Center for Moravian Studies

Clinical Counseling

The Seminary's Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program is no longer enrolling new students. Individuals interested in a counseling program are encouraged to view Moravian University's Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program.
 
Course Descriptions

SEPC602 Helping Relationships

This course introduces the foundational framework for clinical counseling and interviewing processes in a multicultural society, including the development of counselor self-awareness and the basic listening and attending skills needed to form and sustain effective counseling relationships. This course will also introduce students to the methods and processes of ethical theological and spiritual integration in the counseling process. This course fulfills a program requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor.(formerly SEPC702).
3 credits

  • MACC students only.

SEPC624 Clinical Appraisal

This course presents the processes of individual and group approaches to clinical assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning in the practice of clinical counseling. In order to gain a holistic understanding of clinically significant issues, students learn evidence-based assessment and diagnostic processes related to personality disorders and issues of spirituality and religion in the clinical counseling context. Class time is spent reviewing case studies and case conceptualizations, as well as various treatment modalities and options. This course fulfills a program requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor. (formerly SEPC720).
3 credits

  • MACC students only or with instructor permission.

SEPC630 Systems Theory

This course introduces students to Murray Bowen’s Systems Theory, viewing the family as an emotional unit, understanding the individual person in the context of his/her/their family of origin, and strategies for applying this knowledge in organizational systems (church, agency, seminary, cohort). Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their own family of origin, as well as explore religion and spirituality from a family systems perspective. (formerly SEPC730).
3 credits

SEPC640 Social & Cultural Foundations

This course introduces students to the social, cultural, political, and economic factors that impact individuals from ethnic and non-ethnic minority groups in the U.S. Students explore various theories, research, and interventions to ethically engage multicultural and cross-cultural issues in the practice of clinical counseling, including issues related to gender, sexuality, spirituality, and religion. The course challenges students to examine their own multiple identities, empathize with those from diverse backgrounds, and work with the presenting concerns of ethnically and culturally diverse clients. This course is designed to fulfill the PA Licensed Professional Counselor course requirement for Social and Cultural Foundations. (formerly SEPC910).
3 credits

  • MACC or MACh students only or instructor permission.

SEPC650 Human Growth & Faith Development

Students engage in an overview and orientation to the major classical and contemporary theoretical approaches to human growth and faith development, as well as how these theories are integrated in the practice of clinical counseling. Students consider the intersection of gender, sexuality, and socio-cultural dynamics with the various theoretical understandings of human growth and faith development. This course fulfills a program requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor. (formerly SEPC750).
3 credits

SEPC692 Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology integrates clinical psychological skills of evaluation, assessment and treatment and applies them specifically to individuals who are involved with the legal system.  This course will provide fundamental knowledge of forensic psychology such as research methods and ethics.  It will delve into the psychology of specific crimes as well as of the court room and prison.  Learning will encompass text reading and current scientific research studies which are then integrated into case studies and research papers.
3 credits

SEPC710 Group Theory & Practice

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of group counseling in the context of clinical counseling. Areas of focus include group process and development, therapeutic interventions in group settings, and qualities of skilled, ethical group leaders. Ethical and multicultural considerations of group counseling are discussed, including the ethical integration of religion and spirituality in group work. experiential and didactic introduction to the group process, theory, and techniques. The course format includes both didactic and experiential components. The didactic component of the course includes discussions of readings, lectures, videos, and presentations. The experiential portion includes student group facilitation, structured exercises, and debriefing of immediate experiences. This course fulfills a program requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
3 credits

  • MACC students only. 
  • Prereq: SEPC702

SEPC722 Professional Orientation: Ethics & Counseling

This course examines professional and ethical issues in the field of clinical counseling. Drawing primarily from the ACA Code of Ethics, this course covers key components of professional functioning as outlined in the Pennsylvania Code (49 Pa. Code § 49.2. Educational requirements.) Other aspects essential to the clinical counseling profession also are incorporated, including developing a personal ethical decision-making system, protection of client confidentiality, maintenance of proper records and documentation, ethical considerations for integrating religion and spirituality in the clinical counseling process, multicultural sensitivity, advocacy and other legal concerns. Students will be required to discuss legal, ethical, and professional issues with practicing therapists and counselors, as well as local and state laws regarding the practice of therapy and counseling. This course fulfills a program requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor. (formerly SEPC920).
3 credits

  • MACC students only.

