Online · School of Behavioral Sciences · Counselor Education & Family Studies

Orientation to Counselor Professional

Identity and Function
COUC-500
Fall D 2022 Section D08 10/24/2022 to 12/16/2022 Modified 10/12/2022

 Contact Information
See detailed faculty information in Canvas.

 Course Description
This course introduces students to concepts regarding the professional functioning of licensed
professional counselors and marriage and family therapists, including history, roles, professional
organizations, standards, and credentialing. Current issues in the practice of counseling and marriage and
family therapy in a variety of professional settings are explored. Students are also introduced to program
policies, graduate level writing and APA style.

Requisites
Prerequisites

None

 Rationale
Orientation to the field of professional counseling requires a thorough understanding of professional
identity and current professional issues related to counselor functioning in a variety of settings.

Method of Instruction: This 8 week course is delivered in a digital asynchronous format, with Canvas as the
primary instructional delivery method. Students complete one module per week over the duration of the
course.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
 A. Analyze the historical and philosophical roots of the counseling profession.
B. Differentiate among professional roles, functions, and relationships with other human service providers
and identify strategies for inter-service collaboration and communications.
C. Create self-care strategies appropriate to the counselor role.
D. Identify the professional counseling organizations and articulate membership benefits, activities,
services to members, ethical codes, and current issues.
E. Describe professional credentialing, including certification, licensure, and accreditation and the effects
of public policy on these issues.
F. Identify the role and process of the professional counselor as an advocate on behalf of the profession
and the consumer.
G. Demonstrate an understanding of program policies.
H. Demonstrate an understanding of mental health service delivery modalities and the use of research
supported practices (evidenced based and best practices).

Key Performance Indicator Matrix Assignments

Key Performance Indicator Evidence: Course/Learning Experience

KPI 1 (2.F.1). Students will identify Benchmark Counselor Impairment and

the counselor’s professional identity Wellness Paper Assignment
and roles and apply ethical
standards to each of the Benchmark Professional Identity and
counselor’s professional roles and Credential Paper Assignment
responsibilities (Measures PLO #1,
2).

Common Core Courses Matrix of Student Competencies

F1. Professional Counseling Orientation And Ethical Practice

CACREP Standard Course/Experience – Evidence

F.1.a. history and philosophy of the counseling Quiz: Historical Overview and Current Trends, Quiz: Professional Identity,
profession and its specialty areas Quiz: Professional Counselor Roles/Practice Settings, Quiz: The Future
of Counseling; Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential Paper
Assignment; Discussion: Video Blog – Wrap Up/Future of Counseling
F.1.b. The multiple professional roles and Quiz: Professional Counselor Roles/Practice Settings, Quiz: The Brain;
functions of counselors across specialty Discussion: Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or Various Issues
areas, and their relationships with human
service and integrated behavioral health care
systems, including interagency and
interorganizational collaboration and
consultation

F.1.c. counselors’ roles & responsibilities as Quiz: Professional Counselor Roles/Practice Settings, Quiz: Cultural
members of interdisciplinary community Diversity and Social Justice; Benchmark Professional Identity and
outreach and emergency management Credential Paper Assignment; Discussion: Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or
response teams Various Issues; Discussion: Video Blog – Social Justice

F.1.d. the role and process of the professional Quiz: Historical Overview and Current Trends, Quiz: Professional Identity,
counselor advocating on behalf of the Quiz: Professional Counselor Roles/Practice Settings, Quiz: The Future
profession of Counseling; Discussion: Video Blog – Social Justice; Discussion:
Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or Various Issues; Discussion: Neuro-Informed
Counseling; Discussion: Video Blog – Wrap Up/Future of Counseling

F.1.e. advocacy processes needed to address Quiz: Cultural Diversity and Social Justice, Quiz: The Future of
institutional and social barriers that impede Counseling; Discussion: Video Blog – Social Justice; Discussion: Video
access, equity, and success for clients Blog – Wrap Up/Future of Counseling

