COUC 500: Orientation to Counselor Professional Identity and Function

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Course Description

This course introduces students to concepts regarding the professional functioning of licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists, including history, roles, professional organizations, standards, and credentialing. Current issues in the practice of counseling and marriage and family therapy in various professional settings are explored. Students are also introduced to program policies, graduate-level writing, and APA style.

Rationale

Orientation to the field of professional counseling requires a thorough understanding of professional identity and current professional issues related to counselor functioning in various settings.

Method of Instruction

This 8-week course is delivered in a digital asynchronous format, with Canvas as the primary instructional delivery method. Students complete one module per week over the duration of the course.

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Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Analyze the historical and philosophical roots of the counseling profession.
• Differentiate among professional roles, functions, and relationships with other human service providers and identify strategies for inter-service collaboration and communications.
• Create self-care strategies appropriate to the counselor role.
• Identify the professional counseling organizations and articulate membership benefits, activities, services to members, ethical codes, and current issues.
• Describe professional credentialing, including certification, licensure, and accreditation and the effects of public policy on these issues.
• Identify the role and process of the professional counselor as an advocate on behalf of the profession and the consumer.
• Demonstrate an understanding of program policies.
• Demonstrate an understanding of mental health service delivery modalities and the use of research-supported practices (evidence-based and best practices).

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Key Performance Indicator Matrix Assignments

KPI 1 (2.F.1)Students will identify the counselor’s professional identity and roles and apply ethical standards to each of the counselor’s professional roles and responsibilities (Measures PLO #1, 2).

Benchmark Assignments

• Benchmark Counselor Impairment and Wellness Paper Assignment
• Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential Paper Assignment

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Common Core Courses Matrix of Student Competencies

F1. Professional Counseling Orientation And Ethical Practice

CACREP Standards and Course Evidence

• F.1.a: History and philosophy of the counseling profession and its specialty areas
  • Quizzes, Benchmark Assignments, Discussions
• F.1.b: Multiple professional roles and functions of counselors across specialty areas
  • Quizzes, Discussions
• F.1.c: Counselors’ roles & responsibilities as members of interdisciplinary community outreach and emergency management response teams
  • Quizzes, Benchmark Assignments, Discussions
• F.1.d: The role and process of the professional counselor advocating on behalf of the profession
  • Quizzes, Discussions
• F.1.e: Advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients
  • Quizzes, Discussions
• F.1.f: Professional counseling organizations, including membership benefits, activities, services to members, and current issues
  • Quizzes, Benchmark Assignments, Discussions
• F.1.g: Professional counseling credentialing, including certification, licensure, and accreditation practices and standards, and the effects of public policy on these issues
  • Quizzes, Benchmark Assignments, Discussions
• F.1.i: Ethical standards of professional organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling
  • Quizzes, Benchmark Assignments
• F.1.l: Self-care strategies appropriate to the counselor role
  • Quizzes, Benchmark Assignments

F.2 Social and Cultural Diversity

• F.2.h: Strategies for identifying and eliminating barriers, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination
  • Quizzes, Discussions

F.5 Counseling and Helping Relationships

• F.5.j: Evidence-based counseling strategies and techniques for prevention and intervention
  • Quizzes, Benchmark Assignments

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Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resources for the term: Liberty University Online Bookstore .

Additional Materials for Learning

• Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
• Internet access (broadband recommended)
• Canvas recommended browsers
• Creating and submitting files in Microsoft Word
• Basic Canvas navigation skills

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Course Assignments

Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations

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

Discussions (2)Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. The student will create a thread of 350–400 words, supported with a minimum of 1 scholarly source cited in current APA format. In addition, the student is required to reply to 1 other classmate’s thread. Each reply must be 150–200 words with a minimum of 1 scholarly source.

Advising Acknowledgement Quiz

Discussion: Video Blogs (4)Video blogs provide the student with a place to express personal opinions and respond to the opinions of fellow classmates.

Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential Paper AssignmentThe student will write a 3-5 page paper in current APA format that focuses on counselor identity.

Benchmark Counselor Impairment and Wellness Paper AssignmentThe student will write a 6-page paper in current APA format that focuses on the definition, incidence, and signs of counselor impairment and a personal assessment and wellness plan.

Criminal Background Check AssignmentThe student will purchase a background check with fingerprints from CastleBranch and:

1. Upload receipt of purchase showing proof of purchase.
2. Upload a Compliance Summary Report showing submission of the background check application to CastleBranch.
3. Upload a new Compliance Summary Report showing submission of fingerprints to DTIS (Daon).

Religious and Spiritual Assessment AssignmentAs you begin the Liberty Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program, we are excited to grow together in this academic journey. Our emphasis on your faith integration in clinical practice is a major piece of your development into an ethical, competent professional counselor. This survey provides time for reflection and evaluation regarding this important domain.

Verification of Orientation Completion AssignmentThe student will upload a screenshot of the completed orientation modules and assignments from the CMHC Advising Center.

Quiz: MA CMHC Online HandbookThe student will use the MA CMHC Online Handbook to complete a quiz in order to become familiar with the policies and procedures applicable to the student and Liberty University’s Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies.

Quiz: OrientationThe student will demonstrate familiarity with the Clinical Mental Health program Degree Program Information. This quiz covers the Learn material from the assigned module. It is open-book/open-notes and contains 10 multiple-choice and true/false questions. It allows for 1 attempt and has no time limit.

Quizzes (12)Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the module in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 20-minute time limit.

Quiz: Dispositions ReflectionThis Dispositions Reflection quiz will ask the student to rate his or herself on the nine dispositions required for this program by our accrediting bodies using the following scale:

• Exceeds expectations – I believe I do this exceptionally well.
• Clearly meets expectations – I believe I am able to do this in an appropriate way as expected for graduate students at my current position in the program.
• Adequately meets expectations – I believe I do this but could use improvement and growth in this dispositional area.
• Does not meet expectations – I believe I do not do this well and could use improvement.

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Course Grading

• Course Requirements Checklist: 10 points
• Discussions (2 at 100 pts each): 200 points
• Discussion: Video Blogs (3 at 100 pts each; 1 at 80 pts each): 380 points
• Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential Paper Assignment: 100 points
• Benchmark Counselor Impairment and Wellness Paper Assignment: 100 points
• Criminal Background Check Assignment: 15 points
• Religious and Spiritual Assessment Assignment: 10 points
• Verification of Orientation Completion Assignment: 5 points
• Quiz: MA CMHC Online Handbook: 40 points
• Quiz: Orientation: 20 points
• Quizzes (12 at 10 pts each): 120 points
• Quiz: Dispositions Reflection: 10 points
• Total: 1010 points

Assessment Benchmark

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Course Policies

Tevera Submission PolicyAll benchmark assignments—including those submitted in Canvas and/or via Turnitin—must be submitted to Tevera in order for the student to receive credit for them.

Professional CommunicationPlease be professional in your email communication. Since you are in a counseling program, you are encouraged and expected to use full sentences and good grammar when communicating with other students and faculty. It is also an expectation that your electronic communication is pleasing to God. Being courteous and polite to peers and professors demonstrates dignity and respect, as stated in Luke 6:31, ESV: “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Dual RelationshipThe faculty is responsible to interact with counseling students in a supervisory capacity/role. Faculty may provide students professional principles, guidance, and recommendations as it relates to the context of the student-client setting. Faculty is responsible to avoid dual relationships with students such as entering a student-counselor or student-pastor relationship. Faculty does not provide personal counseling addressing student personal problems. If a faculty member perceives that a student needs personal or professional counseling, they will recommend that the student pursue either pastoral or professional assistance from a counselor in their community.

