Bachelors in Behavioral Health – Counseling
Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Health program is designed to help students learn and understand what constitutes psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being for individuals. Specialize by selecting one of two emphases counseling, and coaching. All students will learn to consistently practice integration of psychology and Christianity. Counseling students develop practical counseling skills to pursue advanced degrees or work in a variety of mental health organizations. Coaching students apply psychological principles and strategies to encourage personal growth in individuals. With an important emphasis of applying knowledge in an experiential setting, the program includes a credit-earning internship that reflects a minimum of 135 hours at an off-campus site.
Why Behavioral Health at ACU?
In addition to a faculty to student ratio of 17:1 and a rigorous and biblically-integrated curriculum, ACU’s Behavioral Health program offers several unique advantages:
- The behavioral health program at ACU is unique in its practicality, both clinical-based and biblically-integrated so graduates are equipped with hands-on counseling skills.
- ACU’s graduates have successfully pursued occupations and graduate work in the behavioral health and medical fields for over 2 decades.
- ACU’s program has adopted the five (5) major learning objectives recommended by the American Psychological Association.
What will I study?
The Behavioral Health program provides a biblical liberal arts foundation with an innovative approach to general studies that reclaims a Christian conception of the Liberal Arts, preparing students to be influential thinkers. Career-related focus areas will include:
- General Principles of Psychology
- Human Development
- Counseling Skills: Principles of Counseling, Cross-Cultural Counseling, Counseling Theories, Internship Experiences
- Group Counseling and Principle of Coaching
- Christian Integration in Practice
Career Paths
Students who select the Behavioral Health Major will be able to choose from a variety of job opportunities in the mental health community such as:
- Case Manager
- Behavioral Health Technician
- Psychiatric Technician
- Law Enforcement Officers
- Trainers
- College Admissions Counselor
- Correctional Occupations
- Coaching
- Motivational Speaker
- Lawyer
- Human Resource
- Management
- Border Patrol
Graduates from ACU will also be well prepared to pursue graduate work leading to licensure in counseling and other behavioral health disciplines.
Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Arizona Christian University
Building 2000
1 W. Firestorm Way
Glendale, AZ 85306
Phone:
(602) 386-4111
Email:
[email protected]
Academic Major Courses
Core requirements accumulate to 30 credits, 15 credits of Biblical and Theological Studies and 8 credits of science courses.
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 202 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 210 | Statistics for Behavioral Studies | 3 |
| PSY 212 | Research Methods | 3 |
| PSY 312 | Human Development | 3 |
| PSY 322 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 400 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSY 497 | Internship ^ | 3 |
| BEH 490 | Behavioral Health Capstone | 3 |
| PSY 300 | Tests and Measurements | 3 |
| PSY 311 | Principles of Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 320 | Cross-Cultural Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 467 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| PSY____ | Psychology Elective | 3 |
| PSY____ | Psychology Elective | 3 |
Faculty
Our professors are experts in their respective fields and passionate about the subjects they teach; they challenge, and stretch their students to reach their goals. Students are encouraged to think critically and analyze what they learn in the classroom thoroughly. These are some of the professors you will work closely with:
Benjamin Pundit
Assistant Professor
Dr. Pundit worked as a mental health therapist, Social Services Director in a nursing facility, a social worker in a hospital, a crisis counselor and a crisis evaluator in an ER, and a Site Coordinator which he managed 25 staff members and 950 severely mentally ill consumers in Tucson and Phoenix, AZ. Dr. Pundit was also trained in OB/GYN and Natural birth, Family Medicine, and Endocrinology.
John Hinson
Assistant Professor
John Hinson is an instructor in the behavioral health department at Arizona Christian University. He has master’s degrees in both mental health counseling and theological studies. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Arizona. He has more than a decade of experience as a full time professional counselor. His counseling specialty has been with individuals who struggle with various addictions as well as their families. He was employed for nearly three years at The Meadows in Wickenburg AZ as a family therapist and trauma specialist before entering private practice in Mesa AZ. John began his teaching career as an Adjunct Professor in 2009 at Arizona Christian University. John is a native of North Carolina.
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