Master of Science in Christian Psychological Studies

The Master of Science in Christian Psychological Studies is designed to meet the needs of the following students:

• Those seeking primarily theoretical training in the integration of psychology and theology. These may be students who are interested in research or preparation for a more advanced degree or who have already earned a graduate degree in a related field.
• Professionals who wish to integrate their faith and practice. These are people who already have training and are counseling in some context but wish to more explicitly integrate their Christian faith in their counseling. These people also may be motivated by seeking a credential to demonstrate to managed care organizations that they are qualified to list “Christian counseling” as a specialization of their practice.
• Students who are concurrently receiving training at another institution in a program that leads to a counseling- related credential and who wish to formalize their training in integration.
• Pastors who counsel as part of their ministry and wish to formalize their training in integration.

The M.S. degree is NOT designed to lead to licensure or to any independent practice of counseling. Rather, it essentially pulls the integrative track out of the M.A. in Professional Counseling with minor alterations and additions. It requires 32 hours of coursework as outlined in the program sequence.

The following specializations are available for the M.S. degree with restrictions as noted in the graduate degree general overview section:

• Addictions Counseling
• Applied Practice
• Child and Adolescent Therapy
• Christian Sex Therapy
• Leadership and Coaching
• Spirituality and Counseling

The M.S. degree can be completed in a minimum of two semesters but cannot extend past five academic years from the time of matriculation. Students who choose a specialization may not be able to complete the degree in one year.

Please see p. 29 of the graduate catalog for more information.