INDEPENDENT STUDY

Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

PSY 700

Breyer State University

Instructor: Thomas H. Schear, Ph.D.

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to Independent Study, a Masters Level course in the curriculum for the Degree, Masters of Counseling Psychology.  I am pleased to instruct you in this course, which will be a vital course for the remainder of your studies in the doctoral program.

In this course you will have the opportunity to address issues related to counseling psychology that interests you.  Up to this point you have studies a lot of different topics involving counseling theory and techniques, pathology and so on.  Now you get the opportunity to explore a topic that interests you.

I know that as you take the time to learn as much as you can about this topic it will serve well as you contemplate providing counseling services to future clients.

TIME FRAME:  This is a ten-semester hour course and is allotted 10 weeks of time.  The first day of the week will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day we have finalized the topic you will study.  Please be cognizant of the time frame.  It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification.  Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded ten semester hours or credit.

EXAMINATION AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT: There is no exam for this course except to complete a term paper.  The paper ought to be double-spaced, 12 pt. Times Roman 50 pages of text.  The paper can be on one topic or you can select 2 or 3 topics so long as the total length is 50 pages.  I’ll be happy to help but once you have decided on your topic(s) let me know.  Additionally, as you read the books and prepare the paper please feel free to contact me about any questions or concerns you may have.

GRADING:  The grading scale for this course is as follows:

91-100%         =          A
81-90%           =          B
71-80%           =          C
Below 70%      =          Failed

COMMUNICATION:  You are encouraged to communicate with me.  I am available as a teacher, coach and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for this course.  Primarily, communication is through e-mail.  However I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like.  Our classroom for this course has a “chat” room.  I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in that chat realm at your request.  From time to time, depending on how many students are enrolled in this course at a particular time, we will have some schedule group chats.  You’ll receive more detailed information at the time such chat sessions are scheduled.  Please keep my e-mail address handy so that you can contact me whenever necessary.  If at any time during this course you change your e-mail address or other contact information please be sure to notify me right away.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: My name is Tom Schear.  I have a BA, MA and Ph.D. in social work, MA in counseling, and have taken some additional graduate level courses in business and human services administration.  Finally, I am an E-Myth trained business coach and a graduate of Coach University.  I have worked at all levels of counseling agencies in Iowa and Montana, including front-line counselor, clinical director and executive director.  I now live in the town where I grew up, working out of my home providing continuing education courses for helping professionals, teaching online courses for virtual universities including Breyer State University, Canyon College and provide both online and telephone-based counseling and personal and business coaching services.  Finally, I edited/update a book on alcoholism and addiction entitled “Keeping It Simple” and a recently published book entitled “Interactive Ethics: How Ethical and Unethical Decisions are REALLY Made in Organizations.”  In my spare time I enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, hunting and spending time with my wife, Kathy and adult children, Brian and Steven and dog, Solo.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The objectives for this course are:

• To provide the student with the opportunity to explore a specific topic in the field of addiction that bothers or concerns or interests them.

QUESTIONS:  If you have any questions concerning this syllabus and/or the course, please contact Breyer State University at admassistant@breyerstate.com.  An administrative faculty member will respond to all questions.

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