Counseling and Pastoral Care

• Research Methods & Statistics in Counseling

  An overview of major research designs and an introduction to basic statistical techniques using MS Excel and APA style for documentation. The focus will be on research methodologies, conceptualization, hypotheses, measurement of sampling techniques, synthesis of data using statistical measurements, and tools usable within the mental health counseling context. This course is restricted to students who have declared a major or minor in Counseling and Pastoral Care.

• Strategies for Teaching

  This course is designed to explore the strategies governing the teaching/learning process and the methods used to convey biblical truth in the lesson plan, the classroom setting, and the teacher/student relationship.

• Developmental Psychology

  This course consists of the tracing of the developing human psyche in the course of the normal life cycle. Students will learn the moral, emotional, physiological, and psychological development of the human psyche in chronological format. The class will be conducted through lecture, case studies, group discussions, and videos. This course is restricted to students who have declared a major or minor in Counseling and Pastoral Care.

• Interviewing and Counseling Skills

  This course is an overview of foundational counseling skills including empathy, listening, feedback, goal setting and basic interviewing. Further areas of focus include development of the person and practice of the counselor: attributes, the therapeutic relationship, spiritual attunement and the appropriate use of spiritual themes and practices in Christian counseling settings. This course is highly experiential and intended to help students develop a foundation to become strong, effective counselors and helpers. Learning modalities include discussion, lecture, role play and video critique. This course is restricted to students who have declared a major or minor in Counseling and Pastoral Care.

• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy

  This course is an introductory study of counseling theory and associated techniques, ethical practice, multicultural considerations and integration of Christian theology and worldview. Individual, marriage and family and group approaches will be addressed. Students will have the opportunity to apply theoretical approaches in role play and peer counseling and to integrate approaches into a personal counseling style. This course is restricted to students who have declared a major or minor in Counseling and Pastoral Care.

• Abnormal Psychology

  This course will explore the major approaches to understanding what constitutes “abnormal behavior,” including the physiological, behavioral, psychoanalytical, humanistic, cognitive, and family system approaches. The students will learn how to evaluate abnormal behavior from childhood through adulthood as well as be familiar with the most common treatment methods and the associated legal and ethical issues that accompany the treatment of mentally ill patients from a Christian worldview. The course will be taught through lecture, PowerPoint, videos, case studies, research projects, and presentations where student groups will be assigned opposing sides concerning some controversial aspect or treatment of mental illness. This course is restricted to students who have declared a major or minor in Counseling and Pastoral Care.

Counseling and Pastoral Care Program Descriptions and Outcomes

• Program Descriptions

  This program is designed to give students a solid biblical base and the tools to do critical thinking in the area of counseling and pastoral care so that they can provide pastoral counseling in the church or pursue graduate work that will allow them to be a licensed professional in the various counseling fields. Students will receive training in crisis counseling, pastoral counseling, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, family relationships, and the opportunity to choose elective classes in their particular area of interest.

• Program Outcomes

  Students completing the BA in Counseling and Pastoral Care will be able to:

  1. Articulate essential vocabulary and knowledge of human development and psychology with an integrated perspective of psychological science and a Christian worldview.

  2. Utilize knowledge of foundational theories, techniques, and interventions of counseling.

  3. Apply critical thinking skills to integrate Christian faith within the context of counseling practices.

  4. Identify the unique needs of individuals within family, community, cultural, and societal systems and their influence on optimal mental and emotional functioning.

  5. Apply appropriate ethical practices and considerations to various counseling settings.

  6. Demonstrate academic readiness to pursue a master’s degree in counseling (with an aim of acquiring state licensure) or pastoral counseling if desired.