“Dedicated to Continued Learning, Growth, and Achievement in Health Care Practice”
The objectives of the Spiritual Counseling Certification Program are:
- Provide a high quality program of Spiritual Counseling Certification for those who are qualified and called to the practice of Spiritual Counseling and Care.
- Develop and support high standards of education and practice requirements for the attainment of spiritual counseling certification.
- Provide a mechanism for the ongoing involvement of a peer advisory board of qualified professionals to oversee program development and requirements for spiritual counseling certification.
- Provide society with a mechanism to ascertain the appropriate education, skills, knowledge and experience required by professionals who offer such services.
- Establish quality standards and requirements for the re-certification of its credentialed members, attesting to ongoing education and skill attainment in the practice specialty of Spiritual Counseling Certification.
- Provide a comprehensive program of approvals for continuing education, seminars, offerings, independent study, and other related educational activities, to ensure high quality standards are met and that such programs are of value to those practicing Spiritual Counseling.
Spiritual Counseling Certification
Certified Spiritual Counselor – requires attainment and/or verification of the following certification criteria:
- Completion of an official, established education program to prepare individuals for the practice of Spiritual Counseling. Educational programs must have provided a minimum of 320 hours of lecture/study. Candidates for spiritual counseling certification must present valid evidence of successful completion of such program. Candidates whose can demonstrate evidence of successful completion of such programs within a five (5) year period prior to the date of application for certification, are eligible to receive certification as a Spiritual Counselor. Such programs may include university and college based courses, continuing education seminars, retreats, and distance learning programs, etc. AIHCP offers a full online program of continuing education courses, that when successfully completed, meet the education requirements for application for Certification as a Certified Spiritual Counselor. Access information here. This spiritual counseling certification curriculum is more broad-based without a specific religion focus.
- Certification Christian Option: the AIHCP also offers a full Certification Program in Spiritual Counseling with a “Christian Focus.” Candidates for Certification may chose this option of Certification: access here.
Prerequisite to enrolling in the Spiritual Counseling Certification continuing education programs: registrants must meet at least one of the following;
- A registered nurse currently licensed to practice nursing.
- A licensed social worker.
- A health care licensed professional.
- A health care provider with a minimum of an associate degree.
- A licensed counselor or psychologist.
- Holds a bachelor’s degree or higher in psychology, human services, or other health related field.
- Works in health care chaplain ministry under the direction of a pastoral chaplain/clergy.
- Is in current practice as licensed minister or any legal clerical representative of a religion.
- Is in current practice as a crisis counselor.
- Is a certified addictions counselor.
- Is currently certified in grief counseling, stress management consulting, or pastoral thanatology.
If you would like to find out if you meet the qualifications for this certification program. Please submit an Inquiry Form at the following link: Access Here.
Spiritual Counseling Certification – Identification & Credentials
Those applicants who become certified by the AIHCP in Spiritual Counseling may use the initials/credential SC-C, after their names: “Spiritual Counselor, Certified”
The Spiritual Counseling Certification Process:
We have a dedicated page that provides a quick over-view of our certification process. It will provide you with good information about the process/phases of both the education courses and application for certification. Click here to access.
Certification Option: Christian Focus
Those applicants who become certified by the AIHCP in Spiritual Counseling and complete the CE education curriculum for Spiritual Counseling Certification with a Christian Focus, may use the initials/credential SCC-C after their names. “Spiritual Christian Counselor, Certified”
To preview the Spiritual Christian Counseling CE Education Program: click here.
Timeline
All certifications shall be for a period of 4 years from the date of the initial certification.
KEY FAQS
What are the key benefits of achieving a Certification in this health care specialty practice?
Response: Some of the key benefits of receiving a Certification in Spiritual Counseling includes increasing your marketability in the work place, enhancing your knowledge and skills base in this specialty practice, increasing your earnings potential, commitment to ongoing professional development and continuing education, achieving recognition for accomplishments attained, networking with peers in the same practice specialty, and much more.
Must I take the continuing education courses/program to achieve my certification?
