Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling
A Cross-Disciplinary Program (PCAC, THEO, COUN, MFTS) housed in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies
Ellen Colangelo, Ph.D., Coordinator, Pastoral Care and Counseling Program
Collateral Faculty include designated faculty in the Departments of Theology and Religious Studies; Counseling, School of Education; Peace and Justice Studies and Marital and Family Therapy, School of Education
Program Description
The M.A. in Pastoral Care and Counseling is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide foundational skill development for the ministry of pastoral care and counseling. The program focuses on the provision of basic intervention and referral strategies for individuals, couples and families within the faith community.
The program utilizes a variety of learning models and emphasizes skill development in perception, cognitive and affective integration, practical application and theological or spiritual reflection. Students are challenged to integrate theory and practice, theology and ministry and the experience of faith with the complexities of living in a pluralistic society. Students who have previously earned a graduate degree in theology, ministry, or counseling may petition for a waiver of courses, but not unit requirements. All waivers and electives are subject to faculty approval.
The 42-unit curriculum emphasizes academic investigation and acquisition of appropriate skills in eight areas:
- Spiritual assessment;
- Moral or faith development;
- Behavioral observation or assessment;
- Interpersonal communication;
- Basic counseling skills;
- Professional identity and ethics;
- Organizational development; and,
- Theological reflection.
Upon completion of the degree requirements, graduates are prepared to engage in ministries of pastoral care assisting people in dealing with psycho-social and moral-religious issues in their personal lives. Skills acquired are based upon principles of practical theology and pastoral counseling which enable graduates to identify personal or relational concerns and to make appropriate professional referrals.
Graduates find service opportunities in a variety of settings, including local congregations, chaplaincy and campus ministry programs, hospitals, hospices, pastoral counseling centers, and other ministry-related institutions.
Professional Recognition
Though additional training and/or supervision hours may be required, program requirements are commensurate with the basic certification standards of a variety of pastoral care and counseling organizations including the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), and the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC).
AAPC Fellow Track
Students wishing to complete the required clinical supervision hours and coursework for certification as a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) must complete 18 additional units including 6 units of Practicum (PCAC 592). This additional work will provide the required 1,375 hours of pastoral counseling and 250 hours of supervision.
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Requirements for the PCAC Degree (42 Units)
- Theology (9 units)
Selected in consultation with PCAC Coordinator
- MFTS and Counseling Theory (12 units)
For full descriptions of MFTS and Counseling courses, see appropriate sections.
COUN 525 – Group Dynamics (3)
MFTS 528 – Psychopathology (3)
MFTS 533 – Family Studies (3)
MFTS 546 – Couples Therapy (3)
- Pastoral Care and Counseling (17-19 units)
PCAC 515 – Personality Development (3)
PCAC 516 – Professional Ethics in Ministry (1)
PCAC 517 – Psychology of Religious Experience (3)
PCAC 587 – Professional Topics in Pastoral Care and Counseling
(1-3)
PCAC 590 – Pastoral Care and Counseling: Integration Seminar (3)
PCAC 592 – Pastoral Care and Counseling: Practicum (3)
Note: Students who have an approved background in psychology may substitute COUN 563 for PCAC 515.
- Electives (2-4 units)
At least 2 units of course or practicum work in an area to be selected in consultation with the PCAC Coordinator.
- Completion of a minimum two-semester practicum
(3 units each semester) at an approved site, usually in conjunction with enrollment in PCAC 592. - Comprehensive integration paper in which students demonstrate an understanding of pastoral care and counseling skills and an approach to their ministries which is psychologically sound and theologically enlightened. The paper cannot be submitted before the final semester of study and must be completed before a student can graduate.
- Students are encouraged and, at the discretion of the PCAC Coordinator, may be required to take 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education or give evidence of some other personal growth experience (e.g., spiritual direction, group or individual counseling).
- Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to complete the program.
Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS)
Purpose
The Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) offers graduate-level coursework in practical theology and pastoral counseling along with supervised practicum experience and in-depth supervision for counseling professionals as well as for clergy who wish to enhance their skills by deepening their understanding of the integration of the behavioral sciences and theology.
Benefit of the Certificate for Professionals
In addition to the pastoral counseling skills and theological education offered by the program, student’s 375 hours of supervised practicum can satisfy an important requirement for their admission into the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Admission
Admission to the CAS program requires a graduate degree in counseling or a closely related field; evidence of religious identification and personal study in the areas of psychology, theology, and religion; submission of completed application form including academic transcripts and three letters of reference; and an interview with the PCAC coordinator.
Requirements
Course requirements for the completion of the certificate include: 18 units in practical theology and pastoral counseling and a supervised practicum of 375 hours, with courses and practicum designed to meet the individual needs, level of proficiency, and professional interests of the student. These courses may be taken for academic credit or may be audited.
Requirements for the CAS (18 units)
1. Core Requirements (12 units)
THEO 534 – Faith: Developmental Perspectives (3)
PCAC 517 – Psychology of Religious Experience (3)
PCAC 590 – Integration Seminar (3)
Two Semesters PCAC 592 – Pastoral Counseling
Practicum (6)
2. Elective Options (6 units)
Theology electives chosen in consultation with PCAC Faculty Coordinator
Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Pastoral Care and Counseling students and CAS students may elect to earn the Certificate in Spiritual Direction while they are completing the requirements for their respective academic programs. The curriculum for this certificate includes four courses which must be taken in sequence. This certificate is offered in collaboration with the USD Center for Christian Spirituality.
