Western Seminary offers
three counseling degree options through the Portland campus:
- the Master of
Arts (M.A.) in Counseling (requiring 71 hours)
- the dual degree
track of M.A. in Counseling and the M.Div. in Pastoral Counseling
(requiring 112 hours)
- and the dual
degree track of M.A. in Counseling and M.A. in Intercultural
Studies (requiring 106 hours).
In addition to the
Seminary's general educational goals, the counseling programs
endeavor to achieve the following:
1. Equip counselors
for ministry in and through the Church;
2. Integrate biblical and theological foundations with the insights
of psychology and practical counseling strategies;
3. Promote growth in Christian maturity demonstrated through effective
interpersonal relationships; and
4. Prepare individuals who are seeking state licensure.
The specific competencies
we endeavor for our students to obtain are listed below.
Master of Arts
in Counseling, Core Competencies
(Courses assigned
primary responsibility for developing each competency are listed
following that competency. Overarching competencies should be
contributed to by each course)
Upon completing
the core M.A. Counseling curriculum, each M.A. student shall:
BE a person whose godliness is worthy of being emulated by
others, and whose integrity imparts credibility to his/her ministry
(SFS 501-504; CNS 506; overarching).
- motivated by
a genuine love for God, others and self;
- reflects biblical
balance and skill in life management, appropriately fulfilling
those roles and responsibilities mandated by God;
- regularly practices
the spiritual disciplines;
- aware of and
applying biblical principles for forming new habits.
BE a person who experiences interdependency with others so that the
interests of the whole group are best served (SFS 501, 502, 504;
PRA 530; CNS 512).
- appreciates different
temperaments and gifts;
- a "life participant"
in a body of believers;
- appropriately
ecumenical in advancing God's kingdom.
KNOW significant themes and developments within biblical history to
understand the "bigger picture" of God's redemptive program (BLS
501-502/03).
KNOW the tenets of historic orthodoxy (THS 501-503).
- how to defend
them biblically;
- how each can
be meaningfully communicated to contemporary society;
- the primary implications
of each for ministry;
- articulate a
personal theology;
- a method for
addressing theologically contemporary issues confronting the
church and society.
KNOW at an
introductory level assessment measures available to mental health
practitioners (CNS 525).
- be sensitive
to ethics related to testing and interpretation of results;
- have an increased
self awareness of mental, emotional, and spiritual functioning
by having taken, scored, and evaluated a variety of testing
instruments.
KNOW his/her
personal strengths, weaknesses, and other elements of individuality
that can help or hinder ministry effectiveness (PRA 530; CNS 512;
CNS 525; CNS 530-534).
- strengths and
liabilities of temperament, and an ability to talk about them
in an open and non-defended manner;
- areas of primary
gifting;
- awareness of
appropriate ministry roles in light of gifting and temperament;
- awareness of
when to seek help for continued personal growth;
- gives and receives
peer and professional feedback regarding personal and professional
issues.
KNOW the major theories of counseling and personality development (CNS
503; CNS 504; CNS 505; CNS 507; CNS 512).
- major themes
of development across the life-span and how they impact the
helping relationship;
- the unique contributions
of the major counseling theories;
- the systems approach
to working with families and be able to apply;
- principles of
group dynamics and be able to apply principles in educational,
therapeutic and support groups;
- foundational
issues of work and career decision making.
KNOW
HOW to utilize the fundamental principles of hermeneutics
to interpret and apply biblical texts accurately (DBS 506).
- fundamental principles
of hermeneutics;
- methods of inductive/exegetical
Bible study.
KNOW
HOW to effectively integrate his/her understanding
of theology, spirituality and human behavior (CNS 508; CNS 534).
- awareness of
world view components and can articulate their own beliefs;
- understands their
personal theology and spirituality;
- has a coherent
theory of human personality.
KNOW
HOW to recognize and competently handle intercultural
issues in counseling (CNS 501; CNS 513).
- developed sensitivity
to social, spiritual, psychological, and physical issues pertinent
to a counselor working with ethnic minority clients;
- an increased
awareness of personal cultural worldview and how it affects
multicultural interactions;
- have developed
a biblical framework for viewing cross-cultural interactions.
KNOW
HOW to think critically so that various truth claims
can be effectively evaluated (THS 501-503; CNS 508; overarching).
- awareness of
world view components and can articulate their own beliefs;
- familiarity with
the unique contributions of world view systems other than their
own.
KNOW
HOW to build an effective therapeutic relationship
(CNS 501; CNS 530).
- mastery of the
basic helping skills;
- mastery of empathy
development;
- maintain an awareness
of therapist variables impacting counseling sessions;
- provide an elementary
assessment of therapist listening skills.
KNOW
HOW to accurately diagnose the major mental disorders
and KNOW HOW to establish and implement an effective treatment
plan for each (CNS 503; CNS 505; CNS 531; CNS 532)
- working knowledge
of the DSM IV;
- familiarity with
standard treatment approaches;
- ability to formulate
and implement treatment goals and objectives.
KNOW
HOW to identify and confront ethical dilemmas (CNS
506; CNS 530-534):
- have developed
a model for decision making to be used when confronted with
ethical dilemmas;
- be familiar with
pertinent professional ethical codes;
- have developed
forms appropriate for use in professional practice;
- be familiar with
ethical issues that are of particular significance to Christian
counselors.
KNOW
HOW to articulate a theology of marriage and apply
theological and psychological principles in working with couples
(CNS 511).
KNOW
HOW to build upon his/her seminary training to be a
true life-long learner (CNS 530-534; overarching).
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