F.1.f. professional counseling organizations, Quiz: Historical Overview and Current Trends, Quiz: Professional Identity,
including membership benefits, activities, Quiz: Professional Counselor Roles/Practice Settings, Benchmark
services to members, and current issues Professional Identity and Credential Paper Assignment; Discussion:
Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or Various Issues

F.1.g. professional counseling credentialing, Quiz: Historical Overview and Current Trends, Quiz: Professional Identity,
including certification, licensure, and Quiz: Professional Counselor Roles/Practice Settings, Benchmark
accreditation practices and standards, and the Professional Identity and Credential Paper Assignment; Discussion:
effects of public policy on these issues. Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or Various Issues

F.1.i. ethical standards of professional Quiz: Legal and Ethical Considerations; Benchmark Counselor
organizations and credentialing bodies, and Impairment and Wellness Paper Assignment
applications of ethical and legal
considerations in professional counseling.
F.1.l. self-care strategies appropriate to the Quiz: Legal and Ethical Considerations,
counselor role Quiz: Counselor Wellness; Benchmark Counselor Impairment and
Wellness Paper Assignment

F.2 Social and Cultural Diversity

F.2.h. strategies for identifying and eliminating Quiz: Cultural Diversity and Social Justice, Quiz: Legal and Ethical
barriers, prejudices, and processes of Considerations; Discussion: Video Blog – Social Justice
intentional and unintentional oppression and
discrimination

F.5 Counseling and Helping Relationships

F.5.j. evidence-based counseling strategies Quiz: Counselor Wellness, Quiz: Authentic Counseling Relationship, Quiz:
and techniques for prevention and Introduction to Counseling Skills, Quiz: Counseling Theories; Benchmark
intervention Professional Identity and Credential Paper Assignment, Benchmark
Counselor Impairment and Wellness Paper Assignment

Evidence of Student Competencies: Clinical Mental Health Counseling

CACREP Standard Course/Experience – Evidence

CMHC FOUNDATIONS

CMHC 1.a. history and Benchmark Professional Identity and

development of clinical Credential Paper Assignment; Discussion:
mental health counseling Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or Various Issues;
Quiz: Historical Overview and Current
Trends, Quiz: Professional Identity, Quiz:
Professional Counselor Roles/Practice
Settings

CMCH CONTEXTUAL DIMENSIONS

CMHC 2.a. roles and Benchmark Professional Identity and
settings of clinical mental Credential Paper Assignment; Discussion:
health counselors Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or Various Issues;
Quiz: Historical Overview and Current
Trends, Quiz: Professional Identity, Quiz:
Professional Counselor Roles/Practice
Settings

CMHC 2.c. mental health Quiz: Historical Overview and Current

service delivery modalities Trends, Quiz: Professional Identity, Quiz:
within the continuum of Authentic Counseling Relationship, Quiz:
care, such as inpatient, Introduction to Counseling Skills;
outpatient, partial treatment Discussion: Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or
and aftercare, clinical Various Issues
mental health counseling
services network.

CMHC 2.i. legislation and Quiz: Historical Overview and Current

government policy relevant Trends, Quiz: Professional Identity, Quiz:
to clinical mental health Professional Counselor Roles/Practice
counseling Settings, Quiz: Cultural Diversity and Social
Justice; Benchmark Professional Identity
and Credential Paper Assignment;
Discussion: Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or
Various Issues

CMHC 2.k. professional Quiz: Historical Overview and Current

organizations, preparation Trends, Quiz: Professional Identity, Quiz:
standards, and credentials Professional Counselor Roles/Practice
relevant to the practice of Settings, Quiz: Cultural Diversity and Social
clinical mental health Justice; Benchmark Professional Identity
counseling. and Credential Paper Assignment;
Discussion: Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or
Various Issues

CMCH PRACTICE

CMHC 3.e. strategies to Quiz: Cultural Diversity and Social Justice;

advocate for persons with Discussion Thread: Video Blog – Social
mental health issues Justice
 Course Resources
Required Resource Purchases

Simmons, R., Lilley, S., & Kuhnley, A.K. (Eds.). (2020). Introduction to counseling: Integration of faith,
professional identity, and clinical practice. Kendall Hunt. ISBN: 9781524996970.

