2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog

Professional School Counseling Program (BS/MEd)

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Master of Education

Majors: Biblical Studies, Professional Counseling, Professional School Counseling

Certification: Pennsylvania School Counseling (K-12)

Major Mission: The School Counseling major will provide training that will grant students the opportunity to seek PA public school certification and state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Major Outcomes - Students will:

  1. Provide training in the essential areas of vocational guidance, social and developmental issues, curriculum management, and crisis intervention.
  2. Orient the student to the school counselor's role and to school counseling systems through the American School Counselor Association National Model.
  3. Create within the student the ability to conduct critical thinking skills to evaluate theory and practice from a biblical perspective.
  4. Provide an emphasis on application of information and knowledge by means of supervised school counseling experiences.
  5. Develop the student's knowledge of the foundational elements in counseling theory and research to prepare students for further study.

Requirements: Please see Department of Counseling & Social Work for admission, retention, and certification policies for all education students and majors. See Additional Requirements needed for Pennsylvania Licensure.

Professional School Counseling Major Curriculum (BS/MEd)

 

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

LBC 101Engaging Faith & Life

3

THE 105Prelude to Biblical & Theological Studies

3

LAN 101College Composition and Research

3

PCN 122_Group Experience & Self-Evaluation_AUD

3

PCN 123Introduction to the Counseling Profession

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring Semester

____ ____
Bible/Theology Focused Elective (BIB, BOT, BNT, THE)

3

BIB 106Interpreting the Bible

3

LAN 104Public Speaking

3

LIT ____
LIT Core (100/200 Level)

3

SOC 101General Psychology

3

PCN 201Systems of Counseling I: Christian

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Winterim/Summer

____ ____
Bible/Theology Focused Elective (BIB, BOT, BNT, THE)

3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

CSV 201Christian Service I

0

BIB 103Creation & Covenants: OT I

3

THE 223Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall

3

____ ____
Arts & Sciences Elective

3

PHE ____
PHE Elective

1

SOC 228Principles & Techniques of Counseling

3

PCN 212Systems of Counseling II: Psychology

3

PCN 351Therapy Lab I

1

Total Credit Hours:17

Spring Semester

CSV 202Christian Service II

0

BIB 104Israel's Life & Literature: OT II

3

THE 224Christian Narrative II: Redemption

3

HIS ____
HIS Core (100/200 Level)

3

____ ____
Bible/Theology Focused Elective (BIB, BOT, BNT, THE)

3

PHE ____
PHE Elective

1

LIT ____
LIT Core (100/200 Level)

3

SCI ____
SCI____ Science with Lab 4 credits

4

PCN 352Therapy Lab II

1

Total Credit Hours:18

Winterim/Summer

____ ____
Arts & Sciences Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Junior Year

Fall Semester

BIB 203Life of Christ: NT I

3

BOT ____
Bible Old Testament Exegetical Elective

3

SOC 203Principles of Sociology

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Spring Semester

BIB 204Early Church: NT II

3

PCN 422Intercultural Counseling Experience

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Winterim/Summer

Total Credit Hours:3

Senior Year

Fall Semester

BNT ____
Bible New Testament Exegetical Elective

3

MAT 216Statistics for the Social Sciences

3

PHI 201Introduction to Philosophy

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Spring Semester

THE 320Christianity and Culture

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Winterim/Summer

Total Credit Hours:3

Fifth Year

Fall Semester

Total Credit Hours:9

Spring Semester

Total Credit Hours:6

Notes:

CPS 501, CPS 508, PSC 555, CPS 510, CPS 530, CPS 583, PSC 521, CPS 531, CPS 515, PSC 526, PCS 504, CPS 575, CPS 546, PSC 556, CPS 525, CPS 572, PSC 535, PSC 601, PSC 523, PSC 602: Graduate School Course

Electives may be taken at other times: winter term, spring semester or summer

Counseling Admissions and Candidacy Process

Program Admission Criteria

The application process for the M.A counseling programs has four phases: Initial application phase (IAP), interview phase (IP; parts 1-3), preliminary acceptance phase (PAP), and candidacy phase (CP).

Initial Application Phase (IAP) requires submission of the following items:

  • Online application form with $40 application fee.
  • Personal statement of spiritual journey and statement of faith
  • Two professional references completed online by their applicant’s supervisor(s) and their pastor
  • Transcript of an accredited Bachelor’s degree (and grad. transcripts if seeking transfer credit approval).
  • The TOEFL examination is required only if English is not the applicant's native language or if the applicant has not completed a degree program taught in English. TOEFL scores must be from tests administered within two years of the application deadline. The official TOEFL score report must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service.
  • Individuals seeking admission to the MA program must complete each step of the application process by submitting a complete application by:

Fall Semester Start

August 1

Spring Semester Start

December 1

Summer Semester Start

April 1

To apply online, go to the following link: https://www.LBC | Capital.edu/capital/admissions/

Current LBC | CAPITAL undergraduate students who are pursuing Counseling Majors and wish to apply for the 5-year grad school program will go through a similar process the semester immediately following their completion of 45 credits. Applications for these students must be completed and submitted by:

Fall Semester Start

April 19

Spring Semester Start

November 11

Upon review of application materials, prospective students will be contacted by the Counseling Department within one week for the application interview.

IAP Grading Rubric:

20 possible points

  • Professional Reference 1 completed online (max 5 points)
  • Professional Reference 2 completed online (max 5 points)
  • Undergraduate GPA - (max 5 points) –

4.0-3.75 = 5

3.5-3.74 = 4

3.25-3.49 = 3

3.0-3.24 = 2

2.75-2.99 = 1

  • Autobiographical Statement of Faith (max 5 points)

Those accepted at this phase will be welcomed to the campus for the interview phase.

