Our Distinctives
Biblical Integration
SCS has a doctrinal statement focused on the strait forward interpretation of Scripture and the understanding that the Bible is the foundation of truth and other knowledge must be filtered through what Scripture says. The professors all hold to the doctrine of the school and teach accordingly, but any student is welcome, regardless of their faith. Each Behavioral Science degree program includes six required Bible courses to assure the student understands the core aspects of proper interpretation and use of Scripture. Active discussion of Biblical integration is included in the Behavioral Science courses. Though we believe the Word of God is more powerful than tools from psychology, we see value in counseling and psychology. We recognize that the counseling and psychology professions grant a wonderful job opportunity for Christians to help diverse people groups in their time of pain or need. Our degree programs prepare students to work in either professional, secular counseling or psychology agencies or Christian, lay counseling agencies and time and discussion opportunities are given in class to evaluate the implications of both.
Licensure vs. Non-Licensure Options
SCS offers degree programs for those seeking licensure or non-licensure jobs. Licensure allows a clinician to function as his or her own business without working under another person or organization, but also requires an expectation that the person will follow all laws and regulations of the professions governing agencies. Those seeking education and skills for counseling may not want to seek licensure and various options are explained for lay counseling in a church setting or for ministry opportunities to use the skills outside of a government-regulated system. Graduates are given tools to understand the difference and implication of each option.
Behavioral Sciences in the Korean Language
Korean-language bilingual Behavioral Sciences programs: SCS offers our behavioral science programs in the Korean language, including bilingual professors and translation for English-speaking professors. Students have the option to choose licensure or non-licensure degree programs and courses are available in the Korean language at an L.A. teaching site or online with live streaming into the onsite class.
CCAPP Approved
Southern California Seminary is approved by California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (previously known as CAADAC) and meets all requirements as set forth by CCAPP and the Educational board (CCAPP Institute). Graduates of the MACP may take one additional course and a specialized practicum experience to meet requirements for the first certification as a drug/alcohol counselor.
Blended Model
All courses taught in the Graduate School of Behavioral Sciences use the Blended Model. This model includes a professor teaching in a traditional classroom while streaming live to online students. Online students are able to participate live with audio and a webcam while the class is happening on campus. All lectures are also recorded and made available to all students, for online students to view or for helping various learning styles.
Taylor Study Method
The SCS The Graduate School of Behavioral Science has integrated the Taylor Study Method into the PsyD program to assure students retain the vast amount of information they will receive in their classes. This program highlights the most relevant key terms in psychology, allowing students to prepare for the future licensing exams while still in school and helping students focus and retain the most important content from the courses. Click here to learn more about this program.
Students and Professors: Sign in for access to your study courses, the Resource Room, or EPPP Professional Forum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Are your degrees fully accredited?
Yes. Southern California Seminary and the The Graduate School of Behavioral Science is accredited by a national accrediting body, TRACS. The U. S. Department of Education gives authority to accrediting bodies (national, regional, and programmatic) to accredit schools. We have chosen a national accreditation because it meets the needs of the school.
The main goal of accreditation is to assure the quality of the education so students can trust they will receive the education they are expecting. Regional accreditation compares schools based on geographic location, while national accreditation compares schools that are similar. In comparing the standards of California’s regional accrediting body (WASC) with the standards of our accrediting body (TRACS), it is evident the standards are higher with TRACS.
Find out about these accreditation and other significant approvals on our Accreditation & Assessment page.
Will my degree from SCS allow me to get licensed to practice?
In addition to our TRACS accreditation, the SCS The Graduate School of Behavioral Science has several important approvals. We are approved by both the U. S. Department of Education, as well as the Council on Higher Education (CHEA), a private agency regulating accreditation. The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy are approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to meet educational requirements to sit for the license Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (with one additional class). The Doctor of Psychology degree is not approved by the California Board of Psychology to sit for the Psychologist license in California.
More information about these credentialing bodies can be found on our main Seminary page.
Can I be licensed in another state?
It depends. We have had graduates move to other states and be licensed as MFTs or other similar licenses and we can provide you with information about this process. There is never a guarantee another state’s licensing board would accept a degree from California, but we can give you a list of the states we have had students licensed in. We recommend reviewing the requirements of the state you are in or plan to move to before beginning the degree program.
The process that has been successful for our graduates to be licensed in other states is to contact the Dean when they plan to apply. The Dean has a letter describing the degree program, the accreditation and approvals, and the course descriptions that the graduate includes with their application. Upon request, we have also provided the academic catalog and course syllabi. The goal for most states is to make sure the school is a legitimate institute of higher education, with a structured, quality program training students to be psychologists. We can demonstrate this.
Does SCS have APA accreditation?
No. Southern California Seminary and the Graduate School of Behavioral Sciences is committed to offering our tuition at the lowest possible rate to allow students who would not normally be able to afford the degree to graduate and become therapists and psychologists.
To give an example, we are about 1/3 the cost of the local Psy.D. school in San Diego. Our current tuition would not remain if we pursued APA accreditation. Though we see great value come from APA within the field of psychology, we do not always appreciate the political impact APA has and choose not to be regulated by this professional organization. The value of accreditation is to hold a school to a high academic standard and this remains a pursuit and value obtained through our institutional accreditation and other approvals. Having a doctoral degree without APA accreditation may impact a student in several areas.
One area is with membership to some professional organizations, although many have an appeal process in which they evaluate the school or student to grant membership without APA accreditation. There are occasions when a job will list APA accreditation as a requirement, more seen with hospitals or the military. This is less seen lately, but could occur. Again, the job may accept proof of the validity of the doctorate program and still allow employment and we do have graduates work for hospitals and the Veteran’s Administration.
One other area of possible implication is with using the doctorate degree to teach in APA accredited schools, again exceptions are prevalent. The impact of not having APA accreditation has been minimal for our students, but existing none the less and we believe in transparency. Dr. Elizabeth Elenwo has more information about accreditation she shares during the admissions process.
How long will it take to graduate?
What can I do with my degree?
Graduates of our degree program have obtained jobs in many areas including, but not limited to, private practice counseling, social work, addiction counseling, radio talk shows, hospitals, chaplaincy, group homes, churches, missionaries in other countries, schools, private agencies, community mental health, hospice, inpatient/outpatient programs, and more.