SBS Concentration in Counseling

This concentration provides students with an introduction to theory, topics, and skill areas relevant to professional applications in counseling.  Organizing the choice of SBS electives through adoption of this concentration strengthens students’ preparation for entry into variety of positions in or related to the helping professions, as well as for the pursuit of graduate study.  As with any other undergraduate curriculum, this concentration does not, itself, constitute sufficient preparation to become a licensed professional counselor.

Internships (LCC 450) pursued in conjunction with this concentration should be chosen to expand awareness of the nature of the contexts and skills needed as a counselor.  The internship, supervised by appropriately credentialed individuals in a recognized counseling profession, can involve opportunities for interactions with individuals in need of specific or nonspecific psychological support, such as experiences in peer counseling, hotlines, support groups, and psychologically-oriented services in health care, human services, or educational contexts. Students are advised to consult with their faculty advisors early regarding choice of internship placements.

In pursuing this concentration, students complete two required courses in addition to four courses chosen from SBS electives, one each from categories a through d below.

Foundational courses for everyone pursuing this concentration:
SBS 311 Theories of Personality
SBS 411 Counseling and Psychotherapy

Four additional electives for concentration – Choose one course from each of the following four groups of courses. Any substitutions must be approved by faculty advisor:

a.  Psychosocial Disorders and Services:
SBS 303 Abnormal Psychology
SBS 350 Psychosocial Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
SBS 346 Introduction to Social Services
SBS 399 Responding to Mental Health Crisis in the Community

b. Diversity and Multiculturalism:
SBS 360 Culture, Behavior, and Personality
SBS 316 Diversity in the Workplace
SBS 345 Race, Class, Gender
SBS 470 Study Abroad

c. Developmental Contexts:   
SBS 305 Child Development
SBS 306 Adolescence
SBS 307 Midlife and Development
SBS 341 The Family
 
d. Applied Topics:
SBS 308 Health, Illness, and Culture
SBS 343 Substance Abuse
SBS 304 Food, Culture, and Eating
SBS 342 Gerontology
SBS 344 Violence: Causes and Control
SBS 450 Approaches to Assessing Individual Differences in Children

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