SEPC733 Career & Lifestyle Counseling

This course provides an overview and orientation to theories and practices related to career and vocational development over the lifespan. Values derived from culture, including values derived from personal/family history, ethnicity, gender, religion, and spirituality will be considered and explored in the context of career development and planning. Additional topics such as career planning for/with veterans, persons living with disabilities, and persons with a criminal background are also addressed. This course fulfills a program requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor. (formerly SEPC930).
3 credits

SEPC745 Research Design & Methodology

This course is an overview of fundamental research designs and basic analytical methods used in the behavioral sciences. Students learn how to select appropriate research designs and employ valid procedures in collecting data through a study of research methodology. The major goals of the course are to understand basic concepts and methods of analysis that will aid students’ readings of research literature, provide for their own future research projects, and help them write a research proposal. Research ethics and research that focuses on the intersection of religion, spirituality, and psychology/clinical counseling are also considered. This course fulfills a program requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor. (formerly SEPC940).
3 credits

SEPC760 Counseling Theory

This course provides an overview and orientation to the major classical and contemporary theoretical approaches to individual clinical counseling, as well as how counselors put these theories into practice. Students will consider the intersection of socio-cultural, spiritual and religious viewpoints with various theoretical understandings of the client-counselor relationship, as well as various theoretical understandings of the nature and meaning of psychological suffering, healing, and change. This course fulfills a program requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
3 credits

  • MACC students only.
  • Prereq: SEPC624.

SEPC820 Sexuality Across the Lifespan

Human sexuality is an important aspect of our self-understanding and our relationships with others, yet it is often shrouded in taboo, myths, and misconceptions. This course will explore the biological, social, psychological, and spiritual aspects of human sexuality, including sexual development, sexual expression, and sexual dysfunction. Issues of gender, orientation, sexualization, sexual health, and values are also covered. The process of learning will include active participation, dynamic discussion, readings, and lectures. (formerly SEPC742).
3 credits

SEPC830 Chronic Illness, Death, & Loss

With particular focus on processes of grief and loss, this course explores the complex emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical dynamics associated with the experience of chronic/terminal illness, permanent disability, dying, and death. Students also will have the opportunity to explore their personal history with death and loss and how it impacts their growing understanding of their care giving and/or clinical counseling role in working with individuals, families, and communities. (formerly SEPC743).
3 credits

SEPC832 Moral Injury: A Public Health Crisis

This course will explore and analyze moral injury through multidisciplinary methods, including public "whole" health, spiritual, philosophical, and theological frameworks, the arts and humanities, as well as through diverse social and physical scientific paradigms/methods.  It will examine the individual experience of moral injury and analyze the relationship between moral injury and U.S. War-culture. Students will engage in reflective moral deliberation regarding the phenomenon of moral injury and consider what it requires of us as individuals, citizens, people with religious (or no-religious) identities, and members of diverse moral communities. This course is co-taught by Dr. Denton-Borhaug, Professor in the Global Religions Department at Moravian College, and Reverend Antal, a Veteran of the U.S. war in Afghanistan and Staff Chaplain at the Michael J Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia.  Cross-listed from REL290.
3 credits

SEPC840 Intro to Addiction Issues

In this class, students explore the nature of addiction and the pervasive impact this phenomenon has on individuals, families, and communities, including individuals and communities of faith and the religious professionals who serve them. Coursework examines the dynamics of individual and systemic patterns of addictions, the pharmacology of addiction treatment, and the unique impacts of multiple drugs of abuse. Process addictions such as gambling, and sexual addiction are also covered.
3 credits

SEPC842 Addictions & the Family

This course explores the development, course, assessment, and treatment of addictions with a focus on the adolescent/young adult and family. The course helps students consider the impact of adolescent addictions on parents, the impact, of parental and other familial addictions on adolescents, and how treatment of these addictions impact the development of adolescents/young adults. Readings and discussions include ACOA issues and concerns, co-occurring disorders, and intergenerational transmission of addiction patterns. The course will also focus on spiritual development, and the importance of peer groups, communities, and congregations from the perspective of adolescents/young adults and families.
3 credits

SEPC850 Child & Adolescent Counseling

This course prepares students to address the specific needs of children and adolescents, with a primary focus on individual and group counseling strategies, child medications, and evidence-based practices. Treatment planning and developmental needs, along with responsive services and system support components, will also be discussed.(formerly SEPC761).
2 credits

  • MACC and MSW students only or with instructor permission

SEPC852 Marriage & Family Counseling

This course introduces the foundational framework for the ethical practice of relationship, marriage, and family counseling in a multicultural society. The purpose of this course is to provide historical, theoretical, and theological/religious perspectives on relationships and the family; explore select, major treatment approaches utilized in marital and family counseling; and help students develop the basic skills and techniques needed to practice marriage and family counseling. Additional topics, such as LGBTQIA concerns, domestic violence, infidelity, loss, bereavement, divorce, are also addressed. (formerly SEPC740).
3 credits

