Educational Ministries

Youth Ministry

The specific goal of this program is to train students to become professional Christian counselors. While graduates may end up ministering in a variety of contexts, the program will assume a desire to develop the skills, knowledge and maturity for professional Christian counseling practice. The Diploma in Lay Counseling Ministry will offer a foundation in counseling for those who already hold a masters degree or for those wishing to deepen their lay counseling skills. The M.A. in Christian Counseling will offer a major in counseling for professional counseling practice. The M.Div. in Christian Counseling will offer a double major in counseling and Biblical/Theological Studies.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Counseling Foundations

This is an introduction to the foundational aspects of Christian Counseling, the relationship of ­counseling to pastoral care, and the basic counseling skills. Small group skills exercises and role playing are utilized.

The Nature of Personhood

This course is an introductory class on the theological, developmental, and relational approaches to the understanding of personhood. It includes an exploration of the integration of psychology, sociology, and theology.

Psychopathology and Counseling

This course offers an overview of the theological and psychological definitions of dysfunctional personality and relationships, focusing on the DSM-IV categories of psychopathology. Practice in diagnosis are achieved through the use of role plays.

Individual Counseling Theories

This overview and assessment of major Christian and secular counseling theories includes Christian applications of secular models. Technique practice exercises in small groups are also utilized.

Individual Counseling Issues

This course includes a discussion of the major counseling problems, techniques and approaches to counseling. Technique practice exercises in small groups are utilized.

Marriage and Family Therapy

This class is an overview of Christian and secular marriage and family systems approaches to relationship counseling.

Relationship Counseling Issues

This course focuses on assessment in relationship counseling and a discussion of major issues, techniques, and approaches to marital, family, and group counseling.

Counseling the Abused

This course examines the multiple ways in which power is abused in a variety of relationship contexts.

Counseling LIFE - Counseling Internship 1 and 2 (4 units each)

The students select a counseling placement (e.g., church, para-church organization, NGO) where they can counsel individuals, couples, families, or groups. Small group case supervision and training seminars include a variety of training activities to help the student reflect on the experience of face-to-face counseling sessions.

In both majors, three programs are offered:

Diploma in Marriage and Family Ministry (30 units)
Diploma in Lay Counseling Ministry (32 units)
Offers a foundation in these ministry areas for those who already hold a master’s degree or for those wishing to develop such ministries as a lay person.

M.A. Marriage and Family Ministry (62 units)
M.A. Christian Counseling (62 units)
Offers a professional degree with 21 units of Bible/Theology and up to 41 units in the ministry major.

M.Div. Marriage and Family Ministry (96 units)
M.Div. Christian Counseling (96 units)
Offers a professional ministry degree with a double
major in Biblical/Theological Studies (45 units)
and the ministry major (up to 51 units)

Possible Electives:

Christian Parenting
Intergenerational Ministry
Family Spirituality
Marriage Preparation
Human Sexuality
Crisis Counseling
Group Counseling
Grief Counseling
Counseling Youth
Counseling Children
Lay Counseling
Community Development and
Christian Education courses

Educational Ministries

Youth Ministry