Graduate Catalog 2010-2012 - Richmont Graduate University

SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY:
Psychological Studies Institute
Mission Statement for Richmont Graduate University School of Psychology, Psychological Studies Institute:
Richmont Graduate University School of Psychology offers an integrative perspective on the relationship between psychology and faith through graduate education
and clinical research.
Psychological Studies Institute, Richmont Graduate University’s School of Psychology, offers the Master of Science in Christian Psychological Studies. The
Master of Science degree was created to serve those who, already possessing a clinical degree, desire to integrate their faith in their practice as clinicians.
All Richmont students complete coursework in Biblical studies, practical theology, and the integration of applied psychology and practical theology. Through
the school of psychology, the integration component may be taken in pursuit of the M.S. degree. Although this degree is not designed to lead to licensure as a
counselor, M.S. graduates may pursue further study in counseling elsewhere or use this training to supplement training received at another institution.
The M.S. in Christian Psychological Studies is designed to meet the needs of the following students:
• Those seeking primarily theoretical training in the integration of psychology and theology. These may be students who are interested in research
or preparation for a more advanced degree or who have already earned a graduate degree in a related field.
• Professionals who wish to integrate their faith and practice. These are people who already have training and are counseling in some context but
wish to more explicitly integrate their Christian faith in their counseling. These people also may be motivated by seeking a credential to
demonstrate to managed care organizations that they are qualified to list “Christian counseling” as a specialization of their practice.
• Students who are concurrently receiving training at another institution in a program that leads to a counseling related credential and who wish to
formalize their training in integration.
• Pastors who counsel as part of their ministry and wish to formalize their training in integration.
Although the M.S. degree is NOT designed to lead to licensure or to any independent practice of counseling, it essentially pulls the integrative track out of the
M.A. in Professional Counseling with minor alterations and additions. It requires 31 hours of coursework as outlined in the program sequence. The M.S. degree
can be completed in a minimum of two semesters but cannot extend past five academic years from the time of matriculation.
CERTIFICATES
The following certificates are available for the M.S. degree with restrictions as noted previously in the Catalog:
• Addictions Counseling
• Child and Adolescent Counseling
• Christian Sex Therapy
• Spirituality and Counseling
• Trauma Counseling
Students who choose a certificate may not be able to complete the degree in one year. Students may pursue multiple certificates, but no two certificates may
hold more than one course in common. For instance, students who pursue a certificate in addictions counseling and Christian sex therapy must take a total of
seven courses in their certificates, although these two certificates hold two courses in common.
M.S. Program Objectives
OBJECTIVE #1:
Graduates understand the methods and models of integrating psychology
and Christian theology.
Courses such as CED 6322, Methods and Models of Integration in Counseling;
CED 7362, Integrative Theology for Counseling; and the various clinical
theology courses are designed to assist the student in the integration of
psychology and Christian theology. Christian faith is viewed as the primary
source to identify and enlighten a healthy psychology. The skills of integration
are seen as fundamental to the other areas of the program. A growing
awareness and intent toward a healthy personal spiritual formation is expected
of each graduate.
OBJECTIVE #2:
Graduates understand integrating their faith and profession in their personal
lives in an experiential sense.
Integration is not taught as a merely intellectual enterprise but is addressed as
a part of personal integrity. CED 6112, Personal and Spiritual Life of the
Counselor; and clinical theology courses teach students to examine how psychological
and theological truths impact their personal lives and can be integrated
into their identity. Course requirements include experiential elements
to facilitate this aim.
OBJECTIVE #3:
Graduates bring relevant information from the traditional theological
areas of Biblical studies, theology and church history to their counseling.
Biblical studies are addressed in CED 7313, Hermeneutics and Application;
and CED 7362, Integrative Theology for Counseling, Elements of systematic
theology are covered in CED 7362, Integrative Theology for Counseling,
and in some electives. Church history is surveyed in CED 6342, Christian
Traditions with Implications for Counseling. This set of courses is designed
to draw explicit implications from these pivotal sources for Christian faith
and practice and to relate them to psychology and counseling.
OBJECTIVE #4:
Graduates are equipped to interpret issues of mental health and disorder
from a consistently Christian worldview.
Given that human well-being and alleviation of suffering are foci of the study
of psychology, the application of integrative perspectives to mental health is a
focus of the curriculum. Students learn to distinguish between mental and
spiritual health and spiritual versus psychological problems. The role of biology
in mental and spiritual conditions is covered, and students are encouraged
to develop a worldview to incorporate these dimensions.
OBJECTIVE #5:
Graduates who practice counseling are sensitive to faith and spirituality
issues in their counseling.
Students who complete this degree and are qualified to practice counseling
will be able to address spirituality and faith issues in the counseling room and
to do so in ways consistent with professional ethics.
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