Counseling Study Abroad Programs

Italy Program

Class meets at the spectacular Florentine estate and formal gardens of the Villa La Pietra, one of the grandest and most famous villas in Florence. The Villa dates to the 15th century and is situated on 57 lush acres with gorgeous views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside. It is conveniently located within a 10-15 minute drive from the heart of Florence. A shuttle bus will be provided to transport students to the Villa for class. The Villa La Pietra is particularly distinguished by its beautiful formal gardens, one of the world's premier private art collections and all modern conveniences. Students will receive a tour of La Pietra, including the private art collection which is only open to the public twice each year.

Counseling students may take this course from the SMU Center of Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management for 3.0 hours elective credit (listed as HDCN 6384) in the Counseling Program. For more information this course offering and registration guidelines visit: smu.edu/education/disputeresolution/studyabroad/studyabroad.asp

The four Cs of why you should attend the Italy Study Abroad Program: country, cuisine, culture, and course. It was a rare opportunity to learn about mediation in a beautiful setting with an interjection of amazing pieces of art and history.
-Marty Nevil

Taos Program

Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains approximately seven miles south of Taos in northern New Mexico, Fort Burgwin is the campus for SMU-In-Taos. This seven-day course, taught by Dr. Hal Barkley, will focus on:

• The development of counseling skills needed to work with clients exhibiting sexual issues, sexual problems, and sexual disorders (couples and individuals)

• A time for personal reflection on sexual attitudes, beliefs, and life experiences in
order to bring as much congruence as possible into the therapy room

• Field trips to aesthetic and historic sites in order to understand the role of cultural
diversity and sexual legacy in our lives

Counseling students may take this course within the SMU Counseling Program for 3.0 credit hours towards the Master of Science degree in Counseling, with emphasis on Licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy and Licensure as a Professional Counselor (a required course for the LMFT track and an elective course for LPC or School Counseling tracks).

The Taos experience was a wonderful introspective journey of self, culture and history. We are all connected!
-Tracey Dreighton

Conflict and Trauma
Jerusalem, Haifa and Bethlehem
Click on the picture below for an overview of the class
Click here for a day by day itinerary