Educational and Counseling Psychology (ECPY)

Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.

500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.


ECPY 218. Workshop in Educational Psychology I1-4 Units

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Prerequisite(s): Faculty consent.

Description: Topical workshop on Educational Psychology.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 219. Workshop in Educational Psychology II1-4 Units

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Prerequisite(s): Faculty consent.

Description: Topical workshop on Educational Psychology.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 302. Seminar on Personal and Academic Inquiry3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 (or equivalent).

Description: This seminar is designed for undergraduate students who are undeclared, are pre-unit majors, or are in transition between majors. By exploring an academic topic or theme of personal interest that is connected to the unique theme of the seminar section, students will develop skills that will assist them in the development of inquiry skills and the exploration of a major and/or career. Students will document their journeys and produce an inquiry project, as well as an Academic and Personal Plan that can be refined (or modified, adjusted) beyond the course, by the end of the semester.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 304. Mental Health and the Helping Professions3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Description: This course will offer an introduction into the different fields found within the broad area of mental health counseling. We will also cover the different ways of approaching counseling, including systematic, environmental, and cultural components of the professions, health inequities, basic mental health concerns found in the U.S. and abroad, job opportunities, and the relationships of mental and physical health.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 305. Human Development and Learning3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 201.

Description: How children and adolescents grow, learn, and develop socially, physically, emotionally, and mentally the implications for learning, the learning process, and purposeful observation of behavior.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 319. Theories of Counseling3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Description: The purpose of this class is to introduce the major theoretical approaches to counseling, including the similarities and differences among them. Key elements and concepts associated with each theoretical approach and their application to actual counseling/psychotherapy situations will be presented. Empirical evidence supporting each approach, and multicultural considerations of each approach will be offered. By the end of the course each student will have a general understanding of how they may begin approaching clients.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 355. Developing Campus Leadership3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: An examination of leadership issues for current and prospective campus leaders. Involvement in an on-campus group or organization is required. Topics include ethical decision-making, effective communication, issues of power and conflict resolution.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 363. Culture, Social Justice, and Advocacy3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Description: The purpose of this class is to offer an introduction into the intersection of culture, social justice, advocacy, and counseling. It will also provide an overview of a global understanding of the mental-health needs of culturally diverse populations, broadly defined. It will present cultural contexts in which counseling occurs in different fields, different perspectives of cultural counseling, and the influence of identities within counseling.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 397. Topical Undergraduate Seminar in Educational Psychology3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Description: Selected topics as determined by student needs and interests.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 412. Stress, Coping & Resilience3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Description: The purpose of this course is to provide a research-experiential approach to understanding stress and its effects on the human body and behavior. We will discuss the concept of stress from various theoretical and practice-based perspectives and the various ways people cope with stress. We will focus on theories and practice-based coping mechanisms in helping people to reduce and manage their stress. Stress and coping will be approached from a holistic health perspective and public health issue. Resilience and life transitions will also be examined from different theoretical orientation and practice-based exercises will also be conducted in the course.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 422. Emotional Intelligence3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Description: Do our emotions control us, or is it our job to control them? In this class we will examine the role and power that emotions play in our everyday lives. We will investigate emotions through the lens of emotional intelligence, which refers to an individual's ability to become aware of, and control, his or her emotions. You will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of your emotional intelligence and learn multiple strategies for strengthening or "bridging" emotions when moving from one emotion to another. We will explore theories of emotional development and brain development as it pertains to emotional regulation and the impact of cultural influences on the acceptance/expression of emotions.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 501. Independent Study in Educational Psychology1-3 Units

Prerequisite(s): To be arranged with the dean.

Description: Opportunity for the student, under the supervision of a sponsoring faculty member, to pursue individualized study related to research or practice that is not included in regular courses in the curriculum.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 502. Independent Study in Educational Psychology1-3 Units

Prerequisite(s): To be arranged with the dean.

Description: Opportunity for the student, under the supervision of a sponsoring faculty member, to pursue individualized study related to research or practice that is not included in regular courses in the curriculum.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 507. Learning Theory and Human Growth and Development3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: Basic principles of learning theory and human development. Included are the major theories of learning including behaviorism, cognitive, and cultural historical activity theory along with physical, social, cognitive, emotional, language, and cultural development as they apply to children and youth including those with special needs.

Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 512. Learning and Cognition in Education3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: A survey of major theoretical models in the area of cognition and learning. Emphasis upon applications of theory in the classroom and in counseling. Implications are drawn from several models and contrasted in the context of the individual student's readiness, motivation and aptitude.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 513. Individual Differences in Education3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: A survey of individual differences in socio-cognitive and personality areas of development based upon current literature. Ways to meet individual and group needs in educational settings; interpretation of individual differences for effective classroom instruction.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 525. Topical Studies in Educational Psychology I1-3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: Investigation of current concerns and issues in educational psychology.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 526. Topical Studies in Educational Psychology II1-3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: Investigation of current concerns and issues in educational psychology.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 527. Workshop in Educational Psychology I1-4 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: Topical workshop on educational psychology concerns.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 528. Workshop in Educational Psychology II1-4 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: Topical workshop on educational psychology concerns.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 540. Evaluation and Measurement in Education3 Units

Description: Intended to acquaint the student with evaluation and measurement in education and counseling. Content will include reliability, validity, test construction, and methods of evaluation and testing in various settings.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 596. Seminar in Guidance1-4 Units

Prerequisite(s): Majors are urged to take seminars prior to or concurrent with practicum.

Description: The investigation of special problems in counseling.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ECPY 597. Seminar in Guidance1-4 Units

Prerequisite(s): Majors are urged to take seminars prior to or concurrent with practicum.

Description: The investigation of special problems in counseling.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes