The Community Agency Counseling program is a 60 semester-hour, CACREP-approved program that meets the academic requirement for licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio. The program offers a strong clinical base to train students to work in a variety of mental health settings ranging from community agencies to managed care and employee assistance programs. The course descriptions are divided into general requirements and clinical coursework requirements. The clinical coursework requirements are designed to meet the five areas of clinical competency outlined in the Ohio counselor licensure law.

Download the recommended course sequence for FULL-TIME Enrollment

Download the recommended course sequence for PART-TIME Enrollment

General Counseling Requirements

CNS 620 LAB IN COUNSELING SKILLS (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
PREREQUISITE IS ADMISSION TO COUNSELING PROGRAM AS DEGREE SEEKING.
This is the first course that is taken in the agency and school counseling programs. It is the final screening before full admission to the program. The course provides a focus on skill development and establishing a trusting relationship. Students conduct actual counseling sessions and engage in role-plays. The course is graded "pass-fail."

CNS 604 CULTURAL AND SOCIAL FOUNDATIONS IN COUNSELING (2 SEMESTER CREDITS):
NO PREREQUISITES.
This course focuses on multicultural issues in counseling, substance use, abuse, dependence, and gives an overview of topics related to race/ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic-status, sexual orientation, ability/disability, and spiritual tradition.

CNS 611 INTRODUCTION TO APPRAISAL IN COUNSELING (2 SEMESTER CREDITS): NO PREREQUISITES.
This course introduces counseling students to appraisal including psychological and educational testing. The basic elements of test construction, reliability, and validity are covered. In addition, students review major appraisal instruments in the field and examine case studies. From this course the student either takes 701 or the more advanced course 703.

CNS 701 ADVANCED APPRAISAL (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
PREREQUISITE, CNS 611 or equivalent.
This course covers several appraisal instruments commonly used in counseling settings. Unlike CNS 703, this is a generalist course for students who do not plan on developing a competency area in testing.

CNS 617 ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
NO PREREQUISITES.
Introduction to ethical standards in the profession and to relevant research on the ethical behavior of counselors in mental health and school settings. Includes examination of documents and legal decisions relevant to confidentiality, testing, supervision, and research.

CNS 622 INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING: THEORY AND PROCESS (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
PREREQUISITE ADMISSION TO COUNSELING PROGRAM AS DEGREE SEEKING OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR .
This course offers an overview of the stages of the counseling process and major theories of counseling. The focus is on evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the theories and building counseling skills through class exercises and role-plays.

CNS 623 GROUP PROCESS AND PRACTICE (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
PREREQUISITES CNS 620 AND 622.
This course presents an overview of group dynamics, leadership and procedures as they relate to school and agency settings. It combines didactic and experiential elements. Students are asked to participate in small personal growth groups.

CNS 624 CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION SERVICES (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
NO PREREQUISITES.
This course offers an intensive study of the psychological and social factors in career development, as well as major theories of career development and how they influence the use of career and educational information in schools and agencies.

CNS 650 CASE STUDIES (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
PREREQUISITES CNS 620, 622, AND 624.
Case studies to help bring together theories of pathology and personality with modes of treatment. Research reviewing effective treatments for various mental and emotional disorders is reviewed and integrated with current techniques in intervention.

CSN 629 COMMUNITY AGENCY COUNSELING (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
NO PREREQUISITES.
This course is an introduction to agency counseling with a focus on the historical underpinnings of agency counseling as well as practical information regarding ethics, case reports, salary, schedules, types of services offered, crisis intervention, and issues in funding and service delivery.

CNS 680 COUNSELING PRACTICUM (3 semester hours):
PREREQUISITES CNS 620, 622, 623, 624, 617.
This is the first field based experience for school and agency counseling students where they provide counseling services in group and individual formats under the supervision of a licensed/certified professional. Students must apply for practicum the semester before they wish to take it. Dr. Kim Mason is the practicum coordinator. She can be reached at kim.mason@csuohio.edu.