Limits of ConfidentialityIn the event of a student’s disclosure, either verbally or in writing, of a threat of serious or foreseeable harm to self or others, abuse or neglect of a minor, elderly, or disabled person, or current involvement in criminal activity, the faculty, staff, administrator, or supervisor will take immediate action. This action may include, but is not limited to, immediate notification of appropriate state law enforcement or social services personnel, emergency contacts, and notification of the appropriate program chair or online dean. The incident and action taken will become part of the student’s permanent record.

Instructor Feedback and Response TimeResponses to student emails will be provided within 48 hours, and assignment feedback will be given within 1 week from the assignment due date.

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Policies

Late Assignment PolicyCourse assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time. If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, they must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special circumstances (e.g., death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date outside of special circumstances (e.g., death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability AssistanceStudents with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit the ODAS website . Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu . For more information, see the Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures .

Course AttendanceAttendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs . Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course but at some point in the semester cease attending and do not provide official notification to withdraw will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non-Attendance). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy .

Grading Scale

• A: 940-1010
• A-: 920-939
• B+: 900-919
• B: 860-899
• B-: 840-859
• C+: 820-839
• C: 780-819
• C-: 760-779
• D+: 740-759
• D: 700-739
• D-: 680-699
• F: 679 and below

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop PolicyThe full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory .

Honor CodeLiberty University comprises a network of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters that together form a Christian community based on the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth, and character development.

The Code of Honor defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals and a reliance on the existence of objective truth. We maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at the Liberty University Honor Code page .

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Schedule

Course Overview

• Student Acknowledgements
• Course Requirements Checklist
• Advising Acknowledgement Quiz
• Technology Integration Set-Up
• Tevera Set-Up

Module 1: Week 1

• Learn: Read 3 items, Watch 3 items, Explore 4 items
• Apply: Criminal Background Check Assignment (Receipt of Purchase), Religious and Spiritual Assessment Assignment, Quiz (Historical Overview and Current Trends), Quiz (Professional Identity)

Module 2: Week 2

• Learn: Review 1 item, Read 1 item, Watch 1 item
• Apply: Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential Paper Assignment (Draft), Discussion (Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or Various Issues), Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential Paper Assignment (Final), Criminal Background Check Assignment (Compliance Summary Report - Application Submission), Quiz (Professional Counselor Roles/Practice Settings), Quiz (Counseling Theories)

Module 3: Week 3

• Learn: Review 1 item, Read 1 item, Watch 1 item
• Apply: Discussion (Video Blog – Integration), Quiz (Integrating a Christian Worldview)

Module 4: Week 4

• Learn: Review 2 items, Read 1 item, Watch 1 item
• Apply: Discussion (Video Blog – Professional Counseling Skills), Quiz (Authentic Counseling Relationship), Quiz (Introduction to Counseling Skills)

Module 5: Week 5

• Learn: Read 1 item, Watch 1 item, Listen 1 item
• Apply: Discussion (Video Blog – Social Justice), Quiz (Cultural Diversity and Social Justice), Quiz (Legal and Ethical Considerations)

Module 6: Week 6

• Learn: Review 1 item, Read 3 items, Watch 1 item, Listen 1 item
• Apply: Benchmark Counselor Impairment and Wellness Paper Assignment, Quiz (Counselor Wellness)

Module 7: Week 7

• Learn: Review 1 item, Read 1 item, Watch 1 item, Explore 3 items
• Apply: Discussion (Neuro-Informed Counseling), Verification of Orientation Completion Assignment, Quiz (MA CMHC Online Handbook), Quiz (Orientation), Quiz (The Brain)

Module 8: Week 8

• Learn: Read 3 items, Watch 1 item
• Apply: Discussion (Video Blog – Wrap Up/Future of Counseling), Criminal Background Check Assignment (Compliance Summary Report - Fingerprints), Quiz (The Future of Counseling), Quiz (Dispositions Reflection)