Purpose:
The Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Counseling is primarily to equip persons for vocations of teaching and research in theology majors and for the scholarly enhancement of ministerial practice.
Degree Requirement: 54 credits
24 – 36 Months Accelerated Program. Credits requirement for a Doctor’s degree is 48 credits.
Monthly payment options available!
Must Have a Masters’s Degree to Enroll
| Degree Program Parts | Credit Hours |
| Part I – Core Courses | 15 |
| Part II – Major Courses | 14 |
| Part III – Dissertation Work | 25 |
| Total Credit Hours Required | 54 |
Syllabus
Part 1- Core Courses (15 credits)
Advanced Bible Study Method 3 Credit Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Team of Doctors in Education (PhD) and in Theology
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The Bible—both Hebrew and New Testament—is a complex and fascinating text, written by multiple authors and communities, in different languages, over a vast period of time, yet it nonetheless displays an overarching—or underlying—unity, which some attribute to divine inspiration and others to the human imagination. Our purpose in this course is to consider the Bible as both a collection of disparate books and as a unified whole, with special attention given to the inspiration, formation, and function of the canon and to the development of interpretation consistent with the nature of scripture. The importance of the Bible as a witness to the life and faith of ancient Israel and earliest Christianity will be emphasized.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end, students will be able to articulate Roman Catholicism’s professed understanding of Revelation: Scripture, Tradition, and the theologies that undergird them. To identify and explain structural features of both the OT and NT. To analyze ancient biblical texts (exegesis) using the Historical-Critical method. To recount in chronological order, the biblical metanarrative, identifying major historical figures and events. To explain various factors that that influence Biblical interpretation. To investigate Biblical texts and discover what each periscope has to say about God, one’s self, and what it means to be a human person.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments – Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha by Michael Coogan and Marc Brettler
THE THREE FORMS OF UNITY, The Heidelberg Catechism the Belgic Confession the Canons of the Council of Dordrecht.
Beyond Bible Study: Finding Jesus Christ in Scripture by Frank Viola
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Hermeneutics 3 Credit Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Team of Doctors in Education (PhD) and in Theology
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An advanced course in hermeneutics including a study of the history of interpretation, both biblical and extra-biblical, and an examination of the current status of various interpretive approaches to the Scriptures.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end, students will have the ability to interpret God’s Word correctly. Pastors, associate pastors, and teachers will be able to develop expository sermons and lessons. Students fields, such as counseling, business, and education, will be able to integrate biblical truths with the principles and hypotheses of people in their fields.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments – Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Kaiser, Walter. Toward an Exegetical Theology.
Kaiser, Walter and Silva, Moises. An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics.
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Advanced New Testament Survey 3 Credit Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Team of Doctors in Education (PhD) and in Theology
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is aimed to help students read and doing research on the books of Ephesians and Colossians as Christian Scripture.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end, students will learn more about the craft of exegesis; Learn more about the theological visions in Ephesians and Colossians and how to faithfully appropriate these visions for life and leadership in the real-world context of today’s Church;Deepen their understanding of the importance of, role of, and problems with the “history” underlying the biblical text;Become more effective at critically engaging with commentaries as resources for exegesis;Develop their own preaching resources on a text from Colossians or Ephesians.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments – Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Introduction to the New Testament by Louis Berkhof
Analysis of the Message of the New Testament by Dr. Richard T. Vann, Jr.
