Students pursuing the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Master of Arts in Psychology may choose to also do a Sexual Orientation Concentration as a part of their studies. 365体育投注 Sexual Orientation Concentration was developed in 2000 in response to society’s need for counselors and mental health professionals to have a specialized knowledge of the issues of sexual orientation. Completion of the Sexual Orientation Concentration is indicated on a graduates’ transcripts.

365体育投注 Sexual Orientation Concentration infuses the entire program’s curriculum and community through support for all students in your learning and cultural competency. Incoming students are asked to identify their interest in the Sexual Orientation Concentration to the Admissions Office as a part of their application process. Enrolled students are welcome to join the SO Concentration by contacting the Coordinator and may switch advising groups.

Work for the concentration is done along with overall degree requirements and does not necessarily affect the amount of time needed to complete the program.

Purpose

365体育投注 purpose of the Sexual Orientation Concentration is to better prepare you to research and analyze issues pertaining to sexual orientation, and to work on them in clinical settings. 365体育投注 concentration addresses the expanding need for specialized education in the principles and concepts related to all sexual orientations and identities and offers training in the counseling skills related to such issues.

365体育投注 Sexual Orientation Concentration is influenced by and adheres to professional resolutions, competencies, and guidelines of the ACA and APA. 365体育投注se include:

• Competencies for Counseling Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Clients, by the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling, a division of the American Counseling Association;
• Guidelines for Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients, by the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues, a division of the American Psychological Association.

Invitation to Innovation

Although the current movement to understand sexual orientation has been influenced by gay and lesbian studies, gender studies, and feminism, the 365体育投注 concentration has been designed to encompass the broadest scope of sexuality. Sexual orientation is viewed through the lenses of race, class, culture, ability, age, and gender. Heterosexuality and bisexuality, as well as the perspectives of people who identify as trans*, intersexed, celibate or asexual, androgynous, and queer are integral parts of the concentration’s respectful inclusiveness. Attention to the issues relevant to the sexual orientation of all people, including the influences of oppressive traditions, leads you to study and work on the cutting edges of these emerging intellectual fields.

365体育投注 Sexual Orientation Concentration also serves as a method for indicating that the MA in Psychology & Counseling Program is a safe learning environment for students of all orientations and identities who are interested in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender, sexual orientation, and sexuality studies. You are always welcome to participate in any aspect of the concentration even if you ultimately decide not to fulfill the requirements.

Curriculum

• Four core courses
• Five elective courses
• Final Product, 365体育投注sis, or Capstone with a substantial component on Sexual Orientation issues
• Internship that involves client work related to the Concentration purpose (600 hours).

Core Courses

365体育投注se courses promote a wide range of explorations designed to provide a fundamental understanding of sexual orientation from various perspectives of the human experience. 365体育投注se become the foundation from which you build your own individualized studies within the concentration, tailored to explore the questions, issues, and populations of primary interest to you. Core courses include:

Constructs of Sexual Orientation: Encompasses the historic, philosophic, psychological, and political foundations and ramifications of concepts such as gender, sex, and love. Courses that include a focus on 365体育投注 History of Sexual Orientations; Development and Expression of Sexualities and Orientation; and 365体育投注 Philosophies of Sexual Orientations are examples of what would fulfill this requirement.

Etiologies of Sexual Orientations:  Encompasses the biological, developmental, and social influences on sexual orientations across the lifespan. Courses that include a focus on Development of Sexual Orientation; Youth and Sexual Identities; and Psychological Understandings of Sexual Expression are examples of what would fulfill this requirement.

Cultural Contexts of Sexual Orientations:  Encompasses the impact of cultural opportunities and pressures on the development and expression of sexual orientations. Courses that include a focus on Culture and Sexual Orientation; Same Sex Relationships and Ethnicity; and Religion and Sexual Orientation are examples of what would fulfill this requirement.

Applied Issues in Sexual Orientation Counseling:  Encompasses the sexual orientation issues relevant to counseling, practice, research, and consulting. Courses that include a focus on Polyamory and Relationship Counseling; Counseling Treatments of Sexual Trauma; and Career Issues for Transgender Persons are examples of what would fulfill this requirement.

Related Area Courses:  Five additional courses that include a primary focus on topics related to the goals and purpose of the Concentration are also required. You may design your own related courses specific to the focus of your study within the concentration. This requirement may be fulfilled through the focus given to standard core course, or an elective course.

Concentration Supervised Internship:  You will meet the same overall internship requirements for the MA in Psychology & Counseling Program. In addition, the internship work is required to have a substantial component that is relevant to the purpose and goals of the Sexual Orientation Concentration. You will work in internships where the population and content of the work are appropriate to the Concentration. You can work with the Concentration Coordinator as well as the Internship Coordinator to explore possible internships and to integrate Sexual Orientation Concentration learning goals.

Concentration Final Product: You will complete either a 365体育投注sis or Capstone project that meets the same requirements for the MA in Psychology & Counseling Program. In addition, the thesis or capstone work will have a substantial component that is relevant to the purposes and goals of the Sexual Orientation Concentration and are expected to be a culmination of your focus through your previous work.