Counseling Psychology
If you feel called to walk alongside others through life’s challenges, counseling psychology at Corban prepares you to do exactly that. This program moves beyond theory, emphasizing practical counseling skills, relational wisdom, and real-world experience so you can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
You’ll study human behavior through a biblical worldview while developing the tools to support individuals, families, and communities with competence and care. Guided and mentored by faculty who are also active counseling practitioners, you’ll graduate prepared to step confidently into a variety of people-helping careers or continue on to graduate school.
Completion
4 Years
Credits
120
Major
Counseling Psychology
Delivery
On Campus
Concentrations
Focus your studies to match your career goals by selecting one of three areas of concentration:
Featured Courses
Lifespan Development
Examine human growth from birth to old age, exploring physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual development across the lifespan. You’ll gain insight into how people change—and how a biblical worldview informs our understanding of the human experience.
Counseling Skills
Develop the skills to listen, connect, and support with purpose. Learn core theories and practical strategies for effective interpersonal communication, with a focus on interviewing techniques and family life issues. Designed to foster both personal insight and professional growth, this course equips you to offer thoughtful, informed support.
Group Dynamics
Examine how groups form, function, and influence behavior. This course explores stages of group formation, structure, roles, leadership styles, and theories of group process. Students will complete assessments to better understand their own group style, with the goal of strengthening skills for effective group participation.
Psychology and Christianity
Engage in meaningful dialogue between psychological science and Christian theology. This course examines various models for integrating the two disciplines, encouraging you to form a biblically grounded, thoughtful approach to faith-informed psychology.
For a complete list of courses in this program, view the program overview.
For official course descriptions, refer to the academic catalog.
Find Your Focus
Wondering which major is right for you?
- Choose counseling psychology if you feel called to help people directly and want to specialize early for careers in counseling, marriage and family therapy, or trauma support.
- Choose psychology if you want a broad, research-informed understanding of human behavior that prepares you for a wide range of careers and graduate programs.
-
1
or more internship or research experiences for each student
-
15
hours per semester spent by every counseling psychology major serving in ministry or volunteer roles
-
17%
job growth projected for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors*
*according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Counseling psychology lays the foundation for a life of helping others well. You’ll build insight into human behavior, develop relational and communication skills, and grow in discernment through a biblical lens, preparing you for graduate study or meaningful roles in people-centered fields.
Career Opportunities
A degree in counseling psychology prepares you to make a difference in a variety of people-oriented careers. You will be well-equipped to continue on to graduate school for training as a licensed professional counselor or step immediately into careers in areas such as:
- Addictions Counselor
- Social Worker
- Community Services Manager
- Ministry Leader
- Nonprofit Organization Leader
- Patient Advocate
- Camp Director
Unique Opportunities
Specialized Courses
Corban offers specialized courses not typically found in undergraduate psychology programs, such as trauma therapy, counseling skills, industrial and organizational psychology, and community agency counseling. You’ll be able to study these topics whether or not you go onto graduate school.
Counseling Experience
Through the required counseling skills course, you will create counseling session videos with your peers, as well as practice in-class counseling sessions. You will move beyond theory and knowledge to see how psychology can help people in real life scenarios.
Advanced Research
Conduct a year-long advanced research project alongside faculty. You’ll present your findings at Corban’s Annual Science Symposium and may even have the opportunity to publish your research. The research process provides an important experience that helps prepare you for graduate school and ongoing study in the counseling psychology field.
Internships
Get an inside look at the field of psychology with an internship tailored to your career interests. Students pursue a variety of internship opportunities in Salem, their hometowns, or even internationally through mission trips, hospitals, prisons, community counseling agencies, non-profit organizations, and churches. Internships also enhance your resume for graduate school and employment.
Global Opportunities
Corban University’s global connections offer opportunities for you to gain diverse perspectives on human behavior. Choose from a wide variety of study abroad programs where you can experience a new culture while continuing to prepare for a career in the field of counseling psychology.
Student Psychology Association
This student organization provides opportunities for professional networking and lectures from guest speakers on important topics in the counseling psychology field.
Featured Faculty
