MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING Recognizing that the field of pastoral care and counseling requires both general common course work, as well as a concentration in one s particular area of focus, the Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Counseling is offered in two distinct tracks. Track 1: Pastoral Counseling (48 credits). This track is designed to prepare clinicians in community counseling with the additional integration of theological study. Those who intend to do community counseling and psychotherapy receive basic courses and partial clinical hours which are required (1) toward certification as a National Certified Counselor; (2) toward becoming a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and/or a member of the American Counseling Association; and (3) for partially fulfilling requirements for licensure in some states. Applicants who are considering careers in the mental health field are strongly urged to take this track. Track 2: Spiritual Direction (36 credits). This track is designed to prepare persons for the ministry of spiritual direction, i.e., the one-on-one or group guidance of others in their faith and prayer life or spiritual direction supervision. While utilizing psychological insights about human development, spiritual direction focuses on a person s spiritual growth. The curriculum in this track reflects the theological and practical courses which are necessary for the ministry of spiritual direction. Track 1: Pastoral Counseling Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Counseling with an emphasis in Pastoral Counseling (48 credits); Certificate of Advanced Study (18 credits) Pastoral Counseling: The Neumann Approach Pastoral Counseling is taught at Neumann University as a holistic approach to community counseling which affirms the active and ongoing interrelationship between clinical experience, spiritual reality, and community outreach. The program educates students to see the sacred in ordinary experience and to integrate psychology and spirituality in a rigorous, informed, and clinically responsible way. The program, grounded in the holistic spirit of Francis and Clare of Assisi, welcomes people of all faiths and spiritual practices both lay and ordained. 96

The Pastoral Counseling Track The Pastoral Counseling Track is designed to train and supervise counselors in mental health clinical skills, employing a holistic approach that attends to body, mind, spirit, and cultural contexts. Course work provides both essential clinical theory and skills for community counseling, as well as the integration of theology and spirituality. The 48-credit Master of Science degree in Pastoral Counseling meets the academic requirements for certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors, membership in the American Counseling Association, as well as the initial requirements for licensure in many states. Pastoral Counseling Track Outcomes At the completion of the Pastoral Counseling Track of the Master of Science Degree Program in Pastoral Care and Counseling, the candidate will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between spiritual and psychological maturity, both in theory and in clinical practice. Understand the differences between pastoral care, pastoral counseling, and spiritual direction. Understand the evolution of counseling from ancient tradition to current community and individual focused approaches, as well as trace the sociocultural influence upon its development. Particular attention is given to the history of pastoral integration. Demonstrate a beginning knowledge of the spectrum of psychological theories and clinical modalities. Demonstrate a basic command of counseling skills, diagnosis, and professional ethics. Understand the importance of one s personal growth and self-understanding in becoming a skilled pastoral counselor. Demonstrate professional competency in a thoroughgoing clarity of key ethical issues and the decision-making process that is operative in them. Develop and articulate a personal integration of one s theology with one s preferred clinical theory and modality. Understand the various paths for further professional development in the fields of pastoral and communal counseling, and have sufficient information to pursue them, as desired. Common Core Courses Neumann University Graduate Catalog 2009 2010 COURSE # COURSE TITLE CREDITS PCC 500 Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling...3 PCC 505 Theological Foundations...3 PCC 510 Psychological Foundations...3 PCC 550 Developmental Models...3 97

