CHRISTIAN COUNSELING HANDBOOK PREPARING STUDENTS TO BECOME CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS * All policies & procedures contained in this handbook are subject to change at any time and without prior notice. Last modified: March 20, 2015.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to Amberton University... 1 Christian Counseling Program Description... 1 Christian Counseling Degree Plan... 2 Course Descriptions... 2 Required Graduate Studies... 2 Core Courses... 2 Counseling Electives... 3 Human Behavior & Development Electives... 4 Capstone Course: CSL6860 Practical Experience in Christian Counseling... 4 Graduation... 5 Amberton University Christian Counseling Forms... 6 Sample Vita... 7 Sample Thank You Letter... 8
CHRISTIAN COUNSELING HANDBOOK PREPARING STUDENTS TO BECOME CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS INTRODUCTION TO AMBERTON UNIVERSITY: Amberton University is designed exclusively for the mature, working adult who seeks to benefit from the richness of a relevant, educational experience. The adult who attends Amberton University will find the atmosphere similar to that of professional schools law, medicine, engineering. At Amberton University, the student is exposed to a diverse group of working adults who share interests and ideas. Amberton University s desire is to equip its students with the practical knowledge, tools, and character necessary to cope effectively in the situations and challenges that lie ahead. In short, Amberton University educates for lifelong learning. CHRISTIAN COUNSELING PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Master of Arts in Christian Counseling is designed for persons interested in integrating faith and counseling to facilitate the helping relationship from a spiritual context. Ministers, church leaders, and church members seeking to minister to individuals, couples, and families in the local church and community will utilize this degree that provides coursework in counseling from a Christian perspective. The degree program is offered both in the classroom lecture and distance learning modes. A graduate with a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling will be able to: Develop a personal model of Christian counseling based on the integration of Christian principles with accepted counseling practices. Integrate contemporary theory and research about human development in the practice of Christian counseling. Demonstrate an understanding of ethical and legal issues pertaining to the practice of counseling. The minimum requirements for a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling are: 24 semester hours applicable to the degree must be completed at Amberton University. 36 semester hours for a degree. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 is required.
CHRISTIAN COUNSELING DEGREE PLAN: This degree plan has revisions in the core courses and counseling electives that become effective Fall 2015. I. Required Graduate Studies: 3 hours RGS6035 Theory & Application of Research Methods... 3 hours II. Major Requirements: 33 hours A. Core Courses: 18 hours CSL6720 Christian Counseling... 3 hours CSL6730 Family Life Ministry... 3 hours HBD6767 Family Studies... 3 hours CSL6740 Counseling Ethics... 3 hours CSL6801 Life Span Development.3 hours CSL6860 Practical Experience in Christian Counseling... 3 hours B. Counseling Electives: 9 hours Four courses selected from any CSL course except the following: CSL6829, CSL6839, CSL6840, CSL6845, CSL6850, CSL6855 C. Human Behavior & Development Electives: (5000/6000 Levels) 6 hours Totals: 36 hours COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: Required Graduate Studies: RGS6035 Theory & Application of Research Methods This course presents the issues relevant to the understanding and application of research methods in the study of human behavior and organizational variables. Aspects of conducting research, methodologies for research, and studying and preparing a research project are covered. Core Courses: CSL6720 Christian Counseling This course presents an overview of counseling from a Christian perspective, introducing key terms, theories, and concepts. It provides a basic Christian counseling model that is applicable to a wide range of issues typically encountered in the local church. The course also includes professional, ethical, and legal issues related specifically to Christian counseling. CSL6730 Family Life Ministry This course presents an introduction to the field of family life ministry. Focus will be on the design, development, and delivery of a comprehensive family ministry with emphasis on preventive and therapeutic resources for families in the church and in the community.
