COUN 501 Professional Issues and Ethics for Counselors

This course provides students with an understanding of the history and philosophy of the counseling profession, professional roles and functions, ethical and legal considerations, and professional organizations and credentialing. Current issues within the professional counseling field will provide a context for exploring ethical and professional orientation. An emphasis will be placed on multicultural and self-care issues as related to ethical decision making. Students will demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply ACA ethical code. Students will also be introduced to the practice of essential interviewing and counseling skills, as well as various basic crisis response skills within the realm of professional counseling practice. Students must complete this course within the first twelve months of being enrolled in the program.