CNS 706 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND DIAGNOSIS FOR COUNSELORS (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
PREREQUISITES CNS 622 OR EQUIVALENT OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
This course provides an overview of the categories of mental and emotional disorders afflicting children and adults as cataloged in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. The cognitive, affective and behavioral aspects of psychopathology are examined as well as the research evidence for theories of etiology. Students practice assessment of mental status and work with case studies to make diagnoses and recommendations for treatment.

CNS 709 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
PREREQUISITES CNS 706
This course provides an overview of psychotropic agents used to treat mental and emotional disorders. The course also focuses on how to be a critical consumer of material about psychotropic medications, how to advocate for clients, and the attitudes toward pharmaceuticals in U.S. culture.

CNS 712 THEORIES OF PERSONALITY (4 SEMESTER CREDITS)
PREREQUISITES 622 OR EQUIVALENT. A systematic and intensive examination of the philosophy, process, and technique of the major theories of personality.

EDB 601 EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH (3 SEMESTER CREDITS):
An introduction to qualitative and quantitative methods used in educational research. The emphasis is on understanding, interpreting, and critiquing research studies. The role of socio-cultural context in research is considered. The course includes a technology strand where students are introduced to computer technologies useful in research.

ETE 501 TECHNOLOGY STRAND (Two semester credits): Must be taken with EDB 601

ALD 603 LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT (3 SEMESTER CREDITS): Basic introduction to human growth and development.

CNS 686/687 INTERNSHIP IN AGENCY COUNSELING: PREREQUISITESCNS 680, 706 AND APPROVAL OF APPLICATION TWO SEMESTERS IN ADVANCE.

Clinical Coursework Requirements

Students are required by law to have 20 semester hours in clinical coursework spread across the five areas indicated in the law (OHIO REVISED CODE 4757-13-01e). Each area of the Ohio law pertaining to the clinical training of Professional Clinical Counselors is outlined below along with the CSU courses offered that meet each area of the law.

AREA 1: PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - This includes courses in abnormal behavior, personality disorders, and psychopathological conditions specific to developmental phases in the life span.

CSN 712: Theories of Personality and Counseling (4 semester credits):

AREA 2: EVALUATION OF MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL STATUS - Includes the use of assessment procedures for diagnosis and treatment planning and focuses on administering and interpreting individual and group standardized tests of mental ability and assessment.

CNS 701 : Assessment for Counselors (3 semester credits)

CNS 702: Individual Intelligence Testing (3 semester credits) PREREQUISITE ADMISSION INTO THE COUNSELING PROGRAM (not currently offered)

CNS 703: Personality Assessment (3 semester credits) PREREQUISITE ADMISSION INTO THE COUNSELING PROGRAM

AREA 3: DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS - This includes the use of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association and an understanding of the current ICD. Includes the use of mental status exams, symptom identification, etiology and pscyhodynamics of mental and emotional disorders.

CNS 706: Psychopathology and Diagnosis for Counselors (4 semester credits)

AREA 4: METHODS OF INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION OF MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS & TREATMENT OF MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS - This area includes several specialty courses with regard to diagnosis, client population, and methods of intervention as well as developing and implementing a treatment plan, reporting and assessing progress in treatment, appropriate referral procedures, formulation of timelines and knowledge of psychotropic medications on clients. SPECIAL NOTE: Under the old law this area was actually two areas, areas four and five. Under the new law, the two were combined.

CNS 709: Psychopharmacology for Counselors (3 semester credits) PREREQUISITE EDE 731

CNS 738 Family Counseling (3 semester credits)

CNS 634 Counseling and Spirituality

EDT 646 Substance Abuse Counseling (3 semester credits)

CNS 670 Counseling Children and Adolescents (3 semester credits)

EDE 547 Clinical Interventions and HIV Spectrum Disorders (2 semester credits)

EDT 518 Seminar in Mediation (2 semester credits)

CNS 633 Women and Mental Health (2 semester credits)

CNS 781: Advanced Internship in Counseling (3 semester credits)

CNS 782: Internship in Testing and Diagnosis (3 semester credits) PREREQUISITE ADMISSION INTO THE ED.S. DEGREE AND SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BASIC CORE REQUIREMENTS