Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the Student Link for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• GMS MH 717: Theory and Practice of Child and Adolescent Counseling
  This elective course presents evidence-based clinical mental health counseling practices designed to impact children and adolescents. The course will focus on theoretical underpinnings and options for intervening directly with the child/adolescent, with parents/guardians, and in schools or other environmental settings. Sensitivity to multicultural perspectives and competencies are also reviewed. 3 cr, Yr. 1, Spring sem.
• GMS MH 718: Psychological Trauma Across the Lifespan
  This elective course provides students with a foundation in psychological trauma and its impact on mental and physical health. Two frameworks-- biopsychosocial and developmental psychopathology--will be used for students to gain up-to-date knowledge on the consequences of traumatic experiences and other serious adversities along the molar (behavior) to molecular (neurobiology) continuum and across the lifespan. With an emphasis on evidence-based practice, students attain core clinical competencies in the assessment and treatment of trauma-related symptoms and problems through various didactic and experiential activities. Evaluation strategies will encompass the utility of diagnostic nosologies (i.e., Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM]) as well as case conceptualization. State-of-the-science interventions are be covered so that students acquire knowledge and skills in helping traumatized individuals to successfully ameliorate their symptoms and improve their functioning. 3 cr. Yr. 2, Fall sem.
• GMS MH 719: Global Mental Health: Barbados
  This course will focus on the global burden of mental health needs and the role/function of mental health research and clinical practice. Learners will examine global mental health from a critical lens from the perspectives of anthropologists, mental health counselors and counselor educators. This course has two main components; the didactic portion (online and in class) as well as the study abroad/service learning experience in Barbados over the scheduled Spring Break. In addition to the intensive and immersive cross-cultural experience in Barbados, the course will explore several key issues in global mental health including the challenges of cross-cultural diagnosis, the cultural shaping of emotional distress and mental illness, and the role of power and politics in shaping the identification of and responses to mental health problems. The course will strengthen students' awareness of the complex issues related to mental health care in diverse international settings. Learners will be asked to think and write critically, reflect upon, and discuss the challenging issues surrounding efforts to expand evidence-based mental health services globally.
• GMS MH 803: Advanced Ethics and Ethical Decision-Making
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor This course provides an advanced review of professional ethics governing the field of clinical mental health counseling, to include ethical decision-making, confidentiality and informed consent, competence and supervision, malpractice, self-care, and medical ethics. The course includes a careful review of the American Counseling Association and American Mental Health Counselors Association Codes of Ethics. The emphasis of the course is on critical thinking and application of ethical principles to ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in the field of clinical mental health counseling. 3 cr, Yr. 2, Spring sem.
• GMS MH 810: Psychopharmacology
  This course provides an overview of psychopharmacology for the non-medical clinical mental health counseling provider. There is overview of the neurobiology of mental health disorders and the medications commonly used in their treatment. 3 cr, Yr. 1, Spring sem.
• GMS MH 812: Addictions
  The aim of this course is to provide the necessary knowledge base for understanding and treating addiction. This course places emphasis on acquiring clinically useful knowledge and skills for recognizing and treating substance use disorders. Topics covered in this course include: recognizing drug intoxication and withdrawal, assessment of substance use disorders, Community Reinforcement Approach, Family Systems Treatment Models, Motivational, Enhancement Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral/Skills Building approaches, 12-Step Recovery/Mutual Support Groups, and Addiction Medicine. 3 cr, Yr. 2, Fall sem.
• GMS MH 814: Clinical Field Research Seminar
  This elective course is designed to provide students with knowledge and experience in the conduct of clinical trials. Students enrolled in this practicum will become part of a clinical research team investigating the efficacy of clinical and/or medication management of a discrete mental health and/or medical disorder. Topics of study are dependent on site of interest currently conducting trials and availability of staff to supervise students. Training will include readings, presentations, observation, web- based training, and direct experience working with research participants. Availability and variability in options for this course are necessarily dependent on the existence of trials in stages of funding that will provide appropriate education and skills-training and is available for only a small number of students.Var cr, Yr. 1, Fall & Spring sem.
• GMS MH 902: Practicum Supervision
  This course is a group supervision experience where the faculty supervisor provides the opportunity for students to present and discuss cases from their Practicum placement and to receive feedback from the faculty supervisor and peers. Course content and activities are designed to foster students' identities as clinical mental health counselors, to sharpen their diagnostic and intervention skills, and increase students' awareness of ethical and legal considerations. In addition, students complete bedside interviewing in inpatient medical units of the campus-based hospital (Boston Medical Center), conducting brief psychosocial assessments of patients. This facilitates the application of skills for medical concerns, exposure to a medical environment, and learning about a variety of medical conditions. 3cr. Yr. 1, Spring sem.
• GMS MH 921: Internship Supervision
  This course is a two-semester group supervision experience for students in their academic year-long Internship training. As part of this experience, faculty supervisors mentor students to develop more advanced assessment and counseling skills, as well as to develop their identities as professional mental health counselors. Students receive peer supervision and complete oral and written case presentations. Application of theoretical approaches as connected to clinical assessment and intervention is emphasized. 3 cr. Yr. 2, Fall sem.
• GMS MH 922: Internship Supervision
  This course is a group supervision experience for students during the second semester of their academic year-long Internship training. As part of this experience, faculty supervisors mentor students to develop more advanced assessment and counseling skills, as well as to develop their identifies as professional mental health counselors. Students also complete a Capstone Project, consisting of an oral and written case presentation, focused on psychosocial assessment and intervention, incorporating the academic and didactic components of the two-year program. Successful completion of the Capstone is required for graduation in the program. 3 cr. Yr. 2, Spring sem.
• GMS MH 971: Directed Studies in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine
  Var cr, Fall and Spring sem
• GMS MH 972: Directed Studies in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine
  Var cr, Fall & Spring sem.
• GMS MI 700: Concepts in Microbiology
  Prereq: consent of instructor. This course provides a fundamental understanding of the world of microbes and the concepts and mechanisms involved as microbes interact/adapt in changing environments. Lectures are taught in an interactive manner and are supplemented through discussions and analyses of the primary literature. Fisher. 4 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS MI 701: Concepts in Virology
  The goals of this course are to provide a fundamental understanding of virus molecular biology. The course will build on prior understanding of mammalian cellular and molecular biology and will follow the replication cycle of animal viruses, focusing in detail on the molecular mechanisms that they utilize to enter cells and generate their progeny. The course will examine key concepts in molecular virology, including virus structure, how viruses can attach and enter cells, express and replicate their genomes, take advantage of the host cell translation machinery, and package and release virus progeny. There will also be lectures on key events in the history of virology, antivirals and how viruses can be manipulated and used as tools. The course will be aimed towards first year Ph.D. students in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and taught by Microbiology Department faculty with expertise in virology. The content will include a combination of powerpoint presentations and discussion of primary research papers. Reading materials will include primary literature and suggested review articles. Students will be evaluated on their discussion of papers, written work, a presentation and a final examination designed to test the students' critical thinking and analytical skills. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS MI 702: Concepts in Bacterial Evolution and Genetics
  This course is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of how bacteria evolve and the mechanisms they use to adapt to changing environments. Course is taught as a combination of traditional and interactive lectures as well as discussion of reading from the primary literature. The emphasis is on what we know and why. Topics to be covered include phenotypic ad phylogenetic classification of bacteria and their viruses, traditional and genomic approaches for analyzing gene expression, and mechanisms of gene transfer and regulation in bacteria. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS MI 713: Comprehensive Immunology
  Comprehensive introduction to immunologic principles and applications. This course consists of both interactive lectures and discussion sessions. Emphasis is placed on analysis and interpretation of data from the primary literature. Prior coursework in genetics and biochemistry is strongly recommended. 4 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS MI 715: Immunological Basis of Disease
  Journal article-based survey of mechanisms underlying diseases caused by abnormal immune system function. Emphasis will be on normal vs. pathological immune system processes towards reinforcing how basic immunological concepts have immediate clinical significance. 2 cr, Spring sem. alternate years
• GMS MI 718: Virology
  
• GMS MI 720: Stat Biomed Sci
  
• GMS MI 811: Microbiology Seminar
  Presentation and discussion of problems of current interest. 2 cr, Fall sem.

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