Response: Yes, our model for certification is designed so that our certified members have accomplished the same educational achievements and have consistency in knowledge and skills attainment. Many have experiences in many types of specialties practices, but are varied. Our model focuses on core and solid, comprehensive knowledge and skills that have been determined to practice the specialty at a higher level of quality practice. There are instances where past education may be used to waive some of the courses required. This is evaluated on an individual basis and more information may be found in our more comprehensive FAQS section: Access here
Do you offer a curriculum of continuing education courses that meet the requirements for your Certification standards?
Response: Yes, for each of our certification programs we offer full continuing education curriculums that are designed to meet full requirements for certification. Click on the link above (Ce courses and prices) for this program. All of our CE courses are authored and mentored by highly qualified faculty with graduate degrees.
Do your continuing education courses have any Board approvals?
Response: Yes, most all of our continuing education courses do have some or many Board approvals, depending on types of professional boards. Please access more information: Access here
Does Society Expect Health Care Professionals to be “Certified” in specialty practices?
Response: It is safe to say that today our society expects health care professionals to be highly knowledgeable and to practice their professions as well as their specialty practices at high levels of safe care, quality standards, and to maintain a high level of ethical practice. One way in which our health care professionals may demonstrate this level of achievement is by attaining a recognized professional certification from an organization that has developed and upholds all of these important indicators of high- quality professional specialty practices. Certification in a specialty practice demonstrates the professionals commit to achievements in core defined domains of practice allowing more confidence by society as a whole.
Once I am certified by your organization, am I certified “for life?”
Response: You can be if you chose to be. We have a program of Recertification for all of our specialty practices. Initial certifications are for a four-year period. All those obtaining certification may re-certify upon meeting the specific requirements for recertification every four years. Certified members may recertify every four years indefinitely as long as they meet the recertification requirements for their practice specialty. We hold strongly to the belief that professional Certification requires that one commits to and maintains ongoing education, skills attainment and practice in their specialty practice. Our recertification process allows for the verification of these verifications of our members. We offer a large curriculum of continuing education courses for our certified members if they would like to meet continuing education hours of recertification. You may learn more about our recertification requirements: Access here
After reviewing all of the information on this page, I may have more questions, who may I contact?
Response: We are here to help and assist you in all ways possible. We have Live Chat online during normal business hours and you may access the Live Chat link above on this page. Also, please access our Contact Us Page
Please view more FAQS for this Practice Specialty.
Re-Certification
Certified members may receive re-certification at the expiration of their four year term by:
- Obtaining 50 or more hours of continuing education within the four year period of certification. Click here to view the Criteria for Re-Certification.
Spiritual Counseling Certification Certificate
Those applicants who have successfully achieved certification, or re-certification receive a large size official Certificate attesting to certification, as well as an official letter of notification. The certificate is suitable for framing and details the official professional certification title, initials that may be used, and time frames for certification. Those re-certifying receive a new, updated certificate. Wallet size identification cards of certification are also presented.
Fee Schedule
- The certification fee for Spiritual Counseling is $220.00, plus shipping and handling, for the four year term of certification. All Certification packets, which include the official certificate, wallet ID card, and other related documents are shipped with tracking. Payment in full is due at the time of application. If an applicant does not meet certification criteria, the application fee is refunded. A completed application must be submitted with full payment to be considered for certification. The application form is available Here.
- Application for re-certification is $220.00, plus shipping and handling, for the next four year period. This is a one time payment and is required in full at the time of application for re-certification. A completed application must accompany the payment.
- Major credit cards are accepted. Check and money orders are to be payable to: The American Institute of Healthcare Professionals.
Education Programs for Re-Certification
Applicants may obtain education hours by completion of any type of formal program in specifically related to spiritual counseling, spiritual practices and spiritual care. Such programs include:
- University/College Programs and Courses
- Continuing Education Courses
- Seminars
- Distance Learning Programs
- Self-Study Programs that award CE credits
- Courses offered by Professional Associations
The AIHCP reserves the right to approve all such courses for consideration toward re-certification. For any courses to be considered, applicants must submit copies of all certificates of completion or transcripts verifying completion. Applicants who are using their degrees to meet partial fulfillment of the education requirements for certification must have official transcripts submitted from their University or College, directly to the AIHCP.
Fellowship Program
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, provides a “Fellowship Program” for its certified members in Spiritual Counseling. Access Information
Online Application
Click here for the online application.
Additional Resources
Click here to view education programs that are approved by the AIHCP for Spiritual Counseling.
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