The theological foundations for a ministry to families will be explored. HBD6767 Family Studies This course addresses issues affecting families and their relationships to other institutions and to society in general. Students will develop an understanding of the complexities of family roles, relationships, interactions, and changes throughout the lifespan. CSL6740 Counseling Ethics This course is specifically designed to prepare graduate students to function in the formal role of a professional practitioner. Major emphasis is placed upon ethical and legal issues, standards and conditions of preparation for the professions, and role identity matters. Models of decision making are presented with emphasis on application in mental health settings. CSL6860 Practical Experience in Christian Counseling PREREQUISITE: Completion of all coursework. This course provides guided instruction and supervised counseling experience for students in their ministry setting. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 100 hours of practical counseling experience. CSL6801 Life Span Development This course investigates the changes that occur with age and the processes underlying human growth and development throughout the life cycle. The developmental progression of the family life cycle is also explored, including physical, psychological, and social characteristics. Emphasis is placed on areas such as sensory and perceptual ability, cognitive and language development, behavioral genetics, and effects of socialization agents. Developmental and learning theories will be emphasized. Counseling Electives Three courses selected from any of the following or any CSL course that is not a prepracticum or practicum course: CSL6760 Addiction Counseling CSL6779 Counseling in Schools CSL6780 Professional Counseling CSL6782 Theories & Methods of Counseling CSL6800 Counseling Assessment Techniques CSL6803 Career Counseling & Guidance CSL6805 Group Counseling & Therapy CSL6820 Diagnosis/Treatment of Dysfunctional Behavior CSL6765 Crisis Counseling CSL6825 Marriage & Family Therapy CSL6830 Advanced Counseling Skills & Techniques CSL6832 Multicultural Counseling CSL6833 Counseling Children & Adolescents CSL6835 Play Therapy
Human Behavior & Development Electives Two courses selected from any of the following or any 5000/6000 HBD course: HBD5630 Principles of Success HBD5721 Sex Roles in Business & Society HBD5722 Developing Human Potential HBD5725 Psychology of Adjustment HBD5727 Interpersonal Relations HBD5735 Human Resource Inventory HBD5741 Motivation HBD5752 The Power and Wisdom of Love HBD5759 Stress Management HBD5840 Leading in Transition and Change HBD6768 Aging and End of Life Issues HBD6769 Human Sexuality HBD6771 Conflict Management & Resolution HBD6776 Leadership Theories/Practice CAPSTONE COURSE: CSL6860 Practical Experience in Christian Counseling This course requires students to provide counseling services under supervision and to respond to questions based on their counseling experiences. The following information should be useful as you prepare and submit your assignments. The student is to identify an acceptable field supervisor and locate an acceptable counseling site. The student will engage in a counselor-counselee relationship with a client(s) approved by the field supervisor and by the professor. The student will complete 100 hours of supervisor approved counseling activities, of which a minimum of 50 hours must involve face-to-face counseling experience. There are four assignments in this course. They require the student to respond to questions concerning the counseling experience. Assignment one requires the student to identify a counseling site and supervisor. The student is required to submit a copy of the Informed Consent form and articulate the counselor s conceptual framework. Assignment two requires the student to identify treatment goals for the counselee(s), demonstrate appropriate skill in building the counselor-counselee relationship, and provide case notes. Assignment three requires the student to identify any personal issues that could interfere with counseling effectiveness, articulate the therapeutic methods used by the counselor, provide case notes, discuss the progress of the counselee with regard to stated goals, and demonstrate ethical practice. Assignment four requires the student to provide case notes, give an overview of the counseling experience, and submit an evaluation of the counselor by the field supervisor.
GRADUATION: The fee and Application for Graduation must be submitted no later than the second Saturday of the session in which the student anticipates graduation to occur. The application can be located on the Amberton University website (www.amberton.edu) or picked up at Student Services. The Graduation Fee can be found in the current Schedule of Classes. Students who have applied for graduation during the fall and spring sessions should receive a letter by week five of the session in which the application for graduation has been submitted regarding the purchasing of regalia and other key dates to note for the graduation ceremony to be held at the end of those sessions.
Christian Counseling Forms
Sample Vita
Sample Thank You Letter