Courses in Counseling Psychology
E CPY 204U/204X Principles of Career and Life Planning (3) Review of theories of decision-making career development, occupational choice, and job satisfaction. Additional topics: vocational measurement and assessment, evaluation and use of occupational information, and strategies of life-span planning. Some sections restricted to freshmen and sophomores only.
E CPY 301 Methods in Peer Helping I (1)
Introduction to the counseling theories and skills used in a variety of helping roles. Opportunities to develop basic relationships and communication skills. Case studies that examine motivational variables in helping activities. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101 and permission of instructor. A-E graded.
E CPY 302 Methods in Peer Helping II (2)
Group activities for greater understanding of interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skill development and understanding of relevant theoretical concepts. Optional individual research projects. Prerequisite(s): E CPY 301 and permission of instructor.
E CPY 303 Methods in Peer Helping III (2)
Theories and research concerning young adult development. Practice with both individual and group helping skills. Research projects related to young adult development. Prerequisite(s): E CPY 301, 302, and permission of instructor.
E CPY 311 Helping Skills in Human Services: Sexuality and Young Adults (3)
Introduction to the major theories and research regarding human sexuality and young adults. Opportunities are provided for students to develop helping skills in the area of human sexuality. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101 and permission of instructor.
E CPY 312 Service Learning: Designing Sexuality Education and Peer Helping Programs for Young Adult (3)
This course, the second in a series of training courses, will continue the training for participation in the Project SHAPE peer education program wherein students will conduct a variety of sexual health and sexuality programs for the University and greater Albany community. Students will expand their knowledge of major concepts and issues in human sexuality, refine their program development and facilitation skills, and enhance peer helping skills through structured discussions and engaged learning experiences. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Must be a member of Project SHAPE: Sexual Health and Peer Education program through University Counseling Center. Must have successfully completed E CPY 311.
E CPY 357 Applied Sport Psychology (3)
This course will provide an overview of issues related to applied sport psychology. Topics covered will include enhancing motivation, effective leadership, team cohesion, individual performance enhancement techniques (e.g., imagery and relaxation, cognitive restructuring), and counseling/clinical issues that are especially relevant to athletes (e.g., substance abuse, burnout). Application of sport psychology across human diversity (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, culture, age) also will be addressed.
E CPY 360 Psychology, Cultural Diversity, & Social Justice (3)
This course will examine several aspects of diversity as it relates to U.S. culture and society. Moreover, the course will examine and explore the psychological effects of various types of oppression (i.e., racism, heterosexism, and classism) as they impinge upon specific communities within the U.S. and individuals within those communities. In addition, this course will include topics related to social justice and advocacy related to the improvement and empowerment of marginalized groups studied. The course will incorporate various sources of knowledge and content to provide a comprehensive perspective on the multiple layers of cultural diversity represented in U.S. culture. These sources include readings, class discussions, video presentations, experiential activities, and guest lecturers.
E CPY 370 Positive Psychology (3)
This course is designed to provide students a broad overview of the theory and research related to positive psychology as applied to everyday life, human development, and a variety of work settings. Some topics include positive emotions, flow, and resilience. Principles of positive psychology are applied to a variety of fields of employment (e.g., education, medicine, business, and counseling). Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.
E CPY 387 Institute (1-9)
A special course, not part of the regular pattern of offerings, designed to meet non-recurring needs. Available for division use and subject to division approval.
E CPY 400 Foundations of Peer Counseling and Peer Education (3)
In this course, students will be introduced to peer counseling and peer educations through classroom presentations, experiential exercises, and participation in a weekly “training shift” at the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program. The classroom portion of the course will consist of lectures on basic listening and communication skills as well as an introduction to peer counseling and peer education. There will also be classroom sessions on specific topics related to campus issues, such as alcohol and substance abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, and other topics addressed by peer counselors and peer educators. In addition to participating in the lecture portion of the course, students will be required to complete a weekly three-hour “training shift” in which they will be paired with a peer mentor to practice the skills that are discussed in class. In this way, students will have an opportunity to observe and work with experienced peers in the context of a service agency that is located on campus. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor.
E CPY 403 Peer Counseling and Peer Education: Theory and Practice I (3)
In this course, which is a companion to A CPY 400 (Foundations of Peer Counseling and Peer Education), students will have the opportunity to practice peer counseling and peer education skills through supervised experiences which will occur on the Middle Earth crisis hotline and/or in the Middle Earth outreach education service. Students will also participate in weekly supervision groups which are facilitated by instructional staff. A primary strength of this course is that learning can take place in the context of a campus service agency, allowing students the opportunity to apply skills which they have learned. Prerequisite(s): E CPY 400 or the equivalent: and permission of the instructor.
