Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling

CP 600 Multicultural: Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling

The course will explore theories of culturally relevant counseling and examine issues and trends of a multicultural and diverse society. It will provide foundational knowledge of these topics and theories and provide skills needed to provide mental health counseling services to diverse populations in a culturally competent manner. Emphasis will be placed on the role of social location, culture, environment, history, race, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation, age, education, religious and spiritual orientation, and socioeconomic status as factors that greatly impact the lives of clients. Attention will be given to working from various sociopolitical lenses and sociocultural perspectives as well as the examination of presenting issues unique to particular groups or populations.

CP 604 Theories of Counseling I

This course is one of a two-part series. The goals of this course are to familiarize students with the prevalent counseling theories and psychotherapy research, how these models compare, overlap and contrast from one another, and how these therapeutic models appear congruent (or incongruent) with students' own beliefs and models of therapy. Theories of Counseling I will focus more on psychodynamic, attachment, person-centered, existential, experiential, and classic behavioral theories, although both courses will provide foundations of formulation, conceptualization, integration, and application of theory to client cases. This course will require students to conduct a critical analysis of both the tenets and techniques of these theoretical models, as well as their own philosophies regarding theories of therapeutic change and cure.

CP 605 Theories of Counseling II

This course is one of a two-part series. It will explore theories of culturally relevant counseling and the challenges and trends of a multicultural and diverse society. Theories of Counseling II will focus more on classic and specialized cognitive, feminist, cultural, acceptance commitment, mindfulness, positive psychology, and integrative theories, but both courses will provide foundations of formulation, conceptualization, integration, and application of theory to client cases. This course will require students to conduct a critical analysis of both the tenets and techniques of these theoretical models, as well as their own philosophies regarding theories of therapeutic change and cure. Students will develop a personal theory of counseling, a unique style of counseling, effective techniques of counseling, and enhanced understanding of culturally sensitive practice.

CP 608 Mental Health Across the Lifespan Development

This course will focus on mental health at the various stages of the human experience, as well as ways to support healthy development, provide developmentally appropriate clinical interventions, and support the holistic development of the whole person. Topics and cases will draw from theoretical, culturally contextual, and professionally relevant perspectives.

CP 610 Principles and Techniques of Counseling

This course is designed primarily as an in-depth skill development course in counseling technique, in which students practice counseling micro-skills and application of theoretical techniques. Through extensive use of role-play and experiential exercises, students will work with one another to demonstrate techniques utilized in the therapeutic relationship as an effective mental health counselor. Students will have the opportunity to act as a counselor in role-play activities, as well as a consultant and supervisor for fellow students.

Note: This is a Designated Practicum Course for Rhode Island licensure candidates

CP 612 Ethical and Legal Issues and Considerations

The primary focus of this course is the understanding of professional roles and functions of mental health counselors, with particular emphasis on legal and ethical standards. Students will learn and practice ethical case conceptualization, analysis, and decision-making as they relate to clinical practice and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the standards set by the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, and NAADAC Code of Ethics, as well as licensure and regulatory mandates and practices, including BSAS counselor licensure regulations.

CP 614 Psychopathology and Diagnostic Assessment

This course will provide students with practice in the identification, diagnosis, and mental health treatment planning for common mental health concerns, including substance use and dependency, psychological responses to psychosocial stressors, and other presenting problems as categorized in the DSM-5. Students will learn to evaluate the clients' symptoms in ways that have the potential to reduce biases inherent in diagnosis of members of diverse populations. Students will provide comprehensive case assessments, differential diagnoses, and treatment recommendations consistent with supporting client wellness for a variety of cases and case scenarios.

CP 624 Treating the Addictions

This course provides an overview of counseling philosophy, theory, techniques, and professional/ethical standards that are most effective in counseling clients who have been diagnosed with an addictive or compulsive disorder. Current research about the most effective and practical theoretical counseling models that foster personal growth, healing, and change will be studied and critiqued from recovery, multicultural and social justice-oriented frameworks. There will be an emphasis on the importance of comprehensive integrated treatment of individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. Students will acquire knowledge about prevention strategies, relapse prevention strategies, treatment planning, as well as the importance of family therapy and self-help groups and how they relate to psychosocial rehabilitation treatment outcomes. Finally, this course will provide an overview on the role of psychopharmacology in mental health, with particular focus on medications typically prescribed to assist individuals with mental health, addiction, and dual-diagnosis experiences.

