Pastoral Counselor Formation

The Master of Arts in Counseling, Community/Pastoral Counseling track, is a 60 semester hour degree with course work in the Community Counseling track. The focus is on development of a pastoral counseling identity through membership in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, participation in program sponsored seminars and faculty mentorship and supervision.

Six essential elements in the formation of pastoral counselor identity:

1. A commitment to lifelong learning;
   
   
2. Growth in personal self-awareness (emotional, spiritual, theological, relational, ethical);
   
   
3. Growth in one’s own faith and spirituality and an appreciation for the faith and spirituality of other persons and faith traditions;
   
   
4. Honing professional skills and competencies;
   
   
5. A willingness to learn from mentors and supervisors, colleagues and peers, clients and students, and other disciplines;
   
   
6. Socialization in the history, story, tradition and charism of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC).

Requirements for all Pastoral Counseling Students:

1. Meet all Community Counseling track requirements for graduation.
   
   
2. Join AAPC as a Student Member (forms are available) and maintain membership throughout enrollment in our program.
   
   
3. Attend the fall AAPC Atlantic Region conferences while in the program.
   
   
4. Participate in mentorship and supervision with an AAPC-approved supervisor while in the program.
   
   
5. Engage with the AAPC website becoming familiar with the association in this and other ways.
   
   
6. Be active in reading above and beyond the course assignments.
   
   
7. Attend Seminar Sessions with BonnaSue scheduled throughout each semester. These sessions will allow for processing questions, concerns and issues relating to forming one’s pastoral counselor identity.