Note: The textbook is not embedded in the course and must be purchased separately. Chapter videos are
accessible by registering at https://www.khpcontent.com. The access code is provided in the front cover of
the textbook. Be advised that the access code may already be registered to another user if you purchase a
used book. Chapter videos are required for some assignments in the course.

Tevera

Students please note: This resource is ONLY for online M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling students
(not for M.Ed. School Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy students). Tevera is a one-time
purchase. If you have previously purchased this membership for another course or sub-term, there is no
need to purchase this again.

You will activate the code when you get Canvas Access approximately four days before the start of the
sub-term you are registered.

Background Check

*CastleBranch. (2016). Background Check for Counseling. CastleBranch, Inc. MBS Direct/BNC SKU#:
Virginia: 1919798, Non-Virginia: 1919797

*The student only needs to pay for the full background check package one time, even if he or she is taking
multiple courses that require this item. However, the criminal background check portion of the package
must have been completed within one calendar year of the first day of the academic semester in which the
student is applying for practicum or internship. If the criminal background check portion was completed
more than one calendar year from the first day of the academic semester in which the student is applying
for practicum or internship, then the student must order a background re-check through CastleBranch via
the following link: https://portal.castlebranch.com/LM71 (https://portal.castlebranch.com/LM71)

Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with that required by state licensing boards
in the class subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific religious, philosophical, or
political positions found in these resources.

Recommended Resources

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association
(7th ed.). Author. ISBN: 9781433832161.

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

 B. Internet access (broadband recommended)
C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-
Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)
D. Creating and submitting files in Microsoft Word
E. Basic Canvas navigation skills

 Course Assignments

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations (https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-
effectiveness/student-expectations/), the student will complete the related checklist found in the
Course Overview.

Discussions (2)
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a
thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. The student will create a thread of 350–
400 words. The assertions for each thread must be supported with a minimum of 1 scholarly source
cited in current APA format. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 1 other
classmate’s thread. Each reply must be 150–200 words with a minimum of 1 scholarly source. (CLO: B,
D, F, H)

Advising Acknowledgement Quiz

Discussion: Video Blogs (4)
Video blogs provide the student with a place to express personal opinion and respond to the opinions
of fellow classmates. (CLO: B, F, H)

Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential Paper

Assignment
The student will write a 3-5 page paper in current APA format that focuses on counselor identity. (CLO:
A, B)

Benchmark Counselor Impairment and Wellness Paper

Assignment
The student will write a 6-page paper in current APA format that focuses on the definition, incidence,
and signs of counselor impairment and a personal assessment and wellness plan. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Criminal Background Check Assignment

The student will purchase a background check with fingerprints from CastleBranch and:
 1. Upload receipt of purchase showing proof of purchase.
2. Upload a Compliance Summary Report showing submission of the background check application
to CastleBranch.
3. Upload a new Compliance Summary Report showing submission of fingerprints to DTIS (Daon).

Religious and Spiritual Assessment Assignment

As you begin the Liberty Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program, we are excited to grow
together in this academic journey. Our emphasis on your faith integration in clinical practice is a major
piece of your development into an ethical, competent professional counselor. This survey provides
time for reflection and evaluation regarding this important domain.

Verification of Orientation Completion Assignment

The student will upload a screenshot of the completed orientation modules and assignments from the
CMHC Advising Center.

Note: The student must complete and “pass” all modules in the Advising Center during this course.

Quiz: MA CMHC Online Handbook

The student will use the MA CMHC Online Handbook to complete a quiz in order to become familiar
with the policies and procedures applicable to the student and Liberty University’s Department of
Counselor Education and Family Studies. (CLO: G)

Quiz: Orientation
The student will demonstrate familiarity with the Clinical Mental Health program Degree Program
Information. This quiz covers the Learn material from the assigned Module: Week. It is open-
book/open-notes and contains 10 multiple-choice and true/false questions. It allows for 1 attempt and
has no time limit. (CLO: G)

Quizzes (12)
Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the Module: Week in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be
open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 20-minute
time limit. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H)

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection

This Dispositions Reflection quiz will ask the student to rate his or herself on the nine dispositions
required for this program by our accrediting bodies using the following scale:

Exceeds expectations – I believe I do this exceptionally well.

