Experiences of Conservative Orthodox Christian Students Attending Public Secular Accredited Counseling and Counseling Psychology Graduate Programs

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of conservative orthodox Christian students attending public, secular, accredited counseling and counseling psychology graduate programs. Conservative orthodox Christian students who were attending public, secular, accredited counseling and counseling psychology graduate programs were recruited by email. A prescreening interview was conducted with each respondent. Seven respondents participated in three rounds of individual interviews. The overall research question was: What are the experiences of conservative orthodox Christian students attending public, secular, accredited counseling and counseling psychology graduate programs? Follow-up questions explored the participants' perceptions and experiences in depth. Data were analyzed through within case and cross case displays using a phenomenological approach. Emergent categories, themes, and descriptors were gathered from each round of interviews. Data were organized into three major categories: reflections on secular programs, experiences attending secular programs and Christian identity, and further organized into underlying themes and descriptors. Implications related to conservative orthodox Christian students attending public, secular, accredited counseling and counseling psychology graduate programs were discussed. Finally, suggestions for future research were provided.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Foundations

Year

2006

Author dc:creator

• Schaefer, Paul

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hulse-Killacky, Diana; Christensen, Teresa
• Herlihy, Barbara
• Nave, Jeff

• CACREP
• CoA
• Multiculturalism
• Tolerance
• Diversity

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/391

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uno.edu:td-1412