Counseling and Human Services
Our Purpose
ACC is committed to helping train students who will become Christian counselors. The College believes that the needs of God's people can and will be met through those trained in our counseling and human services program.
Our Programs
Why study counseling and human services or psychology at ACC? If you are interested in being a people helper, these degrees provide a solid foundation for understanding people and the various ways to help them through difficult circumstances. If you are interested in one of the helping professions as a career, you will need to continue your education to at least a master’s degree in an area like counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, chemical dependency, etc., to be eligible for state licensure.
Counseling and Human Services
The counseling and human services program at ACC integrates a Christian emphasis with the basic research, theories and techniques of the counseling professions. The faculty have professional credentials in several of the helping professions, and most have also served in church-related positions. Students majoring in counseling and human services also have the opportunity to earn 100 hours of experience in a counseling-related setting, receiving directional supervision from a professional on site, through the internship program. Internships are tailored for each student's career interests, and can be arranged in or near a student's hometown.
The counseling and human services major focuses on an undergraduate preparation for the field of professional counseling. Because a graduate degree is expected in the field of counseling, the program has the preparation of students for graduate school as a primary goal.
Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychologists study any and all influences on our thoughts, feelings and actions. This definition allows psychology to be concerned with almost every facet of life. For example, psychology is interested in such diverse areas as drug addiction, obesity, sexual behavior, how we learn, public opinion polls, effective teaching, individual testing, individual growth and adjustment, motivation, all types of aggression and violence, the dynamics of group behavior, prejudice and stereotyping, dreaming, memory and forgetting, and emotions. It is clear from these topics that psychology can be studied everywhere in our society.
The major in psychology provide students with a broad, basic understanding of social sciences theory and application. Through completion of a dynamic group of psychology core and elective courses, a student can prepare for immediate employment, career advancement or graduate study.
The psychology program is designed to help students begin human services careers in such capacities as entry-level counselor, case manager, human resources administrator, management and business services – as well as graduate study in fields such as counseling, social work and marriage/family therapy. Ultimately, a graduate in psychology from ACC will be a reflective professional who is able to integrate his or her Christian worldview with providing care to others.
Internship Possibilities
Internship possibilities are very diverse, including those in children's homes, state agencies, specialized church ministries, counseling facilities, women’s shelters, ministries for the handicapped, hospices, teen centers, specialized camps, and more. The goal is to align the internship site as closely as possibility with the student’s future goals.
Sometimes, an internship opens the door for future employment. A successful internship, at least, provides one more reference and experience resource for both graduate-level education and employment possibilities.
Honors Program
Students may also qualify and choose to participate in an Honors Program in the Department of Counseling and Human Services. The Honors Program is designed to challenge students to attain a higher level of preparation, to provide a vehicle for students to compete for admission to graduate schools, and to recognize student productivity and achievement.
Your Career and Ministry
With our degree, ACC graduates have worked at the Department of Family and Children's Services, women’s shelters, children homes, and in a variety of other helping jobs that do not require a state licensure. Others have moved directly into long-term ministry positions in the church. Many have used these positions as the financial base for continuing their education to the master’s or doctoral level.
Our graduates who have worked in church settings have found that the counseling and human services program provides a solid background for working with individuals and groups, for helping people deal with very difficult circumstances, and in equipping church members with tools for personal growth and ministry to others.
The psychology program is designed to help students begin human services careers in such capacities as entry-level counselor, case manager, human resources administrator, management and business services – as well as graduate study in fields such as counseling, social work and marriage and family therapy. Ultimately, a graduate in psychology from ACC will be a reflective professional who is able to integrate his or her Christian worldview with providing care to others.
Two majors are offered by this department: the bachelor of science and the bachelor of arts in either counseling and human services or psychology, both with a minor in biblical studies.
Minors
The department also the following minors for those pursuing majors in other departments:
- Counseling
- Developmental Psychology
- Human Services Skills
- Psychology
Full-time faculty members:
Gregory K. Moffatt, Ph.D. (web page)
Professor of Psychology, Department Chair
Valerie Raymond, Ph.D.
Instructor in Psychology
Part-time and adjunct faculty members:
Judy Chastain
Adjunct Instructor in Counseling and Human Services
Seth Portwood
Adjunct Instructor in Counseling and Human Services
Joannah M. Sadler
Adjunct Instructor in Counseling and Human Services
Dr. E. Kiki Thomas
Adjunct Instructor in Counseling and Human Services
For more detailed information on the department and its degree programs, see the ACC Catalog or contact the Registrar or department chair.
Note: As of July 1, 2008, the name of this academic department and major have been changed from "human relations" to "counseling and human services."