Counseling Children and Their Families – CEFS 611

Course Description

The developmental and psychological needs and problems of children are examined through the analysis of personality types and family structure. Counseling techniques (e.g. play therapy) for children are also examined.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

CEFS 611 is a graduate course in the development and counseling of children. America’s children are the focus of growing concern because of increasing rates of divorce, separation, and the fragmentation of cohabitative relationships. In addition, they are the victims of physical, sexual, emotional, and verbal abuse. This specific course is offered in an eight-week format. It includes extensive readings, interactions with children/parents, a research paper, and interactions with other students via a discussion thread.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist Assignment

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. 

Advising Acknowledgement Quiz

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, there are 2 graded discussions throughout the course. The purpose of these discussions is to generate interaction among students in regard to relevant course topics. These discussions require the consideration of a case study in which the student is required to submit 1 written thread of at least 500 words. The student will then submit 2 substantive replies of at least 250 words. The student must support each thread assertion with at least 2 scholarly sources in current APA format. The student must support each reply with at least 1 source. Acceptable sources include the textbook, scholarly journals, or the Bible.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, there are 2 graded video discussions throughout the course. The purpose of these discussions is to generate interaction among students in regard to relevant course topics. The student is required to submit a 3-minute video thread and 2 substantive written replies of at least 250 words. The student must support each thread assertion with at least 2 scholarly sources in current APA format. The student must support each reply with at least 1 source. Acceptable sources include the textbook, scholarly journals, or the Bible.

Child Therapist Interview: Preparation Assignment

To gain a greater and more applicable understanding of counseling children, the student will seek out a child therapist who is willing to be interviewed. The student will also apply course knowledge and research to formulate 15 questions for this interview. For this assignment, the therapist's name, the location, and the time/date of the interview are required; along with the 15 interview questions. The body of this paper should be 1-2 pages, not including the title and reference page, and in APA format.

Child Therapist Interview: Paper Assignment

After conducting the child therapist interview, the student will summarize their findings in a 3-5 page paper. The student will integrate the knowledge gained from the interview with current literature, as well as biblical truth and the application of scripture.

Research Paper Assignment

The student will choose a counseling topic related to counseling children with special concerns or disabilities and research empirically-based approaches to counseling children with that specific need. The student must include at least 8 relevant journal articles in the paper. The paper must be 10–12 pages in current APA format, and include a title page, abstract, and reference page.

Quizzes (8)

All quizzes will be open-book/open-notes (from the Kress, Paylo, & Stargell textbook). Each quiz will include a total of 25 multiple-choice and true/false questions and have a 1 hour 30 minutes time limit.

This quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module: week. This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 9 multiple-choice and 1 essay questions, and will have a 1-hour time limit.