Pastoral Counseling Required Courses COURSE # COURSE TITLE CREDITS PCC 700 Psychopathology...3 PCC 710 Marital and Family Counseling...3 PCC 720 Personality...3 PCC 730 Professional Issues...3 PCC 740 Clinical Practicum I: Foundations of Counseling...3 PCC 750 Clinical Practicum II: Multicultural Issues...3 PCC 760 Groups: Theory and Practice...3 PCC 770 Internship I...3 PCC 771 Internship II...3 PCC 780 Psychological Testing...2 PCC 781 Career Counseling...2 PCC 782 Research and Evaluation Methods...2 PCC 799 Interdisciplinary Seminar...3 TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS................... 48 Pastoral Counseling Electives* Neumann University Graduate Catalog 2009 2010 COURSE # COURSE TITLE CREDITS PCC 580 Discernment and Decision Making...3 PCC 783 Child and Adolescent Counseling...2 PCC 784 Loss and Grief Counseling...2 PCC 785 Addictions Counseling...2 PCC 786 Multicultural Counseling...2 PCC 787 Psychopharmacology...2 * These Pastoral Counseling elective courses fulfill the 12-credit requirement in a related field that is needed for licensure and may be taken either before or after degree completion. 98

SUGGESTED PROGRAM PLANS: PASTORAL COUNSELING 4 Years, 5 8 Credits Per Semester Neumann University Graduate Catalog 2009 2010 YEAR 1 CREDITS PCC 500 Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling...3 PCC 505 Theological Foundations...3 PCC 510 Psychological Foundations...3 PCC 550 Developmental Models...3 YEAR 2 PCC 710 Marital and Family Counseling...3 PCC 730 Professional Issues...3 PCC 700 Psychopathology...3 PCC 720 Personality...3 YEAR 3 PCC 740 Clinical Practicum I: Foundations of Counseling...3 PCC 760 Groups: Theory and Practice...3 PCC 780* Psychological Testing...2 PCC 750 Clinical Practicum II: Multicultural Issues...3 PCC 781 Career Counseling...2 YEAR 4 PCC 770* Internship I...3 PCC 782 Research and Evaluation Methods...2 PCC 771 Internship II...3 PCC 799 Interdisciplinary Seminar...3 * This course is also offered in the Summer Semester for those wishing to continue their clinical work. 99

Neumann University Graduate Catalog 2009 2010 3 Years, 6 9 Credits Per Semester YEAR 1 CREDITS PCC 500 Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling...3 PCC 505 Theological Foundations...3 PCC 730 Professional Issues...3 PCC 550 Developmental Models...3 PCC 510 Psychological Foundations...3 PCC 700 Psychopathology...3 YEAR 2 PCC 710 Marital and Family Counseling...3 PCC 740 Clinical Practicum I: Foundations of Counseling...3 PCC 760 Groups: Theory and Practice...3 PCC 720 Personality...3 PCC 750 Clinical Practicum II: Multicultural Issues...3 PCC 781 Career Counseling...2 YEAR 3 PCC 770* Internship I...3 PCC 780* Psychological Testing...2 PCC 782 Research and Evaluation Methods...2 PCC 771 Internship II...3 PCC 799 Interdisciplinary Seminar...3 * This course is also offered in the Summer Semester for those wishing to continue their clinical work. Pastoral Counseling Clinical Sequence After completing the necessary prerequisite courses, students interview and secure their clinical sites with assistance from the Coordinator of Clinical Placement. Settings may include counseling agencies, parishes, prisons, hospitals, hospices, retreat centers, and other approved settings with an emphasis on those that provide experience in community-based practice. Individual supervision is provided by an approved on-site supervisor, while group supervision is provided by a Neumann University faculty supervisor. Clinical courses are taken in the following sequence: I. Clinical Practica I II: Two semesters in which students meet with a faculty member to discuss clinical work. The student s caseload consists of two to three client hours per week. 100