  • Prereq: SEPC630

SEPC854 Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

Introductory graduate elective course in Cognitive Behavioral Theory, principles, and intervention applications for a variety of psychological problems. Review of Aaron Beck's Cognitive theory and Albert Ellis' behavioral theory will be covered, as will the basic steps in forming a cognitive-behavioral conceptualization. From an applied technique perspective, we will cover the principles of conducting cognitive-behavioral therapy, basic behavioral and cognitive techniques, manual based selection for treatment and how to apply these steps and techniques using a coherent cognitive-behavioral conceptualization. Course will focus specifically on the application/treatment techniques of EBP in cognitive-behavioral theory and therapy to mood disorders, OCD and generalized to other DSM 5 disorders.
3 credits

SEPC870 Practical Psychopharmacology

Intended for non-medical clinical counseling practitioners, this course examines psychoactive medications and their use in the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral symptoms and disorders. A practical overview will be provided of medications, including the underlying neurobiology of various psychiatric medications, effects and side effects, and presumed actions of drugs. This class will also introduce students to the ethical issues involved in incorporating psychoactive medications into treatment, including relevant socio-cultural, religious and spiritual considerations. (formerly SEPC781).
1 credit

SEPC880 Motivational Interviewing

This course will introduce students to the key concepts and skills of Motivational Interviewing, a client-centered clinical counseling approach that elicits change by helping clients identify, explore, and resolve ambivalence. The course will also include the stages of change and the Transtheoretical model and explore what is similar and different between those two models. The course format will be lecture, open discussion, and didactic/practical application of the theory to counseling. Practical techniques, strategies and traps of motivational interviewing will be identified and discussed throughout the course. (formerly SEPC770).
1 credit

SEPC900 Clinical Practicum

This course is the first in the clinical sequence and requires a clinical placement with a case load totaling 100 clinical hours in one semester, 40 of which need to be direct client contact. Along with the clinical work that includes weekly on-site supervision, the student meets with a faculty-led seminar class to process clinical work and refine other necessary skills, such as note keeping. assessment. and treatment planning. Particular attention will also be paid to the integration of religious and spiritual perspectives in clinical practice. Audio and/or video recording of clinical work is a requirement. This course fulfills a program requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor. (formerly SEPC610 and SEPC612).
3 credits

  • MACC students only.
  • Prereq (prior to or concurrently): SEPC602, SEPC624, SEPC710, SEPC722, SEPC760
  • Background check required.

SEPC911 Psychospiritual Integration 1

This course is an interpersonal group that meets every other week in which MACC students involved in a clinical internship give and receive holistic spiritual support and feedback from instructor and peers. Through a variety of contemplative practices, students will have opportunity to deepen their capacity to notice the Divine/God/Mystery in the midst of their internship experiences, as well as accompany their peers in noticing the same in their journey. Students will develop skills in self-awareness, cultivate practices of self-care, sharpen communication skills, and clarify internship requirements. (formerly SEPC810). This course is graded Pass/No Pass.
1 credit

  • MACC students only.
  • Prereq: SEPC900
  • Background check required.

SEPC912 Psychospiritual Integration 2

This course is an interpersonal group that meets every other week in which MACC students involved in a clinical internship give and receive holistic spiritual support and feedback from instructor and peers. Through co-leading and receiving a variety of contemplative practices, students will have opportunity to deepen their capacity to notice the Divine/God/Mystery in the midst of their internship experiences, as well as accompany their peers in noticing the same in their journey. Students will develop skills in self-awareness, cultivate practices of self-care, sharpen communication skills, and clarify internship requirements. (formerly SEPC812). This course is graded Pass/No Pass.
1 credit

  • MACC students only.
  • Prereq: SEPC911
  • Background check required.

SEPC921 Clinical Internship 1

This course is the second in the clinical sequence and requires a clinical placement with a case load totaling 300 clinical hours in one semester, 120 of which need to be direct client contact. Along with the clinical work that includes weekly on-site supervision, the student meets with a faculty-led seminar class to process clinical work and refine other necessary skills, such as note keeping. assessment. and treatment planning. Particular attention will also be paid to the evidence-based integration of religious and spiritual perspectives in clinical practice. Audio and/or video recording of clinical work is a requirement. This course fulfills a program requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor. (formerly SEPC920).
3 credits

  • MACC students only.
  • Prereq: SEPC900
  • Background check required.

SEPC922 Clinical Internship 2

This course is the third in the clinical sequence and requires a clinical placement with a case load totaling 300 clinical hours in one semester, 120 of which need to be direct client contact. Along with the clinical work that includes weekly on-site supervision, the student meets with a faculty-led seminar class to process clinical work and refine other necessary skills, such as note keeping, assessment. and treatment planning. Particular attention will also be paid to the evidence-based integration of religious and spiritual perspectives in clinical practice. Audio and/or video recording of clinical work is a requirement. (formerly SEPC902).
3 credits

  • MACC students only.
  • Prereq: SEPC921
  • Background check required.