Thesis I

Students are required to complete an M.A. thesis that passes an examiner external to the University with expertise in the area of the thesis. The thesis must be defended orally before an examination committee. Students may complete one of three types of theses. Students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. degree are advised to complete an empirical thesis (1 or 2):1) Quantitative Research ' Typically involves systematic, experimental or correlational investigation, and employs quantitative analysis and inferential statistics.2) Qualitative or Mixed Methods Research ' Includes a variety of qualitative methods in collecting and analyzing data. Typically, the focus is on phenomenological experience.3) Theoretical-Integrative Thesis ' Requires a critical review of relevant research and the development of an integrative model that attempts to encompass available data and competing theories.Students normally choose their area of research with help from the Thesis Coordinator and other faculty after their second semester in the program. Visit the program’s website at https://www.twu.ca/cpsy to view some thesis topics.

Thesis II

Students are required to complete an M.A. thesis that passes an examiner external to the University with expertise in the area of the thesis. The thesis must be defended orally before an examination committee. Students may complete one of three types of theses. Students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. degree are advised to complete an empirical thesis (1 or 2):1) Quantitative Research ' Typically involves systematic, experimental or correlational investigation, and employs quantitative analysis and inferential statistics.2) Qualitative or Mixed Methods Research ' Includes a variety of qualitative methods in collecting and analyzing data. Typically, the focus is on phenomenological experience.3) Theoretical-Integrative Thesis ' Requires a critical review of relevant research and the development of an integrative model that attempts to encompass available data and competing theories.Students normally choose their area of research with help from the Thesis Coordinator and other faculty after their second semester in the program. Visit the program's website at http://www.twu.ca/cpsy to view some thesis topics.

Thesis & Program Continuation

Students who are completing a thesis are required to register for continuation for every term subsequent to CPSY 604 until the thesis has been deposited, in addition to any other courses that are being taken. In addition, all students (including non-thesis track) are required to enroll in Program Continuation in every term, fall, spring, and summer, during which they are not registered for any other courses in the program.

Psychopathology

An overview of current conceptualization, diagnostic assessment, etiology, and treatment of emotional distress. Historical, biological, sociological, neuropsychological, cultural, and psychological theories and processes involved in the ongoing discourse around psychopathology are examined through the use of historical and current research articles, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), class discussions, case studies in print and media, and guest presentations. In addition, evidence-based treatments of the more commonly understood mental illnesses, and the social justice and ethical issues involved in the treatment of emotional distress are a focus of discussion.

Seminar on Ethical Integration

This course explores the laws and ethics that guide practitioners in the field of counselling psychology. Students will be expected to grapple with complex issues that arise when confronted with ethical dilemmas in a variety of professional contexts, including clinical practice, research, teaching, consultation, and supervision. Since ethical and legal principles are not the only standards by which counsellors make decisions, students will be challenged to integrate these guidelines with their personal values and spiritual beliefs, as well as clinical judgments and multicultural considerations. This is a “capstone” course, which enables students to demonstrate their accumulated learning throughout the Counselling Psychology program.

Crisis Counselling

Focuses on the theory, interventions, and research relevant to providing crisis management services with people experiencing situational, transitional, and cultural/socio-structural crises. The course, based on a psycho-socio-cultural perspective, explores the interaction of crises with situational factors, developmental status, family dynamics, ethnicity, and gender. The course involves exploration of interactions between crises and situational factors, developmental levels, family dynamics, ethnicity, and gender, as well as both didactic and skills development components.

Child & Youth Counselling

This course is designed to provide students with a foundation in the theory and practice of assessment, diagnosis and interventions with children and youth. Consideration of presenting problems will be informed by understanding of lifespan human development. Both individual- and systems-focused interventions will be examined. An advocacy focus on culturally competent perspectives, collaboration with larger systems, and the impact of sociocultural issues on children and families is maintained. Expressive and structured counseling modalities are considered as they relate to research evidence and the need to tailor interventions to individual clients' needs. Discussion of faith-informed perspectives and legal-ethical principles as they inform practice with children and their families will be encouraged.

