Curriculum
Specialized coursework and
hands-on practica.
Curriculum
The Master of Arts in Gerontological Counseling includes coursework and a training practicum.
Course Sequence
Students should take courses in the proper sequence to satisfy prerequisites for advanced courses and to prepare for practicum placements. Courses marked with an asterik (*) must be complete before beginning the Gerontological Counseling Practicum.
| YEAR ONE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term Term Credits = 12 |
Spring Term Term Credits = 11 |
Summer Term Term Credits = 8 |
| * 210 Professional Development Seminar 0 credits |
* 211 Community Service Seminar I 1 credit |
* 212 Community Service Seminar II 1 credit |
| * 350 Community Psychology 3 credits |
* 213 Community Service Practicum I 1 credit |
* 214 Community Service Practicum II 1 credit |
| * 472 Basic Skills for Psychotherapy 3 credits |
* 402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology & Psychopathology 3 credits |
* 505 Professional Development, Issues & Ethics 3 credits |
| * 520 Theories of Psychotherapy 3 credits |
* 623 Life Development 3 credits |
* 560 Assessment Methods with Older Adults 3 credits |
| * 647 Biopsychosocial Bases of Health & Dysfunction for Counselors 3 credits |
* 551 Introduction to Gerontological Psychology 3 credits |
|
| YEAR TWO | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term Term Credits = 12 |
Spring Term Term Credits = 12 |
Summer Term Term Credits = 6 |
| 337 Group Psychotherapy 3 credits |
438 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3 credits |
662 Overview of Marriage and Family Therapy Models 3 credits |
| MAG 554 Practicum in Gerontological Counseling I 1 credit |
497 Research Methods 3 credits |
679 Counseling Multicultural & Marginalized Communities 3 credits |
| MAG 557 Practicum Seminar in Gerontological Counseling I 2 credits |
MAG 555 Practicum in Gerontological Counseling II 1 credit |
|
| 563 Counseling Techniques with Older Adults and Their Families 3 credits |
MAG 558 Practicum Seminar in Gerontological Counseling II 2 credits |
|
| 569 Lifestyle and Career Development 3 credits |
564 Physical and Psychological Issues in Aging 3 credits |
|
| 995 Masters Clinical Qualifying Examination 0 credits |
||
Practicum
An integral part of all master's programs at the Adler School is supervised field placements. Ongoing involvement in clinical activities at professional training sites, including Adler Community Health Services, provides an opportunity to apply and further develop the knowledge, skills, values, and competencies gained in coursework.
In your first year, the Community Service Practicum focuses on developing skills for community-based interventions, advocacy, social justice, and systemic interventions that benefit human welfare and well-being. You’ll spend eight to ten hours per week over the course of six months at an approved site while concurrently enrolled in required coursework. A minimum of 200 clock hours of practicums is required.
In your second year, the practicum focuses on developing competencies required for entry-level practice upon graduation. Expect to spend at least two days per week over the course of at least nine months at an approved site while concurrently enrolled in two semesters of practicum seminars. You must complete a minimum of 700 clock hours of clinical practicums; 200 of those hours must be direct clinical service, and at least one-third of those hours should be with older adults or their families.
At least one of the following courses must be taken concurrently with Community Service Practicum I & II:
- Community Psychology and Mental Health (350)
- Professional Development, Issues and Ethics (505)
- Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology (402)
- Social Psychology and Individual Differences (641)
The Director of Master's Counseling and the Director of Community Engagement will work with you to identify and approve counseling experiences. Because the focus is on integrating master's-level education with master's-level counseling training, the Adler School does not grant transfer credit for practicum credits earned elsewhere. Please refer to the Practicum Handbook for detailed information.