Clearly meets expectations – I believe I am able to do this in an appropriate way as expected for
graduate students at my current position in the program.
Adequately meets expectations – I believe I do this but could use improvement and growth in this
dispositional area.
Does not meet expectations – I believe I do not do this well and could use improvement.
 Course Grading

Course Requirements Checklist 10

Discussions (2 at 100 pts ea) 200

Discussion: Video Blogs (3 at 100 pts 380

ea; 1 at 80 pts ea)

Benchmark Professional Identity and 100

Credential Paper Assignment*

Benchmark Counselor Impairment and 100

Wellness Paper Assignment*

Criminal Background Check 15

Assignment (5 pts ea)

Religious and Spiritual Assessment 10

Assignment

Verification of Orientation Completion 5

Assignment

Quiz: MA CMHC Online Handbook 40

Quiz: Orientation 20

Quizzes (12 at 10 pts ea) 120

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection 10

Total 1010

*ASSESSMENT BENCHMARK

 Course Policies
 Tevera Submission Policy

All Benchmark assignments—including those submitted in Canvas and/or via Turnitin—must be submitted
to Tevera in order for the student to receive credit for them.

Professional Communication

Please be professional in your email communication. We live in a fast-paced world with text messaging
which encourages short and abbreviated communication. However, since you are in a counseling program,
you are encouraged and expected to use full sentences and good grammar when communicating with
other students and faculty. It is also an expectation that your electronic communication is pleasing to God.
Being courteous and polite to peers and professors demonstrates dignity and respect, "And as you wish
that others would do to you, do so to them" (Luke 6:31, ESV).

Dual Relationship

The faculty is responsible to interact with counseling students in a supervisory capacity/role. As such,
faculty may provide students professional principles, guidance, and recommendations as it relates to the
context of the student-client setting. The faculty is responsible to avoid dual relationships with students
such as entering a student-counselor or student-pastor relationship. Thus, the faculty does not provide
personal counseling addressing student personal problems. If a faculty member perceives that a student is
in need of personal or professional counseling, then that faculty member will recommend that the student
pursue either pastoral or professional assistance from a counselor in their community.

Limits of Confidentiality

In the event of a student’s disclosure, either verbally or in writing, of threat of serious or foreseeable harm
to self or others, abuse or neglect of a minor, elderly or disabled person, or current involvement in criminal
activity, the faculty, staff, administrator, or supervisor will take immediate action. This action may include,
but is not limited to, immediate notification of appropriate state law enforcement or social services
personnel, emergency contacts, and notification of the appropriate program chair or online dean. The
incident and action taken will become part of the student’s permanent record.

Instructor Feedback and Response Time

Responses to student emails will be provided within 48 hours and assignment feedback will be given within
1 week from the assignment due date.