Interview Phase Part 1 (IP1):

The prospective student is invited for an on-campus interview with the admission committee. Before the meeting, the applicant is asked to type a 1-page scholarly paper using APA format in Microsoft Word reviewing articles given to them that day. Writing samples help us assess for graduate-level skills related to comprehension, adaptability, critical thinking, and scholarly writing (max 10 points).

Interview Phase Part 2 (IP2):

 After completion of the writing sample, the student has to appear before the admission committee for a face-to-face interview. During the interview process, the committee assesses interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and self-awareness (max 5 points). 

IP Grading Rubric:

15 possible points

Part 1 (max 10 points)

Part 2 (max 5 points)

-A score of 11 or higher is required for admission. Those who have met the interview criteria will be welcomed to the preliminary acceptance phase.

Preliminary Acceptance Phase (PAP):

This phase enables provisional acceptance to the graduate program. During this phase, the new MA Counseling student will need to take the following four courses:

  • CPS 501: Orientation to Professional Counseling Identity, Function & Ethics
  • CPS 508: Counseling Skills in Helping Relationships
  • CPS 515: Counseling Theory & Techniques
  • CPS 530: Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
  • CPS 541: Group Counseling Leadership Skills.

In addition to the requirement of a grade of B or higher, each student will be rated by their professors on various interpersonal and academic performance standards. The student will then meet with their academic advisor under being deemed academically and interpersonally fit to continue to the candidacy phase. Should the student not meet the above expectations, an individual remediation plan tailored to the student’s growth needs will be developed. If the student does not satisfy the requirements of the remediation plan, they will be dismissed from the program.

Candidacy Process:

In addition to the requirement of a grade of B or higher, each student will be rated by their professors on various interpersonal and academic performance standards in each of the Tier 1 courses. Students have to complete the following requirements before scheduling the candidacy meeting.

Students’ academic performance, interpersonal characteristics, and behavior are monitored throughout the program.

New students begin the program in the Preliminary Acceptance Phase (PAP). During this phase, the new MA Counseling student will need to display academic fitness and interpersonal fitness through the following four 1st Tier courses:

  • CPS 501 Orientation to Professional CNS Identity, Function, & Ethics
  • CPS 508 Counseling Skills in Helping Relationships
  • CPS 515 Counseling Theories and Methodologies
  • CPS 530 Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
  • CPS 541 Group Counseling and Leadership Skills

Students are required to earn a grade of B or higher in each of the five PAP courses. Each student will also be rated by their PAP course professors on various interpersonal and academic performance standards via the Critical Competencies Review form. The student will then meet with their academic advisor under being deemed academically and interpersonally fit to continue to the candidacy phase. Should the student not meet the above expectations, an individual remediation plan tailored to the student’s growth needs will be developed. If the student does not satisfy the requirements of the remediation plan, they will be not permitted to move forward in the program.

Students who complete the PAP portion of the program move on to the candidacy phase.

Candidacy Phase (CP)

To ensure the student’s socio-emotional and behavioral fitness for the profession, they will be required to take the MMPI-2 and the 16PF no later than the semester following approval of academic and interpersonal competence as noted above. The student will also be interviewed by a faculty member, and test results will be interpreted collaboratively by full-time faculty. Recommendations germane to findings will be generated and the advisor will meet with the student to communicate this information. Examples of recommendations include but are not limited to:

Clearances

Two (2) background checks are required prior to your candidacy interview (more information below) and are necessary for approval for field placement in an educational setting.

  • PA Child Abuse Clearance (ACT 151)
  • PA Criminal Background Check (ACT 34)
  • Proof of completed Mandated Reporter Training

Personality and Career Assessment: These assessments are required and reviewed in order to ensure the student is at a socio-emotional and behavioral level fit for the profession.

  1. MMPI-2: Before exiting the Pre-Candidacy phase, the student will need to obtain a personality evaluation, comprising of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory – 2nd Edition Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF).  The student’s advisor will review the results of this assessment and discussed at the Candidacy interview.   The results of the personality evaluation may verify the student’s continuation within the program and/or evidence a need for additional counseling, or it may show evidence that another area of pursuit would be in the student’s best interest.  Failure to complete this requirement will result in the student’s inability to take additional courses. 
  2. 16-PF:  The student is also required to take the 16-Personality Factors Assessment. The assessment is reviewed with the student during the candidacy interview.  We utilize the Human Resource Development Report that will assess your personality and the associated relationship with common workplace factors to ensure that your chosen career path correlates with common counseling environments. 

After the required assessments are completed and all materials received by the Department Assistant, the student will be allowed to schedule an appointment to be interviewed for Candidacy. This meeting is an intentional pause to assess academic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal fitness to continue in the program. During the Candidacy meeting, the student will be interviewed by the Program Director. The interview will consist of review current grades in the core courses, review of interpersonal and academic rating (via a standardized form) completed by all four professors, overall program fit, and the results of the MMPI-2 and the 16 PF.

Based on the results of the Candidacy meeting, recommendations germane to findings will be generated. Examples of recommendations include but are not limited to:

  • Formal approval as socio-emotionally, academically, and behaviorally fit for advancement to Candidacy.
  • Provisionally fit for Candidacy IF various recommendations are followed
  • Temporary hiatus from additional classes until requirements have been satisfactorily fulfilled.
  • Unfit for candidacy and dismissal from the program.