VCU School of Allied Health Professions – Program in Patient Counseling

Master of Science

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is composed of four options:

• The first option is Chaplain Certification Track and 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.
• The second option is the Dual Degree Track (M.S./M.Div.) which will be offered cooperatively with two Richmond area graduate institutions of theological education (Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond and The Samuel DeWitt Proctor 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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: Chaplain Certification Track
Master of Science in Patient Counseling (VCU)

Semester	Course	Credits
One	PATC 515 Basic Patient Counseling	9
Two	PATC 611 Theory and Practice of Patient Counseling I	5
	PATC 613 Group Process I	2
	PATC 635 Clinical Ethics	2
Three	PATC 612 Theory and Practice of Patient Counseling II	5
	PATC 614 Group Process II	2
	Electives	2
Four	PATC 617 Supervised Clinical Practice I	5
	PATC 615 Theory of Group Leadership	2
	PATC 639 Pastoral Care Management	2
	Electives	8
	Total	44

Electives might include PATC 592 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 Two: Dual Degree Track
Master of Divinity (STVUU, BTSR) and
Master of Science in Patient Counseling (VCU)

Year	Course	Credits
Year One	MDiv*
	MDiv*
	PATC 501 Introduction to Health Care Ministry	1
	MDiv*
	Pastoral Care**	3
Year Two	PATC 515 Basic Patient Counseling	9
	MDiv*
	Ethics**	3
	MDiv*
Year Three	MDiv*
	PATC 611 Theory and Practice of Patient Counseling I	5
	PATC 613 Group Process I	2
	PATC 635 Clinical Ethics	2
	PATC 612 Theory and Practice of Patient Counseling II	5
	PATC 614 Group Process II	2
	Elective at VCU
Year Four	PATC 617 Supervised Clinical Practice 1	5
	PATC 615 Theory of Group Leadership	2
	PATC 639 Pastoral Care Management	3
	MDiv*
	PATC 619** Spiritual and Social Integration Seminar	1
	MDiv*
* MDiv refers to courses and requirements at respective seminaries
** Seminary Course

Option Three: Accelerated M.S. Track
Master of Science in Patient Counseling

Course	Course Title	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
Master of Science in 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:

Year	Semester	Course	Credits
Year One	One	PATC 653 Patient Counseling Evaluation I	4
		PATC 615 Theory of Group Leadership	2
		PATC 661 History of Pastoral Supervision	3
	Two	PATC 654 Patient Counseling Evaluation II	4
		PATC 663 Theory of Pastoral Supervision I	3
		Electives	2
	Three	PATC 694 Advanced Clinical Pastoral Supervision	7
		PATC 614 Theory of Pastoral Supervision II	2
Year Two	One	PATC 696 Intensive Supervisory Practicum	9
	Two	Electives
	Three	Electives

Electives might include PATC 665, 692, 697, or for those still in the certification process, 696, which may be repeated.

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 Virginia Commonwealth University Health System.

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 VCUHS or certification requirements with the ACPE.

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