Counseling: Biblical Studies/Addiction Counseling Program (BS/MA)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biblical Studies, Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling
Majors: Biblical Studies, Psychology, Addiction Counseling
Program Description: The BS/MA in Addiction Counseling program is a 5-year program that will allow students to obtain both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling. This program provides training that will give entry level qualifications for opportunities within addictions counseling, eligibility to apply for state licensure in PA (Licensed Professional Counselor), and professional certification (Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor). For this degree, graduates will also be prepared to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Although not yet accredited through CACREP, the structure and content of the MA in Addiction Counseling program is aligned with the CACREP 2016 Standards.
Major Mission: The five-year BS/MA Addiction Counseling program is focused on preparing Christian students to understand the multifactorial causes and research-based treatments for various issues in the context of addiction counseling, treatment, and prevention programs, as well as in a broader mental health counseling context. The curriculum of this program is centered on biblical truth using the Integrated Psychotherapy Model that combines faith-based methods of recovery with research-driven counseling methods. Fully acknowledging God as our ever-present help in time of trouble, this program will embark students on their missional career by thoroughly equipping them with practical and scholarly professional skills to serve within the local church, para-church organizations, counseling organizations, hospitals, prisons, retirement centers, and a variety of human service settings.
Major Outcomes - Students will:
1. Recognize the history, development, legislation, government policy, ethics, and professional identity development of counselors within the field of addiction counseling.
2. Evaluate theories, models, techniques, and interventions related to addiction counseling and substance use, as well as philosophies of addiction-related self-help through a biblical perspective.
3. Learn the application of principles, models, and documentation formats of biopsychosocial case conceptualization, etiology, treatment planning, diagnostic process, referral, application to testing and assessment, and prevention of addictive and substance use disorders.
4. Enhance culturally and developmentally relevant skills necessary to raise awareness and support addiction, substance abuse prevention and the recovery process at various delivery modalities within the continuum of care.
5. Develop understanding of the scholarly literature and its application within the neurological, behavioral, psychological, physical, and social effects of psychoactive substances and addictive disorders in order to develop skills to assess symptoms of psychoactive substance toxicity, intoxication, resiliency to psychoactive substance abuse disorders and withdrawal while utilizing reduction techniques for negative effects of substance use, abuse, dependence, and addictive disorders.
6. Determine the classifications, indications, contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications for appropriate medical referral and consultation, while understanding the potential of substance use disorders mimicking and/or co-occurring with a variety of medical and psychological disorders
7. Identify the role of wellness and spirituality within the addiction recovery process, while incorporating vocation, family, social networks, and community systems within the recovery and treatment process.
8. Acquire an understanding of ethical principles and application to prospective addiction counseling situations that reflect an open and collaborative approach to resolve legal and ethical dilemmas.
9. Assist clients in recognizing life problems caused by addiction and continued harmful use or abuse, versus the benefits of life without an addiction.
10. Synthesize information and knowledge into practice through supervised counseling experiences.
Program Purpose & Goals:
The Educational Philosophy of the BS/MA Addiction Counseling Program is:
- To provide clinical training such that students are well-versed in research-based theoretical orientations and able to articulate and apply such views.
- To provide ample clinical experiences (in vivo and case study) such that students are able to grasp and deliver individual psychotherapy.
- To provide a framework of learning that promotes critical thinking so that students are able to demonstrate professional evaluation of theoretical content in light of a biblical worldview.
- To provide robust clinical supervision for students as they practice/apply clinical skills taught in the classroom.
- To provide experiences in which students can transition their knowledge of scholarly publications and foundational, research-based clinical theories into future research endeavors.
The curriculum sheet identifies the courses for this program. Counseling: Biblical Studies/Addiction Counseling (BS/MA) Curriculum Sheet
For the course descriptions related to this program, see the courses section of the catalog.
Degree Requirements
Program Director:
Ryan M. Kuehner PhD (Associate Professor, Chair, Counseling & Social Work Dept. and M.A. in Professional Counseling Program Director)
Holding a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Kuehner considers himself fortunate to serve students as Associate Professor, Director of the M.A. Professional Counseling Program, and Chair of the Counseling & Social Work Department. Whether through ongoing research projects, student instruction and advisement, clinical practice, curriculum development, admissions management, or accreditation endeavors, Dr. Kuehner brings a wealth of scholarly and practical knowledge toward the goal of maintaining and growing premier undergraduate and graduate programs. Surrounded by extremely gifted colleagues, Dr. Kuehner is enthused to collectively forge ahead in training students in both the art and the science of professional psychotherapy undergirded by Integrationist Theory. Areas of instruction for Dr. Kuehner encompass psychopharmacology, abnormal psychology, biopsychology, professional ethics, applied counseling techniques, theories of personality, specialized therapies, and advanced applied research practicum. Dr. Kuehner has been married for 17 years; he and his wife have three children.
Faculty:
Resident Faculty:
Ryan M. Kuehner, Ph.D.
Jon Shacklett, MA, LPC, CAADC, ACS
Melissa Boas, MEd
Praveen Rudra, MA
Adjunct and Visiting Faculty:
Arwa Nye, MEd
Brittany Ober, MA
Daniel Grubb, MA
Day Butcher, Ph.D.
Faith Ann Day, MA
James Johnson, DMin
Jonathan Reese, MA
Joshua Irvine, MA, LPC
Justin D. Charles, PsyD
Justin Steele, PsyD
Kimberly Blest, MA, LPC
Olivia Murrin, MA, LPC
Sean Dougherty, MS, MEd