All required readings can be found in the handout section in this course shell.

An important area of assessment is an individual’s current level of intellectual functioning. Intelligence tests provide information about a person’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, their capacity to solve problems, their ability to adapt to their environment, and their ability to think abstractly. Intelligence reveals potential and helps the counselor predict the client’s future performance in areas such as academic performance and occupational achievement.

The focus of this course will be the administration, scoring, and interpretation of individual intelligence tests. The student will study the nature of intelligence, theories of intelligence, behavioral observation skills, and the importance of the clinical interview. There will be labs in which the student will learn to administer specific intelligence tests. The course will focus on the Wechsler scales.

Objectives from CACREP 2016 standards that are directly tied to programmatic student learning objectives (as related to intelligence assessment):

1. Methods of effectively preparing for and conducting initial assessment meetings (Core, 7.b.)
2. Use of assessments for diagnostic and intervention planning purposes (Core, 7.e.)
3. Use of symptom checklists, and personality and psychological testing (Core, 7.k.)
4. Ethical and culturally relevant strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment and test results (Core, 7.m.)
5. Analysis and use of data in counseling (Core, 8.i.)

Learning objectives not related to CACREP standards:

1. The student will learn to accurately administer, score, and interpret individual intelligence tests:
2. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – 4^th Edition
3. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – 4^th Edition
4. The student will have an understanding of the history of intelligence testing.
5. The student will recognize the different models and theories of intelligence, learning, and memory.
6. The student will develop skills in observing and recording behaviors.
7. The student will demonstrate skills in writing a clear, accurate, and well organized report of testing results.
8. The student will be able to identify intelligence tests that can be administered when the Wechsler scales are inappropriate to use.
9. The student will discuss the ethical, legal, and professional practices involved in assessment.