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Advanced Old Testament Survey 3 Credit Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Team of Doctors in Education (PhD) and in Theology
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to Old Testament literature and history, with emphasis on application within the church.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: will be familiar with the content of the books of Psalms to Malachi; will be familiar with the various ways Old Testament texts have been interpreted.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments – Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
A Journey Through the Old Testament by Elmer Towns
The World and Literature of the Old Testament by John T. Willis
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Introduction to Systematic Theology 3 Credit Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Team of Doctors in Education (PhD) and in Theology
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An investigative research on of the themes that comprise Christian systematic theology; focusing on Revelation, God, Man, Sin, Christ, Salvation, Holy Spirit, Church, Last Things, and Angelology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end, Students will be able to explain the relevance and the practical implications of theology. Articulate the meaning of key theological terms and concepts. Communicate sound theology in a variety of mediums. Critically evaluate past and present theological systems/beliefs. Know and love God with greater intelligence. Analyze one’s own spiritual life in light of biblical doctrine and determine areas in which one needs to grow. And help others to see the relevance of theology to the needs of today.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments – Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine by Thomas Paul Simmons
Study Guide: Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Part II – Major Courses 14 hours
Christian Counseling 4 hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Team of Doctors in Education (PhD) and in Theology
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class is an in-depth study in Christian counseling, including an overview of current trends in counseling theory and practice and the role of counseling in public, private and church settings. The approach to soul care that will be taught relies upon the sufficiency of Scripture and is centered in the gospel. The class will present a basic counseling methodology that will be applied to common counseling situations, to include: biblical peacemaking, anger, fear, worry, and depression.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end, students will be able to explain the biblical basis for the apologetic task. Demonstrate reasons to be confident in the truth of Scripture and the Christian faith. Identify and critique frequently-encountered objections and challenges, both historical and contemporary, that have been brought against to the Christian faith.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments – Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve-page Research Essay Paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Clinton, Hart, & Ohlschlager (2005) Caring for People God’s Way:
Personal and Emotional Issues, Addictions, Grief, and Trauma ISBN-0-7852-9775-8-52299
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Christian Counseling II 4 hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Team of Doctors in Education (PhD) and in Theology
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an advanced and introduction and to the concepts and methods of biblical counseling. The student will use a biblical worldview to understand benefits and appropriate uses of counseling and the potential resources available in the community. The content is designed to deliver essential knowledge and skill to support the equipping of students to become helping lay counselors within the Christian community. The course provides an overview of basic resources and knowledge that apply to a broad spectrum of counseling issues.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon the completion of this course, the student will develop the following learning skills: Defining the current issues in the Christian counseling field. Identifying foundational Christian counseling skills. Evaluating the differences between Christian counseling and the secular counseling field. Applying counseling issues to diverse populations. Discussing Biblical models of Christian counseling, and Identifying major counseling issues Christian counselors face.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments – Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: 25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Clinton, Hart, & Ohlschlager (2005) Caring for People God’s Way:
Personal and Emotional Issues, Addictions, Grief, and Trauma ISBN-0-7852-9775-8-52299
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Philosophy of Christian Counseling 4 Hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Team of Doctors in Education (PhD) and in Theology
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Approaches to Christian Counseling Research I: Provides students with an understanding of the worldview that supports Christian counseling. Examines the assumptions, goals, and techniques of five approaches to Christian counseling.
COURSE OBJECTIVES – RESEARCH I: Recite the historical development of Christian counseling. Accurately describe Christian counseling. Articulate the basic assumptions of Christian approaches to counseling. List the goals of Christian Counseling. Discuss a Christian multicultural perspective of counseling. Describe the spiritual qualifications of a Christian counseling.
COURSE DESCRIPTION – RESEARCH II: THEOLOGICAL & PSYCHOGICAL FOUNDATIONS: An introduction to the foundations of Christian counseling, emphasizing the priority of a theological system for theory and practice. Special attention is given to models of integration, historical developments, current directions and collaborative models of Christian counseling for the local church and the professional Christian counselor.
COURSE OBJECTIVES – RESEARCH II: The student will begin to develop a theological foundation for understanding the Christian distinctives for the philosophy, theory and practice of Christian counseling.
B. The student will be able to explain the significance of first developing their philosophy of Christian counseling, followed by their theory and then practice of Christian counseling.
C. The student will interact with theological and psychological dimensions of change as applications are drawn from the individual, marriage & family, and the Christian community arenas.
D. The student will be able to evaluate the validity of four foundational models for all forms of counseling as well as the five views of psychology and Christianity.