Note: This is a Designated Practicum Course for Rhode Island licensure candidates.

CP 630 Clinical Research, Evaluation, and Interpretation

Students in this course will explore the variety of types of social science research and evaluative methodologies and strategies that mental health counselors may encounter. The course will also cover APA format, data analysis, needs assessments, program evaluation, and ethical and legal considerations in conducting research.

CP 632 Group Dynamics and Development

This course provides students with theoretical and experiential understandings of group development, purpose, dynamics, counseling theories, group counseling methods and skills, as well as leadership styles. Students will analyze the dynamics and practice the processes of mental health (therapeutic, psychosocial, psycho-educational) groups.

Note: Designated Practicum Course for Rhode Island licensure candidates.

CP 638 Vocational and Career Assessment

This course will introduce students to theory, research, and practice of vocational counseling and assessment, a prominent sub-discipline within counseling. Students will attain basic competence in providing individual career counseling services such as developing rapport, identifying career-related goals, developing conceptualizations grounded in career theory, and providing career-related feedback to clients. Students will also attain basic competence in administering and interpreting a variety of vocational assessments (e.g., SII, MBTI, VAP) in addition to assessment report writing and integration of assessment data into clinical practice. In addition to in class lectures, presentations, and discussions, this course requires students to engage in role-play consultation work with pseudo-clients.

CP 640 Clinical Assessment and Evaluation

This course is designed to provide an overview of the most widely used cognitive, aptitude, projective and neuropsychological tools in the assessment of adults. Students will be encouraged to look critically at tests to determine utility and limitations, as well as to become familiar with the process of testing, including gathering background information, test selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation. The main goals of this course are to enhance clarity of referrals for testing, to increase collaboration with testing providers, and to deepen understanding of clients' test results.

CP 650 Biology, Psychopharmacology, and Health Care Collaboration

Driven by a biopsychosocial framework, mental health counselors should understand the biological bases of emotion and behavior, collaborate with prescribers of medical and psychotropic drugs, advocate on behalf of their clients, and guide clients to advocate for their own care. Understanding the basic tenants of biological processes that drive and impact behavior allows students, as counselors-in-training, to consider the health and wellness of the whole person. Students will also familiarize themselves with commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs and examine the reciprocal relationships between health behaviors, medication adherence, mental health and recovery from alcohol and drug addictions.

CP 660 Counseling Practicum

The practicum consists of a distinctly defined, pre-master's, supervised field experience totaling a minimum of 100 hours, including 40 hours of direct service, 5 hours of group supervision, 10 hours of individual supervision, and 10 hours of additional individual or group supervision. A practicum provides for the development of clinical mental health counseling and group work skills under licensure-approved supervision. A practicum may take place within an approved field setting and will be completed concurrently with a didactic course offering approved readings, intensive role-play, and supervision led by graduate program faculty. This practicum will include advocacy education and experience. CP 660 represents students' initial practicum, a required component to meet the educational and pre-master's field placement requirements for LMHC/LPC and similar counseling licensures.

Prerequisite: CP 610 Principles and Techniques of Counseling and permission of program director and field placement coordinator

Note: Those seeking licensure in SC will complete 150 hours of practicum. Also, students in MAC: Addictions Counseling degree must be placed in an addictions treatment setting for practicum.

CP 690 Clinical Internship I

This course provides institutional group supervision to students in their mental health internship placement. This format is designed to provide students with experiences in addition to the on-site supervision each student will receive. The class will use a developmental model to focus on counselor growth in competence (skills, techniques), purpose and direction (goal setting, direction in counseling), theoretical identity (application of theory), ethics, respect for individual differences and diversity, and counselor self-awareness, sense of personal motivation, and development of appropriate autonomy. Internship provides for the advanced practice of clinical mental health counseling and group work skills under licensure-approved supervision. Agency, client contact, and supervision hours are dictated by each state's licensure board for the pre-master's internship, with a common expectation of 600 agency hours, 240 client contact hours, and 45 supervisory hours (15 individual, 15 group, 15 hours of additional individual or group supervision).

Note: Students in Addictions Counseling must be placed in an addictions treatment setting for internship. Hours accrued can also be counted towards application for licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC-1) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the post-master's certificate program or Master of Arts in Counseling: Addictions Counseling degree.

Prerequisite: B or better in CP660.

