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To view the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/fall.html.
Counselling and Human Development
This program offers individuals, who are employed or seeking employment in a human services or health care profession, a focused introduction to the core knowledge bases involved in counselling. Course work is designed to enhance the effectiveness of students in their current job or better prepare them for a future career in a helping profession.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the following admission requirements, students must also meet the Post Baccalaureate Diploma (General) program requirements as listed in the Program Requirements below.
Applications will be reviewed by cognate faculty, the graduate faculty associate, or their designates. Typically, candidates will have the following prerequisites prior to admission to this program.
- a bachelor’s degree with at least an introductory psychology course, a course in human development, and one more upper division psychology or sociology course
- a minimum 50 hours of relevant voluntary or paid experience
- a written statement of career interest
- an admission grade point average of 2.5 or equivalent
Program Requirements
Students complete a total of 30 units, including all of
Survey of theories undergirding counsellor and teacher interventions aimed at promoting emotional growth, development and personal change. Examination of theories and their sociological, cultural and philosophical contexts. Exploration of links between frequently used interventions and the implicit theories underlying these strategies. Prerequisite: 60 units including EDUC 220.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D200 |
Kel McDowell |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
D300 |
Roger Frie |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Provides an introduction to multicultural counselling and human diversity with an emphasis on culture, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, age, and abilities. Prerequisite: EDUC 220 or PSYC 250 and 60 units.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D200 |
Sharalyn Jordan |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
An introduction to theories of career choice, adjustment and development. Emphasis on critical evaluation of established theories that are influential in the development of career education curricula and in the practice of career counselling. Prerequisite: EDUC 220 or EDUC 401/402 or corequisite EDUC 403.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Laura Farres |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Introduction to the rationale for and the practice of basic counselling skills. Emphasis on the development of counselling skills as a means of establishing effective helping relationships in educational settings. Prerequisite: Or corequisite: EDUC 323.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Sessional |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
E100 |
Emily Cameron |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
E200 |
Laura Farres |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
E300 |
Sharon Hou |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Ethical problems in education are identified and examined. Four major areas of concern are explored: 1. the normative character of education as a whole; 2. the justification of education; 3. ethical questions related to equality, autonomy, interpersonal relationships, and rights in education; 4. moral education and values education. Prerequisite: 60 units including 3 units in Education.
and a minimum of 13 units chosen from
Critical examination of the impact of psychiatry and related clinical professions on the criminal justice system. Relationship between institutions of mental health and legal control. The relevance of psychiatric theory and decision-making for the processing of mentally disordered offenders. The role of forensic clinicians in the courts, prisons, mental hospitals and related agencies. Specific issues addressed in this course will include psychiatric assessment, criminal responsibility, fitness to stand trial, prediction of dangerousness, treatment of mentally ill criminals and the penal and therapeutic commitment of the insane. Prerequisite: CRIM 101. Recommended: CRIM 131.
The course will contrast restorative justice with the dominant adversarial/retributive/punitive model of justice through a critical analysis of these two paradigms of justice. Several key principles, assumptions, and concepts necessary for understanding the foundation and practice of restorative justice will be introduced and explored. Prerequisite: 45 units. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
B100 |
Brenda Morrison |
TBD | |
B101 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
B102 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
B103 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
B104 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
B105 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
B106 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An overview of theory, research and practice concerning social emotional development and social interactions and relationships in the school context. Emphasis on the role of peer relationships in development and the role of the school in supporting positive interactions. Prerequisite: EDUC 220 or PSYC 250.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
OL01 |
Karen Kurytnik |
Online |
Prepares student teachers to design positive learning environments in K-12 classrooms. The focus will be on practical approaches to creating a space in which students and teachers can work successfully together toward common goals. Prerequisite: One of EDUC 100, 220, 230, or 240; or EDUC 401/402, or corequisite EDUC 403.
