MSU offers Mental Health and Spirituality Certificates for Undergraduates
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Religion and psychology may seem like an odd combination at first glance, but Missouri State University offers undergraduates the opportunity to earn a certificate in mental health and spirituality.
The program began after the school achieved success in its other interdisciplinary certificate, the Medical Humanities, with a focus on cultural and personal engagement with illness and health.
Around the same time, classes on the psychology of religion became popular with students across campus, especially those in the health and welfare field.
At the beginning of the course, Dr. Amber Abernathy asks students why they are taking the course. She said, “I’m taking this because I want to understand this to help people.”
Come to think of it, it makes sense. Psychology studies the mind and human behavior, while religion and spirituality can shape a person’s worldview, sense of purpose, and way of life.
“[Religious and spiritual]beliefs relate to your emotions, the meaning of life, coping strategies, health, parenting. Duplicate. Someone else,” Abernathy said.
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Abernathy cited a 2003 study that found that two-thirds of patients felt it was important for doctors to understand their beliefs, but only about one-third of physicians I am asking about beliefs. Another study found that 75% of those surveyed felt that a good therapist should be sensitive to their beliefs.
“People want psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors to know where they come from, but they don’t ask for it,” Abernathy said.
Professor of Psychology, Abernathy leads the Mental Health and Spirituality Certification Program along with Professor of Religious Studies, Dr. Steven Berkwitz.
The course offers a broad perspective of spirituality.
“Our department is specifically designed to cover the widest possible range of different traditions, some of which are poorly organized,” Berkwitz said. There are content and courses that look at organized spirituality, the rejection of organized religion, and it’s certainly not limited to Christianity alone.”
Developing the certificate was part of a conscious effort to ensure that course offerings were in line with what students wanted.
“It’s up to us to see where[the interest]is going and figure out how to still relate the study of religion to people’s lives, and this is one way we do it,” Burke said. Witts said.
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“More and more psychology graduate students are looking to combine psychology and spirituality with their research because they’re finding it,” Abernathy said. “We had some discussions. We talked the other day about religious upbringing and how it relates to[development]. I think there is (the psychology of).”
This program requires students to take 15 credits, or 5 courses, in specific classes in the Department of Psychology and Religion. Non-degree students can also complete the certificate, Abernathy said.
“It makes me happy when people who are already working come back and tell me it will be beneficial to my career because it allows adult learners to get the certificate as a sort of independent program alongside their practice and work. from,” Berkwitz said.
The program does not only benefit psychology professionals.
“We’re always asked, ‘What’s this good for?’ There’s a great list, but my answer is always, ‘Wherever I’m working with someone,’ because Because everything has a degree of spirituality and religiosity,” Abernathy said. “They have some form of belief, so it’s very important to understand that and what it does to their lives.”
Ultimately, Abernathy hopes to extend the program to graduate students.
But for now, an undergraduate certificate is only the first step.
“It’s great to see such a vibrant program with so many students participating, including people from the community taking these courses and earning their certificates,” said Berkwitz. “For Missouri State University, it’s a way to show that we’re preparing students for real-life situations and jobs, and we’ll be helping them personally and professionally as they move forward. “
Susan Szuch is a health and public policy reporter for Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on her Twitter @szuchsm. Story ideas? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.
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