Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill., has added two master’s degree programs—in counseling psychology and special education—to its offerings, starting in Fall 2012.
Steven Timmermans, president of Trinity Christian College.
The new programs mean Trinity joins other colleges related to the Christian Reformed Church in offering master’s degrees.
“The master’s degrees in counseling psychology and special education are both focused on professional callings,” said Steven Timmermans, college president. “Leaders trained to be Christian psychologists and special educators—based on an understanding of God’s sovereignty in all areas of life—can be used mightily in the transformation of lives and even society.”
Those seeking an advanced degree in psychology can earn their M.A. in counseling psychology through either a two-year or three-year program option. Courses are blended with online instruction and evening face-to-face classes. Graduates of the program will meet the educational requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors in the state of Illinois.
Certified regular education teachers looking to add expertise and credentials necessary for teaching a wide range of students can join the M.A. in special education program, designed for the State of Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist 1 certification.
Students can earn their master’s in one-and-a-half years by means of online and face-to-face evening classes.
“There is a need for trained special educators, and especially Christian special educators,” said Patti Powell, director of the special education graduate studies program. “At Trinity our students will graduate with a well-established Christian world and life view that understands the place of special education and children with special needs in our world.”