E CPY 404 Peer Counseling and Peer Education: Theory and Practice II (3)
In this course, which is a companion to E CPY 400 (Foundations of Peer Counseling and Peer Education), students will have the opportunity to practice peer counseling and peer education skills through supervised experiences which will occur on the Middle Earth crisis hotline and/or in the Middle Earth outreach education service. Students will also participate in weekly supervision groups which are facilitated by instructional staff. A primary strength of this course is that learning can take place in the context of a campus service agency, allowing students the opportunity to apply skills which they have learned. Prerequisite(s): E CPY 400 and 403, or equivalent; and permission of instructor.
E CPY 405 Peer Counseling and Peer Education: Theory and Practice III (3)
In this course, which is a companion to E CPY 400 (Foundations of Peer Counseling and Peer Education), students will have the opportunity to practice peer counseling and peer education skills through supervised experiences which will occur on the Middle Earth crisis hotline and/or in the Middle Earth outreach education service. Students will also participate in weekly supervision groups which are facilitated by instructional staff. A primary strength of this course is that learning can take place in the context of a campus service agency, allowing students the opportunity to apply skills which they have learned. Prerequisite(s): E CPY 400, 403, and 404, or equivalent; and permission of instructor.
E CPY 406 Theory and Practice in Peer Counseling and Education: Peer Supervision (3)
In this course, which is a companion to E CPY 403, 404, and 405 (Peer Counseling and Peer Education: Theory and Practice I, II, and III), students will have the opportunity to practice peer counseling and peer education supervision skills through practical experiences which will occur on the Middle Earth crisis hotline and/or in the Middle Earth outreach education service. Students will also participate in weekly supervision groups facilitated by instructional staff. A primary strength of this course is that learning can take place in the context of a campus service agency, allowing students the opportunity to apply skills which they have learned. Prerequisite(s): E CPY 400, 403, 404, and 405, or equivalent; and permission of instructor.
E CPY 410 Supporting Individual and Community Change (3)
This course provides an overview of the mechanisms involved in promoting health and reducing health risk at the individual and community levels. Students will be exposed to topics related to stress management, mindfulness, bystander intervention, health promotion, and reduction of health risks. The processes and practices that underscore strategic community and system-level change, such as capacity-building, asset mapping, and policy change, will also be addressed. The course will consider interpersonal advocacy, service innovation and utilization, system change and social action as forms of community-level change. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor.
E CPY 421 Introduction to Counseling Psychology (3)
The history, philosophy, and organization of counseling psychology both as an academic discipline and as a helping profession are explored. Emphasizes understanding of personal, academic, and professional aspects of counseling psychology in the context of modern economic and social influences. For the student considering a career in the helping professions. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.
E CPY 430 Career Development for Peer Career Advisors (3)
This course will build upon the strategies of peer advising learned in E CPY 387 or 429, Foundations of Peer Career Advising, and serve to enhance students' developing helping skills as they relate to college student career development. The course will cover career theories, contemporary research into the role of peer advisors at college campuses, and explore aspects of college, career and student development. Students enrolled in this course will enhance critical thinking abilities, public speaking and writing skills, and practice effective peer advising. Prerequisite(s): E CPY 429 or E CPY 387.
E CPY 431 Peer Career Advising: Career Coaching Techniques (3)
In this course students will be introduced to career coaching skills as well as Design and Narrative Career Development Theories. As part of this class each student will have the experience of being both a coach and client. They will use their own career development process as a case study to understand both Design and Narrative theory and to practice coaching skill. Each face to face class period will include time to practice specific coaching skills with a partner using the results of class exercises as the focus of coaching conversation. Online class sessions will explore the theories using specific exercises student will apply to their own career plan. Prerequisite(s): E CPY 387 or E CPY 429.
E CPY 462 Psychology of Disability (3)
Study of the psychological aspects of disability. Emphasizes physical disability, but also includes other disabling conditions. Topics include reactions to disability, adjustment to disability, rehabilitation approaches, community resources, and affirmative action policies. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101 or its equivalent.
E CPY 497 Independent Study (3–6)
Designed to meet needs of undergraduate students who possess interest in counseling or counseling psychology and plan for graduate education. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing, and permission of instructor. S/U graded.