Systemic Therapy with Couples, Families & Aging Adults

This course is designed to provide students with a foundation in the theory and practice of assessment, diagnosis and interventions with couples and older adults. Consideration of presenting problems will be informed by understanding of lifespan human development. Both individual- and systems- focused interventions will be examined. An advocacy focus on culturally competent perspectives, collaboration with larger systems, and the impact of sociocultural issues on couples and older adults is maintained. A clinical focus on relational violence will be used to integrate various professional priorities. Multiple clinical modalities are considered as they relate to research evidence and the need to tailor interventions to individual clients' needs. Discussion of faith-informed perspectives and legal-ethical principles as they inform practice with couples and older adults will be encouraged.

Basic Principles & Applications of Assessment

This course covers basic principles of psychometrics as applied to the construction and validation of formal tests as well as an introduction to the administration and interpretation of assessment instruments. Addresses ethical standards of test usage, multicultural assessment, and assessment paradigms. Students learn how to select appropriate tests for specific purposes, to conduct assessment interviews, and to synthesize qualitative and quantitative assessment information in normal personality assessment. Overviews ethical, legal, and cultural facets of psychological assessment. Students are introduced to selected cognitive, personality/behavioral assessment instruments and trained in administration, interpretation, report writing and assessment feedback through a mandatory course lab experience. Multicultural and multilingual issues in assessment are addressed.

Counselling in Diverse Educational Settings

Examines the foundations of counselling in various educational settings, including elementary and secondary schools, and college counselling, and explores relevant issues and challenges relating to diverse learners, community contexts, and the changing ecology of education in Canada. This skill-building course emphasizes legal and ethical standards of practice and the importance of developing a comprehensive counselling program for students. The class sessions are interactive and experiential, providing opportunities for critical discussion, site visits, and professional consultation.

Advanced Topics in Legal & Ethical Issues

Examination of paradigms and developments in professional ethics. This course builds on the 184 professional ethics training infused throughout the curriculum, including topics in legal issues, family therapy, professional psychology and counselling, consultation, and client advocacy. International developments are addressed in professional mobility and regulations, competency standards, and multicultural contexts of professional standards. Emphasis is placed on fostering student proficiency in navigating licensure requirements and fostering accountability in professional practice.

Addictions Counselling

Current theories and treatments of addictive behaviour are reviewed, and the impact of addiction upon family systems and other relationships is particularly stressed. Content includes reviews of the effects of mood-altering substances on the body, and therapy modalities for both chemical and process addictions. Co-occurring disorders are addressed, and students are introduced to agency settings where addiction treatment is offered.

Trauma & Sexual Abuse Counselling

A survey of recently developed assessments and treatments for psychological trauma and dissociation, especially sequelae of domestic violence, sexual abuse and sexual assault. Trauma-related disorders include: PTSD, Complex PTSD, Dissociative Disorders, Somatoform Disorders, Eating Disorders, and Substance Abuse Disorders. The neuroscience of psychological trauma, along with relational, cultural, and sociological influences, is also discussed.

MA Non-Thesis Comprehensive Exam

Students are expected to successfully formulate and articulate informed and integrative judgments about a range of ethical and professional practice questions encountered in counselling psychology.

Directed Study I

For students who want to explore academic areas of special interest not provided in the existing curriculum. These areas must be related to the discipline of Counselling Psychology. Students normally take a maximum of one directed study per semester. A maximum of three directed study courses may be applied to completion of the M.A. degree.

Directed Study II

For students who want to explore academic areas of special interest not provided in the existing curriculum. These areas must be related to the discipline of Counselling Psychology. Students normally take a maximum of one directed study per semester. A maximum of three directed study courses may be applied to completion of the M.A. degree

Special Topics in Counselling Psychology

An in-depth examination of special topics or issues in counselling psychology.

Multicultural Counselling

Exploration of topics such as the significance of culture, migration, social class, race, language, and ethnicity for human health and well-being. This course builds on multicultural counselling and diversity awareness principles infused throughout the master’s program. Both theory and interventions for addressing bicultural identity development, advocacy, acculturation stress, and barriers to help-seeking and counselling effectiveness. Critical appropriation of professional literature, competencies models, and intersections with other aspects of diversity are emphasized.

Psychopharmacology

An introduction to principles of pharmacology and the use of pharmacological agents for the treatment of psychological and neuropsychiatric conditions. Reviews basic physiological and biological aspects of psychopathology. The course does not prepare a student for the practice of pharmacology. However, it does enhance the student's ability to communicate more effectively with physicians and assist them in participating in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary settings.

