Fuller Theological Seminary, the founding center for the study of Christian faith and psychology, remains a pioneer in integration. Founded in 1965, Fuller’s School of Psychology was the first clinical psychology program outside a university and the first program based in a seminary to receive APA accreditation** (1972). Our Marriage and Family Therapy Department joined the Clinical Department in 1987.
Our model, which brings together serious theological study and thorough graduate-level preparation in clinical psychology and in marriage and family therapy, is one of the most rigorous and extensive training programs available. Course-work in clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, theology and their integration uniquely prepares our students to attend to issues of faith and spirituality while addressing the mental health needs of persons, families and communities. Through such study and service we place “the cross in the heart of psychology”. The centrality of the integration of Christian faith with the disciplines of psychology and marriage and family therapy is reflected in our school learning outcomes.
- Graduates will demonstrate the ability to provide excellent preventative and or transformational mental health services to church and community.
- Graduates, in their scholarly and clinical work will be equipped to apply the insights of Christian theology along with the knowledge and techniques of the social and behavioral sciences.
- Graduates will be prepared to contribute to the development of knowledge as it relates to the interface of religious, spiritual and psychological functioning.
- Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and attitudes necessary to serve effectively in diverse communities locally and globally.
- Graduates will be prepared to serve underserved populations and to integrate in their practice and personal lives the disciplines of compassion and charity
Our faculty works toward guiding students as they achieve each of these learning outcomes. As a diverse community of committed Christian scholars, they bring a mature understanding of the Christian faith to the tasks of research, teaching, and clinical practice. Among this outstanding group of professionally active researchers, teachers, and practitioners are men and women recognized internationally for their scholarship. Their integrity is grounded in their commitment to the teachings of Christ and to the highest ethical standards of the profession.
A PhD student describes the Fuller advantage: "Between Fuller’s high academic standards and the amount of clinical training we receive, our candidates are competitive with people from any program in the country. And there’s a movement now to bring religion and psychotherapy closer together—something Fuller has been doing for years. Fuller gives us an edge."
**For more information on our APA accreditation, please contact the American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation.
American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation Fuller Theological Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, status as a veteran, or other characteristics protected by law in any of it's policies, practices, or procedures.