Counseling: Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling (BS/MA)
Credential: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (updated 4.5.24)
Majors: Psychology and Biblical Studies (BS), Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
Certification/Licensure: LBC | Capital’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program includes all curricular requirements for becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania. There are additional non-curricular requirements for Pennsylvania Licensure.
Location: Lancaster
Program Mission Statement: The program will provide training that will give entry level qualifications for opportunities in professional mental health counseling field, eligibility to apply for state licensure in PA (Licensed Professional Counselor), and professional certifications.
Program Purpose & Goals:
1. To provide clinical training such that students are well-versed in research-based theoretical orientations and able to articulate and apply such views.
2. To provide ample clinical experiences (in vivo and case study) such that students are able to grasp and deliver individual psychotherapy.
3. 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.
4. To provide robust clinical supervision for students as they practice/apply clinical skills taught in the classroom.
5. To provide experiences in which students can transition their knowledge of scholarly publications and foundational, research-based clinical theories into future research endeavors.
Program Description: The BS/MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is a five-year program that will allow students to obtain both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling within five years. This degree program will provide training that will give entry level qualifications for opportunities in professional mental health opportunities, eligibility to apply for the state licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor), and professional certification. For this degree, graduates will be prepared to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Although not yet accredited through CACREP, the structure and content of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is aligned with the CACREP 2016 Standards.
Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, students will:
1. Recognize the history, development, legislation, government policy, ethics, and professional identity development of counselors within the field of clinical mental health counseling.
2. Evaluate theories, models, techniques, interventions related to clinical mental health counseling, and treatment of a broad range of mental health issues from a biblical perspective.
3. Learn the application of theories and models in developing case conceptualization, etiology, treatment planning, diagnostic process, referral, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.
4. Comprehend the administration, interpretation, and application of psychological tests and assessments specific to clinical mental health counseling.
5. Develop an understanding of scholarly literature and its application within Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
6. Enhance clinical and administrative skills necessary to conduct competent cultural treatment at various mental health service delivery modalities within the continuum of care.
7. Understand the etiology of trauma, crisis, and addictions and develop the skills to assess its impact on biological, psychological, and neurological mechanisms of mental health.
8. Acquire an understanding of ethical principles and application to prospective clinical situations that reflect an open and collaborative approach to resolve legal and ethical dilemmas.
9. Synthesize information and knowledge into practice through supervised counseling experiences.
10. Understand the classifications, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications for appropriate medical referral and consultation.
Experiential Learning: The BS/MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program includes two practicums and two internships.
Curricular Structure and Degree Requirements
|
Curricular Structure
|
Credits
|
|
Bible & Theology Courses
|
42
|
|
Arts & Sciences Courses
|
37
|
|
Counseling Courses
|
70
|
|
LBC 100 Foundations Seminar
|
1
|
|
Christian Service CSV 201, CSV 202
|
0
|
|
Program Total
|
150
|
Bible & Theology Courses (42 credits)
| BIB 103 | Creation & Covenants: OT I | 3 |
| BIB 104 | Israel's Life & Literature: OT II | 3 |
| BIB 106 | Interpreting the Bible | 3 |
| THE 105 | Prelude to Biblical & Theological Studies | 3 |
| BIB 203 | Life of Christ: NT I | 3 |
| BIB 204 | Early Church: NT II | 3 |
| THE 223 | Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall | 3 |
| THE 224 | Christian Narrative II: Redemption | 3 |
| THE 202 | Christian Political Engagement | 3 |
| THE 320 | Christianity and Culture | 3 |
BNT
| New Testament Elective | 3 |
BOT
| Old Testament Elective | 3 |
THE
| Theology Elective | 3 |
THE
| Theology Elective | 3 |
Arts & Sciences Courses (37 credits)
| LAN 101 | Academic Writing, Research, and Rhetoric | 3 |
| LAN 104 | Public Speaking | 3 |
LIT
| Literature Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
HIS
| History Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
SCI
| Science Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
SCI
| SCI Lab | 1 |
| MAT 216 | Statistics for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 101/PSY 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 203 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 228 | Principles and Techniques of Psychotherapy | 3 |
| HUM 204/SWK 204 | Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| Arts & Sciences Course (300 level) | 3 |
| Arts & Sciences Course (400 level) | 3 |
Counseling Courses (70 credits)
| PSY 122 | Group Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSY 143 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 351 | Therapy Lab | 3 |
| PSY 415 | Practicum | 3 |
| CPS 501 | Orientation to Professional Counseling Identity, Function & Ethics | 3 |
| CPS 505 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| CPS 508 | Counseling Skills in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CPS 510 | Human Growth and Development across the Lifespan | 3 |
| CPS 515 | Counseling Theory and Techniques | 3 |
| CPS 525 | Assessment Techniques in Counseling I | 3 |
| CPS 530 | Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CPS 531 | Psychopathology & Counseling | 3 |
| CPS 541 | Group Counseling Leadership Skills | 3 |
| CPS 546 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| CPS 553 | Counseling & Psychotherapy for the Individual | 3 |
| CPS 572 | Counseling Addictions | 3 |
| CPS 575 | Counseling Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| CPS 583 | Multicultural Foundations of Counseling | 3 |
| CPS 588 | Career and Lifestyle Development | 3 |
| CPS 601 | Professional CNS Practicum | 3 |
| CPS 602 | Professional CNS Internship | 3 |
| CPS 603 | Counseling Internship II | 3 |
| CPS Elective | 3 |
| CPS Elective | 3 |
LBC 100 (1 credit)
Christian Service (0 credit)
Christian Service provides an important part of the overall education program of the college. Its function is to assist students in experiencing various forms of practical ministry, proclaiming Christ by serving Him in the Church and society.
CSV 201 and
CSV 202
Faculty:
Jon Shacklett, MA, LPC, CAADC, ACS
Melissa Boas, MEd
Praveen Rudra, MA
Adjunct Faculty:
Arwa Nye, MEd
Brittany Ober, MA
Daniel Grubb, MA
Day Butcher, PhD
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