Master of Biblical Psychology

42 credit hours required

Core

PSY500 - Exegesis I (New Testament) –  3 credits

PSY507 - Hermeneutics I  – 3 credits

PSY510 - Christian Counseling Training I (Dr. Kitay) – 3 credits

PSY504 - Pneumatology (Ministry of the Holy Spirit) - 3 credits

PSY523 - Human Development – 3 credits

PSY528 - Research and Evaluation – 3 credits

PSY550 - Cultural and Ethnic Perspectives – 3 credits
PSY555 - Crisis Intervention I – 3 credits
PSY564 - Using the DSM (IV) I –  3 credits (This is an elective if you have taken a class on the DSM)

Electives

PSY505 - Introduction to Forensic Psychology – 3 credits
PSY520 - Ethics for Psychologists – 3 credits
PSY521 - Seasonal Affective Disorder –3 credits
PSY522 - Ethics in School Counseling – 3 credits
PSY525 - Addiction, Intervention and Treatment – 3 credits
PSY538 - Learning Theories – 3 credits

PSY532 - Health Care Information Systems – 3 credits
PSY840 - Child Therapy – 3 credits
PSY541 - Cinema Therapy – 3 credits
PSY550 - Health Care Law – 3 credits
PSY542 - Counseling the Adolescent – 3 credits
PSY557 – Epidemiology of Deviant Behavior – 3 credits

PSY575 - Advanced Clinical Evaluation – 3 credits
PSY595 - Field Practicum – 6 credits

PSY548 - Tests and Measurements – 3 credits

PSY573 - Group Process – 3 credits
PSY590 – Psychopathology – 3 credits

PSY512 – Christian Counseling Training II – 3 credits

Total credits required for Master of Biblical Psychology – 42

Doctor of Biblical Psychology

44 Credit Hours

Transfer Credits - Call for information.

Core

PSY700 - Exegesis II (New Testament) –  4 credits

PSY707 - Hermeneutics II – DCT 503 – 3 credits

PSY810 - Christian Counseling Training I (Dr. Kitay) – 3 credits

PSY812 – Christian Counseling Training II – 3 credits

PSY711 – Law for the Christian Counselor – 3 credits

PSY755 - Spiritual Gifts in Crisis Counseling – 3 credits

PSY764 - Using the DSM (IV) II – DCT 556 – 4 credits

PSY890 - Case Study – 5 credits (required with thesis summarizing case study

 for Doctor of Psychology degree

Electives

PSY703 - Discovering the Old Testament –  4 credits

PSY705 - Recovering from Grief –  3 credits

PSY709 – Personality theories –  3 credits

PSY713 - Setting up a Counseling Center – 4 credits

PSY721 - Foundations of Psychology - Doctoral Learners - 3 credits

PSY733 - Psychopharmacology - 3 credits

PSY751 - Counseling the Depressed II – 3 credits

PSY753 - Counseling the Suicidal/Teen Suicide – 3 credits

PSY754 - Multicultural Perspectives in Human Behavior - 3 credits

PSY756 - Advanced Research Methods - 3 credits

PSY763 - Qualitative Analysis - 3 credits

PSY771 - Family Systems Theories - 3 credits

PSY772 - Family and Marriage Counseling – 3 credits

PSY775 - Divorce, Remarriage, and Blended Family – 3 credits

PSY777 - Sexual Dysfunction and Abuse – 3 credits

PSY814 - Christian Counseling Training III – 3 credits

PSY854 - Current Issues and Methods in Family Research - 3 credits

PSY857 - Advanced Child/Adolescence Therapy – 3 credits

PSY860 - Abuse Therapy – 3 credits

.

Total credits required for Biblical Doctor of Psychology – 44

Total credits required for Ph.D. in Biblical Psychology - 57

The Degrees in Biblical Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy: The treatment of a behavior disorder, mental illness, or any other condition by psychological means. Psychotherapy may utilize insight, persuasion, suggestion, reassurance, and instruction so that patients may see themselves and their problems more realistically and have the desire to cope effectively with them.

There are many possible definitions of psychotherapy, just as there are many different types of psychotherapy, including -- just to mention a few -- cognitive therapy, family therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. All of these sub disciplines can be integrated into Biblical, Christian, and Spiritual, Christ Centered Counseling and Therapy.

Counseling recently has taken a dramatic step backwards as traditional psycho-therapy models are being abandoned for biblically based models of counseling. What is going on? Why are individuals, corporations, and health plans going back to pre-Freudian counseling?  Contact the AACT for location of articles on this subject.

This paper addresses the need for a Biblically based psychotherapy to replace a psychotherapy dominated by Greek mythology. Centers for Biblical Psychotherapy are proposed and sample curriculums are discussed here.

