MS in Psychology with a Concentration in Pastoral Counseling
CalSouthern’s MS With an Emphasis on Pastoral Counseling: a Closer Look
With more and more churches developing lay counseling programs to serve the mental health needs of their congregations, clergy and lay people alike are looking to enhance their knowledge and expand their counseling skills. CalSouthern’s Master of Science (MS) in psychology with an emphasis in pastoral counseling is the perfect educational program to meet this growing need.
This online pastoral counseling degree supplements the core courses of CalSouthern’s MS program with courses offered in subjects such as the psychology of aging, death and dying, human sexuality, family systems, and other topics typically addressed in the pastoral counseling context.
Whether you’re looking to the MS with an emphasis on pastoral counseling to improve your counseling skills or as a stepping-stone to CalSouthern’s doctoral programs, you’ll be able to study on your own schedule, from home, and at your own pace. You can complete all of your coursework online—no classroom attendance is required—so you can work toward your online pastoral counseling degree without compromising your professional obligations or disrupting your family life.
At CalSouthern, you’ll benefit from a community of support. The entire School of Behavioral Sciences stands ready to provide all the tools and guidance you’ll need, from the faculty (which is comprised of gifted educators as well as experienced mental health professionals), to the administration, and university staff. A team of IT professionals can provide assistance with CalSouthern’s cutting-edge e-learning platform. You’ll even have ready access to a staff librarian who’s accredited by the American Library Association. It’s this community of support that sets CalSouthern apart from other online universities—and it’s something we take great pride in.
Pastoral Psychology Courses
PSY 87541 Psychology of Religion
The Psychology of Religion explores the characteristics and ethical issues associated with spirituality and its integration into psychotherapy. The roles of culture and health are also investigated. This course provides an introductory examination of how spirituality and therapy are intimately related. It reviews models for healing through understanding the role of religion, ritual, and spirituality. Spiritual assessment of the individual is also discussed. Learners will be able to determine the relationship between healing and spirituality, focusing on specific therapeutic interventions. Learners are also encouraged to develop a personal model of spiritual development and to understand the integration of spirituality for self and clients, offering an active role for clients in the development of their healing process.
Learning Outcomes:- Evaluate course concepts critically and competently through interaction with Learners and Faculty Mentor
- Integrate course concepts through the use of the Taylor Study Method
- Examine spiritual ritual and spiritual interventions
- Assess the relationship of religion and spirituality to health
- Formulate spiritual assessment and treatment plans in psychotherapy
- Correlate current research on religion and spirituality and its role in psychotherapy
- Combine legal/ethical issues of religion/spirituality in the therapeutic relationship
- Evaluate and incorporate emerging relevant technologies applicable to the field of psychology
- Analyze and evaluate information critically and effectively
- Demonstrate ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology