Description of program: Counseling Psychology and Religion (CPAR) is a multidisciplinary doctoral program (Ph.D.) committed to training professional psychologists. Graduates of our program are equipped to practice professional psychology with sensitivity to systems of meaning, value and belief. Following a scholar-practitioner model of training, we prepare students for positions as professors as well as clinicians. Students take courses in counseling psychology, religious and theological studies, and in ways of coordinating research and scholarship across the disciplines. We also require a two-year part-time clinical practicum and a full-time (or equivalent) internship. Dissertation research draws from multidisciplinary contributions and is carried out according to empirical methods and designs. APA approval is being sought.

Faculty and faculty interests: Carole Bohn, Ed.D. (feminist pastoral psychology, developmental and gender issues, and domestic violence; health psychology, physical illness and well-being); Chris Schlauch, Ph.D. (psychology of religion using object relations theory e.g. Winnicott, as a lens for understanding religious experience); Carrie Doehring, Ph.D. (feminist pastoral theology, especially concerning domestic and sexual violence within the context of communities of faith); Kenneth Pargament, Ph.D. (part-time; psychology of religion, coping with life stressors); Nancy Devor, Ph.D. (part-time; health psychology, particularly relationships between physical illness and emotional/spiritual well-being among the eldery).

Admissions requirements: Applicants must hold a master's (M.A.) in psychology or religious studies, or a master's (M.Div. or M.T.S.) in theological studies. For those with a master's in psychology, academic prerequisites include coursework in biblical studies, the history of a religious tradition (e.g., church history), philosophy, theology, ethics, and world religions. Undergraduate background in psychology includes coursework in general psychology, personality theory, social psychology, abnormal psychology, experimental psychology, and statistics. For all applicants, preparation in one foreign language is required. All applications must include scores from the Graduate Records Exam (GRE); the minimum combined score for application is1950

Program requirements: 19 courses--9 in pastoral theology including two courses in a minor area such as theology, 8 in clinical and counseling psychology, and 2 courses in religious studies; two language requirements (a foreign language, research methodology and strategies [satisfied by taking 2 courses]; four comprehensive exams on pastoral psychology theory, clinical psychology theory, the minor area usually in theology, and oral clinical; a dissertation that uses a cross-disciplinary research paradigm and uses quantitative research strategies.

Clinical component: A 2 year clinical practicum (25 hours per week) at the Danielsen Institute and the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders; pre-doctoral full-time internship program.

Duration of program: Approximately 6 years.

Title of recent dissertation: Edouard Fontenot. 2002. The Use of Religious Resources in Response to Anti-homosexual Religious Attitudes and Behaviors

Cost and financial aid: First year aid: Full tuition scholarships. Second and Third Year (concurrent with practicum training: 8 credits per semester of tuition remission and a stipend of $5,000 per year. In the fourth year, 2 teaching assistantships are available. After coursework, a continuing education fee ranging from $626 - $1,486 per semester.

Graduate placement: 25% in full-time the academy; 75% combine clinical and academic work.

Current number of students in coursework: 10

Faculty contact persons: Chris Schlauch, crschlau@bu.edu, 617-353-4395; Carrie Doehring, doehring@bu.edu, 617-353-3899; Carole Bohn, cbohn@bu.edu, 617-353-3047.

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