Doctor of Philosophy in Major: Chaplaincy, Counseling, Psychology

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

B.A. in Chaplaincy, Counseling, Psychology

Total program length

120 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Four academic years

General education

36 credit hours

Chaplaincy, Counseling, and Psychology core

63 credit hours

Professional application courses

15 credit hours

Capstone requirement

6 credit hours

The Doctor of Divinity (D.Div.) program with a major in Chaplaincy, Counseling, & Psychology equips students with a profound understanding of spiritual care, mental health principles, and counseling techniques. Over four years, learners will engage in a diverse curriculum that integrates theological knowledge with psychological insights and pastoral practices. This program prepares graduates for effective ministry and leadership roles by focusing on compassionate care and ethical considerations in various settings. Students will also gain practical skills through supervised clinical experiences and training in crisis intervention, enhancing their ability to support individuals seeking spiritual and psychological guidance. The value of this program lies in its comprehensive approach to nurturing both the mind and spirit, preparing students for impactful careers in diverse environments.

complete Doctor of Divinity (D.Div.) curriculum with course codes for a Major in Chaplaincy, Counseling, & Psychology. This is designed as a professional/practice doctorate (advanced ministry + clinical pastoral leadership + applied counseling/psychology), with the required secular spine you’d see in strong university-based graduate helping programs (ethics, assessment basics, research, psychopathology, trauma, multicultural practice, supervision, leadership, and outcomes).

Format: 3 years • 9 semesters • 4 courses per semester • 3 credits each

Total: 36 courses = 108 credits

“Required Secular Core” (Top-University Standard) — Included

These are the non-sectarian courses that match what major universities expect for advanced helping professionals (embedded above):

Human Development: PSY 721

Psychopathology/Differential Case Formulation: PSY 730

Trauma/Crisis/Grief: CPS 730

Multicultural Counseling: CPS 740

Interviewing/Intake/Treatment Planning: CPS 721

Group Counseling: CPS 741

Family Systems: CPS 750

Addictions/Co-occurring: CPS 751

Assessment Foundations (screening/referral): PSY 741

Ethics/Law/Mandated Reporting: LAW 701

Evidence-Based Practice & Outcomes: EBP 701

Health Psychology: PSY 760

Supervision/Consultation: SUP 701

Research + Program Evaluation: RES 701, RES 711

Practicum/Internship (supervised practice): PRC 701–702, INT 701–702

Chaplaincy “Must-Be” Spine — Included

Professional chaplaincy foundations: CHP 710

Clinical pastoral care methods: CHP 720

Healthcare chaplaincy: CHP 730

Interfaith practice: CHP 740

Crisis/disaster chaplaincy: CHP 750

Spiritual assessment & moral injury: CHP 760

Leadership/admin in care systems: ADM 701

Documented supervised practice: PRC 701–702, INT 701–702

Doctoral project/dissertation + defense: DOC 701–702

Optional Upgrades (If you want an even stronger “major university” feel)

Add any 4 electives (12 credits) to create a 120-credit version:

PSY 771 Neuropsychology & Brain–Behavior Foundations (3)

CPS 770 CBT/DBT Skills for Clinical Ministry Settings (3)

ETH 710 Advanced Professional Boundaries & Dual-Relationship Ethics (3)

CHP 770 Chaplaincy in Corrections, Military, and Forensic Settings (3)

The Bachelor of Arts in Chaplaincy, Counseling, and Psychology program combines a broad foundation in general education with comprehensive study in subject theory, behavioral science, human development, ethics, research, crisis awareness, referral, program development, and community-based support. This integrated curriculum is designed to provide students with a holistic understanding of interpersonal dynamics and faith-integrated support systems within diverse professional settings.