 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be
submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor
immediately by email.
 Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will
receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10%
deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20%
deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted
outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues),
which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be
accepted after the due date outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant
personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance
Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact
Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu
for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition.
For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an
accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/
(https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for
accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office,
which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided,
you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email
at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment,
and Sexual Misconduct Policy
(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Mi
sconduct+Policy) or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures
(https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp-content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-
Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance
In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical
class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the
course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any
communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the
attendance policy (https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?
url=https%3A%2F%2Fwiki.os.liberty.edu%2Fdisplay%2FIE%2FOnline%2BAttendance%2Band%2BNon-
Attendance&data=02%7C01%7Caccollins2%40liberty.edu%7Cd91431fa6ac547056b5408d833029e1a%
7Cbaf8218eb3024465a9934a39c97251b2%7C0%7C0%7C637315433613719138&sdata=%2BNBTsPOo
XuHAPLflSQRugK7cRSuV6UyC7qD3agf3l2k%3D&reserved=0) can be found in the Academic Course
Catalogs (https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?
 url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liberty.edu%2Findex.cfm%3FPID%3D791&data=02%7C01%7Caccollins2%40
liberty.edu%7Cd91431fa6ac547056b5408d833029e1a%7Cbaf8218eb3024465a9934a39c97251b2%7C
0%7C0%7C637315433613729132&sdata=DjjhMiRBhnF%2B2ZJUC8eBd1OdNb26S9ADukODYsilXlA%3D
&reserved=0). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term.
Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic
assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project,
discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-
engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment
options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and
do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non-
Attendance (https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?
url=https%3A%2F%2Fwiki.os.liberty.edu%2Fdisplay%2FIE%2FUnofficial%2BWithdrawals&data=02%7C0
1%7Caccollins2%40liberty.edu%7Cd91431fa6ac547056b5408d833029e1a%7Cbaf8218eb3024465a99
34a39c97251b2%7C0%7C0%7C637315433613729132&sdata=MoMvZdPfza69InuhVHMHAVgu59ZP0F
w45xJTu9PIBrU%3D&reserved=0)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start
date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale
A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F

940- 920- 900- 860- 840- 820- 780- 760- 740- 700- 680- 679
1010 939 919 899 859 839 819 779 759 739 699 and
below

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for
the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy
The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory
(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes).

Honor Code
Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together
form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational
principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align
Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains
distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe,
comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual
resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and
character development.
 Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the
values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our
community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all
individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we
maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled
at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and
strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/community-

life/graduate-and-online-students/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/community-life/graduate-and-
online-students/).

 Schedule

When Topic Notes

Course Student Course Requirements Checklist

Overview Acknowledgements
Advising Acknowledgement Quiz

Technology Integration Tevera Set-Up

Set-Up

Module 1: Learn Read: 3 items

Week 1
Watch: 3 items

Explore: 4 items

Apply Criminal Background Check Assignment - Receipt of Purchase

Religious and Spiritual Assessment Assignment

Quiz: Historical Overview and Current Trends

Quiz: Professional Identity

Module 2: Learn Review: 1 item

Week 2
Read: 1 item

Watch: 1 item
When Topic Notes

Apply Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential Paper Assignment -

DRAFT

Discussion: Interview, Pro Dev Plan, or Various Issues

Benchmark Professional Identity and Credential Paper Assignment -

FINAL

Criminal Background Check Assignment - Compliance Summary Report

(Application Submission)

Quiz: Professional Counselor Roles/Practice Settings

Quiz: Counseling Theories

Module 3: Learn Review: 1 item

Week 3
Read: 1 item

Watch: 1 item

Apply Discussion: Video Blog – Integration

Quiz: Integrating a Christian Worldview

Module 4: Learn Review: 2 items

Week 4
Read: 1 item

Watch: 1 item

Apply Discussion: Video Blog – Professional Counseling Skills

Quiz: Authentic Counseling Relationship

Quiz: Introduction to Counseling Skills

Module 5: Learn Read: 1 item

Week 5
Watch: 1 item

Listen: 1 item

Apply Discussion: Video Blog – Social Justice

Quiz: Cultural Diversity and Social Justice

Quiz: Legal and Ethical Considerations

When Topic Notes

Module 6: Learn Review: 1 item

Week 6
Read: 3 items

Watch: 1 item

Listen: 1 item

Apply Benchmark Counselor Impairment and Wellness Paper Assignment

Quiz: Counselor Wellness

Module 7: Learn Review: 1 item

Week 7
Read: 1 item

Watch: 1 item

Explore: 3 items

Apply Discussion: Neuro-Informed Counseling

Verification of Orientation Completion Assignment

Quiz: MA CMHC Online Handbook

Quiz: Orientation

Quiz: The Brain

Module 8: Learn Read: 3 items

Week 8
Watch: 1 item

Apply Discussion: Video Blog – Wrap Up/Future of Counseling

Criminal Background Check Assignment - Compliance Summary Report

(Fingerprints)

Quiz: The Future of Counseling

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection