American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Okun, B.F., Fried, J., Okun, M.L. (1999). Understanding Diversity. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Thomas, A.J., and Schwarzbaum, S. (2005). Culture and Identity: Life Stories for Counselors and Therapists. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

A variety of full-text, online, free-of-charge and pay-per-view academic journals are listed on the Counseling Webboard at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/graduate/webboards/

This course is designed to develop appropriate skills, competencies, and knowledge bases and to examine the beliefs of counselors working with people across cultures. The course focuses on researching, reading, and developing an understanding of cultures, customs, languages, traditions, religions, and spiritualities of people across cultures. Emphasis is given to the understanding of counseling individuals in a very diverse world. As this course replaces GUCO 533, students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: GUCO 633, GUCO 533 or EDCP 612.

The goal of this course is to familarize students with various theories, counseling techniques, and a wide range of issues regarding fair, ethical and effective counseling in a world of cultural differences. A broad goal is to expand cultural awareness and knowledge in order to facilitate an appreciation of diversity in lifestyle and orientation, including culture, race, ethnicity, disability, age, language, gender, and sexual preference issues.

By the end of the course, students will be able to: 

1. Understand and discuss current theories of multi-cultural counseling.
2. Discuss issues of diversity as they relate to counseling practice.
3. Be familiar with current literature and research pertaining to the social patterns and counseling needs of various minority populations.
4. Develop a more culturally sensitive perspective in the role of professional counselor.
5. Describe the impact of the western "world-view" on American society.
6. Understand and discuss personal cultural heritage and its impact on the development of counseling skills.
7. Demonstrate an enhanced self-awareness of personal strengths, interests, and abilities.
8. Demonstrate an enhanced awareness of the legal/ethical issues of multicultural counseling.

Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:

A 90 - 100%
B 80 – 89%
C 70 – 79%
F 69% and Below

Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade "F" is used to designate academic failure. "FN" is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog, available in your local Education Center or online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/general_info/publications/catalogs.

Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society.

In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:

Participate in classroom discussions 10%

Write graduate level papers or case studies 30%

Orally/visually present prepared material 20%

Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the onsite classroom. Thus, the following course requirements were developed on the assumption that students would be prepared to spend approximately 150 hours of their own time working on them. In an eight-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most fourteen-week graduate distance education courses require at least ten hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.

Participate in classroom discussions:You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner.

Write graduate level papers or case studies:You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Resubmission of coursework from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment. APA style is mandatory for all graduate counseling course work. Plan on committing approximately 150 hours over the duration of this course to producing professional level work.
TERM PAPER:Writing My Own Story!
The main goal of the term paper is to help you to become a more effective counselor by understanding your cultural/ethnic identity. Basically, in the light of your research on your three generational cultural/ethnic genogram, your narrative should (a) illustrate and clarify the influence that culture has on your family system; (b)help you to identify the groups which contribute to the development of your cultural identity; (c)help you to confront and challenge culturally based assumptions and stereotypes; (d)assist you in discovering your culturally based triggers; (d)ultimately assist you in becomiing more aware and sensitive to your unique cultural identity as a therapeutic asset in your work as a counselor.(Length of term paper 10-12 pages)

Orally/visually present prepared material:You are required to present your research in a professional manner. In an onsite course, this typically means an oral presentation accompanied by appropriate visual material. In an online class, this means creating a visual/textual presentation for your instructor and classmates.

Complete one or more written examination(s):The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary for successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used in this course will be written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam.