Counseling and Applied psychology

 

Department of Counseling and Applied Psychology

 

 

The department was founded as Graduate Institute of Counseling and Educational Psychology (GICEP) in 2000. In response to the social changes and the transformation of the University, Department of Counseling and Applied Psychology, incorporating with GICEP, was established on August 1, 2006. The In-service Postgraduate Program was then established in 2014. Our goals for undergraduate students are: 1)to nurture their knowledge in the field of counseling and guidance; 2)to cultivate the spirit of caring for people and 3)to enhance multiple skills for serving needy people in the society. The essential goal for the postgraduate students is mainly to cultivate professional knowledge on counseling, to cherish the spirit of caring for people and to enhance their abilities of helping profession. For students of the In-service Postgraduate Program, the primary goal is to cultivate professional knowledge and abilities in order to help people.


Facilities and Environment

Location: Education Building F3

 
The department has sufficient resources, such as teaching space and computer devices, to support various courses and activities. There are six professional classrooms, including one group counseling room, two individual counseling rooms and three play therapy rooms (with a sand-play room), provided in our department. All professional classrooms contain one-way mirrors or the video-recording equipment for teaching demonstrations, which help teachers to enhance students’ professional skills. In addition, there is one room for psychological assessment in the department. The department had purchased various psychological assessment tools. These tools can be used as teaching materials during the courses, as well as practice materials for students to practice after class. Students can then gain further insight into the uses of the psychological assessment tools. 

 

Curriculum

Undergraduate

We have a two-track system for our undergraduate program (the teacher cultivation and the non-teacher cultivation). Students in both tracks are required to acquire at least 28 credits in fundamental and general education courses.

Students who want to take Advanced Placement Teacher Cultivation Program would have to pass the selection in advance. The grogram students are then required to take 54 credits in Advanced Placement Teacher Cultivation courses, as well as 60 credits in professional courses. The professional courses consist of faculty compulsory courses (2 credits), fundamental and core courses opened in our department (48 credits) and elective courses opened in our department (10 credits).

Students in the non-teacher cultivation track have to take 100 credits in professional courses. These courses consist of faculty compulsory courses (2 credits), fundamental and core courses opened in our department (48 credits), elective courses opened in our department (30 credits) and interdisciplinary elective courses based on their interests (20 credits).

 

 
Postgraduate

The postgraduate program courses consist of four domains: core courses, general courses, scientific training courses, and practical training courses. Postgraduate students are required to acquire a minimum of 36 credits (at least 4 credits in each domain) for graduation. For students enrolled in the In-service Postgraduate Program, they are required to acquire at least 32 credits during the program for graduation.

Except for the courses above, the department also provides the ‘Helping Professional Empowerment Micro Program’ to students in order to attain relevant government officer credentials or professional licenses.


Future Development

Undergraduate

1. Employment

(1) Elementary school counseling teacher (via Advanced Placement Teacher Cultivation Program)

(2) Professional in community or forensic correction institutions (such as psychology technologist, psychology counselor, probation officer and family mediator)

(3) Human resource and management coordinator, training coordinator

(4) Employment counselor, career development counselor

 

2. Attaining postgraduate degrees

(1) Undertaking postgraduate courses in counseling, guidance or the relevant fields in Taiwan or around the world

(2) Undertaking postgraduate courses in psychology or the relevant fields in Taiwan or around the world

(3) Undertaking postgraduate courses in human resources or the relevant fields in Taiwan or around the world

Postgraduate

1. Employment

(1) Counseling psychologist

(2) Human resource and management specialist

(3) Counselor in the relevant fields

 

2. Attaining PhD degrees

(1) Undertaking PhD courses in counseling, guidance or the relevant fields in Taiwan or around the world

 

(2) Undertaking PhD courses in psychology or the relevant fields in Taiwan or around the world

 

Colorful Campus Life

During the semester, the department organizes various academic activities, such as lectures, workshops and conferences. We invite experts or scholars, from academic and practical areas, to be keynote speakers. Such activities are expected to offer our students a diversity of learning and to increase their academic potential, as well as to enhance ‘academic atmosphere’ in the department.

The department also supports the student association to organize many activities regularly, such as freshman welcome parties, freshman welcome camps, the freshman voluntary service, the week of Department of Counseling and Applied Psychology, and farewell matches and farewell activities for seniors. By arranging, conducting, and inspecting these activities, students can enhance their ability on planning and experience the connotation of the team work. In addition, these activities help students promote their centripetal force and cohesion. Some activities, such as Alumni Homecoming Day and alumni experience sharing, are held to help students indirectly gain some workplace experiences by knowledge sharing and imparting.

During the department-arranged practicum, students can integrate knowledge that they acquire from previous courses to help people. Through inspections and presentations, the department offers students opportunities to demonstrate their learning outcomes.