Advanced Practicum Seminar I

Students are required to complete a minimum of 600 hours of approved Advanced Practicum clinical work, 240 hours of which are in direct service with clients. This provides students with opportunities to refine basic assessment and counselling skills as well as develop specialized areas of interest. The Advanced Practicum placement is regarded as a summative clinical experience leading to the master's degree in Counselling Psychology. The primary objective of the Advanced Practicum is to provide an opportunity for integration and practice of knowledge and skills in a professional counselling setting. In addition to the on-site requirements for Advanced Practicum, a reading list and a bi-weekly seminar are required to ensure that students are familiar with professional, ethical, and legal issues. Participation in the seminar counts towards the 600 hours required for Advanced Practicum.

Advanced Practicum Seminar II

Students are required to complete a minimum of 600 hours of approved Advanced Practicum clinical work, 240 hours of which are in direct service with clients. This provides students with opportunities to refine basic assessment and counselling skills as well as develop specialized areas of interest. The Advanced Practicum placement is regarded as a summative clinical experience leading to the master's degree in Counselling Psychology. The primary objective of the Advanced Practicum is to provide an opportunity for integration and practice of knowledge and skills in a professional counselling setting. In addition to the on-site requirements for Advanced Practicum, a reading list and a bi-weekly seminar are required to ensure that students are familiar with professional, ethical, and legal issues. Participation in the seminar counts towards the 600 hours required for Advanced Practicum.

Advanced Practicum Seminar Continuation

Students are required to complete a minimum of 600 hours of approved Advanced Practicum clinical work, 240 hours of which are in direct service with clients. This provides students with opportunities to refine basic assessment and counselling skills as well as develop specialized areas of interest. The Advanced Practicum placement is regarded as a summative clinical experience leading to the master's degree in Counselling Psychology. The primary objective of the Advanced Practicum is to provide an opportunity for integration and practice of knowledge and skills in a professional counselling setting. In addition to the on-site requirements for Advanced Practicum, a reading list and a bi-weekly seminar are required to ensure that students are familiar with professional, ethical, and legal issues. Participation in the seminar counts towards the 600 hours required for Advanced Practicum.

Elementary Data Analytics

Introduces basic concepts of data analytics, focusing on the practical knowledge and skills of digital analytics, with specific tools like Excel and SQL. Students will learn how to collect and clean data sets, how to analyze and visualize them, how to interpret them, and how to make decisions based on their analyses. Hands-on practice with digital analytics on real-world data will equip students to use their digital skills in political polling, psychological diagnoses, urban planning, and many other applications.

Data Analytics

An introduction to basic programming skills in a tool such as Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), and a survey of various statistical and analytical methods and techniques. Students will learn how to implement macros, selection, iteration, subroutines, functions, events, and dialogues in VBA. Students will implement statistical procedures including t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation, and regression to reach data-based decisions about business scenarios or scientific experiments.

Data Visualization

Builds data models to represent data graphically, to communicate complex data and patterns clearly and concisely. Using a tool like Power BI, students will build models with multiple tables by linking them. They will also master various data visualization techniques, including charts, graphics, maps, infographics, and dashboards. Finally, they will bring together the models and design methods to organize data into an effective visual presentation.

Visual Analytics

An introduction to interactive and dynamic visualization to present data as narrative, using a tool such as Tableau. Students will also apply methodologies such as the use of storyboards and narrative presentations in order to showcase data stories

Data Analytics Capstone Project

A capstone project course that transforms a real-life business or organization’s needs into a final project. Making judicious choices from the available software tools used in previous courses, students will apply various techniques to collect and clean data, apply the practices of the digital analytics process to the given data sets, implement statistical procedures, and create compelling visual analytics, data visualizations (dashboards), and presentations.

Pastoral Ministry & Care Elective

Courses equip pastors to proclaim Biblical truth, provide care, create support structures, engage crisis situations with confidence and grace, and institute spiritual practices essential for developing a culture of spiritual growth in the church.

Healthy Congregational Cultures

Explores the formation of a congregational culture, which impacts the identity, mission, and spiritual formation of all local churches. Students will particularly focus on the immigrant church context and seek to understand what congregational culture is, why it is so essential in the formation of a healthy church, and how it can be reshaped.

