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Education | Faculty of Education Simon Fraser University Calendar | Fall 2024

Counselling Psychology

Master of Arts

The master of arts (MA) degree signifies the acquisition of advanced knowledge in the student's field of specialization and competence in conducting significant and original research in education. This program is for students interested in careers as counsellors in schools, colleges, and community agencies. Students pursue a general program with specialized course and fieldwork opportunities.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not meet these requirements may be considered if superior scholarly or professional achievement is demonstrated.

Admission is granted to a specific degree and to a particular program or specialization. Application information is available from the Faculty of Education.

Program Requirements

This program consists of courses and a thesis for a minimum of 52 units.

Students must complete

EDUC 799 - Supervised Counselling Clinic I (3)

An initial clinical course where students develop their basic and beginning counselling skills and increase their conceptual understanding of theoretical perspectives of counselling through practice, including counselling processes and case conceptualizations. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: EDUC 870, 874. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G031 Patricia Nitkin
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 1:00–7:20 p.m.
Surrey
G032 Gillian Diane Smith
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Thu, 12:00–6:20 p.m.
Surrey
EDUC 800 - Supervised Counselling Clinic II (3)

An advanced clinical courses where students further develop their counselling skills and increase their conceptual understanding of theoretical perspectives of counselling through practice, including counselling processes and case conceptualizations. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: EDUC 799. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

EDUC 801 - Counselling Practicum I (1.5)

Supervised clinical experience for students enrolled in the MEd or MA Counselling Psychology Program. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: EDUC 800. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

EDUC 802 - Counselling Practicum II (1.5)

Advanced supervised clinical experience for students enrolled in the MEd or MA Counselling Psychology Program. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: EDUC 801. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

EDUC 862 - Individual Assessment in Counselling (3)

Assessment procedures used in educational and community counselling settings, including intake assessment, case conceptualization, observational procedures, diagnostic categories, ethics, bias and multicultural and diversity issues. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the MA/MEd counselling psychology program or permission of instructor. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G031 Masahiro Minami
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Thu, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
Surrey
EDUC 870 - Theories of Counselling (3)

Students examine analytic, phenomenological, existential, behavioral and cognitive approaches to counselling, and the philosophical and personality theories upon which they are based. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the MA/MEd counselling psychology program or permission of instructor. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G031 Sharalyn Jordan
Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
Surrey
Surrey
EDUC 872 - Ethics in Counselling Psychology (3)

Issues related to foundational ethical principles and systems, professional and legal standards for counselling psychology, review of ethics codes, ethical decision-making, and other topics including professional boundaries, competence, service across cultures, social justice, consulting and private practice, and ethical guidelines around evaluation, assessment, supervision, and research.

EDUC 874 - Counselling Skills and Strategies (5)

Counselling skills and strategies are analysed, practiced, and critically examined. Counsellor decision-making, counselling effectiveness, and professionalism in counselling are also considered. Prerequisite: EDUC 870.

EDUC 878 - Group Counselling (5)

An examination of contemporary approaches to group counselling. Prerequisite: EDUC 874. Students with credit for EDUC 720 may not take this course for further credit.

and one methodology research course selected from the list below, in consultation with the supervisor

EDUC 863 - Quantitative Methods in Educational Research (3)

Focus on critical analysis of quantitative research in education. Research studies examined will be based on exploratory and confirmatory data analysis, including group comparisons and correlations. Students will use calculators and computers for data analysis and display. Prerequisite: EDUC 810 or 864.

EDUC 864 - Research Designs in Education (5)

Designing and interpreting research about education. Introduction to survey techniques, correlational designs, classic experimental and evaluation designs for investigating causal relations, case study methods, interpretive approaches to research. Students with credit for EDUC 814 may not take this course for further credit. Equivalent Courses: EDUC814.

EDUC 866 - Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (5)

This course introduces students to qualitative research in education and examines topics such as identifying problems, using conceptual frameworks, coding, data analysis, drawing interpretations, and constructing arguments.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G001 Christine Paget
Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
Vancouver
Vancouver

and one of

EDUC 871 - Family Counselling (3)

Students discuss models of family dynamics and instructional interventions applicable by school personnel in family counselling interactions. Concepts and techniques will be explicated through discussion and simulation. Prerequisite: EDUC 870.

EDUC 873 - Career Counselling (3)

An examination of contemporary approaches to career counselling.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G031 Kel McDowell
Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
Surrey
Surrey

and a thesis

EDUC 898 - Master's Thesis (18)

The thesis is a research investigation designed to generate and/or examine critically new knowledge in the theory and/or practice of education. The thesis should normally be completed and approved in three terms. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G001 TBD
G002 TBD

Thesis

Normally, before the fifth course, a master's thesis research plan is presented to the tenured or tenure track member of the faculty whom the student proposes to be supervisor. The supervisor and at least one other faculty member chosen in consultation with the supervisor constitutes the supervisory committee. The master's thesis is examined as prescribed in Graduate General Regulations 1.9 and 1.10.

Program Length

Students are expected to complete the program requirements within nine terms.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.