Postgraduate Bridging Course in Christian Psychology

Introduction

This course is meant for Christian mental health professionals and counsellors (psychologists, psychometrists, psychological counsellors, pastors, ministers and social workers) interested in the integration of biblical faith and psychology.  With the completion of this course students will understand the rationale for integration and the integration models.  Students will be able, as Christian mental health professionals and counsellors, to provide mental health services and counselling from a biblically based systemic perspective.  This perspective includes the intra-psychic functioning, interpersonal functioning and spiritual functioning of people.

Enrolment for this certificate takes place annually from November to January.

Exposition

Method of Tuition

Open-distance learning: Courses are presented by means of a system of tutorial classes, DVDs, study letters, study guides or manuals and prescribed books.  Tutorial classes are optional except for one tutorial class period per annum that takes place in May.  The primary language of instruction is English.

Assessment

• Assignments: Typed assignments for the different subjects have to be completed and submitted on specified dates.  Assignments completed in each semester will constitute the semester mark.  To gain admission to the June and October/November exams the student will have to obtain a semester mark of at least 40%.

• Examinations: An examination for each semester course will be written in June and October/November respectively. Students will write examinations at specified examination venues. To pass an examination the student will have to have acquired at least 50%.  The final mark consists of both the semester and the examination mark.  Both the examination mark and the final mark have to be 50% or higher to pass a semester course.

• Practicum: Practical assignments for Christian Psychology 2D and Christian Psychology 3D must be completed and consist of the recordings of debriefing and counselling sessions as well as written reports based on those sessions.

Duration & Difficulty

The Postgraduate Bridging Course in Christian Psychology cannot be completed in less than one year.  The first semester requires approximately ten study hours a week and the second semester requires an estimated twelve study hours a week.

Prerequisites for admission

• At least a BA / B.Sc degree with Psychology as major from any accredited institution in South Africa (completed no more than 10 years ago).