II. Neumann University Graduate Catalog 2009 2010 Internship I II: An advanced placement clinical experience with a caseload of six to eight client hours per week to be completed over two semesters. Along with on-site supervision, and weekly and in-class group supervision, a minimum of 13 hours of individual (dyadic or triadic) supervision is provided in the program. Professional Certification and Licensure The program goals of the Pastoral Counseling Track of the Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Counseling meet partial requirements for certification by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), membership in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) and the American Counseling Association (ACA), and licensure in some states. Graduates, who are preparing for the NBCC certification examination, and/or are seeking state licensure, are eligible to register for additional academic course work and clinical training. (Currently, the required courses are based upon accreditation from the Pennsylvania Department of Education [PDE] as a 48-credit degree. Should the requirement for licensure change, the required number of credits for this degree program will also be increased.) Personal Growth Personal growth and self-awareness are essential in the professional development of pastoral counselors. All Pastoral Counseling Track students are required to experience ongoing personal growth counseling throughout the program. This counseling is mandated and tracked throughout clinical placement. CERTIFICATE FOR THE PASTORAL CARE SPECIALIST (CPCS) The Certificate for the Pastoral Care Specialist (CPCS) program seeks to strengthen pastoral identity, spirituality, and pastoral care practice through a combination of theoretical understanding and practical skills. This certificate meets all the requirements and standards of membership in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) category of the same name. The Certificate for the Pastoral Care Specialist program is designed for persons, e.g., ministers, deacons, hospice workers, and/or lay pastoral caregivers, who, while involved in ministries of pastoral support and caregiving, do not aspire to function as a pastoral counselor/psychotherapist. To earn the CPCS, the student must successfully complete 18 credits of required course work and clinical practice, as well as confer with a faculty advisor at the conclusion of his/her study to complete a consultation portfolio that provides needed resources and contacts for continuing referral and consultation. This portfolio both serves as the culminating integration and summation of all course work taken throughout the certificate program, and meets the stated directive of the AAPC that the Pastoral Care Specialist receive guidance regarding the limits of supporting pastoral care, including the criteria for referral to qualified professionals. Certificate for the Pastoral Care Specialist Program Outcomes At the completion of the CPCS program, the student will be able to: Understand pastoral care theology and principles. Embrace holistic training in the integration of the psychological with the spiritual. Develop competencies in crisis intervention; substance abuse; grief and loss; and supportive counseling methods for individuals, marriages, and families; as well as diagnosis and referrals. 101

Neumann University Graduate Catalog 2009 2010 Increase an awareness of the importance of demographic issues (such as age, faith tradition, ethnicity, gender) when dealing with a diverse population of clients. Reinforce the belief and application that knowledge, while valuable of itself, is to be used in the service of others (Neumann University Mission Statement). Be prepared for continuing study, if desired, in either the Pastoral Counseling or Spiritual Direction Master s degree program at Neumann University. (All credits that are obtained in the CPCS program can be applied to either of the two Pastoral Care and Counseling degree tracks.) Pastoral Care Specialist Required Courses COURSE # COURSE TITLE CREDITS PCC 500 Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling...3 PCC 527 Trauma and Crisis Counseling...2 PCC 700 Psychopathology...3 PCC 710 Marital and Family Counseling...3 PCC 740 Clinical Practicum I: Foundations of Counseling...3 PCC 784 Loss and Grief Counseling...2 PCC 785 Addictions Counseling...2 Consultation Portfolio (Required) TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS................... 18 CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDY IN PASTORAL COUNSELING (CAS) The Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) is designed for students who are seeking professional enrichment or who wish to integrate pastoral identity into a previous master s degree in the mental health field. The certificate is not a substitute for a master s degree, nor is it intended to be the sole mechanism for entrance into the Pastoral Counseling profession. In consultation with a faculty advisor, the CAS student designs an individualized learning contract covering 18 graduate credits. The student who successfully completes these 18 credits in fulfillment of the individualized learning contract is awarded the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS). Upon completion of the CAS, students may elect to transfer their credits towards the master s degree upon the recommendation of the faculty. Certificate of Advanced Study in Pastoral Counseling Program Outcomes At the completion of the CAS program, the student will be able to: Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the relationship between spirituality and psychology, both in theory and clinical practice. Demonstrate a beginning knowledge of the spectrum of psychological theories and clinical modalities. Understand the differences between spiritual leadership, pastoral counseling, and spiritual direction. 102

Neumann University Graduate Catalog 2009 2010 Understand the various paths for further professional development in the pastoral counseling field and have sufficient information to pursue them, if so desired.