Course Descriptions
(To go to the courses we offer using Moodle, click on the following: Available Courses in Moodle. If you wish to go to Moodle for a specific course, click below on that course.)
#1.0 Interfaith Minister Programs and Courses
Academy programs normally run for two consecutive semesters and consist of two courses with 40 hours per course. If a person is interested in becoming an Interfaith Minister, these four following programs are required. The four programs (eight courses) are:
1.1 Introduction to Interfaith Studies Program
1.1.1 Comparative Eastern Religions
This course explores the concept of sacred paths and covers the Hindu, Buddhist, Jainism, Sikhs, Confucianism, Taoism, and Japanese traditions. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
1.1.2 Comparative Western Religions
This course covers Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity (including Greek, Eastern, Gnostic, Catholic, Protestant and Mormon), Islam (including Sufi and Druze) and Baha’i. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
1.2 Advanced Interfaith Studies Program
This course focuses on contemporary issues facing religion as a result of serious scholarship over the past 50 years. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
This course looks at the common spiritual wisdom found in the five most significant world religions.If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
1.3 Knowledge Significant to Religion Program
This course explains why philosophy as a subject is important to religion and in particular this course focuses on the concepts and development of atheism. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
This course gives an overview of ethics and its importance to religion. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
1.4 Practical Knowledge for Religion Program
This course explores the psychological basis of religion, the religious basis of psychology and the interaction between the two. Does our psychological makeup determine our religious beliefs or do our religious beliefs determine our psychology? Do both change with fashion or are they part of our very makeup? Reading will include many of the great books. Class work will focus on both academic understanding and personal experiences. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
1.4.2 Religious Ritual and Ceremony
There are standard religious rituals and ceremonies such as officiating at weddings, baby namings, giving sermons, and so on. This course prepares a person to perform those practical duties. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
# 2.0 Short Focused Studies — 10 hour courses
These are usually short ten hour courses designed for people interested in focusing their learning on particular topics. They are as follows:
This course introduces the intellectual treatment of atheism and its importance to religion. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
2.2 History Surrounding the Beginning of the Common Era
This course examines the historical developments in the Middle East just prior and after the beginning of the Common Era. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
This course explains Gnostic beliefs, especially during the early Christian period. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
2.4 Scholarly Treatment of Christianity
In the past 60 years, there has been a growing critical scholarly treatment of Christianity that calls into question traditional Christian dogma. This course addresses this area of scholarship. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
2.5 Introduction to Spiritual Wisdom
This course introduced students to what religious scholars call the spiritual wisdom literature. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
2.6 Jewish History, Faith and Traditions
This course looks at the interplay of the history of the Jewish people, faith and traditions. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
2.7 Music in Interfaith Life (Breath and Spirit)
This course points out the relationship of music to the spiritual life. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
2.8 Meditation to Heal the Emotions
This course explores a means to address Emotional Stress and How to focus a distracted mind. The emphasis will be hands-on-training-not discussion. We will practice relaxation, focusing attention and accepting life as it comes to you.. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
This course introduces the subject of mystical Judaism. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
This course explains the legal aspects of religion. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
2.11 Religion, Spirituality, and Humanism
What are the similarities and differences among the these three fundamental concepts? Do they overlap? Are they independent of one another? In conflict with one another? Did the Great Teachers intend to establish religions or merely to teach spirituality and humanism? Did their followers eventually corrupt and convert their teachings? If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
2.12 Myths and the Image of God
Belief in a higher being is common to all human society. Yet most societies have their own image of God, expressed in their unique religious traditions and myths. What are the similarities and differences in these myths and the many and various images of God? The work of Joseph Campbell will be used extensively in this course. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
2.13 Reconciling Religion and Science
Are religions and science compatible? Complementary? Co-dependent? Independent? Mutually exclusive? This course will explore the writings of leading scientists, some deeply religious and others not. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
2.14 The Roles of Religion in Modern Society
Some argue that religion is important and others think it is dangerous. This course explores the debate on what some call the “Crisis in Religion.” If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.0 Interfaith Minister Development Programs — 40 hours courses
These 40 hour courses are for Interfaith Ministers who wish to improve their skills in managing nonprofit organizations such as churches and pastoral counseling.
3.1 Nonprofit Management Program Courses
3.1.1 Nonprofit Leadership, Management, and Planning
This course explains how to lead and manage nonprofit organizations, such as churches, so that they better serve their community. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.2 Personnel and Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains accepted proper personnel and leadership practices that should exist in nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.3 Budgeting and Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains proper budgeting and financial management that should exist in nonprofit organizations so that budgets balance corruption is prevented, and the board policy does guide the activities of the organization. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.4 Foundations of Organization Theory for Nonprofits
This course explains the various ways that a nonprofit can be effectively organized to accomplish its missions. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.5 Grant Writing, Fund Development, and Becoming a Nonprofit
This course explains how to effectively write grants, how to otherwise raise money, and how to become an IRS recognized nonprofit organization. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.6 Ethics for Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains the importance of and how to achieve proper ethics in nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.7 Statistics for Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains what statistic methods are useful in nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.8 Research Methods and Program Evaluation for Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains the concepts of research methods and evaluation that are important to nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.9 Constitutional and Basic Laws Relevant to Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains constitutional and basic laws (except administrative law) that is important to how an nonprofit is managed. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.10 Administrative Law and Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains what way administrative law is significant to nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.11 Public Policy and Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains the importance of public policy to nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.12 Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains useful marketing methods for nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.13 Accounting for Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains accounting processes and procedures important for nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.14 Technology for Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains the useful technology that is available for nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.15 Group Dynamics and Nonprofit Organizations
This course explains how groups act together and how to best deal with group dynamics. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
Of the many leadership styles, servant-leadership is among the most effective. Such leaders focus on the needs of their colleagues and those they serve and, as humble stewards, achieve results that bond groups and bring the best out of members. While the concept is ancient, it remains as vital and effective even in today’s high pressure world and ideal in many situations for nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.17 Practicum or Internship in Nonprofit Organizations
This course helps the student link his or her courses with the practical world of nonprofit organizations. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.1.18 Directed Reading in Nonprofit Organizations
At the end of the program of study, this course gives students the opportunity to craft directed reading in particular areas. Permission of instructor required.
3.2 Spiritual Counseling Program Courses
The 100 level courses are the basic core courses and they will satisfy the educational requirements at the graduate level for most state licensing boards. All of the 100 level courses are required. The 200 and 300 level courses are electives with 300 being more advanced electives. Go to PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS under Courses to understand the program requirements for the Spiritual Counseling as well as the other programs in more detail.
This course introduces the basic theories of counseling including Psychoanalytic Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Existential Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Behavioral Therapies, and Postmodern Approaches. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.100.2 Counseling Techniques
The course covers listening and interviewing skills, parameters and limitations of the treatment relationship, client-counselor contracts and understandings, stages of clinical treatment, referral and termination. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.100.3 Marriage and Family Counseling
This course explains the stages of family and couple relationships, overview of family systems theories, principles of working with couples and families. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
This course introduces the principles of leading groups, objectives of group counseling, and group therapy theories.If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.100.5 Grief and Loss Counseling
This course explores the psychological, relational, and theological dynamics of loss and grief including attachment theory and the role of hope in the context of counseling.If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.100.6 Chemical and Substance Abuse Counseling
The course introduces the current understandings of the etiology, neuro-biology, and treatment of chemical and substance abuse including the spiritual dimension.If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.100.7 Professional Ethics for Spiritual Counselor
The course introduces ethics from both a secular and spiritual understandings. Attention will be given to the AAPC Code of Ethics with emphasis on setting appropriate therapeutic boundaries, legal issues, understanding the scope of spiritual counseling, and knowing when to make appropriate referrals. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
The course explores the cultural factors present in counseling including the impact of gender, age, class, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, physical and cognitive differences, and religious beliefs. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.100.9 Human Development and the Life Cycle
This course introduces the theories of human development and spiritual development over the course of the life cycle, including those of Erikson, Piaget, and Fowler. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.100.10 Spiritual Development — the Person of the Counselor
More important than “what we do” in the counseling relationship is “who we are.” This course helps us to discover and articulate our identity as a spiritual guide in the context of our particular theological understanding and spiritual practices. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.100.11 Counseling for Spiritual Growth
This course explains how to and what to cover in helping individuals to grow spiritually. If you wish to order the required books for this lass, chick here.
3.2.100.12 Appraisal and Assessments
This course is a survey of the formal and informal assessments such as testing, observations, and interviews. Test construction, validity, procedures, and interpretations will be covered. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
This course is an introduction to the diagnosis of major categories of mental disorders based upon current DSM and ICT criteria and an understanding of abnormal behavior and its impact on society. If you wish to order the required readings for this class, click here.
