Post-Master of Science in Counseling: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders Certificate
Online: 8 weeks
Overview
Grow Your Career in Professional Counseling
The Post-Master of Science in Counseling: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders Certificate is designed for professionals who desire to advance their expertise in counseling and other behavioral health areas. The childhood and adolescent disorders program within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and address childhood and adolescent-related disorders; developmental issues; child-parent-related issues; school and family life; and disorders specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Engage in curriculum that encompasses all aspects of childhood development in relation to counseling and behavioral health. Through intense study and research, you explore best practices for examining, assessing and treating adolescent disorders, disabilities and trauma with the ultimate goal of improving conditions for the individual and family relationships. Analysis includes short-term effects and long-term consequences.
In order to enroll in these online courses, you must hold a master's or doctorate degree in counseling, substance abuse counseling, clinical or counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, behavioral health, social work, human development, nursing or psychiatry medicine.
Degree Outcomes
Pursue Higher Levels of Learning
Discuss factors influencing development of childhood and adolescents by observing a psycho-educational group and performing an assessment and diagnostic case study assignment. More in-depth understanding includes analyzing the role of family systems and theoretical perspectives in treating couples and families. You may also possess the demonstrable ability to examine the physical and psychological effects of trauma-related issues and formulate treatment strategies.
What You Will Learn
Delve into the Study of Childhood Development, Disorders and Disabilities
While in the program, you study:
- Introduction to DSM and how information relates to the field of counseling, including researching and utilizing community resources
- Broad understanding of theories related to child and adolescent development
- Diagnostic processes, from identifying disorders and disabilities to methods of response and providing a treatment plan
- Prevention and treatment strategies at micro and macro levels for trauma, including neglect, abuse, community trauma, parental substance use and domestic violence
- Assessing and diagnosing disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders, ADHD, separation anxiety, selective mutism, adjustment disorders and more
Career Outcomes
Serve as a Leader in Counseling and Behavioral Health
Continue your education to expand your knowledge base and advance your skillset as an advocate for childhood and adolescent disorders. Equipped with this certificate, you can take on a counseling leadership role within behavioral health and professional help industries to make a greater difference in communities and the lives of others.
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This survey course provides an introduction to the graduate certificate programs in childhood and adolescence disorders, marriage and family therapy, substance use disorders and addiction, and trauma. Students are introduced to the University policies and procedures, the learning management system, the library, and proper APA formatting for academic writing. In addition, students are introduced to the current DSM and how the information relates to the field of counseling. Students also learn about researching and utilizing community resources, and becoming certified in specializations.
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of the theories related to child and adolescent development. Also covered are the variables that directly impact children and adolescents throughout their personal development. Students gain the knowledge to advance understanding of childhood and adolescent disorders.
Course Description
This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the developmental disabilities occurring in children and adolescents, as defined in the DSM. Students examine the following disorders and disabilities: specific language and learning disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, sensory processing, and physiological developmental disorders, while learning assessments and measurements used in diagnosing. Students receive an overview of the neurological and cultural perspectives of developmental disabilities, and the unique needs of the families.
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of trauma related issues during childhood and adolescence. Students examine the various types of trauma, including neglect; physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse; family trauma; parental substance use; and domestic violence. Students learn assessment and treatment approaches designed for trauma occurring during childhood and adolescence.
Course Description
This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of common disorders among children and adolescents, as defined in the DSM. Studies in this area include the following: disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, separation anxiety and selective mutism, trauma and stressor related disorders, PTSD, and adjustment disorders. Students also gain the required knowledge and skills needed for treating these disorders.
Program Locations
Online
Evening
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program’s published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution’s catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who graduated between 7/1 – 6/30 of the preceding year. The On-Time Completion rate is determined by the number of students in the cohort who completed the program within the published program length divided by the number of students in the cohort who graduated.
Online and Evening program disclosures (11 month program)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.