Courses I and II, described below, are taken for continuing education credit granted by USD and are prerequisites for the second two courses. Students who wish to continue to the Practicum level (Courses III and IV) must be accepted into this level by the Director of the Center for Christian Spirituality and by their academic adviser in the PCAC program. With permission of one’s academic adviser, these two courses may be taken for USD academic credit and applied to the unit requirements for their academic program at USD.
Courses I and II will be offered during the Fall (Course I) and Spring (Course II) of academic year
2005-2006. Courses III and IV will be offered during the Fall (Course III) and Spring (Course IV) of academic year 2006-2007.
Courses
Course I – Introduction to Spiritual Direction
An overview of spiritual direction, its history, components, and various models.
Course II – Traditions in Spiritual Direction
An in-depth examination of two classic models of spiritual direction: Ignatian and Carmelite. Several other spiritualities are also studied.
Course III – Practicum in Spiritual Direction
See PCAC 597 course description
Course IV – Advanced Practicum in Spiritual Direction
See PCAC 598 course description
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have adequate knowledge of Scripture and theology. They must also be able to document extended experience with receiving spiritual direction. The fulfillment of these admission requirements are determined in consultation with the program instructors.
- Submission of a letter of interest which includes biographical data, reasons for applying to the program and information about the applicant’s background in spiritual direction.
- Submission of a letter of sponsorship from an institution or agent who can testify to the applicant’s ability to offer spiritual direction and who is willing to provide a setting for the student to complete his or her spiritual direction practicum (Course III and Course IV).
- Submission of two letters of recommendation: one from a person familiar with spiritual direction (e.g., pastor, religious superior, or supervisor); one from a colleague who has worked with the applicant in ministry.
- Personal interview with a program instructor to assess the applicant’s suitability for spiritual direction ministry. Assessment will continue throughout the certificate program to determine whether the student may progress to the next course.
Application
PCAC or CAS students who elect to earn the Certificate in Spiritual Direction should first consult with their USD academic adviser. Once it is mutually determined that a student appears to be a qualified applicant for the certificate, he or she will be put in contact with the director of the Center for Christian Spirituality. It should be noted, however, that the spiritual direction admission committee from the center makes the final decision regarding the student’s acceptance into this program.
Courses and Seminars
PCAC 515 Personality Development / 3 units
A comparative study of personality theories. Students are also encouraged to begin developing their own theory of personality. The goal of this course is to help students improve their understanding of those to whom they minister.
PCAC 516 Professional Ethics in Ministry / 1 Unit
A study of the complex ethical issues arising in the helping professions with an emphasis on providing insight into issues of integrity in ministry.
PCAC 517 Psychology of Religious Experience / 3 units
A study of the interface of psychological and religious themes in the works of writers such as Freud, Jung, Fromm, and Buber. The course includes current research deriving from these theories and the application of these insights to pastoral care and counseling.
PCAC 587 Professional Topics in Pastoral Care and Counseling /
1-3 units
An investigation of selected issues of importance to pastoral counseling professionals. Topics include, but are not restricted to: assessment methods, gender studies, cultural sensitivity in therapy, substance abuse issues, human sexuality, counseling the terminally ill, counseling the elderly patient, alternative theories of psychotherapy, abusive relationships and marriage or family issues.
PCAC 590 Pastoral Care and Counseling: Integration Seminar /
3 units
The theory and practice of pastoral counseling with an emphasis on the development of basic communication and counseling skills and the integration of behavioral science and religion.
PCAC 592 Pastoral Care and Counseling: Practicum / 3 units
Weekly on-campus seminars plus supervised fieldwork at an approved site where students gain experience in pastoral care and counseling. Pass/Fail grading option only. Prerequisite: PCAC 590. PCAC 592 may be repeated for up to 12 units.
PCAC 595 Clinical Pastoral Education / 3 units
An intensive 10-week (400-hour) internship program in which students learn and reflect upon the skills required for effective ministry in a number of specialized settings including hospitals, parishes, prisons, family clinics, hospices, and community organizations serving HIV or AIDS patients, the homeless, the mentally ill, and the homebound. Utilizing didactic seminars, group process, and individual supervision, the program offers students internship experience and provides them with a theological perspective for understanding the issues that arise from this experience. This course is offered in collaboration with one of the Clinical Pastoral Education centers in San Diego. Pass/Fail grading option only. Prerequisites: Permission of student’s academic adviser and prior acceptance into an approved CPE program. Students who anticipate enrolling for this course should, therefore, begin the advisement and application process at least one semester before their planned registration for PCAC 595. May be repeated with permission of the PCC Coordinator.
PCAC 597 Practicum in Spiritual Direction / 3 units
The practicum involves students in doing spiritual direction with five directees, their own personal spiritual direction, individual supervision, and weekly on-campus seminars which include group supervision of interns’ practicum experiences and discussion of particular issues in spiritual direction. Pass/Fail grading option only. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first two courses in the Spiritual Direction Certificate Program (non-credit), permission of the student’s academic adviser, and acceptance into the Practicum-level of the Certificate Program by the program instructors from the Center for Christian Spirituality.
PCAC 598 Advanced Practicum in Spiritual Direction / 3 units
The Advanced Practicum continues and deepens the process of supervision and discussion of issues in spiritual direction. Pass/Fail grading option only. Prerequisites: Successful completion of PCAC 597, permission of the student’s academic adviser, and acceptance into the course by the program instructors from the Center for Christian Spirituality.
PCAC 599 Directed Research / 1-3 Units
An opportunity for students to research a topic of particular interest to them and to write a substantive paper on this topic. Prerequisite: Permission of the PCAC coordinator and approval of the faculty member who agrees to supervise the project.
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