E. The student will examine four different application models of Christian counseling and evaluate their potential for collaborative applications.
Behavioral:
F. The student will explore the nature of change and engage in the process of changing a personal behavior that constricts their spiritual health and growth.
Affective:
G. The student will develop an increased personal commitment and passion for a defined foundational and application model of Christian Counseling.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments – Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
COURSE OBJECTIVES – RESEARCH III: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: A. Relate the issues of the inerrancy and trustworthiness of Scripture to apologetics. B. Defend the deity and resurrection of Jesus Christ against the claims of skeptics. C. Defend the concept of absolute truth against the claims of epistemic relativists, including postmodernists. D. Articulate the distinction between different apologetic methods. E. Defend the exclusivity of Jesus Christ against pluralism and inclusivism. F. Discuss the nature of the apologetic task and the biblical basis for apologetics. G. Appraise the arguments for the existence of God through a critical response to challenges to Christian theism.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments – Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: 25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Research I: Collins, Gary The Biblical Basics of Christian Counseling, 2ded. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1977
Kirwan, William T. Biblical Concepts for Christian Counseling. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group, 2000.
Research II: Johnson, Eric & Jones, Stanton (Eds.), Psychology & Christianity: Five Views. Downers Grove: IVP, 2010, pp. 271.
McMinn, Mark & Campbell, Clark. Integrative Psychotherapy: Toward a Comprehensive Christian Approach. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2009, pp. 405.
McMinn, Mark. Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling. Wheaton: Tyndale, 2012, pp. 371.
Stevenson, Daryl, Eck, Brian & Hill, Peter (Eds.), Psychology & Christianity Integration: Seminal Works that Shaped the Movement. Batavia, IL: Christian Association for Psychological Studies, 2007, pp. 386.
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Part III – Dissertation Work Credit 5 hours
Dissertation Proposal 5 hours
Assigned Staff Professor:
Team of Doctors in Education (PhD) and in Theology
Course Duration: Four – Twelve Weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This research course will examine the lives and thought of the Greek and Latin Fathers of the Christian Church. Attention will be given to the development and substance of Christian doctrine during the Patristic Period. Primary sources will be utilized in our investigation. Lectures, reading, and discussion will constitute the main substance of the course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course the student will be able to understand the stages of the church’s doctrinal formation during the Patristic Period. Recognize the doctrinal contributions made by prominent church fathers. Review the church’s past from a Christological and biblical norm. Possess historical perspective on the theological and practical problems of the present.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Reading Assignments – Students will be expected to have carefully and thoughtfully read the assigned text materials for the course prior to doing research and writing the essay assignments and taking the final exam.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: The written assignments are to made to enable the student to think through the course issues and also to practice their responses to the course’s intellectual and scriptural challenges.
EXAMS: Twelve Page Research Essay paper
25 – 50 questions combination mini essays and multiple choice Questions.
COURSE POLICIES: The students’ grade will be based on the following percentages.
Essay: 50%
Final online test: 50%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Research Proposals: A Guide to Success 3rd Edition by Thomas E. Ogden
Grading Method:
100 – 90 4.00 A
89 – 80 3.00 B
79 – 70 2.00 C
69 – 60 1.00 D
59 – 0 F
Dissertation 20 hours
Dissertation Review Committee:
Team of Doctors in Education (PhD) and in Theology
Course Duration: Six months to one year
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students are to begin their research on their thesis. Student work independently, and may use International Movement for Christ Theological Seminary online library, or other public libraries and resources. Students may also accomplish their research through surveys or interviews.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: After completing their writing student must submit a minimum 80 page them to the Thesis committer for review.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Read required course material relevant to their Thesis proposal, do their research and submit their thesis.Minimum 80-page Dissertation
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Writing the Doctoral Dissertation: A Systematic Approach Third Edition by Gordon B. Davis
Grading Method:
Dissertation Acceptance or Rejection
International Movement for Christ 