Interdisciplinary Integration
Azusa Pacific University has a strong Christian heritage and commitment to integrating evangelical Christian thought into the university programs. The APU Psy.D. expresses this heritage and commitment through an emphasis on the integration of psychology with ethics, theology, and spiritual formation. This unique perspective provides students with the opportunity to consider and critically examine psychological theory using ethical and theological frameworks. Students are encouraged to explore the role and import of moral and spiritual identity formation in the process of psychotherapy.
Individuals from any religious tradition may be admitted to the APU Psy.D. Program. However, it is important for prospective students to recognize that coursework and training are structured using Christian values and principles. Students are asked to learn and thoughtfully interact with the content of courses that house the emphasis, as well as to reflect on their own beliefs and values as they relate to preparation for professional practice.
In addition to providing students with an interdisciplinary framework from which to understand psychological theory and practice, the emphasis also facilitates and enhances the development of competency with respect to addressing religious and spiritual diversity in clinical practice. The APU Psy.D. is sensitive to the reality of pluralism regarding the development of competency in the provision of psychological services to clients of diverse religious and spiritual traditions. Students often express appreciation for education they receive in interdisciplinary studies and integration, regardless of their personal religious or spiritual identity.
Interdisciplinary integration coursework provides both a programmatic conceptual framework and a systematic applied framework. The following courses specifically address these foci:
| PPSY 510 | Psychotherapy and Cultural Diversity |
| PPSY 531 | Moral Identity Formation and Psychotherapy* |
| PPSY 533 | Theological Foundations, Spiritual Formation, and Psychotherapy* |
| PPSY 534 | Interdisciplinary Integration and Psychotherapy* |
| PPSY 701 | Clinical Practicum I |
| PPSY 726 | Biblical Ethics and Psychotherapy |
| PPSY 736 | Social Ethics and Psychotherapy |
| PPSY 737 | Clinical Practicum V |
| PPSY 753 | Moral and Spiritual Identity Formation in the Family |
*These three courses form a foundation for advanced training in the Psy.D. As subsequent interdisciplinary courses are based on information and experiences provided in these courses, it is required that students who enter the Psy.D. program with a master’s degree in psychology audit these courses.
First-year Psy.D. and Psy.D. practicum students at the APU Community Counseling Centers participate in a monthly seminar focused on clinical application of an interdisciplinary perspective of psychotherapy.
Additionally, as a regular part of curricular offerings, APU sponsors two annual Voices in Interdisciplinary Integration conferences. This conference series draws to the APU campus nationally known authors, academicians, and clinicians who represent a range of perspectives on interdisciplinary studies and integration. Conference speakers have included Everett L. Worthington Jr., Mark McMinn, Don Browning, Nancy Boyd-Franklin, Ed Shafranske, and Harry Aponte. All students are required to attend these conferences.
An elective opportunity is also offered in the form of monthly brown-bag seminars hosted by graduate faculty. Held during the break between evening classes, these seminars provide students with the opportunity to interact with faculty on issues related to faith and practice. Informal case presentations are made with a focus on application of integrative perspectives in psychotherapy.
