Online · School of Behavioral Sciences · Community Care and Counseling Integration of Spirituality and Counseling HSCO-506 CG Section 8WK 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 Modified 12/12/2022

Course DescriptionThis course reviews biblical integration perspectives with specific application to a human services counseling setting. The course explores a Christian worldview, with practical discussion of both a client and therapist’s spirituality and how one’s worldview and personal spirituality affect the counseling process. Students consider how secular counseling theories and techniques and biblical teaching on sin, confession, and redemption merge in applications to the types of counseling issues typically seen in community agencies and other practice settings for human services counselors.

RequisitesFor information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog .

RationaleIntegration of psychology, theology, and spirituality provides the student with an overview of integration models as a theoretical and practical foundation for faith-based counseling. In order to practice Christian counseling, professional counselors must be able to articulate a Christian worldview and understand the way in which their worldview informs counseling theory and practice.

Course Learning OutcomesUpon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: A. Integrate faith and spirituality in the counseling process where appropriate in an ethically competent manner. B. Develop a personal theory of integrative counseling that includes a rationale for the interdisciplinary application of counseling theories, faith, and spiritual principles. C. Assess client needs in an integrative pattern that is adapted to the client’s Christian religious or spiritual practices. D. Apply intrapersonal integration and personal spiritual formation to counseling. E. Demonstrate competence in ethical issues related to integrative counseling practice. F. Discuss various aspects of worldview and how these relate to counseling.

Course ResourcesClick on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore

Additional Materials for LearningA. Computer with basic audio/video equipment B. Internet access (broadband recommended) C. Canvas recommended browsersD. Microsoft Office E. The current edition of the APA manual is recommended

Course AssignmentsTextbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

Course Requirements ChecklistAfter reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)For these collaborative discussion assignments, you will interact with the entire class. You will submit your original discussion content in a thread and then reply to classmates per the discussion assignment instruction. (CLO: B, C, F)

Journal Article Reviews (2)The student will choose 2 articles to review from the list provided, with one review submitted in week one and the second review submitted in week five. Detailed instructions are provided in the assignment instructions folder. Each Journal Article Review must be completed in current APA format as described in the assignment instructions. Each Journal Article Review will be submitted via SafeAssign (a plagiarism detection tool) for grading. (CLO: C, D, E)

Book Reviews (2)The student will complete 2 book reviews based on the textbooks for this course (Hawkins & Clinton and McMinn). Each review must follow the detailed assignment instructions and be completed in current APA format as specified in the assignment instructions. Each book review will be submitted via SafeAssign (a plagiarism detection tool) for grading. (CLO: A-F)

Quizzes (4)Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned modules/weeks. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 20–30 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 1-hour time limit. (CLO: A-F)

Course Grading

AssignmentPointsDiscussions (4 at 50 pts ea)200Book Reviews (2 at 100 pts ea)200Journal Article Reviews (2 at 100 pts ea)200Quiz: Philosophical Foundations100Quiz: Roles of Christian Counselors100Quiz: Prayer and Christian Counseling100Quiz: Professional Identity100Total1010

Course Policies

Instructor AvailabilityInstructors will answer emails within 24–48 hours. Written feedback will be given on the Journal Article Reviews and Book Reviews. Instructors will comment on some, but not all, Group Discussion Board Forum posts.

Professional CommunicationPlease be professional in your email communication. We live in a fast-paced world with text messaging which encourages short and abbreviated communication. However, since you are in a counseling program, you are encouraged and expected to use full sentences and good grammar when communicating with other students and faculty. It is also an expectation that your electronic communication is pleasing to God. Being courteous and polite to peers and professors demonstrates dignity and respect, “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them” (Luke 6:31, ESV).

Dual RelationshipThe faculty is responsible to interact with counseling students in a supervisory capacity/role. As such, faculty may provide students professional principles, guidance, and recommendations as it relates to the context of the student-client setting. The faculty is responsible to avoid dual relationships with students such as entering a student-counselor or student-pastor relationship. Thus, the faculty does not provide personal counseling addressing student personal problems. If a faculty member perceives that a student is in need of personal or professional counseling, then that faculty member will recommend that the student pursue either pastoral or professional assistance from a counselor in their community.

Limits of ConfidentialityIn the event of a student’s disclosure, either verbally or in writing, of threat of serious or foreseeable harm to self or others, abuse or neglect of a minor, elderly or disabled person, or current involvement in criminal activity, the faculty, staff, administrator, or supervisor will take immediate action. This action may include, but is not limited to, immediate notification of appropriate state law enforcement or social services personnel, emergency contacts, and notification of the appropriate program chair or online dean. The incident and action taken will become part of the student’s permanent record.

Late Assignment PolicyCourse Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time. If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability AssistanceStudents with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit Liberty University Online Disability Accommodation Support . Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support. If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures.

Course AttendanceIn an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs . Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion board post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course roster. Students who begin attending but do not maintain attendance by submitting a required academic assignment within any 21 calendar-day period will be assigned a grade of FN (Failure for Non-Attendance), unless they submit a withdrawal request with a grade of W before the last day of the course.

Grading Scale

GradePointsPercentageA940-101094-100%B860-93986-93%C780-85978-85%D700-77970-77%F0-6990-69%

BibliographyCollins, G. R. (2007). Christian counseling: A comprehensive guide. Thomas Nelson. Hawkins, R. S., & Clinton, T. (2015). The new Christian counselor: A fresh biblical and transformational approach. Harvest House. McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. Tyndale House.