Introducing the Program

Semmelweis University, in cooperation with the Catholic Sapientia College of Monastic Theology and with the Institute of Social Work at the Teacher Training College of Károli Gáspár Reformed Unviersity, inaugurated an ecumenical Specialised Qualifying Program in Spiritual Counselling in 2002. Semmelweis University as the initiator of the program assumes responsibility for the program's organisational tasks and provides the necessary infrastructure for logistics and education. The two cooperating ecclesiastical institutions of higher learning, through their delegated founders of the program, guarantee the implementation of the program's theoretical and practical courses into theological studies.

The goal of the program is to further educate those with a degree from studies in faith traditions in the social sciences and humanities, to strengthen their own mental health and to develop their interpersonal skills. Through theoretical and practical courses, participants are given help better to recognise and understand the problems of individuals and groups in need, to assist them in their spiritual development, decision making processes, and to locate their resources. Students are also prepared to perform the tasks of individual and communal spiritual counselling at a higher level of professionalism in their chosen field of specialisation.

The three elective areas of concentration in the specialisation tier include (with the qualifications listed in the degree corresponding to these): family support spiritual counsellor, youth and sport spiritual counsellor and hospital spiritual counsellor.

The program's length is 6 semesters, minimally 850 class hours, 180 credit points. The first 4 semesters constitute the foundational tier, upon which 2 semesters of specialisation is built. The schedule of each semester is identical: 2 says a month, from Wednesday morning to late Thrusday afternoon, for 5 months.

The academic subjects of the foundational tier - education, psychology, sociology, mental health and clinical studies - are represented in nearly equal proportion.

Their interaction and interconnectedness, their connection to spiritual counselling are highlighted in a complex way.

Information about the Specialised Qualifying Program in Spiritual Counselling:

Gábor Török (torokg@mental.usn.hu)
Gábor Semsey (semsey@mental.usn.hu)
Dr. Andrea Midling (midling@mental.usn.hu)
Tel.: +36 1 266 1022