Counseling Assessment Techniques

The course develops a framework for assessing the functioning of individuals, groups, families, or organizations.  Interviews, testing, and integration of clinical information are used.  Assessment tools reflecting personality, intellectual, family, educational, vocational, and social functions are used.  Principles of measurement, data gathering, and interpretation are discussed.  Class participation and case presentation are required.  Ethics, ethnic, and cultural bias are examined.

PREREQUISITE: CSL6782

UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THE STUDENT WILL BE COMPETENT IN:

• Synthesizing the history of counseling assessment and psychological testing.
• Analyzing the contemporary models of counseling and the current issues and trends in counseling assessment.
• Explaining basic qualifications and responsibilities of both developers and users of assessment tools in various settings, including schools, families, and organizations.
• Adhering to acceptable practices when interpreting and communicating results of assessments with clients, parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and community representatives.
• Adhering to clear, ethical, and effective standards of practice when conducting assessments with diverse populations or populations with special needs.
• Using computer technology effectively in all phases of counseling assessment.
• Demonstrating effectiveness in writing assessment reports and in developing materials to be used in communicating with clients, parents/guardians, and community resources.
• Addressing the relationships among various theories and counseling assessment.
• Applying basic statistical and measurement concepts to the development and use of counseling assessment.
• Demonstrating skill in evaluating the offerings of publishers of tests and in selecting and using various sources of information and particular instruments.
• Demonstrating skill in administering tests to include managing the collection of assessment data in individual, group, family, and school settings.
• Intervening to manage test anxiety.
• Critiquing available assessment tools and approaches for their validity and reliability with particular populations.
• Identifying and using specific assessments developed for measurement of intelligence, life span development, personality, achievement, aptitude, learning styles and differences, career development, social environment, and family dynamics.
• Involving families, inter-disciplinary team members, and other community groups in using assessment to facilitate learning and development.
• Identifying and using specific assessments developed and used primarily in school settings.