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Counseling Department Contributes to National Conference

Counseling Department Contributes to National Conference

March 5, 2020 in News

14 students and faculty members of Clarks Summit University’s Counseling program attended the 23rd annual American Association for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada in February 2020. The team from CSU included professors in the Counseling Department and a variety of students who study on-campus and online in both undergraduate and graduate Counseling programs.

According to the AABSS website, their annual conference, “brings together scholars from around the U.S. and abroad in order to present scholarship related to a wide variety of contexts, including theory, practice, empirical research, and conceptual advancement…[there are] ample opportunities to exchange theoretical ideas, share research results, help advance practice, make collaborative connections, and learn from one another’s scholarship.” As a juried conference, all presentation proposals must pass a peer review prior to being accepted.

The CSU team presented two lectures and three posters on the following topics:

  • Death Before Dishonor: Combating Veteran Suicide (Eric Darling, Dr. Heather Fornes)
  • Hitting the Pause Button: A Conceptual Study Advocating for Solitude (Dr. Keith Marlett, Sabrina Stratton)
  • Clergy Reported Behaviors in Pastoral Care and Counseling (Dr. Lynelle Buchanan, Audrey Hart, Faith Monroe)
  • What I Wished I Learned Then: Clergy Perceptions of Necessary Mental Health Training Preparedness (Qualitative) (Dr. Heather Fornes, Jeanna LaCava, Faith Vileniskis)
  • Clergy Perceptions of Effectiveness of Training to Care for Mental Health Needs of the Congregations (Quantitative) (James Buchanan, Jeff Allen)

Lynelle Buchanan, Ph.D., is the chair of CSU’s Counseling Department. She taught two three-hour continuing education units on the mandating report of abuse and the role of worldview and values in counseling. Other members of the team moderated lecture rooms and served in other capacities. Their hard work, positive attitudes, research topics and descriptions were commended by conference organizers and attendees.

“This experience allowed our students to interact with professionals in a cross-discipline conference environment. They had the opportunity to defend their own research, learn from the research of others and network,” Buchanan explains. “Our students are prepared to interact professionally, whether in a faith-based environment or one where they can function as salt and light. We never know where God will send our students, but we want to make sure they are ready to serve Him where He puts them.”

Students represented various CSU programs including the undergraduate Counseling major, the Accelerated Counseling major (which combines both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years) and the Master of Science in Counseling degree. Like all programs at Clarks Summit University, the Counseling degrees are faith-based; the Bible is the foundation, focus and filter of the program. Each program provides practical experiences, professional best practices and academic rigor to best prepare students for the field.

For example, since the master’s degree program was initiated more than 20 years ago, every graduate of CSU’s Master of Science in Counseling program who went on to take the National Counselor Exam for licensure passed on the first try.

Buchanan continues, “Events like this are priceless in building a multi-cultural awareness and refining each student’s ability to navigate an increasingly secular world while clinging to a Christ-centered, Biblically saturated worldview.

Learn more about earning your degree in Counseling:

Bachelor of Science in Counseling

CSU offers counseling degrees both online and on campus. Each program is rooted in a Biblical worldview and packed with rigorous learning that prepares students for careers in both ministry environments and secular professions.

On campus students benefit from real counseling observation and experience in the Foundations Christian Counseling Center on campus. An Addictions Counseling minor is also available.

CSU’s online Counseling degree earned a top spot on The Best School’s list for “Best Online Bachelor’s in Counseling Programs.” Students can choose to major in Counseling, Addictions Counseling or Counseling Ministries as they study in a flexible online format.

Learn more about earning your on-campus Bachelor of Science in Counseling

Learn more about earning your online bachelor’s degree

Accelerated Counseling (earn both Bachelor’s and Master’s in five years)

This unique degree helps students fast-track their degrees to prepare for professional licensure. Students train with licensed counselors and get guided experience in real counseling sessions through the on-campus Foundations Christian Counseling Center. An internship and several practicums provide hands-on learning.

Learn more about earning your Accelerated Counseling degrees

Master of Science in Counseling (for those considering licensure)

The Master of Science in Counseling program prepares students for career opportunities in professional positions that require state licensure and for doctoral work in the fields of counseling or psychology. Since the beginning of the program more than 20 years ago, every graduate of CSU’s Master of Science in Counseling program who went on to take the National Counselor Exam for licensure passed on the first try. With six specialization tracks, students can focus on the area that most interests them.

With flexible options for adult learners, all master’s classes, with the exception of modules, are offered online, or students can take classes on campus in the evening. Three on-campus modules are required, with one week spent on campus to jump start the remainder of study at home.

Learn more about earning your Master of Science in Counseling

Master of Arts (non-licensure option)

Learn how to best to help people within your ministry in this 30-credit fully online degree, completable in just two years. The Counseling concentration within the Master of Arts degree will help you give others wise, biblical council. (Those interested in pursuing state licensure as a professional counselor should choose the Master of Science in Counseling.)

Learn more about earning your Master of Arts

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