Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

AD 104 Multicultural Counseling CRN 12359

If you are unable to attend Week 1, reach out to your instructor guadalupe.aragon@pcc.edu by 1 pm Thursday, January 8th, 2026, to avoid being dropped from the course as a NO SHOW.

This course spans 11 weeks and will be conducted remotely on Thursdays, from 2:00 pm to 4:50 pm, January 8th through March 19th, 2026.

Assignments are due at the beginning of each class.

While optional, it is crucial to offer some individual live Zoom sessions to get to know each other better. Scheduling these sessions can be challenging due to varying needs. If you’re interested in scheduling a Zoom meeting, please reach out via email at guadalupe.aragon@pcc.edu.

Please include your “First Name” and “AD 104” in the subject line of every email for the quickest response. We will do our best to respond within 24–48 hours, Monday through Friday!

Course Description

This course explores the vital role of multiculturalism in the field of counseling, emphasizing the development of cultural humility alongside cultural competence.

We will focus on personal growth and self-reflection, cultivating a deep understanding and sensitivity to cultural differences — including race, ethnicity, religion, spirituality, gender, sexuality, and ability.

A central aspect of this course is the honest examination of one’s own cultural identity and how it shapes the counseling process. We will explore how belonging to and identifying with a cultural group influences the counselor–client relationship.

This course encourages the ongoing development of multicultural awareness, humility, and competence, recognizing these qualities as critical to the professional and personal growth of future counselors.

Audit available.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Use culturally responsive communication skills.
• Develop strategies for resolving communication conflict.
• Articulate the importance of evidence-based, culturally specific treatment strategies, including medication-assisted treatment.
• Complete a cultural assessment that meets Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 309-018-0170.
•  Demonstrate cultural self-knowledge through a cultural self-assessment and exploration of one’s family culture of origin.

Course Goals

By embracing cultural humility, we commit to continually learn and grow in our ability to honor the experiences and perspectives of those we serve.

Equally important, we will cultivate the ability to remain grounded in peace and empathy, enabling authentic connection with people from all walks of life — whether sitting across from a billionaire or a vulnerable member of our community — recognizing the inherent value in all.

Required Materials

• Sue, D. W., Sue, D., Sue, D. M., & Sue, S. (2022). Counseling the Culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice (9th ed.). Wiley.

Additional resources for each topic and class will be available on D2L Brightspace each week.

These may include videos, articles, and interactive materials to enhance understanding and reflection.

Course Requirements Attendance & Participation

Attendance and participation are crucial for success. Students are expected to attend all classes and actively engage in discussions and activities.

Attendance – Students agree to attend all classes; however, if you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to email the instructor prior to class.

In this course, a student who is absent more than six (6) hours of class (including finals week) will not be eligible to earn a passing grade, resulting in the need to retake the class.

Participation – Participation will be evaluated using the “Classroom Etiquette” and “Student Zoom Etiquette” guidelines.

Assignments

Assignments are designed to encourage self-reflection, growth, and practical skill-building in multicultural counseling.

Students will complete a combination of self-assessments, reflections, cultural interviews, and a final portfolio showcasing their learning journey.

Technology

This course uses D2L Brightspace for all materials and resources.

We will also use Google Docs, PDFs, and PowerPoint slides to support assignments and collaboration.

Videos and multimedia content will be integrated to deepen understanding and bring real-world cultural perspectives into our learning space.

Final Exam

There is no traditional final exam for this course.

Instead, students will submit their Multicultural Counseling Portfolio during Weeks 10 & 11, serving as the culminating reflection of their learning and growth throughout the term.

Digital Navigators

Digital Navigators are trusted guides who address the whole digital inclusion process — home connectivity, affordable devices, and digital skills training — with students and community members.