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Department of Clinical Pastoral Counseling- MA Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

Mississippi Life University (MLU) uses a standardized course numbering system to indicate the level and sequence of courses within each department.
 

Number Ranges:
 

  • 100–199 – Freshman Level: Introductory courses with no prerequisites, designed for students beginning their program of study.

  • 200–299 – Sophomore Level: Intermediate courses that may require completion of certain 100-level courses.

  • 300–399 – Junior Level: Upper-division courses requiring foundational knowledge in the subject.

  • 400–499 – Senior Level: Advanced courses, typically requiring completion of specific prerequisites and junior-level courses.

  • 500–599 – Graduate Level (Master’s): Specialized, advanced courses requiring a bachelor’s degree and admission to a graduate program.

  • 600–699 – Graduate Research & Thesis: Independent study, research projects, and thesis preparation at the master’s level.
     

Letter Prefixes:

Each course number is preceded by a two- or three-letter prefix identifying the academic department or subject area. Examples include:
 

  • BST – Biblical Studies & Theology

  • CPC – Clinical Pastoral Counseling

  • ENG – English

  • FLG – Foreign Language

  • MAT – Mathematics

  • THE – Theology

  • UBM – Urban Ministry
     

Example:

BST 101 – Introduction to Biblical Studies

  • BST = Biblical Studies & Theology Department

  • 101 = Freshman-level, first course in the sequence

Department of Clinical Pastoral Counseling
Master of Arts Degree Plan/Course Descriptions
Course Number
Description
THE 160

Doctrine of Christ (3 Hour Lecture) - This course is designed to help students learn the entire spectrum of beginning, perfecting, understanding, and living the Christian life.

THE 161

Weaning of the Soul I (Merismos) (3 Hour Lecture) - This teaching

 students will  do an in-depth study on the Greek word for “dividingasunder” that is found in Hebrews 4:12. This course contains a unique  revelation of separation of the soul, psyche, and the spirit, pneuma, of a born-again Christian who is filled with the Spirit-ruled life, Zoe, of God. This course is a prerequisite to THE 164  –  Weaning of the Soul II (Merismos).

THE 160
​THE 164
Weaning of the Soul II (Merismos) (3 Hour Lecture) - This course will help students to learn the powerful transformative affects the Word of God can have on their spirit, soul, and body. They can be transformed by God and not conformed to this world.  This course is a continuation of THE 161 - The Merismos I Course.
CPC 560
​Introduction to Counseling (3 Hour Lecture) - This course examines the development and history of the counseling profession, basic concepts of counseling, and the role and function of the school counselor and other  counseling professionals and the settings in which they work. This course is an overview of the functions of school counseling, higher education/student affairs counseling, and mental health counseling. Theories and techniques used in counseling will also be introduced. This class can include students at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level.)
CPC 561
CPC 562
CPC 563
CPC 564
CPC 565
​Developmental Counseling and Mental Health (3 Hour Lecture) - This course provides a broad understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at all levels of development (emotional, physical, and   cognitive). Key developmental topics such as adolescence and stages of adulthood are examined. Special issues related to human growth and development will be discussed. Contemporary issues impacting the stages will be examined as well as cultural and cross-cultural influences. Examination of how stage theory must be taken into consideration in  program development will also be integrated. (Master’s level student only)

Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (3 Hour Lecture) - The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to gain multicultural competency as professional counselors. Students will be a asked to reflect on internalized messages regarding other groups and challenged to make new decisions in an effort to bring behaviors and attitudes into congruence with professional standards. While we cannot be held accountable for messages embedded in our past, we can and must be held accountable for current and future responses to events in contemporary living and practice. Students will be exposed to current issues in broad diversity constructs: culture, national origin, language, physical appearance and ability, sexual orientation, spirituality, and socio-economic status. 

Theories of Counseling Psychotherapy (3 Hour Lecture) - This course includes studies in basic theories, principles, and techniques of counseling, and their application to diverse populations.
Professional and Ethical Issues in Counseling (3 Hour Lecture) - This course will cover principles and issues of professionalism and ethics in  counseling. The course will follow a seminar format with special emphasis on the student’s thorough preparation for, and active participation in, class discussions. The main goal of this course is to introduce students to ethical principles, professional guidelines, and issues pertaining to special groups. Students are expected to challenge themselves to consider how their own values and backgrounds will influence their own personal sets of ethics. It is hoped that this course will assist students in their future daily work as professional counselors and will facilitate decision making and consultation skills when faced with ethical dilemmas.  
Facilitative Skills in Counseling (3 Hour Lecture) - This course provides a philosophical understanding of the helping process, application of counseling theories, and basic and advanced communication skills. This course will also facilitate the client’s and therapist’s understanding of their own self-development as well as facilitate client or consultee change.
CPC 566
Principles of Clinical Mental Health (3 Hour Lecture)  -   This course provides a base of knowledge about the counseling profession, its history,  philosophy, and identity. Also covered are the roles & responsibilities of the professional counselor in working competently with diverse populations through personal challenges and crises and toward wellness and prevention.
​CPC 567
​Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology (3 Hour Lecture) -  This          course provides an examination of the various psychological disorders as  well as theoretical, clinical, and experimental perspectives of the study of psychopathology. In this course, students will be introduced to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 or the most recent edition). Emphasis is on terminology, classification, etiology,  assessment, and treatment of the major disorders. Upon completion, students should be able to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior patterns as well as demonstrate knowledge of etiology, symptoms, and therapeutic techniques. This course will also give an overview of the psychotropic drugs with emphasis on drugs that have therapeutic uses relative to clinical disorders. Basic physiological and neurological processes will be discussed along with the necessity for monitoring clients for adverse drug reactions.
CPC 568
Marriage and Family Counseling (3 Hour Lecture)  - This course will provide a broad understanding of marriage and family systems theories  and approaches to counseling with families and couples. This course will explore generational pathology and maladaptive behaviors relevant to families and couples along with application of treatment for pathology according to family systems theories.
CPC 569
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Assist Training (3 Hour Lecture) - This  course will expose students to crisis intervention in counseling. Students will learn therapeutic techniques and strategies for intervening in crisis situations on an individual, group, and family systems level.  
CPC 570
Lifestyle and Career Development (3 Hour Lecture)  - In this course, students will gain an understanding of career development theories, occupational and educational information systems, career, and leisure counseling guidance and education, lifestyle and career decision-making, career development program planning resources and effectiveness evaluation.
​CPC 571
Group Theory and Practice (3 Hour Lecture)  - This course focuses on  the theory, functions, and techniques of group procedures appropriately applied to decision making, problem solving and resolution of conflict. Major emphasis is given to the dynamics of group behavior, the social-  psychological interaction of small groups and their applications to group counseling. Dual emphasis is placed upon interpersonal self-understanding and the familiarity with group procedures.
​CPC 572

Spirituality in Counseling (3 Hour Lecture) -  This course consists of the study and application of theory and techniques to assist a counselor in the appropriate integration of spirituality into the counseling process. The purpose of this course is to promote knowledge and skills that counselors should possess to effectively engage clients in the exploration of their spiritual and religious lives as they relate to other psychological concerns.

CPC 573

Psychological Testing and Appraisal (3 Hour Lecture) - Course work  includes studies that provide a broad understanding of individual educational and psychometric theories and approaches to appraisal, data, and information gathering methods, validity and reliability, psychometric statistics, factors, influencing appraisals, and use of appraisal results in the counseling process. Additionally, the specific ability to administer and interpret tests and inventories to assess interests and abilities, and to identify career options is important.

​CPC 574

Research and Evaluation (3 Hour Lecture) - Course work includes studies that provide a broad understanding of different types of research, basic statistics, research-report development, research implementation, program evaluation and needs assessment, publication of research information, and legal considerations.

CPC 575   

Counselor Education Practicum and Internship (9 Hour Credits) - All master’s students must complete at the minimum, one 100-Hour practicum and one 600-Hour internship in their degree programs. All practicum and internship students must ensure that 50% of their Hour include direct  service to clients, students, and/or consultees. Therefore, master’s students in practicum must complete 40-Hour direct service, 10 Hour of which must be group work. Master’s students in internships must document a minimum of 240-Hour direct service. Direct service may be in the form of all individual or of individual and group work (e.g. individual counseling, advising, group, family, or couples work, group advising,
intake sessions, and testing and assessment). All students in practicum or internship experiences must receive a minimum of one Hour a week of individual, face-to-face supervision with their on-site supervisor. Practicum will equal to 3 Hour of course Lecture at the end of the first semester, and Internship will equal to 6 Hour of course Lecture at the end   of the second semester. Practicum is to be completed before students are to begin their internship during their final semester. All Hour of practicum and internship must be completed before the degree is awarded.

​NOTE: This study material belongs to the Department of Clinical Pastoral Counseling (DCPC) at Mississippi Life University (MLU). MLU owns the copyrights to all courses of study and related materials.  Any request for use must be submitted in writing and approved by the DCPC, the MLU Chancellor, or the MLU Provost.

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