Pastoral Counseling, M.S.

Master of Science and Graduate Certificate Programs in Pastoral Care and Counseling

Overview

The Department of Pastoral Care and Counseling offers a Master of Science degree program in Pastoral Counseling as well as graduate certificate programs in both Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction. The Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling and graduate certificate programs in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction actively integrate psychology and spirituality in an ecumenical learning community that is both spiritually nurturing and intellectually challenging. The Neumann approach stresses a developmental understanding of individuals and groups, preparing students to meet the unique mental and spiritual demands of a complex pluralistic world, while responding in a spirit of contemplative love. People of all faiths and spiritual practices are welcome. Spiritual Direction certificate programs provide training in spiritual direction, spiritual direction supervision, and additional courses in spirituality.

Accreditation

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to Neumann University’s Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling degree program, under the standards in Community Counseling, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314; Telephone: 703-535-5990; Fax: 703-739-6209; or, [email protected]. The Pastoral Counseling Program is also accredited by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), 9504A Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22031; Telephone: 703-385-6967; Fax: 703-352-7725; E-mail: [email protected]; or www.aapc.org. The Pastoral Counseling Program is also approved to be a provider of CEUs by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), 3 Terrace Way, Greensboro, NC 27403; Telephone: 336-547-0607, Fax: 336- 547-0017; or, www.nbcc.org.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for either a degree or certificate program in the Department of Pastoral Care and Counseling must complete the following:

• Submit a completed Graduate Student Application for Admission, or apply online through the Neumann University web site at www.neumann.edu.
• An essay not to exceed three pages describing one’s religious or spiritual journey, including pivotal life experiences and instances of helping others, which embody a sense of calling to pastoral care, pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, or spiritual direction supervision.
• Three letters of recommendation from persons with whom you are familiar and who can speak to your academic suitability for graduate studies, your personal maturity, and your potential for the ministry of pastoral counseling or spiritual direction. If applying for a Spiritual Direction certificate, one of the letters must be from your Spiritual Director, affirming that you have a regular, ongoing relationship.
• Provide official transcripts from each regionally accredited, degree-granting institution attended, including that of the baccalaureate degree and, if applicable, the master’s degree.

Applications are processed on a rolling admissions basis. An interview with a designated Pastoral Care and Counseling faculty member will be scheduled as part of the application process.

To begin classes in the Fall semester, it is recommended that, in order to allow time for the interview process to occur, all admission requirements should be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions by August 1. Similarly, to begin classes in the Spring semester, all admission requirements should be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions by December 1.

Limitation on Transfer Credit

Because of the ever-evolving and pre-paradigmatic nature of the foundation on which Pastoral Care and Counseling rests, the program has set a limit of seven years for the acceptance of transfer credit for which a minimum grade of “B” has been earned from any regionally accredited, degreegranting institution to Neumann University. This time limitation applies to all Core and required courses. Transfer of equivalent elective courses, however, may exceed this time limitation with the written approval of the Dean of the Division of Education and Human Services. Exceptions to this policy can only be made with the written approval of both the Dean of the Division of Education and Human Services and the Director of Pastoral and Theological Studies.

Non-Matriculated Students

A maximum of 9 credits earned over no more than three semesters may be taken as a non-matriculated student. To transfer non-matriculated credits to a degree or certificate program, a student must receive permission from the Director of the Program.

Course Schedule

Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction courses meet on weekdays in the late afternoon and during the evening, with some elective courses being offered on Saturday and Sunday.

Progression/Retention/Graduation Requirements

For the Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling, continued progress requires that the student maintain both a “B” average after the completion of 18 credit hours and a satisfactory rating in all characteristics judged necessary for the profession. Students in practicum and internship courses must demonstrate competence in technical performance and professional attitude in the clinical setting. All degree requirements for the program must be completed in no less than two years and not more than five years. Students who wish an exemption to this time frame must submit a written request to the Director of the program. Graduation from the program is contingent upon: (1) submitting a signed Application for Graduation form to the Registrar on or before the date specified in the Academic Calendar, (2) completion of the program with at least a cumulative 3.00 GPA, with no more than two grades of “C,” and (3) successful completion of a final Integrative Paper in which the student integrates the practice of pastoral counseling or spiritual direction, using both theological and psychological resources.

Professional Membership and Liability Insurance

Students in Pastoral Counseling or Spiritual Direction programs are required to carry student liability insurance throughout their clinical sequence (i.e., clinical case practicum and internship). Proof of insurance is kept on file in the department office. Information on purchasing insurance may be obtained from the program secretary.

Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling

Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling (48 credits); Certificate of Advanced Study (18 credits)

Recognizing that the field of pastoral 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 Counseling (48 credits) 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 also strongly urged to take this program of study.

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.

The Pastoral Counseling Program 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 Program Outcomes

At the completion of the Master of Science Degree Program in Pastoral 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.

Suggested Program Plans: Pastoral Counseling

Pastoral Counseling Clinical Sequence

After completing the necessary prerequisite courses, students interview for and secure their clinical sites with assistance from the Coordinator of Clinical Placement. Settings may include counseling agencies, parishes, prisons, hospitals, hospices, 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:

1. Clinical Practica I–II: Over two semesters, students meet in a small group seminar with a faculty member to discuss clinical work. The student’s caseload consists of two to three client hours per week.
2. Internship I–II: This advanced placement clinical experience has a caseload of six to eight client hours per week to be completed over two semesters. Along with on-site supervision, and weekly in-class small 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 Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling Degree Program 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 for partially fulfilling requirements for 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 Program students are required to experience ongoing personal growth counseling throughout the program. This counseling is mandated and tracked throughout clinical placement.