Patient Counseling Programs
Master of Science
Curriculum Structure
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The curriculum is composed of three options. The first option
is the Dual Degree Option (M.S./M.Div.) which will be offered cooperatively with two Richmond area graduate
institutions of theological education (Baptist Theological
Seminary of Richmond and School of Theology of Virginia
Union University). The dual degree is designed as a four-year program with four full semesters spent
in residence at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Students enrolled in the dual-degree program will remain in good standing at VCU while enrolled in their
seminary studies. Each sponsoring institution will grant its respective degree. |
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The second option is available to individuals who have a previous graduate
degree or who have at least two years of graduate education in theology, the behavioral sciences, or the
health related sciences. It is assumed that completion of this option will take 4-5 semesters. |
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The third option is an Accelerated Master of Science degree available to
students who hold a Master’s degree and who have completed one unit of ACPE clinical pastoral education. |
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The fourth option is offered to persons seeking certification as
supervisors according to the Standards of the Association
for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc (ACPE). Individuals seeking admission to this track will have
completed the Master of Divinity degree and at least four units of clinical pastoral education. This track
may also be completed in 4-5 semesters. |
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The program curriculum consists of a total of 44 credit hours. As is
presently the case with the certificate program, enrollment for all courses by non-Patient Counseling
majors requires the permission of the instructor. The majority of courses are presently offered in the
department as part of the existing certificate program. |
Curriculum Plan
Option One: Dual Degree Track
Master of Divinity (STVU, BTSR)
Master of Science in Patient Counseling (VCU)
Option Two: Chaplain Certification Track
M.S. Patient Counseling
| Summer |
Fall |
Spring |
| Year 1 |
| PATC 515 (9) |
PATC 611 (5) |
PATC 612 (5) |
| |
PATC 613 (2) |
PATC 614 (2) |
| |
PATC 635 (2) |
Electives (2) |
| |
| Year 2 |
| PATC 617 (5) |
Electives |
Electives |
| PATC 615 (2) |
|
|
| PATC 639 (2) |
|
|
| Electives might include PATC 610 or courses in the 620 and
630 series, 697, as well as courses in Rehabilitation Counseling or Gerontology. |
| Students who have completed at least one unit of accredited
clinical pastoral education may seek faculty approval to waive the PATC 515 prerequisite requirement for
more advanced courses that include clocked clinical hours. |
Option Three: Chaplain Certification Track
Accelerated M.S. Patient Counseling
| Course |
Credits |
| PATC 611 Theory and Practice of Patient Counseling I |
5 |
| PATC 612 Theory and Practice of Patient Counseling II |
5 |
| PATC 613 Group Process I |
2 |
| PATC 614 Group Process II |
2 |
| PATC 615 Theory of Group Leadership |
2 |
| PATC 617 Supervised Clinical Practice I |
5 |
| PATC 635 Clinical Ethics |
2 |
| PATC 639 Pastoral Care Management |
2 |
| Electives |
5 |
| Total |
30 |
Option Four: Supervisory CPE Track
M.S. Patient Counseling
Persons who have previously completed the MDiv degree, or its equivalent as
assessed by the ACPE, and four units of accredited Clinical Pastoral Education may seek admission to the M.S.
degree with a focus on Supervisory CPE. Only students admitted to this track are eligible to take courses
numbered 653 through 696. The M.S. requires a minimum of 44 credit hours according to the following model:
Persons interested in pursuing certification as a supervisor by the Association
for Clinical Pastoral Education will be expected to follow, under faculty guidance, the procedures outlined in
ACPE’s Manual on Certification.
Each full-time semester at VCU is designed to meet the requirements for one
unit of CPE as accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.
Students in all programs who have one unit of CPE and a graduate degree or two
years of graduate theological education may be eligible for a resident stipend with the Medical College of
Virginia Hospitals of Virginia Commonwealth University.
The completion of the degree track completes the minimum educational
requirements of national certifying bodies such as the Association of Professional Chaplains, Inc.
Students who have completed degree requirements may continue to enroll as
special students if completing residency requirements at MCVHP or certification requirements with the ACPE.
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