A critical examination of theoretical and empirical programs of inquiry in educational psychology that are concerned with the self (e.g., self-esteem, self-concept, self-directed or self-regulated learning). Students will participate in a wide-ranging seminar that considers topics such as the relationship between personal and social being, historical perspectives on the self, the formation of social identity, the roles of memory, imagination, and narrative in selfhood, the development of agency and self, and education and personhood. Prerequisite: 60 units, including EDUC 220.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
OL01 |
Elina Birmingham |
Online |
Practical and theoretical approaches to international and intercultural education, including examinations of the relationships between culture, learning and schooling, and contemporary issues in teacher education from an international perspective. Prerequisite: Completion of at least 60 units, including 3 units in Education.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Sessional |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Themes and issues relating to the historical and contemporary experiences of Indigenous women in Canada: Indigenous theories of gender; evolution and political function of stereotypes of Indigenous women in Canada; history of Canadian legislation regulating Indigenous identity; relevance of feminist analysis; and history of activism. Prerequisite: INDG (or FNST) 101 or INDG (or FNST) 201W. Students who have taken INDG (or FNST) 322 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. INDG (or FNST) 327 and GSWS 327 (or WS 327) are identical and students may not take both courses for credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
B100 |
Jeannie Morgan |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
B101 | TBD |
This course includes an examination of the development of contemporary understanding and practice of health promotion. Students will be given the opportunity to explore theories and models designed to explain health related behaviors and the determinants of health. Strategies for behavioral change and development of socio-environmental approaches will be discussed in the context of an aging Canadian population. Prerequisite: 60 units. Recommended: GERO 300.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Mei Fang |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
The focus of this course is to provide the student with an in-depth understanding of the process of dying. By examining the process of dying, one's personal response to death as well as society's reaction and responsibilities toward dying, the student will gain new insights in caring for the dying person. Prerequisite: 60 units. Recommended: GERO 300.
An examination of feminist, Marxist and anti-racist theories pertaining to the historical development, social construction, and interactive nature of race, class and gender relations. Prerequisite: 15 units. Students with credit for either GSWS 301 (or WS 301) or GSWS 310 (or WS 310) as Special Topics: Race, Class and Gender may not take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
E100 |
Jade Ho |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Introduces students to current debates on gender identity and gender difference from the perspectives of queer subjects. Explores recent theoretical and cultural works on gender from queer, transgender, and feminist perspectives, while examining the challenges they pose to current understanding of sex, gender, sexuality, and the body. Prerequisite: 30 units, including three unist in GSWS. Students who have taken GDST 301, or WS 301 Special Topics: Theorizing Queer Genders may not take this course for further credit.
Explores recent debates and future directions of feminist thought and introduces students to different models of feminist writing. The writing-intensive component of the course trains students to develop analytical, writing, and research skills through a variety of writing activities and assignments. Prerequisite: 30 units including three units in GSWS or WS or GDST. Equivalent Courses: WS398. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
E100 |
Reema Faris |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Examines research and theory concerning the origins and development of cognition in humans. Traces the development of language and children's thinking about the physical and social world from birth to adulthood, with a focus on infancy and childhood. Prerequisite: PSYC 201 and 250.
Considers human development from the end of childhood to the beginning of the adult stage, from a bio-social point of view. Included among the topics are psychological effects of sexual maturation, choice of vocation and marriage partner, effects of participation in the gang and youth organization, cultural variations in the patterns of growth. Prerequisite: PSYC 201 and 250.
Considers human development from young adulthood to old age. Included are theories of adult development and aging; environmental and biological factors in aging; and the effects of aging on sensation, perception, learning, cognition, personality, psychopathology, and social relations. Prerequisite: PSYC 201 and 250 or acceptance into the diploma program in gerontology.
Reviews theory and research on the psychology of romantic relationships. Topics may include relationship theories, communication, social cognitive processes, intimate partner violence, and relationship interventions. Prerequisite: PSYC 201 and 260.
Provides an overview of the social psychological study of intergroup relations, considering classic and contemporary theory and research in the field. It includes discussions of the application of these ideas and findings to important social contexts, and explores ways in which the social psychological study of intergroup relations can help us understand and inform efforts to influence relevant social change. Prerequisite: PSYC 201 and 260.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Marissa Traversa |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Explores applications of psychological principles to health and health care. The development of the field of health psychology is traced and major topics introduced. Topics include health promotion, the hospital experience, communication in medical settings, coping with serious illness, psychoneuroimmunology, and field-specific methodology. Prerequisite: PSYC 201.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
David Cox |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Reviews the major approaches to psychological intervention in terms of theory, practice and outcome evaluation. The course will examine both the scientific and practitioner components of intervention. Prerequisite: PSYC 201 and 241.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Lynnaea Owens |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Together we will think about how gender influences and suffuses social interaction, in both historical and contemporary contexts: consider how assumptions and expectations about gender shape identity, the things people do, and how they do them; and discuss gender inequality and equality across society. Prerequisite: SA 101 or 150 or 201W.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
OL01 |
Wendy Chan |
Online |
The categories that organize our understandings of sex, gender and sexuality have powerful histories and roles in organizing social relations in western society. Social activists and academics contest the naturalness of these categories, particularly that of the binary opposition between male and female, and related assumptions about sexuality and sexual orientation. This course encompasses a range of perspectives on sex/gender identity, sexuality, and the relationship between the two. These perspectives include feminist, lesbian and gay, and queer and transgender challenges to traditional understandings of sex/gender identity and sexuality. Prerequisite: SA 101 or 150 or 201W.