Course Number and Name

• 18-213-985 Testing and Assessment

Offered

• Winter Quarter

Prerequisites

• 18-213-783 Tests in Counseling
• 18-213-809 Abnormal Human Behavior
• 18-213-895 Intro. Problem Identification and Diagnosis in Counseling

Catalog Description

• Advanced study of testing and assessment in counseling. Primarily for CAGS and doctoral students.

Objectives/Expected Outcomes

• Purpose of the Course. The purpose of the course is twofold. A key facet of the counseling process is the assessment of client strengths and deficits. Knowledge of assessment instrumentation and skill in the administration and interpretation of tests and management of the therapeutic relationship when testing is involved is required for counselor licensure in many states. It is equally important for counselors to be able to recognize whether an assessment device has been proven useful for individual interpretation to clients.
• Objectives of the Course. A student successfully completing this course will be able to:
• describe methods for selecting and using tests for use in screening, diagnosis, and treatment planning;
• describe methods for selecting and using psychological tests for outcome assessment;
• describe methods for structured diagnostic interviewing (e.g., mental status examination, BASIC-ID);
• identify and describe standardized methods for assessing personal and interpersonal functioning including methods for assessing the presence of mental and emotional disorders;
• demonstrate skill in using and interpreting standardized methods for assessing personality and interpersonal functioning including methods for assessing the presence of mental and emotional disorders;

Texts / Readings

• Maruish, M. E. (Ed.) (1994). The use of psychological testing for treatment planning and outcome assessment. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Pub.
• Readings packet available at DuBois Bookstore (Calhoun Street, across from Law School).

Course Organization, Class Schedule and Assignments

• Organization of the Course: The course will be organized in lecture/discussion format. Students will be expected to participate in discussion and some class periods will involve student led discussion.
• Assignments/Projects: Each student will be responsible for
• analyzing scores from standardized personality tests (MMPI, SCL-90-R), and
• preparing a poster session which explicates a theoretical issue, an assessment instrument, or an assessment methodology in mental health assessment. A handout will be provided describing each assignment.
• Schedule: Activities will be conducted according to a published schedule.
• Grading.  Grades will be based multiple data sources:
• attendance and contribution to class discussion
• written analysis of one's own personality test scores (MMPI, SCL-90-R)
• term project (poster session)
   

NOTE: All reports and papers submitted for this course are expected to be the student's own work; instances of plagiarism will be dealt with according to university policy. Students unfamiliar with standards for the preparation of academic papers are encouraged to seek assistance early in the quarter. Scholarly papers are to be prepared according to the style manual for the American Psychological Association. Assignments are due on the date indicated; late papers will be penalized 1/3 letter grade per week late.

Back to Matrix of Courses Taught

Back to WebHome