Mental Health Counseling Ph.D. handout

M E N TA L H E A LT H C O U N S E L I N G , P H . D. COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY & CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

PURPOSE

F E AT U R E D C O U R S E W O R K

Belmont University’s Mental Health Counseling, Ph.D. degree*

• Spiritual Development and Religious Experience: An advanced study of human development focusing on the spiritual and religious dimensions of that process.

trains master’s level mental health professionals who are interested in furthering their goals of becoming doctoral level professors ready to train tomorrow’s mental health professionals and/or highly-skilled clinicians who work with clients within a variety of settings across the mental health care continuum.

This program is unique among contemporary doctoral counseling programs in that it embodies advanced spiritual and pastoral theological understandings of the care of human beings in addressing the depth and complexity of human suffering.

Through two specialty tracks—Advanced Clinical Practice and Counselor Education & Supervision—students will enhance their counseling and research skills to improve treatment efficacy while delving into connections between personal spiritual beliefs, biases and client diversity.

The Mental Health Counseling, Ph.D. at Belmont University is primarily taught online with some face-to-face components. At least once per semester, students will come to Belmont’s campus for an intensive weekend of face-to-face instruction. All other components of the program are conducted virtually.

• Mental Health Care in Contemporary Society: An advanced exploration of the ways in which cultural and contemporary social influences shape how mental health care is conceptualized and practiced.

• Advanced Theories of Change: An advanced inquiry into the theories of change undergirding the many methods and techniques employed by mental health professionals including psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitivebehavioral and family systems therapies, as well as newer approaches such as neurolinguistic programing, brain spotting and EMDR. • Advanced Vocational Discernment & Counseling: Advanced career counseling principles course that examines connections between life career development, vocational discernment, spirituality, and mental health.

• Spiritual Traditions in Global Perspective: An advanced study of the diverse manifestations of spirituality brought to the clinical encounter by clients and clinicians alike where students engage in in-depth exploration of the historical backgrounds as well as the diverse social manifestations of spiritualities associated with the wisdom traditions of the world such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and Indigenous traditions

The program is preparing to seek accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

*Pending SACSCOC approval

PROGRAM SPECIALITY TRACKS

A P P LY N O W

• Advanced Clinical Practice students will learn advanced skills and research practices beyond those achieved at the master’s and basic licensure level to assist families, children and individuals facing a variety of mental health challenges. This track provides the academic training necessary for practicing mental health professionals to serve as highly skilled clinicians in many settings—private practice, community mental health agencies, addiction recovery centers, research agencies, behavioral health agencies, governmental positions, research centers and more.

Admission to Belmont’s Mental Health Counseling, Ph.D.

• With an emphasis on teaching, research, supervision and practice, the Counselor Education & Supervision track provides the academic training for counselors who are interested in serving as faculty in higher education, clinical supervisors who will train the next generation of providers or highly skilled practitioners who can work in a variety of counseling practices.

made as applications are completed.

• Students in this track are required to complete a 700-hour practicum and internship focused on teaching and supervision.

program requires completion of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

For applicants whose master’s degree does not satisfy educational requirements for state license, additional coursework may be required. To be considered for admission to Belmont’s Ph.D. in Counseling program, visit LINK to submit a complete application. Applications are accepted throughout the calendar year and admissions decisions are

PREREQUISITES • Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution • Strong academic record of at least 3.0 • Two letters of recommendation • Interview with Counseling faculty • Transcripts from both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs • GRE no more than five years old

COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY & CHRISTIAN MINISTRY 615.460.5552 • belmont.edu/mental-health-counseling /BelmontCounseling

To read Belmont’s statement of nondiscrimination, visit BELMONT.EDU/NONDISCRIMINATION.

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