CP 691 Clinical Internship II

This course provides institutional group supervision to students in their mental health internship placement. This format is designed to provide students with experiences in addition to the on-site supervision each student will receive. The class will use a developmental model to focus on counselor growth in competence (skills, techniques), purpose and direction (goal setting, direction in counseling), theoretical identity (application of theory), ethics, respect for individual differences and diversity, and counselor self-awareness, sense of personal motivation, and development of appropriate autonomy. Internship provides for the advanced practice of clinical mental health counseling and group work skills under licensure-approved supervision. Agency, client contact, and supervision hours are dictated by each state's licensure board for the pre-master's internship, with a common expectation of 600 agency hours, 240 client contact hours, and 45 supervisory hours (15 individual, 15 group, 15 hours of additional individual or group supervision).

Note: Students in Addictions Counseling must be placed in an addictions treatment setting for internship. Hours accrued can also be counted towards application for licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC-1) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the post-master's certificate program or Master of Arts in Counseling: Addictions Counseling degree.

Prerequisite: B or better in CP660.

CP 620 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology and Therapies

This course examines childhood psychological disorders from a biopsychosocial perspective. The course covers theory, research, and controversies related to the nature, etiology, and treatment of disorders that begin in childhood or adolescence. The impact of these disorders on the child's development and family and social functioning are considered. This course presents the guidelines and considerations for the identification, diagnosis, and mental health treatment planning for common and challenging behavior in adolescents and children. Students will practice differential diagnosis and evaluate best practices and effective treatment strategies for working with youth populations.

CP 625 Expressive Therapies and Complementary Treatments

Expressive therapies and complementary treatment interventions provide counselors with a wide array of group and individual therapy strategies to help in situations in which verbal/talk therapy may be limiting. As counselors in training, students will explore the connections and parallels between therapeutic and creative processes. Students will participate in experiential exercises in various expressive modalities and learn how theory and client characteristics inform technique selection. Creative expression can drive or deepen therapeutic change in clients, as well as facilitate insight and growth for the counselor. Students in this course will practice individual and group delivery of a variety of expressive techniques.

Note: Designated Practicum Course for licensure candidates.

CP 642 Trauma Assessment and Treatment

This course will provide an overview of approaches in assessing and treating individuals who have experienced trauma, including trauma co-occurring with substance use disorders. The role of counselors in the evaluation and treatment of trauma-related disorders will be examined, as well as approaches to address common challenges related to working with traumatized clients. Students will gain an understanding of the therapist’s role in treating trauma, as well as ways to effectively manage these challenges and maintain self-care. Students will learn about the neurobiological reactions to the experience of trauma while also exploring contextual factors related to the impact of trauma on the individual. The course will provide an overview of best practices in the processes of diagnostic assessment and case conceptualization of individuals who have experienced various kinds of trauma. Finally, this course will provide instruction in the leading approaches to treating trauma as well as their underlying theoretical foundations including the assessment of risk and crisis intervention strategies.

CP 644 Counseling LGBTQI+ Individuals

This course is specifically designed to provide students with foundational knowledge regarding issues related to the health and well-being of LGBTQI+ individuals and the implications for their professional practice, skills for assessment and effective intervention, and depth in their awareness of personal beliefs systems and biases which impact their clinical practice with a LGBTQI+ clientele.

CP 646 Counseling Families* †

In this course, students will examine theories and techniques in counseling families in the many forms that they emerge. Drawing from a variety of theoretical approaches, including family systems theory, and embodying culturally sensitive practice, students will learn to assess the systemic and specific needs of the unit, determine the goals of the individuals within the unit, and select the treatment modality best-suited for bringing about peaceful resolution for that unit. Learning will include topics of mandated reporting for abuse of children and elders, intimate partner violence, and working with couples and families who may have legal or social service involvement (e.g., divorce, foster care, or adoption).

Note: Those seeking licensure in AK, AR, ME, MD, MN, MS, TX, VA, and WV must include this course in their curriculum.

CP 654 Gender and Mental Health Disparities** †

In this seminar, students will consider the ways in which sex, gender, and human sexuality intersect with features such as age, race, ethnicity, ability, spirituality, and socioeconomic status. Through this intersectional lens and critical concepts drawn from social psychology, students will critically evaluate the origins of (and explore the possible remedies to) mental health treatment disparities. Students will also consider their own implicit and explicit biases and how those biases may impact treatment of clients of diverse intersectional identities.

Note: Those seeking licensure in NY and OH must include this course in their curriculum.

