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(EDC 623) Personal/Social Development of Children in Schools
Syllabus of Record
Catalog Description: This course is designed for graduate students who intend to work as
school counselors in elementary, middle, and high schools. It provides students with
knowledge and practice in developmental counseling appropriate for children within a school
setting and teaches skills and process for consulting with teachers, parents, and support
personnel. Three credits.
Unit Mission, Philosophy, Values:
Our Mission:
“Teaching, Leading and Learning in a Democratic Society”
The College of Education prepares candidates who enhance the individual growth of their
students while working to establish policies and practices that promote the principles of
democratic education. The College articulates this mission as Teaching, Leading, and
Learning in a Democratic Society.
Philosophy:
Student Potential, Ethical Implications
Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of
individuals, the College of Education prepares teachers and leaders
a) to enhance the academic and personal potential of their students
b) to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices.
Values:
“Expertise, Equity, Liberal Education, Social Responsibility”
The College of Education values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our
interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide
our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of
candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we
serve.
Unit and Program Standards:
Unit Standards: Michigan Department of Education (MDE), National Council for the
Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Standards for Advanced Programs Preparing Other School Professionals: Council for the
Social Foundations of Education (CSFE); College of Education Research Standards.
Specialty Program Standards: MDE Counseling and Guidance Services Standards
Course Standards and Assessments:
Individual and group counseling theory as it relates to the developmental and educational
goals of children and adolescents
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Students will review developmental theories and techniques as they relate to
counseling with children and adolescents.
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Students will examine individual and group counseling processes in relation to
working with children and adolescents.
Students will be introduced to a solution-focused model appropriate for use in
schools.
Students will explore and practice individual and group counseling strategies
appropriate for use with children and adolescents.
Students will examine the implications of cultural differences (including race,
ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, and sexual orientation) in
working with children and adolescents.
Students will explore strategies for working with school administrators,
teachers, and parents to help children and adolescents.
Students will gain familiarity with professional counseling literature through
exploring specific topics in relation to developmental and school
considerations in counseling children and adolescents.
Common Assessment: Individual Student Plan
Major Topics
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The Role of the School Counselor in Mental Health
A Profile of Child and Adolescent Well-Being
Developmental Counseling from a Social and Personal Development
Emotional and Cognitive Framework
Consulting with Teachers, Parents, And School Personnel
Advocating for Mental Health Needs of Students
Individual Assistance Plans
Solution-Focused Brief Counseling in Schools: Theories and Techniques
Psycho educational Groups in Schools
Crisis Interventions and Management
Course Knowledge Base:
This course is based on a framework provided from the:
Michigan Board of Education Policy and Position Paper on Comprehensive Guidance and
Counseling Programs (1987)
Safe and Drug Free Schools
American School Counselors Association National Guidance and Counseling Standards
(1999)
Michigan Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (2005)