The specific emphases of the Graduate Programs in Psychology reflect the vehicles by which the student's 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 which 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 the student can state the basic assumptions of a particular perspective and compose a coherent argument which follows from that specific set of assumptions
• Understanding of the principles that guide ethical decision-making as a practitioner (e.g. those adopted by the APA, AAMFT, ACA)
• Fostering 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 one's professional emphases and commitments arise; ultimately, this results in the articulation of a preferred counseling approach, along with practice of that approach