CP 655 Forensic Counseling

In this seminar, students will learn about the many intersections of law and mental health, including fitness to serve in law enforcement, military, and governmental roles; mental health interventions in juvenile justice, adult corrections, and societal reintegration; the evaluative process in competency to stand trial and the insanity defense; and the role of counselor as expert witness in custody and court proceedings. Common (depression/trauma) and rare (psychopathy, serial violence) mental health concerns will be discussed.

CP 656 Treating Personality Disorders

In this seminar, students will deeply examine the various personality disorders and evidence-based treatments available to help those who meet diagnostic criteria for them. Conversely, we will explore treatments such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and the growing application across challenging to treat populations. Attention will be given to emerging interventions for clients for whom more standard previous treatments have failed.

CP 661 Counseling Practicum II

CP 661 is designed for students wishing to remain at their practicum sites beyond the required semester of Counseling Practicum allotted in CP 660, for students who wish to explore a new practicum placement prior to attending their year-long internships, and/or for students whose state licensure boards require more practicum training than one semester of practicum allows.

Prerequisite: CP 660

CP 680 Advanced Practice for Addictions Professionals I

This is the first of two courses that focus on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to care for individuals, groups, and families experiencing addiction. This course focuses on theoretical frameworks of addiction and related mental health counseling and nursing theories as well as the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of addiction disorders across the lifespan. Course content includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, health care systems, transdisciplinary addictions counseling competencies, cultural considerations, and the integration of common co-morbid psychiatric and medical conditions.

CP 682 Advanced Practice for Addictions Professionals II

This is the second of two courses where students will continue to develop the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals, groups, and families experiencing addiction. Students will continue to synthesize course content and apply concepts related to transdisciplinary addictions counseling and/or advanced practice nursing direct care, leadership, and transdisciplinary roles.

CP 686 Addictions, Advocacy, and Social Justice

This course will focus on advocacy and social justice theory as it relates to addiction treatment and recovery support. Students will engage in a detailed exploration and deconstruction of the history and systems of addiction treatment, drug laws and related policies, and specific theoretical approaches when working with special populations within the addictions field, all within the context of social justice and advocacy theories. Participants will investigate client needs and will develop professional responses/interventions that reduce stigma, increase agency for people with substance use disorders, and support transdisciplinary collaboration.

CP 688 Behavioral and Process Addictions

This course provides an overview of the history, theory, and current research perspectives in the etiology, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of behavioral/process addictions. Specific attention will be paid to examining the similarities and differences between chemical/substance addictions and behavioral/process addictions. As this course is intended to add to the preparation of the counselor-in-training for clinical work in a variety of settings, extensive experiential practice in both assessment and intervention will be included. In addition, this course includes special topics related to working with persons struggling with behavioral/process addictions (i.e., ethical considerations, multicultural competency, LGBTQI issues, and special populations).

CP 692 Mental Health Leadership I

This 2-course sequence allows students to synthesize learning experiences in the counseling curriculum and apply them to administrative, policy, and programmatic areas. Students will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of a program (or an aspect of a program) that serves in a mental health capacity. Program evaluations often include review of human resource allocations, availability of grant funding, agency collaborations, consistency of delivery, and specific treatment outcomes, depending on the results of an initial pre-evaluation needs assessment. A thorough review of literature and data will guide the evaluation, and conclusions will be shared with multiple, relevant constituencies.

Prerequisite: Admission to graduate counseling programs, the MA in Mental Health Research and Leadership degree program, or permission of Director.

Note: This course is a requirement for the 48-credit MA in Mental Health Research and Leadership degree but it may be taken as an elective by students enrolled in the 60-credit MA in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree.

CP 693 Mental Health Leadership II

This 2-course sequence allows students to synthesize learning experiences in the counseling curriculum and apply them to administrative, policy, and programmatic areas. Students will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of a program (or an aspect of a program) that serves in a mental health capacity. Program evaluations often include review of human resource allocations, availability of grant funding, agency collaborations, consistency of delivery, and specific treatment outcomes, depending on the results of an initial pre-evaluation needs assessment. A thorough review of literature and data will guide the evaluation, and conclusions will be shared with multiple, relevant constituencies.

Prerequisite: Admission to graduate counseling programs, the MA in Mental Health Research and Leadership degree program, or permission of Director.

Note: This course is a requirement for the 48-credit MA in Mental Health Research and Leadership degree but it may be taken as an elective by students enrolled in the 60-credit MA in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree.

