Capstone I (Professional Development)
Course Description
Summary
The Capstone process is a 6-credit project (3 credits for the Professional Development Capstone, 3 credits for the Personal Development Capstone) that students may elect to use as their final project requirement. Students will acquire a deep and well-explored understanding of their own growth across the journey of their program. Working closely with their faculty advisor, students will develop course descriptions for each component—the Professional Capstone and the Personal Capstone—reflective of their learning, engagement, research, and experiences in the program and internship.
- This capstone will focus on the professional development of the student over the course of the program and internship. The course created for this capstone should reflect the clinical focus of the student’s experience, the theories, interventions, and practical work they have engaged or hope to engage in their professional lives.
*Students in CMHC-EXAT must infuse expressive arts therapies into their coursework. This course may be used to satisfy "Advanced Topics in Expressive Arts Therapy."
*Students in CMHC-NT must infuse narrative therapy into their coursework. This course may be used to satisfy "Advanced Narrative Therapy Techniques" OR "Narrative Therapy Techniques with Specific Populations."
*Students in CMHC-SOGE must infuse their coursework with Sexual Orientation/Gender Expression specific topics into their coursework. This course may be used to satisfy "Advanced LBGTQIA+ Counseling Techniques" or " Applied Issues in LGBTQIA+ Counseling."
Learning Outcomes
- Critically analyze and synthesize personal and professional growth through reflective writing and scholarly integration of theory, research, and clinical practice encountered throughout the program and internship experiences.
- Design and articulate a comprehensive Professional Development Capstone project that demonstrates advanced application of theoretical frameworks, clinical interventions, and evidence-based practices relevant to the student’s intended professional field.
- Collaborate effectively with faculty advisors to construct individualized course descriptions for both the Professional and Personal Development Capstones, demonstrating mastery of academic, clinical, and personal competencies acquired during the graduate program.
Prerequisites
Enrollment in CMHC graduate program.