The specific emphases of the Graduate Programs in Psychology reflect the vehicles by which a students' holistic development is engaged within the philosophical perspectives articulated above. In each of the specific areas listed below, we endeavor to engage in consistent, purposeful interweaving and/or juxtaposition of Christian faith perspectives with sound psychological thought.

The emphases of the Counseling Graduate Programs include the following:

• Understanding of the discipline's major issues (philosophical, methodological, social), and an articulation of the complexities of those issues
• Understanding of the current trends and developments in the field within the context of the historical underpinnings of the discipline
• Appreciation for and development of research skills that are essential to understanding the current work of the field as well as to becoming a contributing professional to the field
• Use of a scientist-practitioner model of graduate programs in counseling
• Application of current theoretical and research findings to various problems/issues that typically arise in counseling settings
• Development of requisite skills and techniques (listening, reflecting, responding, testing, interpreting, diagnosing, etc.) to be effective as a counselor in today's world
• Increased depth of understanding in selected content areas
• Comparison of various theoretical approaches (and their implications for practice) with integration/synthesis of the commonalties and analysis of the differences
• Sufficient familiarity with various theoretical and world-view positions so that students can state the basic assumptions of particular perspectives and compose coherent arguments that follow from specific sets of assumptions
• Understanding of the principles that guide ethical decision-making as practitioners (e.g., those adopted by the APA, AAMFT, ACA)
• Fostering of an on-going quest for knowledge, which manifests itself in continuing professional development, professional contribution to the field, and life-long learning
• Continuing improvement of written communication skills
• Continuing improvement of oral communication skills
• Expression of a personal philosophy of life from which individuals' professional emphases and commitments arise ultimately resulting in the articulation and practice of a preferred counseling approach.