College of Psychology and Counseling Program Overview and Distinctives 2018-2019 Hope International University (Updated June 2013; August 2013; updated January 2015; updated 2017)
University Mission Statement Hope International University s mission is to empower students through Christian higher education to serve the Church and impact the world for Christ. As a Christian university we are committed: Core Values 1. To remain Christ-centered, biblically based and focused on serving the Church while maintaining the values of the Restoration Movement. 2. To create a Christian environment in which students are strengthened in their faith. 3. To equip servant leaders in their chosen professions to change the world for Christ in contextually appropriate ways. 4. To provide academic programs and both organizational and physical infrastructure that are excellent in every way. 5. To conduct research in order to act as a change agent in communicating the relevance of the Gospel. 6. To be responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us. College of Psychology and Counseling Mission. In support of the university mission, the College of Psychology and Counseling exists to provide innovative and relevant programs and scholarship which integrate Christian faith and promote professional development and servant leadership in the area of psychology, counseling and human development. Purpose. The College of Psychology and Counseling provides education and training to undergraduate and graduate students for highly effective and rewarding careers as professional educator, counselors and professionals working with individuals, families and groups, in educational, organizational and community settings.
College of Psychology and Counseling Core Values The College of Psychology and Counseling is committed to: Innovation Innovative, progressive, and diverse educational experiences. Professional Development Encouraging the highest level of professionalism. Servant Leadership Inspire the living out of one s calling to be a (Christian) servant-leader like Jesus Christ. Scholarship Opportunities in research, scholarship and creative activity. Faith and Learning Fostering the infusion of Christian principles in each program. College of Psychology and Counseling Goals The College of Psychology and Counseling Goals are embedded into all coursework and field training activities in our bachelors, masters, doctoral, and certificate-level graduate programs. 1. Prepare students with theoretical and practical knowledge and cultivate critical thinking skills related to human development, psychology, counseling, and Christian principles. (Knowledge) 2. Develop high standards of professionalism and commitment to ethical and professional behavior consistent with the standards of counseling and psychology. (Professional Development) 3. Prepare effective and committed servant leaders with professional skills essential in providing human services with individuals, families, community and church. (Servant Leadership) 4. Encourage research skills that enable students to conduct and critically evaluate psychological and counseling research. (Scholarship) 5. Prepare students with essential skills that integrate Christian faith and professional practice. (Faith and Learning)
College Objectives 1. Students will articulate knowledge related to psychology, human development, and Christian principles. 2. Students will demonstrate high levels of professionalism in their chosen field related to psychology, counseling and human development. 3. Students will demonstrate and apply professional skills and knowledge to the unique needs of individuals within the community and Church. 4. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply and critically evaluate research in psychology, counseling and human development.
Master of Arts Marriage and Family Therapy Mission. The Marriage and Family Therapy Program (MFT) develops multiculturallyinformed, ethically competent therapists, grounded in Christian principles, to join with families in identifying life challenges, empowering the restoration of broken bonds, and cultivating healthy and satisfying relationships. Purpose The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program provides academic and clinical training for a career as a professional marriage and family therapist. Students are trained to treat relational mental health issues with individuals, couples, and families from a family systems perspective. Program Description The 60-unit program is designed to integrate both theory, practice, and research, grounded in Christian principles. The core curriculum focuses on academic research, theory, and clinical training. The faculty provide a rich, collaborative educational experience through mentorship, professional development, and dedication to student success. In addition to academic course requirements, students are placed in practicum sites where they undergo real-world training experiences with diverse clientele. Practicum supervisors have met rigorous supervision standards set forth by AAMFT. The MFT program at Hope International University accepts students from around the world and is dedicated to training students to work with diverse populations. Program Goals Upon completion of the MA in MFT degree, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate essential knowledge (1) of systemic theory and the principles of marriage and family therapy, (2) related to clinical case conceptualization, diagnosis, intervention, and the use of community mental health resources and, (3) to write and articulate their personal theoretical model for therapy. (Knowledge) 2. Demonstrate skills that reflect high standards of professionalism and commitment to ethical and professional behavior consistent with the standards of marriage and family therapy and Christian principles. (Professionalism) 3. Demonstrate clinical skill and the ability to apply effective therapeutic techniques to meet the diverse needs of individuals, couples, and families. (Clinical) 4. Conduct and evaluate research to ensure high standards of therapeutic application and contribute to the field of marriage and family therapy. (Research)
Core Educational Outcomes (Program Goals) MFT Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes Graduates of the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in marriage and family therapy are prepared to: Program Goal 1. Knowledge: Students will be able to demonstrate essential knowledge (1) of systemic theory and the principles of marriage and family therapy, (2) related to clinical case conceptualization, diagnosis, intervention, and the use of community mental health resources and, (3) to write and articulate their personal theoretical model for therapy. Student Learning Outcome 1.1: Students articulate a theoretical and conceptual systems framework and personal therapeutic approach for marital and family issues. Student Learning Outcome 1.2: Students demonstrate knowledge and application of key concepts related to systems thinking, contextual factors, human development, psychological, social, biological, and spiritual factors affecting human relationships. Student Learning Outcome 1.3: Students demonstrate awareness of issues of diversity and practice multiculturally-informed family therapy. Program Goal 2. Professionalism: Students will be able to demonstrate skills that reflect high standards of professionalism and commitment to ethical and professional behavior consistent with the standards of marriage and family therapy and Christian principles. Student Learning Outcome 2.1: Student will demonstrate personal qualities and behaviors including integrity, sensitivity, flexibility, insight, compassion, and personal presence consistent with the practice of marriage and family therapy. Student Learning Outcome 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of ethical and legal standards in marriage and family therapy. Program Goal 3. Clinical: Students will be able to demonstrate clinical skill and the ability to apply effective therapeutic techniques to meet the diverse needs of individuals, couples, and families. Student Learning Outcome 3.1: Students will use appropriate clinical and family systems-oriented language in oral and written communication. Student Learning Outcome 3.2: Students will identify and incorporate into treatment psychological, biological, social, and spiritual factors that influence relationships.
Student Learning Outcome 3.3: Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the value of multicultural perspectives and its impact on the therapeutic process. Student Learning Outcome 3.4: Students will be able to identify and apply Christian principles to the practice of marriage and family therapy. Program Goal 4. Research: Students will be able to conduct and evaluate research to ensure high standards of therapeutic application and contribute to the field of marriage and family therapy. Student Learning Outcome 4.1: Students will demonstrate knowledge of current trends and research methods in the field of marriage and family therapy. Student Learning Outcome 4.2: Students will conduct and critique research that directly impacts the practice of marriage and family therapy.
Hope International University College of Psychology and Counseling Course Descriptions PSY5010 Counseling Theories (3) This course introduces the theoretical foundations of Family Systems Theory, Behavioral, Humanistic, Existential, and Psychoanalytic Theory. Basic terminology and categories of abnormal behavior are explored. PSY5120 Professional Ethics and Law (3) This course is designed to identify professional ethics and laws that apply to marriage and family therapists. Emphasis is placed on the ethical standards as defined by California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist and American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. PSY5130 Research Methodology (3) This course facilitates student development of competencies in MFT research and evaluation methods in evidence-based practice, including becoming an informed consumer of couple, marriage, and family therapy research. Students are trained based on state-of-the-art MFT scholarship, infusing a culture of research and establishing the importance of research-based education within the profession. PSY5200 Substance Abuse, Addiction and the Family (3) This course examines all of the topics critical to the assessment and treatment of substance use and abuse along with co-occurring disorders. Essential information on all facets of addiction assessment (family/system dynamics) and treatment will be discussed. PSY5225 Child Abuse Detection, Intervention, and Treatment (0) This course examines legal, ethical, and clinical aspects of child abuse issues, including mandated reporting methods of assessing and identifying victims of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, etc.), prevention and intervention, as well as indicated systemic treatment techniques.
PSY5230 Disaster, Trauma, and Abuse Response (2) This course examines the history and development of crisis intervention and trauma response. Acquiring the knowledge and skills required to effectively intervene and assist victims of abuse or tragedy is the focus of this course. PSY5240 Family Violence: Detection, Intervention and Treatment (2) This course explores theories and research findings for practical application for the identification, causes, and prevention of all types of intrafamily abuse: child, spouse, sibling, and parent. Clinical resources and referrals for the detection, intervention, and treatment of family violence are examined. PSY5990 Professional Development I (1) This course develops and practices personal and professional competencies related to working in the field of marriage and family therapy. Emphasis is placed on knowledge of the field, the program, and personal growth. PSY6100 Lifespan Development (3) This course explores developmental issues and life events from infancy to old age and their effect upon individuals, couples, and family relationships. Emphasis is placed on individual, family, community, cultural, and contextual factors. PSY6110 Interpersonal Communication and Therapeutic Qualities (3) This course covers micro and macro elements of interpersonal and systemic communication along with contemporary family communication theories. Students will examine their own communication styles and behaviors and how that impacts the therapeutic relationship. An emphasis is placed on the common factors of client change and the interpersonal skills associated with activating client change. PSY6120 Christian Principles in Marriage and Family Therapy (3) This course examines the integration of Christian principles with Marriage and Family
Therapy. To this end, human nature, the cause of human suffering, the worldview associated with Christian mental health and understanding of human transformation will be examined. A particular emphasis will be placed on the vocation and calling of being a Marriage and Family Therapist in today s world. PSY6125 Multicultural Perspectives in Counseling (3) This course explores multicultural development and cross-cultural interaction patterns. Contextual factors effecting treatment (poverty, resilience, stress, divorce, family systems, gender, sexuality, etc.) are discussed. Emphasis is placed on exploring the effects of therapeutic interventions on culturally distinct populations. PSY6130 Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy (3) This course provides an overview of the history of marriage and family therapy while providing a conceptual foundation for the principles of MFT. Students are introduced to the systemic perspective and epistemological issues of marriage and family therapy. Early and contemporary models of marriage and family therapy are examined including psychodynamic, experiential, structural, communications, strategic, cognitive behavioral, postmodern, evidenced based practices and the recovery orientation. PSY6140 Group Therapy (3) This course examines theory and techniques of group psychotherapy, including the stages of group dynamics, the curative factors of group therapy, and the various types of group treatment. Psychological risks of group therapy, and ethical issues involved in conducting group psychotherapy will be explored. PSY6150 Treatment of Children (3) This course explores the theories and techniques for working with children, adolescents, and their families utilizing evidenced based treatments for common childhood disorders. Particular emphasis is placed on diagnosis, assessment techniques, crisis intervention, etiological factors, cultural and socioeconomic implications, and effective treatment approaches with children and adolescents, and their families.
PSY6180 Psychopathology (3) This course examines theories and causations of psychopathology, including biological, social, psychological, and familial influences. Emphasis is placed both on individual orientation to diagnosis, as well as the diagnosis of types of dysfunctional family systems. PSY6190 Marriage and Family Therapy Assessment (3) This course introduces and examines the theories of psychological testing, and various testing procedures including behavioral checklists, objective measures, intelligence measures, and individual and relationship inventories. Ethical use of psychological testing is discussed in light of contextual and multicultural factors. PSY6300 Treatment of Older Adults (3) This course facilitates student development of competencies in treatment approaches specifically designed to use with older adults. This course examines the theory and application of assessment and intervention techniques with older adults and their families. Emphasis is placed on understanding the biological, developmental, contextual, cultural and social factors that prevail during advanced age and recognize their effects on treatment. PSY6350 Treatment of Couples (3) This course develops competencies in couple and family treatment approaches, awareness and integration of contextual factors, human sexuality, assessment, and formulation of treatment plans and goals that address diverse couple and family challenges. This course will introduce students to an interdisciplinary examination of clinical research, evolving contemporary problems, relational challenges, and treatment consistent with professional ethical standards and Christian principles. PSY6400 Psychopharmacology (2) This course introduces theory and rationale of psychotropic medication and its effects on affect and behavior. Introduced and examined are cellular dynamics, neurotransmitters as well as chemical properties of medication.
PSY6800 Supervised Practicum (3) This course provides supervised therapy experience in applied psychotherapeutic techniques, assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of premarital, family, and child relationship dysfunctions. Emphasis is placed on contextual and multicultural factors. Prerequisites: PSY5120, PSY5990, PSY6180, PSY6995, and PSY5225. Must be taken for three consecutive semesters for a total of 9 units. PSY6900 Seminar in Advance Topics in MFT (1-3) This course is designed to allow students to explore special areas of interest in the field of marriage and family therapy, such as advanced assessment methods, pre-marital issues, reconstituted families, divorce, family violence, faith and psychology, and evidence based practices. PSY6920 Comprehensive Case Presentation (1) This course is designed to demonstrate the student s in-depth knowledge and application of the following core areas: clinical evaluation, crisis management and psychosocial stressors, treatment plan and case management, therapeutic interventions, legal issues, ethical issues, and diversity. PSY6930 Special Research Topic (1-3) This course is designed to allow students to have advanced supervised individual study or conduct research on a special problem or in a selected area. PSY6990 EMDR Therapy [Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing] (3) This course involves a complete integrated training that provides the knowledge and skills to utilize EMDR therapy, a comprehensive understanding of case conceptualization and treatment planning, and the ability to integrate EMDR therapy into clinical practice. Prerequisite: Enrolled in PSY6800 Supervised Practicum students only.
PSY6995 Professional Development II (1) This course is designed to develop and practice basic clinical interviewing skills. Emphasis is on the continued development of the therapist and the structure of the therapeutic process. PSY6999 Advanced Professional Development (1) This course provides a synthesis of knowledge gained over the span of the graduate program including ethical and legal issues, psychopathology, counseling modality, clinical skills and professional development. Examines intern status, licensing law, and licensing requirements.