Missional Immigrant Congregations

Explores strategies for helping immigrant churches move out of their ethnic enclaves and become effective agents for the gospel in a pluralistic world. Students will discuss the task of guiding immigrant church members to be missional and Kingdom-minded and to consider ways to encourage immigrant church members to make healthy contributions as people of God in their surroundings and beyond.

Issues Facing Immigrant Churches

Explores challenges and opportunities unique to immigrant churches. With increased awareness and understanding of what immigrant churches face from diverse perspectives, students will develop and implement creative strategies to overcome difficulties and maximize the opportunities for their congregations.

Special Topics

Interdisciplinary Elective

Provides insights from various disciplines in social sciences to address students' contextual issues in their ministry. This course enables Doctor of Ministry students to engage interdisciplinary scholarship, integrating advanced social-scientific perspectives with reflective and applied ministry practice.

Missional Engagement Elective

Focuses on understanding post-Christian culture and doing ministry in environments where a plurality of world views and faith systems are prevalent. A rotating list of topics will be taught under this course code.

DMN Project Continuation

Available for registration by students in the major project phase who have completed all six Doctor of Ministry Project courses but need more time to complete their major project.

Ministry Immersion & Integration

Participants design, conduct, and evaluate at least one professional development activity. These integrative activities should be conducted in the context of a local ministry organization.

Research Methods for Ministry

Prepares students to design and implement a research project that addresses a problem or goal in the area of ministry where they are currently serving. Upon finishing the course, students secure their two readers and submit their proposal for approval.

Cultural Exegesis for Ministry

Courses focus on understanding post-Christian culture and doing ministry in environments where a plurality of world views and faith systems are prevalent.

Adaptive & Missional Leadership

Examines principles and practices of adaptive and missional leadership in contemporary ministry contexts, with attention to traditioned innovation, intercultural engagement, and leadership development for addressing complex challenges in the global Church. Challenges students to expand their leadership capacity within their ministry contexts.

Doctor of Ministry Project I

Students implement their proposal from DMN 971 Research Methods for Ministry, performing the research and writing the report to be submitted as their Doctor of Ministry Project.

Doctor of Ministry Project II

Students implement their proposal from DMN 971 Research Methods for Ministry, performing the research and writing the report to be submitted as their Doctor of Ministry Project.

Doctor of Ministry Project III

Students implement their proposal from DMN 971 Research Methods for Ministry, performing the research and writing the report to be submitted as their Doctor of Ministry Project.

Doctor of Ministry Project IV

Students implement their proposal from DMN 971 Research Methods for Ministry, performing the research and writing the report to be submitted as their Doctor of Ministry Project.

Doctor Ministry Project V

Students implement their proposal from DMN 971 Research Methods for Ministry, performing the research and writing the report to be submitted as their Doctor of Ministry Project.

Doctor of Ministry Project VI

Students implement their proposal from DMN 971 Research Methods for Ministry, performing the research and writing the report to be submitted as their Doctor of Ministry Project.

Business in the Global Market

An introduction to global business practices. A survey of governmental and corporate practices of major economic systems—Japan, Europe, Pacific Rim, Rhine countries, etc. Different cultural meanings of concepts such as globalization, world class, nimble organizations, empowerment, and teams are explored. The class provides the students with experiential as well as classroom learning to provide a better grasp of the differences in cultures and the adaptation of business concepts.

Business Research & Decision Making

Business research allows managers to make effective decisions in today's organizations. This class will assist students in understanding the research questions to ask in business and will prepare them to analyze and present the data they gather. Students will gain extensive skills in the use of spreadsheets and in spreadsheet modeling ' an indispensable tool in the business world.

Principles of Microeconomics

A fundamental understanding of how economists view the world, how people make decisions, and how people interact with one another. Basic economic analysis of consumer behaviour, firms' production behaviour, and market equilibrium. Graphical analysis.

Principles of Macroeconomics

Basic lessons of macroeconomics, where the economic growth and economic fluctuations are studied. Issues such as GDP, CPI are discussed. Long-run trend and causes of economic growth rate, unemployment rate and inflation rate are examined. This course also covers short-run fluctuations of an economy around the long-run trend; government responses to the short-run fluctuation of an economy, namely monetary and fiscal policy; and exchange rate, current account, and capital flights in an open economy context.

Introduction to International Development

This course provides an introduction to the field of international development through an overview of the many issues and challenges relating to economic disparity among people of various nations. Students engage in the exploration of responses to these situations. The course is open to students from all disciplines.