Marriage and Family Counseling
| Dates: | TBA |
| Campus: | Hamilton |
| Primary Faculty Mentor: | Dr. Karen Mason and Dr. Ray Pendleton |
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Informing spiritual passions by...
Forming mentored learning communities, thereby... Transforming ministers and ministries for a lifetime. |
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Informing
As the health care industry continues to change rapidly, it is important that the church become proactive in asserting a biblically sound program of intervention for the basic building of society -- marriage & family life. This track is designed to inform the spiritual passion of those who want to help the church in that endeavor.
"I would not be exaggerating if I were to say that my course work in Marriage and Family Therapy with the mentors has been used by the Lord to make a major paradigm shift in the care of the human soul both personally and in ministry. I would highly recommend this course work, especially the advanced track, to my colleagues in the pastorate and my missionary co-laborers." Vince Costa, 2006
Forming
The Marriage & Family Counseling track prepares both pastors and those interested in seeking licensure. The Advanced Professional Track provides additional courses and labs to meet most state licensure board requirements. Students who choose to seek licensure will need to take all courses listed below.
| Pastoral Counseling Track | Advanced Professional Track |
|---|---|
| Course | Course |
| Residency 1 | Residency 1A |
| Introduction to Counseling | Career & Lifestyle Development |
| Introduction to Professional Ethics | Cross-Cultural Counseling |
| Introduction to Psychopathology | Advanced Psychopathology |
| Helping Relationships: Coun. Skills Lab I | Helping Relationships: Coun Skills Lab Ia |
| Project 1 - Self Assessment | |
| Residency 2 | Residency 2A |
| Human Development and the Life Cycle | Aging & Counseling the Elderly |
| Advanced Theories of Development | Evaluation & Research |
| Introduction to Systems Theory | |
| Advanced Systems Theory | |
| Helping Relationships: Coun Skills Lab II | Helping Relationships: Coun Skills Lab IIa |
| Project 2 - Individual Assessment | |
| Residency 3 | Residency 3A |
| Marital Counseling | Human Sexuality |
| Advanced Marital Therapy | Physical and Emotional Abuse |
| Family Counseling | |
| Advanced Family Therapy | |
| Project 3 - Couple Assessment | |
| Residency 4 | Residency 4A |
| Group Dynamics and Group Counseling | Appraisal of Individuals & Relationships |
| Introduction to Personality Theory | Counseling in Substance Abuse |
| Advanced Theories of Personality | Advanced Perspectives on Professional Ethics |
| Thesis-Project | |
Transforming
Here is how your studies will transform you and your ministry by seeking to fulfill our general Doctor of Ministry goals in some track-specific ways:
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To resource students through a biblically-grounded educational program taught by faculty who are committed to God’s Word and the application of principles of Scripture to the issues of contemporary culture.
- Dr. Karen Mason and Dr. Raymond Pendleton are committed to God's Word and its application to marriage and family. They are both psychologists and Dr. Pendleton is also an ordained minister. They lead students through the development of Biblical and Theological paradigms designed to help clients maximize their God-given potential.
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To form in students a sound foundation of theological and biblical inquiry in their professional doctoral program’s specialized track that they are able to integrate into the life of Christian ministry.
- Each course begins with theological and biblical principles and integrates psychological science.
- The final thesis-project must have as one of its components a fully integrated biblical and theological rationale for marriage and family intervention.
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To provide students with the skill sets and understandings in a specialized area of ministry to such an extent that they can impact their congregation or community more powerfully for God.
- Over the four years each student will complete case studies and practica. The case studies provide both a logical and a developmental progression as diagnostic and conceptual skills emerge and are enhanced.
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To create through the cohort model of the program a dimension of Christian community and spiritual nurturing so that students form strong friendships with one another and enter long-term relationships with the scholars who guide the learning experience.
- Each residency includes at least one evening meal together as a cohort, hosted by the mentors. This is an opportunity for students to cement relationships in a relaxed environment outside the classroom.
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To develop in students a deeper understanding of Christ’s lordship in all areas of life for the common good of the contemporary world.
- Each day begins with a devotional led by the students. This is a time of spiritual focus and a time for growing together as a cohort.
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To cultivate within students through critical reflection and careful research through the residencies and projects an enriched Christian witness in the places of society they are called to serve.
- It is clear that the Church must take a proactive stance in undergirding strong marital and family life and a program that provides specialized training in Marriage & Family Counseling will serve that purpose.
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To instill in students a refreshed view of their ministry as it relates to the proclamation of the Gospel among all people.
- Students in the pastoral track will complete 120 supervised clinical hours over the course of the residencies.
- Students in the professional track will complete 740 supervised clinical hours over the course of the residencies.
