all computer labs and library resource rooms via a desktop icon, or by accessing the Academic Helpdesk web page link at

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