This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Program accreditation
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
Program goal
To provide clinical education for pastoral care professionals as well as other health care providers in the spiritual care of patients and families within an interdisciplinary context
Student learning outcomes
- Graduates will demonstrate awareness of self with congruence in the care of patients, families and staff (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.1).
- Graduates will demonstrate ability to provide care with sensitivity and respect in a diverse patient, family and staff environment (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.2).
- Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and provision of intensive and extensive pastoral/spiritual care to persons in crisis (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.3).
- Graduates will demonstrate incorporation of theological understanding and knowledge of the behavioral sciences in care of patients, families and staff (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.4).
- Graduates will demonstrate effective participation as a member of a comprehensive health care team (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.5).
- Graduates will demonstrate responsible care and professional boundaries (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.6).
- Graduates will demonstrate the utilization of individual and group supervision for personal and professional development as well as ongoing evaluation of clinical practice (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.7).
- Graduates will demonstrate awareness of professional standards in chaplaincy (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.8).
- Graduates will demonstrate ability to self-supervise and critically reflect on their own pastoral encounters (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.9).
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Other information
Students receive a Department of Patient Counseling student handbook during orientation.
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.S. | Fall (preferred) | Jun 1 | GRE |
| Nov 1 | TOEFL (required for international students) | ||
| Mar 1 |
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, applicants must have successfully completed undergraduate training and hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution reflecting ability to perform at the graduate level; graduate degree in a health-related field; or two years of graduate theological education. Students must apply and be accepted to VCU’s Graduate School to participate in the clinical pastoral education program.
Application fact sheets and narrative instructions can be found on the ACPE website.
Dual degree: Master of Science in Patient Counseling and Master of Divinity
- The dual degree (M.S./M.Div.) option is offered cooperatively with the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University.
- The program is designed as a four-year program with four full semesters spent in residence at VCU. Typically, students apply to the Department of Patient Counseling during the first semester of seminary enrollment.
- Students admitted to this option must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Submission of the Graduate Examination Record is required when this GPA requirement is not met.
- Applicants holding degrees from recognized foreign institutions should display an acceptable level of English proficiency by achieving a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL paper-based examination or 100 on the Internet-based examination. The ability to communicate orally and in writing must be presented to the Department of Patient Counseling admissions committee.
- Students enrolled in the dual degree program will remain in good standing at VCU while enrolled in their seminary studies. Each sponsoring institution will grant its respective degree.
Degree requirements
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 44 credit hours in accordance with the approved curriculum
- Complete all core courses
- Complete all required elective course hours
- Submit official seminary transcript with VCU Application to Graduate
Final granting of the Master of Science degree requires an oral review with the faculty demonstrating completion of outcomes for Level II Clinical Pastoral Education or Supervisory Clinical Pastoral Education as determined by the chosen track of study.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core curriculum | ||
| PATC 515 | Basic Spiritual Care | 9 |
| PATC 611 | Theory of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Practice I | 5 |
| PATC 612 | Theory of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Practice II | 5 |
| PATC 613 | Group Process I | 2 |
| PATC 614 | Group Process II | 2 |
| PATC 615 | Group Process III | 2 |
| PATC 617 | Theory of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Practice III | 5 |
| PATC 635 | Clinical Ethics | 2-3 |
| PATC 639 | Spiritual Care Management | 2 |
| PATC 640 | Research Basics | 1 |
| PATC 641 | Evidence-based Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Inquiry | 1 |
| PATC 642 | Developing and Presenting Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Research | 1 |
| Pastoral care (seminary course) | 3 | |
| Ethics (seminary course) | 3 | |
| Elective | ||
| Course may be taken in patient counseling, gerontology and rehabilitation counseling. Other electives may be allowed with prior permission of the program director and chair. | 1 | |
PATC elective course (500 level or higher) | ||
GRTY elective course (620 and 630 series) | ||
RHAB elective course (620 and 630 series) | ||
| Total Hours | 44-45 | |
Total graduate credit hours required (minimum) 44
Contact
Angela H. Flack, M.Div.
Assistant professor, director of education, graduate program director and adviser
aflack@vcu.edu
(804) 828-0540
Additional contact
Marilyn J.D. Barnes, M.P.H.
Assistant professor and chair
barnesmj5@vcu.edu
(804) 828-0540