3.2.100.14 Lifestyle and Career Development
This course introduces occupational choices and career decision-making and the life-long processes that influence work values. We will explore patterns of work adjustment, career identification, integration of occupational roles and the factors that give meaning and satisfaction to life’s work. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.100.15 Research Design and Evaluation
This course introduces research design and evaluation methods. In addition the course covers some statistical tools such as data analysis as well as reading and interpreting research. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.100.16 Statistical Analysis
This course explains basic statistical analysis and how it can be helpful in counseling. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
200 Level Elected Courses
3.2.200.1 Marriage Enrichment and Pre-Marital Preparation
Pre-Requisites: Marriage and Family Counseling; Counseling Theories
This course provides an overview of the Prepare / Enrich materials and their use in pre-marital preparation and marriage enrichment. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Psychopatholgy
This course is an in-depth study of both situational and interpersonal trauma and the fear response including the neuro-biology of trauma. Psychological disorders resulting from trauma such as PTSD and DPD will be explored along with the role of spiritual counseling in the treatment of these disorders. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.200.3 Depression and Anxiety Disorders
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Grief and Loss Counseling; and Psychopathology
This course is an in-depth study of depression and anxiety disorders, current understandings in related neuro-biology, and the role of spiritual counseling in the treatment of these disorders. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.200.4 Counseling Families of Substance Abusers
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Chemical and Substance Abuse Counseling; and Marriage and Family Counseling
This course explores the family dynamics leading to and / or resulting from chemical and substance abuse of any member of the family system. It will also look at genetic factors of substance abuse in families, how a family history of substance abuse can be disrupted and healed and the role of spiritual counseling in that process. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.200.5 Couples in Crisis Counseling
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Marriage and Family Counseling
This course is an in-depth study of the factors leading up to a crisis in couples” relationship and the role of spiritual counseling in working through that crisis in a way that leads to spiritual growth for both members of the couple. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.200.6 Human Sexuality and Sexual Addictions
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Human Development and the Life Cycle
This course is an in-depth study of human sexuality, normal sexual needs including heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered sexuality, sexual identity, and abnormal sexual functioning, including sexual addictions. This course will explore the role of the 12-step programs as a treatment for sexual addictions and the role of the spiritual counselor in the healing process. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Human Development and the Life Cycle; Grief and Loss Counseling
This course is an in-depth study of the factors such as loss and grief that accompany the aging process in particular and the adjustments to those losses of health, mobility, and functioning that must occur for healthy life transitioning in later years. Planning for end of life issues such as making a living will, planning memorial services, and providing for loved ones will be explored as functions of spiritual counseling. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.200.8 Divorce and Remarriage
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Marriage and Family Counseling
This course is an in-depth study of the effects of divorce, how to help a couple achieve a health divorce, and the understanding of self in relationship that must be worked through to effect a healthy remarriage. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.200.9 Having a Satisfying Single Living
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Marriage and Family Counseling; Human Development and the Life Cycle
This course points out that while coupling is the norm in our society, many persons live a single life by choice or necessity. This course explores the role of spiritual counseling in helping the single person avoid isolation while living a single life and maintaining healthy and nurturing connections to others. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.200.10 Dealing with Parent / Teen Conflicts
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Marriage and Family Counseling; and Human Development and the Life Cycle
Adolescence and the teen years can represent the biggest life transition and challenge of life. This course is an in-depth study of these years and the role of parenting a teen through this transitional period, including how to set appropriate limits while remaining a non-anxious presence in the teen’s life. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.200.11 Dealing with Chronic Disease
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Human Development and the Life Cycle; Grief and Loss Counseling
This course is an in-depth study of the effects of chronic illness on the human psyche and the role of spiritual counseling in coping with chronic illness with hope and finding meaning in unavoidable suffering. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
300 Level Advanced Elected Courses
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Psychopathology; Spiritual Development – the Person of the Counselor; 100 hours of clinical conseling
This is an advanced course in Jungian Psychology and its application in spiritual counseling. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.300.2 Transpersonal Psychology and Psycholsynthesis
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Counseling Techniques; Psychopathology; Spiritual Development – the Person of the Counselor; 100 hours of supervised clinical counseling
This is an advanced course in transpersonal psychology and the theories of Roberto Assagioli (psychosynthesis) and their application in spiritual counseling. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.300.3 Family Systems Theory and Genograms
Pre-Requisites: Counseling Theories; Counseling Techniques; Marriage and Family Counseling; 100 hours of supervised clinical counseling
This is an advanced course in family systems theory as described by Friedman and Bowen and the application in spiritual counseling. Students will learn how to create and use genograms to understand multi-generational family dynamics and patterns. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.300.4 Counseling for AIDS and Stigmatizing Diseases
Pre-Requisites:Counseling Theories; Counseling Techniques; Cultural Diversity; Human Development and the Life Cycle; Grief and Loss Counseling; 100 hours of supervised clinical counseling
This is an advanced course for those working with AIDS patients and others with stigmatizing diseases to help normalize their experience through spiritual counseling. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.300.5 Counseling Children and Adolescents
Pre-Requisites:Counseling Theories; Counseling Techniques; Human Development and the Life Cycle; Family Systems Theory and Genograms; 100 hours of supervised clinical counseling
This is an advanced course that explores the special world of children and adolescents with challenging life situations and the ways that spiritual counseling can be of benefit to their healing. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.300.6 Counseling Those with Terminal Illness
Pre-Requisites:Counseling Theories; Human Development and the Life Cycle; Grief and Loss Counseling; 100 hours of supervised clinical counseling
This advanced course deals with death and dying through the stages of Elizabeth Kuebler-Ross. We will explore the role of spiritual counseling to bring about meaning to the life that has been lived and to one’s unavoidable suffering, acceptance of death, and hope in living out the remaining moments of life. If you wish to order the required books for this class, click here.
3.2.22 Practicum or Internship — 1,000 to 2,000 hours of supervised clinical work
This set of courses is meant to help the student connect practical clinical work with the student’s program of study at the Academy. The method of clinical work needs to be defined by the faculty for each particular student. The AAPC requires a minimum of 300 supervised counseling with 125 hours of supervision of which 1/3 must be with an AAPC fellow or diplomat.
4.0 Lectures, Talks and Sermons
4.1 The Academy gives weekly FREE one and one half hour TALKS and DISCUSSIONS in San Miguel de Allende. They are from 2:00 to 3:30 PM on Sunday at the Empowerment Center, Priv.de la Aurora #5.