Florida's current standard establishes a minimum of 120 semester credits for a bachelor's degree and at least 30 general-education credits for a Bachelor of Arts. This curriculum exceeds the general-education minimum.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 120
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: Bachelor

General education | 36 credit hours

• Chaplaincy, Counseling, and Psychology core | 63 credit hours
• Professional application courses | 15 credit hours

Capstone requirement | 6 credit hours

• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ADM 701 | Leadership & Administration in Chaplaincy and Care Systems | 3 | None
• CAP 701 | Teaching, Training, & Curriculum Design for Ministry Clinicians | 3 | Master's degree in Theology, Counseling, or related field
• DDV 701 | Advanced Biblical Theology & Interpretation | 3 | None
• DOC 701 | Doctoral Project/Dissertation I: Proposal & IRB | 3 | None
• EBP 701 | Evidence-Based Practice & Outcome-Informed Care | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• INT 701 | Doctoral Internship I: Chaplaincy/Counseling Residency | 3 | None
• LAW 701 | Ethics, Law, Risk Management & Mandated Reporting | 3 | None
• POL 701 | Policy, Advocacy & Public Theology in Mental Health Systems | 3 | None
• PRC 701 | Clinical Practicum I: Supervised Chaplaincy/Counseling Practice | 3 | None
• PUB 701 | Publication, Presentation, & Professional Credentialing Seminar | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES 701 | Research Methods & Scholarly Writing for Ministry Clinicians | 3 | None
• SUP 701 | Supervision, Consultation, & Reflective Practice | 3 | None
• DDV 702 | Systematic Theology for Advanced Ministry Practice | 3 | None
• DOC 702 | Doctoral Project/Dissertation II: Data, Results, & Defense | 3 | Completion of Doctoral Project/Dissertation I
• INT 702 | Doctoral Internship II: Professional Portfolio & Competencies | 3 | Completion of INT 701 or equivalent coursework
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PRC 702 | Clinical Practicum II: Advanced Case Management & Documentation | 3 | Clinical Practicum I or equivalent
• CHP 710 | Advanced Chaplaincy Foundations & Professional Identity | 3 | None
• ETH 710 | Advanced Professional Boundaries & Dual-Relationship Ethics | 3 | None
• DDV 711 | Historical Theology & Global Christian Traditions | 3 | None
• RES 711 | Program Evaluation & Applied Research in Care Settings | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DDV 712 | Advanced Christian Ethics, Moral Injury & Public Life | 3 | None
• CHP 720 | Pastoral Theology & Clinical Pastoral Care Methods | 3 | None
• CPS 720 | Advanced Counseling Theories & Integrative Psychotherapy | 3 | None
• CPS 721 | Clinical Interviewing, Intake, & Treatment Planning | 3 | None
• PSY 721 | Human Development & Personality Across the Lifespan | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CHP 730 | Healthcare Chaplaincy: Hospital, Hospice, & Behavioral Health | 3 | None
• CPS 730 | Trauma, Crisis, & Grief Counseling | 3 | None
• PSY 730 | Psychopathology & Differential Case Formulation | 3 | None
• CHP 740 | Interfaith & Multi-Spiritual Chaplaincy Practice | 3 | None
• CPS 740 | Multicultural Counseling & Cultural Humility | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CPS 741 | Group Counseling & Therapeutic Process | 3 | None
• PSY 741 | Psychological Assessment Foundations: Screening & Referral | 3 | None
• CHP 750 | Chaplaincy in Crisis: Disaster, Violence, & Community Trauma | 3 | None
• CPS 750 | Marriage, Couples, & Family Systems | 3 | None
• CPS 751 | Addictions, Recovery, & Co-Occurring Disorders | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CHP 760 | Advanced Spiritual Assessment, Moral Injury & Ethical Dilemmas | 3 | None
• PSY 760 | Health Psychology, Stress, & Behavioral Medicine | 3 | None
• CHP 770 | Chaplaincy in Corrections, Military, and Forensic Settings | 3 | None
• CPS 770 | CBT/DBT Skills for Clinical Ministry Settings | 3 | None
• PSY 771 | Neuropsychology & Brain–Behavior Foundations | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Hospital Chaplain
• Mental Health Counselor
• Religious Organization Leader
• Crisis Intervention Specialist
• Spiritual Care Coordinator
• Counseling Educator
• Psychological Consultant

Important Notices

• The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
• HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
• HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
• Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
• The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
• Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
• Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
• This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
• Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
• Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
• Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
• Degree abbreviation | B.A. in Chaplaincy, Counseling, Psychology
• Total program length | 120 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Four academic years