PCN 123 Introduction to the Counseling Profession
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop an overview perspective to the helping profession focusing specifically on the areas of school counseling and professional counseling. It will explore the purpose, function, core values, and knowledge base unique to professional counseling, including a history of the field, an overview of therapeutic interventions and what the role of a professional counselor looks like as an occupation. In the realm of professional counseling concepts such as: an introductory level discussion concerning professional counseling theory and intervention, personality theory, how to approach a client, and career options. Also, the course will address historical perspectives of school counseling, the nature of the profession; the new leadership role for the professional school counselor; the ASCA model of comprehensive services; the responsive services of the school counselor; and what school counseling will look like in the future. Class activities and discussions, written assignments, and quizzes will assess student knowledge of course material. Instructional PowerPoint lectures will serve as the primary teaching modality.