Doctor of Clinical Pastoral Counseling

Doctor of Clinical Pastoral Counseling

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Accreditation

WUV is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to grant B.A., B.S., M.R.E., M.Div., M.C.C., D.Min., and D.C.P.C. degrees. WUV is also accredited by Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

Non-Discrimination Policy

WUV admits students without regard to race, color, physical disability, national or ethnic origin and accords all rights, privileges, programs and activities to all students at the university. However, some classes are taught in Korean so it is not advisable for those who are not proficient in Korean language to register for classes that are taught in Korean.

Program Description

The purpose of the D.C.P.C. program is to advance clinically competent and spiritually mature leadership in the field of Christian Counseling by equipping students with advanced knowledge and skills that integrate counseling discipline with sound Christian doctrine. The program seeks to raise leadership and scholarship among Christian counselors so that students may be prepared to serve in churches and other faith-based organizations, as well as in secular places and practices to make meaningful community and global contributions.

Objectives

Each graduate of the D.C.P.C. program will be able to:
  1. Model and interpret a series of methods of evaluating and comparing secular theories of psychotherapy from an evangelistic standpoint, synthesizing and applying a wide array of counseling theories from an integrated Christian Worldview.
  2. Assess, diagnose, and treat clients in broad range of age, gender, and race; treat mental disorders using multiple appropriate, biblically established counseling theories and techniques.
  3. Demonstrate a counseling process that is Bible-based, God-honoring, Christ-centered, and Spirit-powered, separate from a secular psychotherapy.
  4. Incorporate ethical and legal standards from the counseling field to justify one’s own observations of a client.
  5. Evaluate children, adolescents, couples and family clients in order to effectively determine treatments in accordance with a distinctly Christian worldview and established best practices.
  6. Evaluate diverse populations within a systems context in order to effectively determine appropriate treatments.

Graduation Requirements

  1. To complete the D.C.P.C. program, candidates must satisfy the following basic elements: 1) coursework, 2) internship experience, and 3) dissertation.
  2. All prerequisites (counseling 12 credits & theology 9 credits) must be completed with a minimum grade of B- (2.7 GPA) within the year of admission.
  3. The degree must be completed within a minimum of three years and a maximum of ten years.
  4. The candidate must obtain a minimum of B (3.0 GPA) in each course to remain in the program.
  5. Students must complete 42 credit hours, including 3 credit hours of a field internship, followed by a minimum of 6 credit hours in dissertation writing.

Course

*Prerequisites*

Counseling (Any 4 courses or their equivalents from the following courses)

  • CNS511 Counseling Theory
  • CNS711 Group Counseling
  • CNS744 Psychology and Theology (Faith and Counseling)
  • CNS763 Ethics of Counseling

Theology

  • BNT501 Introduction to the New Testament I
  • BOT501 Introduction to the Old Testament I
  • THL501 Systematic Theology I

Core Major Requirements (33 credits)

  • CNS801 Pastoral Psychotherapy
  • CNS806 Counseling Process and Techniques
  • CNS810 Counselor Spirituality and Identity
  • CNS825 Advanced Marriage and Family Therapy
  • CNS835 Applied Research I
  • CNS850 Cognitive Theory and Application
  • CNS855 Attachment-Based Treatment
  • CNS860 Assessment and Treatment of Addictive Behaviors
  • CNS865 Advanced Psychopathology and Treatment
  • CNS875 Trauma and Crisis Counseling
  • CNS877 Advanced Counseling Seminar

Internship (3 credits)

  • CNS 900 Internship in Counseling I (3 credits)

Dissertation Writing and Defense (6 credits)

  • CNS 990 Dissertation Writing and Defense I (3 credits)
  • CNS 999 Dissertation Writing and Defense II (3 credits)


Total 42 Credits