Biblical Healing

Let us start with basics. What has the Bible been saying about health (whether mental, emotional or physical) for the past several thousand years? The following is a small sample of references:

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear and respect the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." Proverbs, 3:7-8

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when hopes are realized at last, there is life and joy." Proverbs, 13:12

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. And are you not worth much more than they?" Matthew, 6:26

"This is what the Lord says: 'Your wound is incurable, your injury is beyond healing. There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, no healing for you. All your allies have forgotten you; they care nothing for you.... But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds...'" Jeremiah, 30:12-14, 17

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John, 14:27

Even in this cursory perusal, it's easy to see that the biblical concepts of health are the same as those taught to graduate students in counseling: Hope, faith and an acceptance of reality, an understanding that we are not the center of the universe, peace of heart (a release of worry), generosity, service, humility, joy, and love. I am sure there is more, but I believe this is a good core to start with.

Objectives for the Master’s Level

Through successful completion of all components of the program, students will be able to:

achieve eligibility for professional training at the advanced diploma/degree level.

Acquire a broad body of knowledge in theories of psychotherapy, showing understanding of  the work of key historical and contemporary figures.

Prepare for psychotherapy practice by acquiring skills in the controlled environment of the classroom or directed online study.

Gain clinical experience applying knowledge of theory and acquired skills in an approved clinical placement under the supervision of experienced practitioners, both in placement and at the School.

Demonstrate a capacity for insight into self obtained through personal therapy, study of the scriptural approach to modern day counseling and therapy, and for ongoing self-evaluation and examination of own assumptions, beliefs and prejudices that may affect clinical practice.

Implement research methodologies in order to carry out in-depth, ethical investigation of relevant topics.

Begin to consider development of an individual approach to a Biblical and Spiritual theoretical model of psychotherapy

Awards

Three different awards are possible from this course before one reaches the degree level, depending on amount of program covered by the student.

Year one within a maximum of two years may exit the program with the Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychotherapy and Counseling.

Years One and Two (within a maximum of three years) may exit the program with the Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counseling.

Years One and Two: and a 15,000-to-20,000 word dissertation (within a maximum of four years) may exit the program with the Master of Biblical Psychotherapy.

The objectives of the program are to make it possible for students:

To advance the conceptual thinking in the field, where appropriate, through making the link between psychotherapy and/or psychology and/or counseling and/or Bible principles and other related disciplines including philosophy, social science, history and social anthropology, Spiritual and Christ Centered direction;

To contribute to the comparative study of psychotherapeutic and Biblically based psychological theories and their applications whilst paying attention to the underlying philosophical assumptions, spiritual applications and the philosophical coherence of the theories;

To develop a critical and reflective understanding of debates and controversies within their chosen area of study;

To advance the development of research methods and models relevant to psychotherapy, Biblical psychology and counseling;

To conceptualize, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding spiritual directions;

To generate innovative connections between theoretical knowledge and its application to practice. 

The PhD program gives students an opportunity to research in-depth a topic of interest to them and with relevance to Biblical psychotherapy, psychology and counseling studies, under the guidance of an expert academic supervisor.  Research topics can be of a clinical, conceptual, philosophical or historical nature combined with the correct biblical and/or spiritual understanding and may draw on any of the theoretical traditions of Biblical psychotherapy, psychology and counseling.  Students are encouraged to use the research methods most appropriate to their research question.  The School mainly specializes in qualitative methodology including newer reflexive methods, however this does not preclude a student choosing quantitative methodology.  The research training module undertaken early in the PhD journey aims to encourage a reflexive approach to research,  to give students the opportunity to work on their chosen subject within a group setting and to consider important issues in research at this level.

 Call the AACT or DCU for more details.

Master of Biblical Psychotherapy courses

Person Centered Studies I

Person Centered Therapy

Mental Health (Cognitive Behavior Therapy)

Psychotherapeutic Counseling

Applied Psychology (Therapies)

Sexual and Relationship Psychotherapy I

Integrative Arts Psychotherapy

Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy and Spiritual Integration Studies

Family and Systemic Psychotherapy I

Psychodynamic Counseling

Psychodynamic Counseling with Children and Adolescents

Doctor of Biblical Psychotherapy courses

Person Centered Studies II

Mental Health (Psychosocial Interventions)

Systemic Teaching, Training and Supervision

Sexual and Relationship Psychotherapy I

Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (Enhanced Studies)

Child and Adolescent Biblical Psychotherapy

Family and Systemic Psychotherapy II

Psychodynamic Counseling

Psychodynamics of Human Development

Systemic Family Therapy

Disclaimer: The Master of Biblical Psychotherapy degree and the Doctor of Biblical Psychotherapy degree issued by Dayspring Christian University are not secular degrees, but are a Religious degree.  We do not promise admission to any secular positions if you hold this degree.  DCU is not accredited by the AMA or any other state or professional associations, and have never claimed any association to the AMA or any other state or professional associations except the AACT. The degree is not an approved degree by the AMA or any other state or professional associations, but is a religious degree issued to benefit Pastors and Christian Counselors in their pursuit to help persons in need of counseling or therapy. A similar degree has however, in the past, helped several ministers in their counseling ministry and is approved by the Archbishop of Dayspring Ministries International, The parent organization of the School and the AACT.