Certificate of Pastoral Communication & Counseling

COMMUNICATIONS (COM)

COM 203: Essentials of Speech (3 units GIS)

This course will convey effective speech creation and delivery, including the use of non-verbal skills, speaking in public, and overcoming fears that are often present.  The online class will be both the stage and the audience.

COM 213: Public Speaking (3 units GIS)

Students will compose and deliver formal speeches, a media presentation, and a research project based on the understanding conveyed in this course of the fundamentals of effective communication theories. 

PSYCHOLOGY & COUNSELING (PSC)

PSC 113: Interpersonal Relationships (3 units)

Students are introduced to six levels of human friendship and other relationships, along with two tests administered to reveal personality traits, compatibility, and other aspects.  Students will become aware of how “freeze points” in their pasts may have affected their personalities in negative ways.  Solutions for developing healthy relationships in every area of human life are examined, including appropriate expressions of love, forgiveness, and communication.

PSC 123: General Psychology (3 units)

Fundamental concepts of psychology are covered in this course, including an introduction to the scientific study of human emotions, mental processes, behavior, social psychology, life span development, personality theories, biological processes, and psychological disorders.  

PSC 203: Biblical Counseling (3 units)

An introduction to counseling from a biblical perspective, this course explores the intersection of Christian and psychological principles with ways to integrate and apply them.

PSC 313: Crisis Counseling (3 units)

This course offers a broad examination of basic counseling practices, including crisis intervention, brief therapy counseling, grief and trauma counseling, abuse counseling, and suicide intervention.

RELIGION & BIBLE (REL)

REL 112: Bible Study Methods I (2 units)

Bible Study Methods covers principles of Bible study and interpretation with an emphasis on practical application through devotional meditation and sharing within small group settings. 

REL 122: The Mission and Ministry of Christ (2 units)

The Mission and Ministry of Christ covers the central theme of redemption (the cross), as well as the theological basis for atonement and suffering in the Christian faith. This is seen through the story of Jesus and conveyed in its historical context so that the mission of the gospel and the heart of God are understood holistically.

REL 132: The Nature of Spiritual Conflict (2 units)

This course is a basic primer on corporate and personal spiritual warfare with an emphasis on freedom from bondage through prayer and understanding the “weapons of our warfare” (Ephesians 6).

REL 403: Epistles of Paul (3 units)

Epistles of Paul explores books and passages from Paul’s canonical letters to the churches in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and Thessalonica, as well as to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Emphasis is given to historical and theological contexts within each passage, and students will develop thematic outlines and a synthesis of Paul’s major themes. 

REL 463: Epistle of James (3 units)

Students begin with an overview of New Testament epistles in general before being introduced to the historical background of James’ epistle, then move on to a line-by-line exegesis of the text.