CP 694 Research Project

This 2-course sequence allows students to conduct a research study under the supervision of a faculty mentor or field lab mentor, conduct a comprehensive literature review, collect/analyze data, and prepare a thesis manuscript. This course sequence provides an optimal experience for those wishing to continue their studies in a doctoral program, as well as graduates whose work will include research and outcome assessment. Students in the Research/Thesis sequence will have a committee of three scholars (at least one must be a Regis masters program faculty member) to review their work and conduct a formal defense. 

Prerequisite: Admission to graduate counseling programs, the MA in Mental Health Research and Leadership degree program, or permission of Director.

Note: This course is a requirement for the 48-credit MA in Mental Health Research and Leadership degree but it may be taken as an elective by students enrolled in the 60-credit MA in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree.

CP 695 Master’s Thesis

This 2-course sequence allows students to conduct a research study under the supervision of a faculty mentor or field lab mentor, conduct a comprehensive literature review, collect/analyze data, and prepare a thesis manuscript. This course sequence provides an optimal experience for those wishing to continue their studies in a doctoral program, as well as graduates whose work will include research and outcome assessment. Students in the Research/Thesis sequence will have a committee of three scholars (at least one must be a Regis masters program faculty member) to review their work and conduct a formal defense.

Prerequisite: Admission to graduate counseling programs, the MA in Mental Health Research and Leadership degree program, or permission of Director.

Note: This course is a requirement for the 48-credit MA in Mental Health Research and Leadership degree but it may be taken as an elective by students enrolled in the 60-credit MA in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree.

CP 680 Advanced Practice for Addictions Professionals I

This is the first of two courses that focus on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to care for individuals, groups, and families experiencing addiction. This course focuses on theoretical frameworks of addiction and related mental health counseling and nursing theories as well as the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of addiction disorders across the lifespan. Course content includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, health care systems, transdisciplinary addictions counseling competencies, cultural considerations, and the integration of common co-morbid psychiatric and medical conditions.

CP 682 Advanced Practice for Addictions Professionals II

This is the second of two courses where students will continue to develop the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals, groups, and families experiencing addiction. Students will continue to synthesize course content and apply concepts related to transdisciplinary addictions counseling and/or advanced practice nursing direct care, leadership, and transdisciplinary roles.

CP 686 Addictions, Advocacy, and Social Justice

This course will focus on advocacy and social justice theory as it relates to addiction treatment and recovery support. Students will engage in a detailed exploration and deconstruction of the history and systems of addiction treatment, drug laws and related policies, and specific theoretical approaches when working with special populations within the addictions field, all within the context of social justice and advocacy theories. Participants will investigate client needs and will develop professional responses/interventions that reduce stigma, increase agency for people with substance use disorders, and support transdisciplinary collaboration.

CP 688 Behavioral and Process Addictions

This course provides an overview of the history, theory, and current research perspectives in the etiology, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of behavioral/process addictions. Specific attention will be paid to examining the similarities and differences between chemical/substance addictions and behavioral/process addictions. As this course is intended to add to the preparation of the counselor-in-training for clinical work in a variety of settings, extensive experiential practice in both assessment and intervention will be included. In addition, this course includes special topics related to working with persons struggling with behavioral/process addictions (i.e., ethical considerations, multicultural competency, LGBTQI issues, and special populations).

CP 646 Counseling Families* †

In this course, students will examine theories and techniques in counseling families in the many forms that they emerge. Drawing from a variety of theoretical approaches, including family systems theory, and embodying culturally sensitive practice, students will learn to assess the systemic and specific needs of the unit, determine the goals of the individuals within the unit, and select the treatment modality best-suited for bringing about peaceful resolution for that unit. Learning will include topics of mandated reporting for abuse of children and elders, intimate partner violence, and working with couples and families who may have legal or social service involvement (e.g., divorce, foster care, or adoption).

Note: Those seeking licensure in AK, AR, ME, MD, MN, MS, TX, VA, and WV must include this course in their curriculum.

CP 654 Gender and Mental Health Disparities** †

In this seminar, students will consider the ways in which sex, gender, and human sexuality intersect with features such as age, race, ethnicity, ability, spirituality, and socioeconomic status. Through this intersectional lens and critical concepts drawn from social psychology, students will critically evaluate the origins of (and explore the possible remedies to) mental health treatment disparities. Students will also consider their own implicit and explicit biases and how those biases may impact treatment of clients of diverse intersectional identities.

Note: Those seeking licensure in NY and OH must include this course in their curriculum.