Counseling: Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling (BS/MA)
Credential: Bachelor of Science in Psychology
In a 4+1 program, students work toward the completion of an undergraduate degree while also pursuing a Master’s degree. Graduate-level courses taken during undergraduate studies fulfill both undergraduate elective requirements and graduate program requirements. In the 4+1 program, students are dual-enrolled in LBC and Capital Seminary and Graduate School.
Majors: Psychology and Biblical Studies (BS)
Certification/Licensure: LBC | Capital’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling BS/MA 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. The undergraduate portion of the program alone is not sufficient for LPC 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 allows students to earn both degrees 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.
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.
Curriculum Structure and Degree Requirements
|
Curriculum Structure
|
Credits
|
|
LBC Foundation Studies Courses
|
4
|
|
Bible & Theology Core Courses
|
30
|
|
Arts & Sciences Core Courses
|
31
|
|
Major Courses
|
69 |
| Exploration Courses |
3 |
|
Program Total
|
137 |
The following tables show the scope & sequence to the undergraduate degree in a 4+1 program. Upon graduation from the undergraduate program, the student enrolls in the master's program and completes the remaining master's courses.
LBC Foundations (4 credits)
Bible & Theology Courses (30 credits)
| BTH 101 | Foundations for Biblical and Theological Studies | 3 |
| BIB 103 | Creation & Covenants: OT I | 3 |
| BIB 104 | Israel's Life & Literature: OT II | 3 |
| THE 223 | Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall | 3 |
| THE 224 | Christian Narrative II: Redemption & Consummation | 3 |
| BIB 203 | Life of Christ: NT I | 3 |
| BIB 204 | Early Church: NT II | 3 |
| Bible Elective - BOT or BNT | 3 |
THE
| Theology Elective | 3 |
| THE 320 | Christianity and Culture | 3 |
Arts & Sciences Courses (31 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 (100/200 Level) | 1 |
| MAT 217 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| SOC 101/PSY 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 203 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| Arts & Sciences Elective (300 or 400) level | 3 |
| Arts & Sciences Elective (300 or 400) level | 3 |
Counseling Courses (69 credits)
| THE 303, 305, 313, or 316 | 3 |
| PSY 122 | Group Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSY 143 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 228/SOC 228 | Principles and Techniques of Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSY 444 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 415 | Practicum | 3 |
| PSY 351 | Therapy Lab | 3 |
| PSY 400 | Cross-cultural Experience | 1 |
PSY
| Psychology Elective | 3 |
PSY
| Psychology Elective | 3 |
| PSY 496 | Capstone Thesis I | 3 |
| PSY 497 | Capstone Thesis II` | 1 |
| CPS 501 | Orientation to Professional Counseling Identity, Function & Ethics | 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 583 | Multicultural Foundations of Counseling | 3 |
| CPS 505 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| CPS 531 | Psychopathology & Counseling | 3 |
| CPS 530 | Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CPS 541 | Group Counseling Leadership Skills | 3 |
| CPS 546 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| CPS Elective | 3 |
| CPS Elective | 3 |
| CPS Elective | 3 |
Exploration Studies (3 credits)
Program Director: Sean F. Dougherty, MS, MEd
Professor Sean Dougherty is Assistant Professor and Program Director for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at LBC | Capital’s main campus. Sean is also Assistant Provost and a two-time graduate of Lancaster Bible College, holding a master’s degree of education in School Counseling and a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. His second master’s degree is from the California University of Pennsylvania in Sports Management. Professor Dougherty is currently pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. Sean has specialized in youth mental health and taught counseling in higher education for over a decade. Professor Dougherty has been a teacher, athletic coach, counselor, professor, and educational leader in K-12 and higher education settings. His areas of special interest include career counseling, group counseling, and suicide prevention. Sean maintains a caseload of clients at a local counseling center in addition to his work at LBC | Capital.
Faculty
Jon Shacklett, MA, LPC, CAADC, ACS
Day E. A. Butcher, EdD, LPC, LCAT, ATR-BC
Melissa Lee, EdD